We All Have Hooks For Hands - The Pretender (April 17, 2007)

We All Have Hooks For Hands are a charming 9-piece happy/folk/indie band from Sioux Falls. The band consists of a violinist, three guitarists, two keyboardists, two drummers and a bassist. The colourful album is a triumph to listen to from start to finish. Such exultant vocals along with unadorned drum beats, bright spirit raising strings and gallant keys. We All Have Hooks For Hands sounds like listening too Alec Ounsworth front Voxtrot. Such an enjoyable album that is guaranteed to find success for such an unknown band.

84/100.

The Concretes - Hey Trouble (April 4, 2007)

Swedish band The Concretes new album Hey Trouble is due for release April 4, 2007. It's The Concretes first since the departure of Victoria Bergsman. Victoria Bergsmans absence is unquestionably noticed. However, a new atmosphere to the band has developed and with this new atmosphere a few catchy tracks. As a whole Hey Trouble lacks consistency and alternates from one appalling track being almost intolerable, to another that’s actually quite amiable to listen too. The attempt to almost imitate Victoria Bergsmans vocals was a momentous mistake and should have been where the bands major change and new direction should have emanated from. Although Hey Trouble has its flaws, this album does deserve a reasonable amount of listens through to discover the rare gems spread throughout the album.

69/100.

Handsome Furs - Plague Park (May 22, 2007)

Handsome Furs is Dan Boeckner of Wolf Parade and his fiancée, Alexei Perry. Each an every track off “Plague Park” seems like an eternal struggle for happiness. A sort of melancholic story that is accompanied by evocative strings and keys, raw drum machine beats and disillusioned vocals that seem written by a restless man whose search for something more is coming to an end. Before they even wrote any songs, Handsome Furs toured Europe and have since opened for the likes of David Cross and Modest Mouse. Recorded at Wolf Parade’s studio, Plague Park is the debut every band wants.

83/100.

YACHT - I Believe In You. Your Magic Is Real. (May 8, 2007)

YACHT is the full-time project of The Blow’s Jona Bechtolt. Jona Bechtolt will release his highly anticipated third full-length album, "I Believe in You. Your Magic is Real." on May 8, 2007. YACHT is also planning on releasing a collection of remixes (including Mirah, Tussle, Architecture in Helsinki and more) on States Rights Records, titled Our Friends in Hell. "I Believe in You. Your Magic is Real." consists of poppy/electro/kid-like dance beats with warm-hearted, optimistic vocals. It's like a bunch of primary school students have gathered together to mash tracks together on their Ipods only to discover a crazy new genre that works on so many levels. Jona Bechtolts uncontrollable album is like watching jelly jiggle around.

85/100.

Wooden Wand - James And The Quiet (May 15, 2007)

unable to find album cover as of yet.

Wooden Wand is a psych folk/indie/freak-folk band from New York that seems to be following the "New Weird America" movement. However, James Jackson Toth has yet again decided to revolutionize the name of the band upon release of the new album, and the "Wooden Wand" name will expire. Sounding somewhere in between Akron/Family and The Mountain Goats, Wooden Wands "James And The Quiet" sounds like a medieval mythological tale of hitchhikers travelling throughout Europe in search of nothing but beautiful scenery and a chance to entertain the onlooking royalty. From start to finish, this album is a source of pleasure.

82/100.

Wooden Stars - People Are Different (April 10, 2007)

Wooden Stars are a Canadian indie rock band. “People Are Different” surrounds a mix of inconceivably catchy guitar riffs and vigorous (for a indie band at least) yet repetitive drumming loops. Unfortunately Julien Beillard vocals ruin each and every song. Such strong nostalgic melodies that deliver a wondrous philosophical listening experience. One can only speculate how well this album would have done with a different vocalist.

52/100.

Cassino - Sounds Of Salvation (March 29, 2007)

When Northstar decided to call it quits in early 2005, Nick Torres and Tyler Odom moved on to form Cassino. Their almost acoustic indie rock movement seems more comfortable and relaxed for the pair compared to their previous work with Northstar. Tracks like "Platano", "The Gin War" and "Lolita" are perfect examples of Cassino's laid-back acoustic approach. However, the continuing presence of Nick Torres alternative/emo like vocals was too much for me.

56/100.

Aleks And The Ramps - Pisces vs Aquarius (March 15, 2007)

Aleks And The Ramps is a high charged schizophrenic, sinister indie sludge hailing from Melbourne. Containing lullaby like vocals, dainty banjo and glockenspiel riffs, lethargic drumming, a overly bouncy percussionist and a ear splitting keyboardist. Not too mention the “Bedlam Asylum” like lyrics. Pisces vs Aquarius is one of those albums you can’t work out why you like and probably never will. It’s out March 15^th, 2007.

90/100.

Lucky Soul - The Great Unwanted (April 9, 2007)

Lucky Soul is a British six-piece band based in Greenwich, South East London. The band sounds like a lush revival of a 50s doo-wop pop band crossed with the Pipettes. Their debut LP "The Great Unwanted" is due out April 9th, 2007. With tracks like "Add Your Light To Mine, Baby" and the former single "Ain't Never Been Cool" there’s no wonder why these guys are starting to see some success in the US. Rasping handclaps, astonishing razor-sharp brass arrangements and Ali Howard's mind-blowing vocals seem to be the perfect recipe.

79/100.

Bright Eyes - Cassadaga (April 10, 2007)

Bright Eyes 7th studio album Cassadaga is due for release April 10 2007. Coner Obersts heartfelt vocals are perfectly matched with his Shakespeare-like lyrics that seem ghostly and eerie, not to mention the emotionally haunting riffs that send shivers down your spine. Z Berg of the Like and Sherri DuPree and Stacy DuPree of Eisley all feature on the album which is bound to be a success. Tracks like "Four Winds" (which is also featured on the Four Winds EP) and "Middleman" are perfect examples of why Coner Oberst is one of the most prolific singer-songwriters of his generation.

91/100.

The Clientele - God Save The Clientele (May 8th, 2007)

"God Save The Clientele" is the third studio album by The Clientele. "God Save The Clientele" was recored in Nashville and is due for release May 8th 2007. “God Save The Clientele” has pushed further towards up-beat sounds compared to the usual melancholic and mid-tempo sounds found in "Strange Geometry" and other previous work. A much welcomed change that is visible in tracks like "Bookshop Casanova" and "Winter on Victoria Street". However, those lullaby-like sounds of past albums do creep into the equation, tracks like "Dreams of Leaving" and “From Brighton Beach To Santa Monica” create a sort of balance that removes any possibility of a album that is just far too poppy.

82/100.

When - Trippy Happy (March 05, 2007)

when

“When” is Norwegian artist Lars Pedersen. Lars has brought back 60s psychadelia, whilst exploring a sort of happy, cartoonists, pop ballad experience. Resembling “Olivia Tremor Control” and “The Dreamies” somewhat, “Trippy Happy” (2007) seems to be the perfect album to play on a summer’s day. Having released their debut “Drowning but Learning” in 1987, one can only begin to speculate why “When” isn’t “big”, when they have so many great albums already under their belt. Featuring appearances by Haakon Ellington of the Last James on banjo, voices, and piano and Øyvind Borgemoen on accordion/piano, this album is well worth your time and money.

83/100.

The National - Boxer (May 22, 2007)

New York band The National is about to release their 4th album "Boxer" (May 22, 2007). Although "Boxer" doesn't stray far from previous work, specifically their very successful "Alligator" (2005), 13 months of writing in their Brooklyn homes seems to have payed off. Tracks like "Brainy", "Start a war" and "Slow show" depict the bands emblematic music direction, something that has not changed since the formation of the band in 1999, although Matt Berningers vocals have been perfected and finally individualised to a certain degree. This album is definitely a grower and one listen through will not justify the bands efforts.

79/100.