Celestial - "Crystal Heights" cd  (Music Is My Girlfriend / Lavender)
I was quickly enamored with this band's debut album last year, but this new record actually took a little longer to grow on me, but only due to personal preference. Though Andreas has had a female vocalist sing lead for him at times in the past, he only takes the lead once on this record, and I just generally prefer male lead vocals on my jangle-pop records. The production is a little more polished here (turning the reverb down a notch or so), but little else has changed between the two records - he's still writing shimmering songs in the vein of Trembling Blue Stars and Harper Lee (not to forget the Field Mice and Brighter). He's also using the same singer (Malin from Laurel Music) on most of these songs, though Ulrike Nymark also helps out on a few. I do still quite like this record and its gorgeous songs, but I would've rather had the XY version...  MTQ=7/9

Strawberry Story - "Summer Scene EP" cdep  (Anorak)
I can't figure out what is funnier - that Strawberry Story has recently reappeared after over a decade of silence (with its original line-up, no less!) or that they sound just like they did when they left off. Are these lost recordings that are just now seeing the light of day? Were they in some sort of stasis? Or is it because the band's innocent, sunny brand of tweepop that went out of style in the '90s is now back and stronger than ever? Either way, it's good to see some old, familiar faces on today's pop scene, and anyone who liked the band before will also be glad to see them return. And for those of you who missed out on them the first time, this group of older popkids show us that they can still compete with the new wave of tweepop!  MTQ=5/5

Twig - "Life After Ridge" cd  (Plastilina)
We've already gotten a couple sample tastes of this band via a 3" cd and 7" on Cloudberry (two songs from which reappear here), but this album gives us the full range of the band and their influences. As we've already heard, the band's sound is firmly rooted in - one could even go as far as to say practically lifted from - the post-punk/pre-indiepop era of the early '80s in Britain that spawned (or at least nurtured) bands like Orange Juice, the Wake, Pale Fountains, the Bluebells and the Smiths, all of whom provided Twig with ample inspiration. But with these songs, I can also hear other influences from the day, including the Chameleons, the Commotions, early Tears For Fears, Prefab Sprout and even a bit of New Order. "Devil Talking To You" also adds a little bit of "Psychocandy" to the mix. But funny enough, I can't quite say that the songs sound dated, either, given the superior production quality. On the lp, the band might've stretched out just a bit too much; a couple of the songs ("Indigo" and "Dangerous Kind") clock in at around six minutes (though the former is forgiven for making those six minutes count), but the eight minute version of "At Work And At Home" (which contains its own built-in remix) really should've been saved for a 12" single b-side or something.  MTQ=8/11

The Wellingtons - "Heading North For The Winter" cd  (Zip)
This band always makes me wish the Salteens were still active. And that the two would tour together. (And that I could follow them around the country.) Musically, the bands don't share all that much in common (the Wellingtons are much louder and more rocking, in general), but there's enough positive energy between the two bands to bust any bad mood and create possibly near-dangerous levels of joy and exuberance. At least, I know that my face hurt from smiling after the last time I saw these guys play alone. On record, everything translates over perfectly, and even now I keep mistyping words from all the bouncing around in my chair. Some of their songs may seem a bit too sugary sweet (in that polished, "radio-friendly" way), but they're still much too fun to fault the band for it. Clocking in right at 30 minutes, this record is a short-lived high, but what a nice way to spend a half hour...  MTQ=10/10

Big Attack! - "Double Single EP" cdep  (M-26-7)
The street graffiti-themed artwork and just a bit too-hard rockin' photos had me a bit apprehensive at first - it all seemed a bit too hipster-ish and manufactured. But after listening to the EP and its energetic yet tuneful songs, the band's look and style seemed to make a bit more sense. Basically, they're shooting for the socio-politically-charged punk of the late '70s (see the Jam, Clash, Stiff Little Fingers...), and do a pretty good job at achieving a modernized version of that sound - not unlike the Exploding Hearts (but with Elvis Costello in place of the Stiv Bators influence). It also helps that the lyrics are actually pretty well-written... Also contained in this interesting package is a bonus data disc with photos, live videos, a tour diary and about a dozen extra songs, including tons of demos from the last few years and a sampling of songs from the pre-Big Attack! band, Dread Fabrik. Though few of those earlier songs were actually all that great, I found the EP proper to be a solid listen, and I'd be interested to hear what they'll do next.  MTQ=4/4

Blackflower - "You And Me" cd  (Aficionado)
I was introduced to this British group last year via a split EP with the Minotaurs, so I'm glad to finally get to hear a full length from them. Their gentle and easy-going sound brings to mind a variety of bands, from Belle & Sebastian and the Smiths to Teenage Fanclub and the Byrds, but I think the comparison that sticks out the most is Voxtrot (particularly their EPs). Sometimes they can seem a little overly dramatic (I'm thinking about the vocals in "More Than A Rhyme"), and can considerably pick up the pace when they want to (as on the noisy and energetic "To The Saints"), but generally their sound is as smooth and silky as their album's sleeve (which is, in itself, a tactual delight!). Unfortunately, a few of the songs go on a little too long - sometimes it's not so obvious (at least, the opening "Army And Navy" didn't feel like six minutes!), but a few of these songs could certainly stand to have a minute or two trimmed off. The nearly nine-minute long cover of "Indian Summer", though - let's just say that as much as I love the original song, the version here is just terribly long and unnecessary... No matter, though, as there are plenty of other pleasant tunes on this record to enjoy!  MTQ=8/10

Doug Derek & The Hoax - "Who The Hell Is Doug Derek?" cd  (Kool Kat)
I hadn't heard of this band before (which would probably help explain the record's title), but they existed for a year or so in New Haven at the beginning of the '80s. Though they never released a proper record (this unusually late record is their first official release), all of these songs were recorded in a studio during the band's brief lifetime and sound absolutely great! That songs like "Bobby's Gotta Get Back To Boston" or "Airwaves" never achieved classic single status only due to the fact that they were never actually pressed to vinyl is criminal alone. Well, thanks to the fine folks at Kool Kat, we've got a dozen songs from this band to revel in (well, make that eleven - the horrible reggae-tainted "Show Your Love" has absolutely no place among these songs), and as they always say - better late than never... The liner notes state that the band were out of place in their time, but speaking as someone who is quite far removed from the scene (being a decade too young), they seem to fit in perfectly with many of the powerpop bands scattered around the country at the time, including the Paul Collins' Beat, 20/20 or any of the obscure wonders from the midwest. Any fan of vintage powerpop will surely delight in this new discovery!  MTQ=11/12

Hot Lava - "Lavalogy" cd  (Bar/None)
I'd heard about this band over the summer, and I even almost got to see them play, but missed 'em (wrong place, wrong time). And while I'm sure their live show is a bunch of fun, their debut album ain't too bad, either! They actually remind me a lot of an American version of the Brunettes, coupled with some of the Perfect Pop bands (like the Superman Can Flys, Tables or Ethnobabes). Like those bands, Hot Lava mixes modern and classic pop styles with a fair amount of silliness, giving us fun/funny songs like "Mummy Beach", "JPG In The Sun" and "Blue Dragon" (the latter being an ode to a vegan dragon). Even with their goofiness, though, the songs stand up quite well on their own without sounding jokey (although there were a couple uninteresting ones in the middle of the record). Recommended for anyone who likes pop bands that don't take things too seriously...  MTQ=8/10

The Lil' Hospital - "Universe Sucks EP" 7"  (Hugpatch)
The universe sucks indeed - how cruel for us to watch a band like Lil' Hospital go from a nice bedroom pop project to a good pop band to a veritable indiepop powerhouse, only to have them break up right at their prime. And we only get a measly 5-song EP on the way out! Well, for a band's final release, this is a pretty damn amazing way to go, and the best I've heard since that last Racetrack EP. Lil' Hospital have improved in every way: Kevin's songs and playing are both better, and the band (now a trio, rounded out by Mat Specific Heats and Frank Besties) are tighter and punchier than ever. Who knows, maybe it is time for Lil' Hospital to break up - but only if we get another band from the new and improved Kevin Alvir. And, hey, if it contained the same lineup, I certainly wouldn't complain about that either...  MTQ=5/5

Minisnap - "Bounce Around" cd  (Magic Marker)
In case you hadn't already heard, this band is basically the Bats, only with Kaye writing and singing all of the songs, and a different guitar player in place of Robert Scott (who's conspicuously absent from this record, but it seems he's always busy with something...). Not surprisingly, this band is considerably similar to the Bats, except I'd say that Minisnap concentrates a little more on the lighter, janglier side of pop; Kaye's songs are a bit cleaner at times, and her voice lends an airier feel to them. But there are also songs like "Big Blue Sky" and "Innocent", which have a bigger guitar sound and remind me more of High Water Marks. And it wouldn't be a certified New Zealand pop record without its token bit of weirdness: here we get the nearly two minute long improvised acoustic piece, "Fred's Song", which was possibly recorded late at night, after dinner and drinks with a group of friends. I might incite a little controversy by admitting I like this a bit more than the most recent Bats album, but there's a new Bats record coming up right around the corner, so we'll see if they can sway me back to their side!  MTQ=10/12

My First Days On Junk - "No Order" cd  (State Capital)
Here's the second album from Burlington's resident dreampop band, and I like it much more than their first one. This one isn't all that different from the debut in terms of style and sound (a blend of the usual shoegaze influences, like My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive and the first couple Lilys records), but it just seems to flow better overall. What I mean by that, is that the first half of the record (length-wise, so I'm talking about the first eight songs) is instantly and consistently enjoyable, and includes all of the best songs, from the loud and swirly "Try Hard" and "Count Me In, I'm Good To Go" to the quieter "Your Shirts Are My Favorite Color" and "Old Jaguar", which remind me more of "Stoned And Dethroned"-era Jesus And Mary Chain. You'll even catch a cover of the Lucksmiths' "Little Distraction", which sounds more like a straightforward Colin Clary track (until you get to the loud bit at the end, that is). The next few songs are also good, but all took a few listens to grow on me (including the slow-building "I Will Do Anything" and "Break Stride And You'll Fall Down" which goes all Madchester in the middle). The last two, unfortunately, were yawnsville. But at least they don't mess with the flow of the record...  MTQ=11/13

Ocelots - "The Cellar & The Ghost Have Let Us Down" cd  (Grand Palace)
Well that's an instant point against this release already: the band forgot to include the song titles on the disc or artwork! I had to do a little hunting for them online, but then again, this seems like the type of band to not do things the easy way... Their sound is a complex mix of '90s indie rock, syncopated Dischord-style post-punk and early R.E.M.-influenced jangle pop, while the lyrics are often political (in a Ted Leo way) and even a bit confrontational when need be (and they manage to do it without shouting, apart from the occasional punctuated "hey"s). All three band members are quite proficient on their instruments (and don't mind showing it), but more importantly, they're also good at crafting catchy and intelligent songs amidst the speedy guitar and fluid rhythm section. Packaging-wise, this is the least interesting of their three albums, but musically, it's easily my favorite.  MTQ=9/11

Anthony Rochester - "Music For In The Spaceship" cd  (Series Two)
I'd heard of Anthony Rochester before, but hadn't actually heard his music until a fine song of his ("Friend, Request Manager") jumped out at me from a Series Two compilation earlier this year. And then recently, I received this album from the same label, and was delighted to find out that the excellent song I heard from him before was no fluke! His music is a mixture of Jens Lekman-style crooning mixed with a Burt Bacharach-like laidback attitude and a good knowledge of vintage electronics. The songs run a fairly wide range from simple jangly numbers, like "Did You Lose Weight?" and "Mathematics" (the latter of which kinda reminds me of Eggstone), to the elegant Lightning Seeds-ish '80s pop of "Just Sigh And Move On" and from the quiet '60s movie soundtrack-worthy "Rain" to the '70s lounge/smooth funk feel running through "Lipscombe Larder" and "The Zoologists' Star". I didn't find every song interesting, but the ones that I did like, I really liked! But I definitely can't fault him for his diversity...  MTQ=9/12

School For The Dead - "A Telephone Built For Two" cd  (Rub Wrongways)
I liked the last record from this Northampton group, but I'm finding their third album considerably more enjoyable. As before, the band displays a variety of styles and influences, but this time around, it seems as if maybe Henning (the band's leader and songwriter) got most of the slower, more introspective songs out of his system on his last solo record... Not to say that there aren't quiet moments on here, but the emphasis is certainly on the peppier tunes, which remind me quite a bit of the Vehicle Flips and Wimp Factor 14. You'll also hear similarities to Fountains Of Wayne in spots (and I'm not even talking about the songs where Chris Collingwood provides backing vocals!) and They Might Be Giants in other places (the playful-sounding music in "Journal Of Lies" would've fit perfectly on "Lincoln"). Though I have to say that a couple of these songs seem to go on just a little too long ("Boring Dream", for example), I still think that a number of these songs rank among Henning's best work to date.  MTQ=10/11

The Sess - "Agendumb" cd  (Single Screen)
Put this on and wait out the useless 71 second opening track of random sounds - it'll be worth it. Oh, and while you're waiting, make sure to turn down your stereo - trust me on that. Once the album starts for real with "Sheep City", you'll be treated to (or should I say bombarded with) the loudest garage pop this side of Times New Viking. Except these guys take their cues more from Nuggets-styled '60s garage rock - including a farfisa, naturally, and even going as far as covering the Remains' "Don't Look Back". While the bulk of the record is just a wall of stunning noise, they meander off the track a bit too often in songs like "Silly For Sirius" and "Cry For A Crime Boy", each of which really should've been a minute or two shorter; not to mention the closing "Tunnel Love", which just took pop out of the equation entirely. But they certainly do get it right with hits like "Mary" and "Fuck The Navy". This is the music that headaches are made of - and I only mean that in a good way...  MTQ=8/10

Silent Kids - "Dinosaurs Turn Into Birds" cd  (Two Sheds)
Over five years have passed since we last heard from this Atlanta quartet, but the time was well-spent indeed. This record is considerably better than the previous one in pretty much every way: the band has graduated from an 8-track to the studio (with good effect), and there are fewer random noises and incidental pieces that I felt marred their last record. Their knack for writing slightly cheery/slightly twisted indie rock tunes in the vein of Elf Power, Beulah and Pavement not only remains, but has improved with catchy songs like "Cable Cars", "The Marble Faun" and "The Hissing Of The Summer Grass" (with its High Water Marks/California Oranges-ish boy/girl vocals) among my favorites. Oh, and bonus points for their nod to the drums from Sonic Youth's "Pipeline" in the liner notes, which I am also a big fan of...  MTQ=11/12