Audionom, 'Retrospektiv' (Kemado)
Droning Scandinavians keep it very, very simple.
By Aaron Burgess 03.13.07 3:00 AM
Countrymates Silverbullit beat them into stores by years, and like-minded Norwegians 120 Days hit the shelves months ago, but Swedish repetitive-motion rockers Audionom claim their own market share with this career overview that's just as indebted to early kraut rock as it is to the European post-punk that eclipsed it.
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Tracey Thorn, 'Out of the Woods' (Astralwerks)
Electro-soul singer sparkles on overdue second album.
By Mikael Wood 03.13.07 3:00 AM
The haunting voice of Everything but the Girl, Tracey Thorn hasn't made a solo album since 1982.
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The Ponys, 'Turn the Lights Out' (Matador)
Finding just the right level of sonic sloppiness.
By J. Niimi 03.12.07 3:00 AM
The Ponys' wonderfully visceral sound comes from playing amps as much as songs, which means recording values are particularly make-or-break for this Chicago foursome.
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Apostle of Hustle, 'National Anthem of Nowhere' (Arts & Crafts)
An indie-rock fusion that exults in its influences.
By Stacey Anderson 03.10.07 4:00 AM
As Gloria Estefan (and probably Nostradamus) predicted, the rhythm is gonna get us all. It's certainly got a grip on this Latin-soaked side project of Broken Social Scene guitarist Andrew Whiteman. National Anthem of Nowhere is a vivacious sampling of cultures and a swinging leap from his somber, lo-fi 2004 debut, Folkloric Feel.
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Jesse Malin, 'Glitter in the Gutter' (Adeline/ East West)
Former D Generation frontman serves corn on third album.
By Jon Young 03.09.07 4:00 AM
His glam-punk roots mostly forgotten, New Yorker Malin now specializes in sentimental rock anthems that showcase his Tom Petty-like yowl. Credibility-boosting pals Ryan Adams, Josh Homme, and Bruce Springsteen (who coughs up a hairball duet vocal on the mawkish "Broken Radio") chip in, but you've heard these overheated tales of wild girls and outlaw boys many times before.
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Arcade Fire, 'Neon Bible' (Merge)
Canada's most thrilling indie rockers deliver a euphoric follow up.
By Josh Modell 03.06.07 4:00 AM
In the beginning, Arcade Fire staged their own Funeral, a debut album filled with so much life that it transcended the deaths that helped shape it and the excitement that greeted it. Ecstatic enthusiasm -- a rare indie-rock commodity -- was expressed both onstage and in the audience, and the band's charm stemmed from their ability to embody and inspire a cathartic state of wonder.
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