Astronaut
Times New Romance (Pause, www.pausemusic.net)
At first, I thought this CD was going to be a catch. And, although it had some good elements, as a whole it seemed rather repetitive. The melodies were good, but each song seemed to incorporate the same thing - a guitar solo, maybe a little singing, and then some horns. Not to say that this is a bad combination, but I think they should develop a more diverse concept. That being said, its obvious that in songs like 'œWounded Migratory Birds,'? this band creates a very mellow, atmospheric sound with the trumpet delicately played under the male and female singer. If Astronaut further explores their mix of what seems like folk meets instrumental ballads, they'll definitely create great music. '“ JASMYN BURKE
File Next to: my trumpet case

Bend Sinister
Through the Broken City (Storyboard, www.storyboardlabel.com)
Bands who name themselves after songs by better, more established bands usually have two results: they're either great (Eric's Trip) or just absolutely awful (Suburban Kids with Biblical Names, ah, Bend Sinister). Basically, it comes down to this: indie pop has had it's day. Just look at Bend Sinister: a band that, by name, seems to want to channel the ferocity of The Fall, but, in a poppy way? I'm not sure. Bend Sinister has all of the hallmarks of a good band including interesting instrumentation, cool production and interesting vocal styles; but none of this really gels, and the band just ends up sounding muddled. Perhaps in a couple of years, once the kinks in the sound have been refined, this group can make a good record. As it stands, it just sounds like a bunch of kids hammering out tracks, trying to sound good but failing. The lesson, I guess? Don't name yourself after another band's song. - ANTHONY GERACE
File next to: a failed attempt at something good, riding coattails.

Big Bear
s/t (Monitor, www.monitorrecords.com)
Now this is the good stuff. Monitor manages to sneak another awesome record out, amongst other greats as Part Chimp, EZT, and Cass Mccombs. While this is the worst of the four, Big Bear is good enough to warrant a purchase. Sounding roughly like the midway between The Melvins, Don Caballero, and trash rock, and having enough originality to make them more than just another knockoff, this record smokes (well, maybe it's not hot enough to smoke, but it's pretty good). It'll be interesting to see their live show, if they ever decide to tour, because apparently it makes the album pale in comparison. - ANTHONY GERACE
File next to: Don Cab, The Melvins, Ipecac, Monitor

Pelican
The Fire in Our Throats will Beckon the Thaw (Ipecac, www.ipecac.com)
When U.S. Maple told the world that they'd be the Vietnam for our long, long hair, they weren't kidding. Since Sang Phat Editor came out, much metal has stripped itself down to it's barest moments, producing tight, barren, and incredibly musical compositions. The new Pelican is no different: taking the almost-shoegaze instrumentals from Australasia and getting rid of most if not all of the sludge, they've come up with a superbly tight record of what could only be described as post-metal. Does that make them the Iraq to our bombed out villages? What does that even mean? - ANTHONY GERACE
File next to: Isis, Cult of Luna, and the new metal.

Radar Bros.
The Fallen Leaf Pages (Merge, www.mergerecords.com)
Merge Records has got another great album on their hands. The Fallen Leaf Pages, was a well-made album, and creates a very likeable sound. The songs were very poppy; kind of giving off a Beach Boys feel, but at the same time had a little bit of darkness in the lyrical content, almost giving off a Beach Boys spoke to Interpol and asked to use their lyrics, feel? I may have just confused you, but with the vocals done by a high-pitched, kind of squeaky singer, this bands sound reminded me of Minus Story, but with their own distinct flare. You should definitely check this band out, as their music is quite delightful. - JASMYN BURKE
File Next to: lollipops