Latvian Radio - "Seven Layers Of Self Defense" cd  (Belpid)
This is the third album from Patric Westoo's band (and the second since they changed their name from the B-Sides), and it's easily his best and most diverse work to date. The last album had found the band not only with a more polished sound, but also an overall calmer demeanor; on this record, the band's sound remains similarly refined, but the songs also seem to contain a bit more energy than those on the previous release. As before, this album shows us that the band excels at writing Replacements-styled power pop and Beatlesesque pop songs, but they also show off some other styles, from the Built To Spill-ish indie rock (at least their catchier songs) of "Angular Well Being" to the soul-inspired "We Ought To Be Ashamed" and "Night Blindness" (the latter of which could've fit on a Blochin 81 or Spearmint record). Their version of PJ Harvey's "This Is Love" definitely has their own touches, but unfortunately retains enough of the song's original dullness to make it merely feel like a throwaway track when placed amidst these other songs. Still, though, this is a largely enjoyable and catchy pop record!   MTQ=12/14

Le Chevre - "s/t" cd  (Startle)
South Carolina is not a place you'd expect to find electropop, but that's where this duo hails from and that's what they play. Some songs, like the two excellent openers "Everything Reminds Me" and "Worst Day", remind me of Vitesse and even the Postal Service (although that band has become the new Belle & Sebastian in terms of reference-dropping), but other songs like "Dead For Years" incorporate quiet acoustic guitars to the synths to create something a bit different. The acoustic element adds a new dimension to the songs - even during the more upbeat ones, where you'd think it wouldn't belong - which I like quite a bit. Unfortunately, this album wasn't planned very well, as the last three songs (including the eight minute long repetitive "Inner Voices" and the quiet, Neil Young-ish "Shot Down") are rather dull, and an anticlimactic end to what could've been a very good debut. Still, I'm very impressed by the first half of this record enough to go ahead and recommend it anyways...   MTQ=5/8

Le Coupe - "All I Hear" 7"  (Shelflife)
Another soft pop single from the land of California. The first song is a slow one, that goes on quite nicely, stops and then starts up again. The two songs on the flip are a bit more upbeat and bouncy with boy/girl vocals. The music says sun, but the lyrics say rain (literally!). Very similar to the Fairways and early Club 8.   MTQ=3/3

Le Coupe - "s/t" cd  (Shelflife)
Debut album from this Southern California duo of Stacy Michelson & Josh Moore, and a few guests. They remind me a lot of both Birdie and Club 8 (the latter especially due to the drum machine sound and vocals). The music is nice easy-going pop with soft guitars (often acoustic) with clean electric guitar melodies on top, and an occasional flourish of trumpets here and there. Sometimes, the music is reminiscent of the Sugargliders, too. A very lovely pop record, indeed!   MTQ=9/10

Le Man Avec Les Lunettes - "?" cd  (My Honey)
If you were actually paying attention, you would find the discography of this Italian band with a French name a bit confusing. They've had a few releases over the past couple years on their own label, My Honey, including a 3" cd, a lathe-cut 7" and a couple other cd-rs, with a bit of overlap between them; and though several of these songs were already collected on the "Breasting The Tape" cassette on Best Kept Secret, nearly all of them are now available again on this first full-length release from the band. The band's sound is basically gentle folk (a la Kings Of Convenience), with the album predominantly composed of slow and languorous songs played on acoustic guitars, though they make a little noise in the rocking "Aging Again". Most of the songs have an extra level of experimentation with the inclusion of synths and effects; sometimes this has a pleasant effect (like in "Tennis System & Its Stars" or "Venice"), but in a few songs, like "Give Her Some Flowers" or "A Tea At The Station", it can be a bit distracting. Still, this is a pleasant and low-key release.   MTQ=9/12

Le Man Avec Les Lunettes - "La Belle Epop" cd  (Series Two)
Not surprisingly for this band (who have a history of discography overlap), half of this material has already been previously released; the first five tracks are taken straight from their very first release, the 2004 "Saturate It, Than Reverse!" 3" cdep on My Honey Records (though, to be fair, that cd has been sold out for years). The rest of the cd is composed of newer songs (a couple of which have seen release on various compilations), which gives this record an interesting dichotomy, as the band have evolved substantially in the years since their debut. Much of their earlier material was a bit slower and lazier (in a fashion similar to Grandaddy), and though their newer stuff still reminds me of Grandaddy, the sound is a lot more developed and the songs just sound better. One of the most interesting parts is how they included a couple demos for songs from their newest album ("Plaskaplaskabombelibom"), one of which ("Apples"), they followed with the album track itself - and if I had not been paying attention, I don't think I would've even noticed that the two songs were the same, as the proper version is so much different from the demo! Simply put, their old stuff is nice, but their newer songs really are quite good!   MTQ=8/11

Le Pepes - "All Fun Things End" cd  (Kittridge)
This is the only album from this L.A. group that existed from '96-'98. Compiled five years after the band broke up, it sounds really dated. Hell, these recordings probably would've sounded dated back then! They're best described as a mix of Butterglory (right down to the boy/girl vocals) and Guv'ner: simple lo-fi indie rock with a fair amount of skronk and screaming which sometimes works (the chorus of "Bigwheel Trickery", for example) and sometimes doesn't ("Fragile" is impossible to listen to all the way through). Sometimes, they forego the noise altogether (and just sound like an edgy Butterglory), and give us excellent songs like "Ixat" and "Another J In The Letter Chain". Though not anything new or different, the record is still a lot of fun - even if you aren't nostalgic of mid 90s American indie rock!   MTQ=9/13

The Legends - "There And Back Again EP" cdep  (Labrador)
New EP from this smash Swedish 9-piece indiepop group, led by Johan Angergård (Club 8/Acid House Kings). The title track appears on their debut album, "Up Against The Legends", but the other three tracks are exclusive. You may have heard of this band, as they're been hyped rather heavily in Sweden; why can't bands this good be the "next big thing" in America? The songs are full of handclaps, tambourines, shambling guitars and Motown-influenced drumbeats, and the songs remind me of what it would sound like if the Radio Dept. and Leslies teamed up and learned Comet Gain, Clouds, and Vaselines covers. The final track, "It's Not Going To Happen", is the only one that doesn't follow that pattern, with its somewhat trip-hop beat and minimal (well, less cluttered) arrangement. Definitely a great way to be introduced to the band, and I can't wait to hear the full album!   MTQ=4/4

The Legends - "Up Against The Legends" cd  (Labrador)
This is the debut album from the Legends, who are the hottest new Swedish group, led by Johan of Club 8/Acid House Kings. The record is full of catchy and fun songs in the vein of Comet Gain, Television Personalities and Jesus And Mary Chain, with a healthy supply of tambourines & handclaps. The songs themselves are indeed terrific, but my one complaint about this record is the overuse of studio effects on the vocals; I can live with the mild distortion on most of the lead vocals, but the pitch-altering effect (which is probably my least favorite effect) really gets on my nerves. It's used ever so slightly, and isn't even noticeable all the time, but whenever I do notice it, I cringe every time. Its use really doesn't fit in with the record, so maybe it was a new toy for the producer? However, the songs on this record are so very good, that I'm willing to overlook that flaw...   MTQ=12/12

The Lemonheads - "s/t" cd  (Vagrant)
Okay, I'll admit it - I love the Lemonheads & Evan Dando. I always have (from the time I first saw the "Luka" video on 120 Minutes in 1991), and despite Evan's frequently bizarre behavior, probably always will. In fact, "It's A Shame About Ray" still ranks in my all-time favorite records. So, it's with great excitement that I listen to this album, and I'm happy to say that it's definitely no disappointment. Well, I will say that there aren't too many standout hits on here compared to his last few records, but that just makes this more a "Lovey" than a "Ray"; that is to say, still a good record, but not my favorite. The fact that it's on Vagrant may seem strange, but when you learn that his backing band is actually the Descendents' rhythm section (Bill & Karl!), that puts it in a bit more perspective. Don't expect all out punk rock, though (I kinda did) - most of these songs aren't too different to what Evan has done on his last few records, with highlights including "Pittsburgh", "In Passing" and the Bill Stevenson-penned "Steve's Boy". And of course, there's the requisite Smudge cover, "No Backbone", which was once again released as the first single! Welcome back, Lemonheads...   MTQ=9/11

Lemuria - "s/t" 7"  (All Things Ordinary)
This is the first release from this young noisy pop trio from Buffalo, and it's a good start. Falling somewhere between the punky pop of Racetrack and the poppy punk of J Church, these four upbeat tunes feature boy/girl vocals, loud guitars, solid melodies and lyrics about things like creative sex ("The Origamists") and flawed relationships (um, the other three songs). All four cuts are quite good, but I'd say my favorite of the bunch is the closing track, "Trivial Greek Mythology", which asks "What are you doing with a potato like me?". Also, I'd like to say I'm glad that there are still a few labels out there putting out quality 7"s with decent packaging!   MTQ=4/4

Lemuria - "Get Better" cd  (Asian Man)
Finally! After a bunch of singles and a split lp, we finally get a full length from this amazing indie rock band from Buffalo! I've been singing their praises here since that first single, so I've been looking forward to this for a while. Though their singles have generally been short bursts of punky pop, they appear to have made a conscious effort to show a lot more variety on the album, giving us a number of midtempo songs (like "Buzz" and "Hawaiian T-Shirt") and slower, more subdued ones, like "Lipstick", "Length Away" and "Wardrobe". But of course, you'll still find their trademark punkier sound in songs like "Dogs", "Get Some Sleep" and "Fingers". Other than slowing things down a bit, not much else has changed in the band's sound - Sheena still takes the lion's share of the lead vocal duties, with Alex singing lead on a few songs and providing lots of back-ups on the rest. And their sound is as punchy as ever, (still) reminding me a lot of Racetrack, Moped and Sarge. I hear this band plans on touring a whole bunch, so make sure to catch them when they come to your town - I know I sure will!   MTQ=11/12

Ted Leo / Pharmacists - "The Tyranny Of Distance" cd  (Lookout!)
Ted Leo was in Chisel for much of the early 90s, a band which I never really listened to, so I never really knew about him. I got this record on the recommendation of a friend, and I really love it! His sound is really interesting; kind of different. The cd is all over place musically - the first five songs are absolutely perfect; really upbeat and interesting. Then the sixth song, "Stove By A Whale", comes on, and I still don't know what to think of it, though I've listened to it many times. It's really long (almost exactly eight minutes) and very dirgy - kinda Black Sabbathy. Ack! It's then followed by three more great upbeat songs, then the last few songs are two quiet ones and one more longer song that I think is kind of cool. Now, I've played this record for a couple friends of mine, and one of them just can't get past his voice. He tends to go falsetto at times, which I think sounds really cool, despite the fact that I usually hate falsetto voices. I'm having a hard time describing his music accurately, but all I know is that I can listen to this record all day and never tire of it.   MTQ=11/12

Ted Leo / Pharmacists - "Hearts Of Oak" cd  (Lookout!)
I dearly loved Ted Leo's last record, "Tyranny Of Distance", so I was very excited when I got this one a few months ago. To be honest, I didn't like it as much as the last one on the first listen or two, but by the end of the day (I had it on repeat all day at work when I first got it), I was definitely hooked. At least on most of it - there were still a couple songs that took a little getting used to (for example, the brief opener, "Building Skyscrapers In The Basement", which I still think is a bad way to start this album off). Somehow, it seems that the first side of the record is better than the second, though. Not that the second half is lacking, mind you, but the first half of the record has a little something extra to it that I can't quite pinpoint. I knew when I started listening to this record that it would be a tough one to review, simply because it's so original - I honestly am at a loss for legitimate comparisons (although I do suspect he's channeling Steve Perry for the chorus of "Dead Voices"). I guess "Tyranny Of Distance" was similarly difficult to describe, but this album doesn't even sound like the previous one. I mean, you can tell it's the same band/songwriter, but it's definitely a progression and not a rehash. This record comes highly recommended (it's definitely one of my faves of 2003, so far), so do please give it a chance.   MTQ=12/13

Ted Leo / Pharmacists - "Shake The Sheets" cd  (Lookout!)
I have been a huge fan of Ted Leo and his band from the very first time I heard the "Tyranny Of Distance" album, and he just keeps getting better. His fourth album, "Shake The Sheets", may not be my absolute favorite (actually, the jury's still out on that one - I don't think I could pick a favorite from his last three full lengths), but it is certainly his most accessible record. And by "accessible", I don't mean that in a "oh, he's sold out" kind of way, but rather that the songs are generally much catchier on the first listen, where the other albums grow on your after a few listens. And I also mean that he's calmed down and found his songwriting style; the first "Tej Leo, Rx" record was a mess of different styles, and "Tyranny Of Distance" even had that annoying "Stove By A Whale" song, whereas this record is pretty stable and consistent (probably even more so than "Hearts Of Oak"). Not to mention shorter - with fewer long songs on this record (only one over five minutes long), the record's total time is about 40 minutes. Really, though, this album is a logical continuation of the sound on the last couple records: catchy and edgy punk-inspired pop songs with lyrics as memorable as they are intelligent and topical. Ted Leo is seriously one of the most important musicians around today.   MTQ=11/11

Les Cox Sportifs - "Neverheed" cd  (Stop Looking)
Wow, I just had a totally serendipitous moment with this record, and one that greatly influenced my feelings towards it. You know that feeling when you're listening to something and really can't figure out what to make of it? I mean, you really, really can't tell if you like it or not, and force yourself to keep going because eventually you'll find out for sure. But then, you put it down for a while (in this case, a month or two), and on second listen, find out that it's really great and you don't know why you doubted it before. Well, I did that, but in that time between first listen and second listen, I happened to fall in love with the Velvet Underground (...I can't believe I'm relating that fact for the second time in two weeks...), and now I totally get this record! This is really like the Velvets in so many ways, in the primitive, basic-sounding songs (my previous, original notes likened them to Cause Co-Motion, the Fall & the Fire Engines, none of which are too far off-base) and especially the vocals (which took a little getting used to) and lyrics, which include topics such as undesirables in the park and stalking a woman. I'm fairly certain that I would've gotten into this record after a couple listens, but thanks to last month's events, it just means that much more to me!   MTQ=7/8

Les Philippes - "Odisea Ultramarina" cd  (BCore)
Hailing from Barcelona, this is the third album from Les Philippes, and their first presented entirely in their native language. But I've never let the lack of lyric comprehension prevent me from liking a great pop record before, and this is no exception! Their primary influence is quite obviously the Beatles, but many of these songs also have a sort-of country-influenced feel, but with a more current tinge to it, placing them closer to bands like the Thrills or Hal than the Byrds. There are also a few spots where I can hear a likeness to the Chills, as well, making for an interesting combination when those spots intersect (like in "Silvar Tu Nombre"). But then there are a couple songs where they move in the opposite direction and come off more like a bad alt-rock band (though "Universal Fracaso Intelectual" isn't too bad, I'd advise just stopping the disc a few songs before its end to avoid this altogether). Oh, and bonus points for the creatively folded record sleeve!   MTQ=9/12

Les Royales De Kiefers - "Common Sense Is Killing Us" 7"  (Jetboy)
You gotta love a 4-song 45 - with an average song length under two minutes! Even better, the songs are super-catchy, strummy hits. You know, this sounds vaguely American to me, though the band's from Sweden. Very close to Musical Chairs, I'd say. Crash-pop goodness!   MTQ=4/4

Leslies - "s/t" cd  (Labrador)
Third cd from one of the best bands outta Sweden, and it completely lives up to its anticipation (at least mine). The sound and production is much better than the last two cds, with the use of more instruments like acoustic guitars, keyboards, and even female vocals in a few songs. The guitars also seem louder, with a bit more distortion - even the bass (especially check out "Ignorance" & "In A Minute"), which is a good thing! The sound is still bright, though, with very summery and fun songs. "Dear Friend" and "Take A Look" are ideal examples of this. This is the perfect cd for getting together with some friends and going for a drive on a warm sunny day.   MTQ=11/11

Let's Be Honeys - "Popsongs For My Poor Self" cd  (Yellow Mica)
Although Sweden has been a hotbed of bedroom pop for the last several years, I've recently noticed that it's starting to take a turn towards the K Records-style of Little Wings, Karl Blau and the like. Let's Be Honeys is a perfect example of this new sound (and he even covers Karl Blau's "Poor Me"), and this is their (well, his) first release. The songs are simple and sing-alongy, with just an acoustic guitar or ukulele and vocals, with a minimum of embellishments (a casio here, percussion there...), and the lyrics are endearing, without being too cute (the album cover, on the other hand...). Of course the songs are quite catchy, particularly "No Love", "Bizarro World" and "Pop Love", the latter of which features a choir recruited on our very own IndiePages Board!   MTQ=7/8

Let's Go Naked - "Sometimes" cdep  (Egg)
Jim from Egg Records and I share a similar passion: Australian pop. On his label, he's championed bands like the Palisades and now this group, but he's also released a comp tape called "Flies In The Face Of" back in the 80s and his label's release schedule for next year looks stunning, with a compilation, as well as retrospectives from Even As We Speak, the Lighthouse Keepers and this fine band. I was first introduced to this band via that afore-mentioned comp tape, and really liked their Go-Betweens-ish jangle sound. These three songs fit the same mold, and are all quite good. The single doesn't contain much information about the band or these songs, so let's hope that the forthcoming retrospective rectifies that problem. I'll be looking forward to it!   MTQ=3/3

Lets Go Naked - "Insides" cd  (Egg)
A couple years ago, Egg Records reintroduced the world to this excellent Australian band, via a reissue of their 1995 EP, "Sometimes"; now we get a full sixteen-track disc from the band, compiling songs from their whole career! Though the band only had a few releases, including two singles and an LP, this disc is primarily composed of unreleased recordings. We do get both sides of the band's amazing first single from 1986, as well as "Sometimes", the A-side to the EP that Egg has already reissued, but there are only three tracks from their 1985 debut LP (although these are easily the weakest tracks on the disc, so maybe it's for the best that we just get a small taste...). The band's sound is rather similar to the Go-Betweens, which is hardly a surprise given that the band hails from Brisbane and has included former Go-B's member John Wilsteed at one point. The bulk of this material was recorded in the late '80s/early '90s, and though it is presented in non-chronological order, the songs on the album seem to flow quite well (except for the afore-mentioned LP tracks which are out of place bunched together right in the middle). The last two songs included are recent recordings from the newly-reformed band, and if these songs are anything to go on, the forthcoming album they're working on should be a hit!   MTQ=15/16

The Liberty Ship - "I Guess You Didn't See Her" 7"  (Matinee)
Debut 7" from this new band from Nottingham, England, led by Marc from the late, great Bulldozer Crash. These two songs are full of jangly guitars that sparkle and shimmer and great boy/girl vocal harmonies. Both songs have a distinct country influence, similar to later Weather Prophets, the Beachwood Sparks and the Byrds. Not surprisingly, the flipside is an excellent cover of the Byrds' "She Don't Care About Time". Two wonderful songs from a band that I'd like to hear more from!   MTQ=2/2

The Liberty Ship - "Northern Angel" cdep  (Matinee)
Second ep from Marc Elston (ex-Bulldozer Crash) and crew. The title track is just as jangly as the first single was, but less Byrds and more East Village. And it's definitely a contender for song of the year! "This World" is a little more subdued, but still quite nice - hey, the drums in the intro sound just like Choo Choo Train's "Perfect Day"! Rachel takes over the lead vocal duties on "Final Kick", sounding a little Pam Berry-ish. The final track, "Small Lives", is an acoustic song with drum machine backing, which was nice, though a little dull.   MTQ=3/4

The Liberty Ship - "Small Lives" cdep  (Sunday)
Both doubling the band's recorded output and continuing a pattern set by the last two records, this six song ep is the newest release from Marc Elston and crew. What makes this different from their previous singles on Matinée is that somehow, the songs aren't as instantly catchy. They're quite good, yeah, but the midtempo "Cabin Fever" and "Headful Of Song" barely stand up against "I Guess You Didn't See Her" or "Northern Angel". Not to say that the songs on this disc are bad - all the right parts are here: the 12-strings, the soft, jangly guitars, and the superb vocal harmonies. It's just that the cd lacks a solid "hit", which kind of makes it hard to get interested in in the first place.   MTQ=4/6

The Liberty Ship - "Tide" cd  (Matinee)
After a couple eps on Matinée and one on Sunday (home of Marc's previous band, Bulldozer Crash), the Liberty Ship have finally given us a full length album. Like their earlier releases, the music is generally jangly pop, sounding similar to Biff Bang Pow!, Beachwood Sparks and East Village (the latter is especially noticeable in "Precious Time"), with a bit of a country influence coming out in songs like "Finer Feelings" and "I'll Try". There is also a hint electropop in "Yuri Gagarin" and "Chords Drag You Down". Rachel sings a little more on this record, taking the lead on three songs (where she sounds remarkably like the girl from Kicker), and backing vocals on a few more. There are a good number of highlights on this record, including "Precious Time", "Shine On", "Finer Feelings" and one of the best tracks on the most recent Matinée sampler, "Baseball Caps And Novas"; but a couple of duds, too, like the brief instrumental "Coast" and the afore-mentioned "Chords Drag You Down", which is a bit too repetitive for me. A fine debut album, though...   MTQ=10/12

Liechtenstein - "Stalking Skills" 7"  (Fraction)
This all-girl band from Gothenburg was only one of the many bands that impressed me on last year's C06 cassette, so I'm glad to hear a few more songs from them! They wear their influences on their sleeves, as these songs owe more than a little to the Shop Assistants and Dolly Mixture from the simple two-drum approach and 50s ballad chord progression in the title track and the single's 90-second closer, "Fallen Heroes", to the layers of reverb covering everything; while "Cravings" has a bit more of post-punk feel, adding in the attitude of Girls At Our Best to the mix. Liechtenstein are yet another in a long line of current indiepop bands that straddle the line between derivative and homage, but the only thing that matters is that they're entertaining fun.   MTQ=3/3

Light Sleeper - "s/t" cd  (Shmat)
Debut cd for this quiet bedroom pop trio from California. Using slow jangly guitars, light drums and soothing boy/girl vocals (usually sung in unison), they sound like a combination of Holiday Flyer, the Arrogants and the Velvet Underground (as filtered through R.E.M.). Though quiet, the songs aren't always so slow, as evidenced in the perky "Pop Song" and the Small Factory-ish "Melting Point". Very lovely album; the perfect soundtrack for stargazing in the warm summer night!   MTQ=8/9

Like A Fox - "Where's My Golden Arm?" cd  (Transit Of Venus)
Apparently, this off-shoot of the excellent Lenola (led by Jay & Dave) has been going for a few years now, but this is the first I've heard of 'em. I probably would never have guessed that just listening to the record, but now that I know, I can see a couple similarities. Like Lenola, Like A Fox display a fondness for layered, shoegaze-y music, but this band has a much more country-influenced base to their songs (which Lenola merely toyed with at times). Much of the time, they remind me quite a bit of Grandaddy or the Flaming Lips with a mixture of easy-going songs liberally sprinkled with synth embellishments and occasional psych-pop ramblings. Sometimes they'll show a bit of rock-and-roll muscle (see "Internal/External", "Night Person" or the bombastic opening of "Time Stands Still"), but I mean that more in a Fountains Of Wayne way. There were a few dull moments on the record, but I still found quite a bit to enjoy.   MTQ=8/11

The Like Young / S.T. Monroe - "split" 7"  (Forge Again)
Split 7" debuting these two new bands from Illinois. S.T. Monroe I haven't heard anything about previously, but The Like Young is the new project from Joe, Amanda & Colin from Wolfie (basically, it's Wolfie without RJ). On the A-side is "All I Really Want Is You" from S.T. Monroe, which at first wasn't too bad - a bit of a generic slowish/emoish indie rock tune that didn't bother me too much. That is, until it got a few minutes in, and broke into this weird rapping bit (imagine the breakdown bit of UB40's "Red Red Wine", and you'll see just how truly awful it was). Major thumbs down. The Like Young, however, are totally rocking, as you would expect. I'd been waiting to hear songs from these guys ever since I heard they existed, and I surely wasn't let down. Okay, it may not be Wolfie, but it sure sounds a heck of a lot like 'em! Less keyboards, though, since they're a 3-piece and Amanda's playing drums. Both "Wild And Free" and "You Can't Get It Back" are as good as anything our beloved Wolfie has ever done, and I'm really excited to hear their new album when it's ready!   MTQ=2/3

The Like Young - "Looked Up" cdep  (Kittridge)
In case you didn't already know, this is Joe & Amanda's new post-Wolfie band, and it's pretty hard for me not to like anything Wolfie-related. Well, it's also hard for me not to like anything this excellent! Here are five brand new tunes, following in the same progression as the last Wolfie record - loud guitars with super catchy melodies. The only real difference in the sound is the lack of keyboards. They still share vocal duties, but Amanda does sing a lot more. This ep is over before you know it (it's only 10 minutes long!), but just hit repeat, and it'll be okay. I'll definitely (as always) be greatly anticipating hearing more from these kids soon. Look out for their debut album (from which this ep's title track is taken), out on Parasol soon. It's mind-boggling how they're not world famous already!   MTQ=5/5

The Like Young - "Art Contest" cd  (Parasol)
After their excellent taster ep on Kittridge, this is the debut album from the rock machine that is the Like Young. As you probably know, this is the new band of Joe & Amanda Wolfie/Busytoby - and though they're just a two-piece these days, the album still has a big sound (with guitar and bass overdubs). The album still sounds very much like Wolfie, due to the big guitar sound introduced on "Tall Dark Hill", as well as Joe & Amanda's memorable voices. And as I mentioned before, gone are the keyboards that we all knew and loved (though they surface as bit players in "Looked Up"). Sure, they may be missed a little, but the songs certainly sure aren't lacking without them. Just the opposite - this is probably the duo's strongest batch of songs ever! This is super-catchy power pop in the vein of Weezer, the New Grand, and Imperial Teen. Well, and of course, Wolfie. There's even a revisit to an old (unreleased) Wolfie tune, "The Babes".   MTQ=11/11

The Like Young - "So Serious" cd  (Parasol)
It didn't take very long after "Art Contest" for Joe & Amanda to come right back with their second album, "So Serious". And as you'd expect, the general sound here isn't very different from the last album: a dozen catchy, punky blasts in about 24 minutes. The only noticeable difference with this album is that there is a little more variety in the songs, both in the production and the songwriting itself. Many of the songs are still in the same Weezer/Wolfie-ish vein, but "Don't Know When To Stop", for example, shows a level of restraint we've not heard before from Joe. The Like Young are all about making great rock music, and this record is no different.   MTQ=12/12

The Lil' Hospital - "Me & My Beatbox" cs  (Popgun)
Here's a nice little tape with four lo-fi catchy songs with electric guitars, bass, drum machine, and some casio (and a great chorus of trumpets in "Pet Rock"). It's amateurish sounding at times (especially the vocals), but still endearing all the same. The recording actually sounds pretty good, too, as it's not too bassy. This is some quality bedroom pop in the vein of Park or Oval-Teen.   MTQ=4/4

The Lil' Hospital - "Pretty Kissin'" cs  (Popgun)
This is Kevin's second tape for Popgun, and it's a nice, short batch of home-recorded fuzzy pop goodness! These three songs are catchy bedroom pop, similar to the Bright Ideas & Bright Lights, with jangly guitars, fuzzy distorted bass, and casio melodies played with a drum machine. It's fun to play with the balance while listening to this, as Kevin panned the bass and casio on the left, and the guitar and drums on the right! If I ever used headphones, it'd be that much more enjoyable!   MTQ=3/3

The Lil' Hospital - "I Wanna Be Well" cd  (Best Friends)
Following a few cassette releases, this is the first full-length disc from Lil' Hospital. Recorded at home by Kevin (though the line-up has since been expanded for live performances), the album was mixed with Jayme of the Snow Fairies (who also added some embellishments, along with bandmate Melissa and Raoul from Popgun), which gives the album a much better sound than the previous cassettes. Sounding like a mix of Holiday, the Bright Lights and Oval-Teen, this cd is full of short and peppy tunes (in fact, no song is over 2½ minutes long!), with favorites including "Kampus & Katy", "Oh My Days" and "Hugless". Like the earlier recordings, there are still some traces of amateurism (a botched vocal line here, an out of tune guitar there), but Kevin has definitely improved overall.   MTQ=10/11

The Lil' Hospital - "Heavy Metal" cd  (Total Gaylord)
The Lil' Hospital have released a few tapes and a full-length cd since 2000, but this is the first release to feature the full band that Kevin assembled for live performances a few years ago. It's also the band's finest record yet, with better recording quality and playing overall. And with the addition of other band members come instrumental additions not heard on previous releases, including violin and real drums (usually played with brushes). Other than that, though, the songs haven't changed drastically - Kevin's still writing short and catchy pop songs in the vein of Oval-Teen and the Sprites, with lyrics that generally fall on the light-hearted and silly side (see "I'm A Little Hospital" or "Office Rock"), sometimes reminding me of Jonathan Richman. An excellent record for playing on warm summer days!   MTQ=11/12

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

Linda Guilala - "Nada Que Contar EP" cdep  (no label)
A-ha, I was fooled! All those times I professed my love for this Linda Guilala, it was not a girl, but a band I was smitten for! Thanks to a couple raves about the delightful songs found on recent comps on Valiant Death and My Honey Records, I received the band's two self-released cdeps (of which this is the most recent). And now that I've learned a bit about them, I see exactly why they're so good - half of them used to be in Juniper Moon, one of the best punky-twee pop groups in Spain! These songs are a lot less punky than those of their previous band, with the new band following the lead of their amigas, Vacaciones, and slowing down a bit and reminding me more of Tender Trap than Talulah Gosh. There's a lot of emphasis on the keyboards in a few of the songs, with some of the organ melodies reaching Felt-ish proportions. Not surprisingly, Elefant has already signed this band, so keep an eye out for more from them soon!   MTQ=5/5

Lasse Lindh - "You Wake Up At Sea Tac" cd  (Hidden Agenda)
After hearing Lasse's song, "Bruised", on the most recent Parasol "Sweet Sixteen" comp, I was very curious to hear this, his new full length. Well, this disc also starts out with "Bruised", as if to remind me of why I wanted to listen to the album in the first place, and it doesn't let up from there. Many of the songs are in the same style: very grand sounding music (with a very prominent drum sound), with Lasse's whispered vocals mixed right upfront. At times, it actually kinda sounds mainstream, like Radiohead or something, but more in the production than the songs. I mean, some songs, like "Damage Done", just sound HUGE, even though there's not a lot going on in the song. And though the music may not always reflect it, the mood of this album is very down and melancholic, due to the lyrics. And while I like many of the songs, there are a few that are kind of slow and boring. I really like Lasse's voice and his unmistakable Swedish accent (which reminds me a bit of Tony of the Leslies). You may remember him from his guest lead vocals on Club 8's hit from last year, "Keeping Track Of Time". Also, this domestic version of "You Wake Up At Sea Tac" (originally released in Sweden On Labrador) contains three bonus tracks.   MTQ=10/13

The Linger Effect - "Charmer" cd  (My Mean Magpie)
Although it was written and recorded a couple years ago, this album didn't get released until this year. It's also one of the first full-length albums available for free download from the label (which is halfway done with the project of making the majority of its catalog available, as well), though you can also get the album on cd (well, cd-r), complete with proper artwork (call me old-fashioned, but that's the way I prefer it!). If I remember correctly, I think this is the second album from the Linger Effect, after a cassette on Best Kept Secret. A solo project from a Canadian fellow named Kent Burt, the sound is a mixture of the atmospheric electronic pop of Simpatico (or maybe Other Peoples' Children is a bit closer) and the off-kilter style of Mark Robinson. Guitars are occasionally used, but synths are more prevalent, as is a drum machine, naturally. There are a few times where the music gets a little too weird for me, but when he plays pop songs (like "On Air" and "I Am A Watercolour"), it's just perfect.   MTQ=8/12

Linus Of Hollywood - "Triangle" cd  (Franklin Castle)
I'm not really much of a soft-rocker, but I do enjoy a good soft rock record when I hear one like this. Linus has made a name for himself throughout Hollywood, working with rock stars and writing songs for movies, but on his records, he takes control and does things his own way, with some help from friends on various stringed and wind instruments. Most of the album is composed of piano-based tunes in the vein of Todd Rundgren or Paul McCartney, ranging from the peppy "Let's Just Stay In Bed All Day" to the grandiose "The Sun Feels Good On My Face", but he pulls out the guitar in a few places, like the slower "I'll Get Through It" or the excellent, almost power-poppy "Do You Know What I'm Thinking?". A couple of the songs seem a bit too glossy to me (or even cheesy, in the case of "How Do I Do It Every Day?"), but for the most part, I enjoyed the record.   MTQ=8/11

Lionheart Brothers - "White Angel Black Apple" cd  (Sally Forth)
After a couple of 7" releases, this is the debut full length from this Norwegian group. Harkening back to the 90s' noisy shoegaze pop sound, this album reminds me a lot of groups like Pale Saints, Electro Group, the Melody Unit, and of course, My Bloody Valentine. "The Sun In My Eyes" even sounds a bit like Versus (especially the vocals). In these songs, you'll find layers and layers of guitars, organs and vocals making dense, but very melodic, music. Typical for the genre, the vocals are pretty buried in the mix, but you can occasionally make out lyrics. The lead singer is male, though the backing vocals are fairly androgynous enough, that at times you can't even tell! Many of the songs have a terrific driving beat, which gives the record a very immediate feel. Unfortunately, the last two songs on the album ("An Elephant Job" & "Horse Transform Unicorn") aren't all that interesting to me; the former being more atmospheric and the latter just being too damn long! Still, the first ¾ of the record are certainly gripping enough to make this pretty instantly enjoyable!   MTQ=6/8

Little My - "Little My's Sixth" cdep  (Little Pocket)
My introduction to Little My wasn't so hot, as I remember thinking they were far too amateurish for me when I first heard them. This EP, however, shows a lot of promise for the band, particularly thanks to the rather pleasant opening track, "All But The Beeps Meep". It's got a playful feeling to it, thanks to the meepy guitars in the verses, but the pedal steel throughout gives it an added level of seriousness somehow, providing the song with great balance. The next song, "Ruining Things Like Everything", is my other favorite song on the EP and kinda reminds me of something from the first Architecture In Helsinki record. I was a bit suspicious of "Kicking People On Pavements" when it started, due to the out of tune/time intro, but the song proper is decent, though I can't say the same for the irritating a capella "Excuse Me, It's Springtime!". I do still love their artwork, though...   MTQ=3/4

Little Name - "How To Swim And Live" cd  (Sleepy)
This solo project from Liverpudlian Lee Barker was featured as a Demo of the Week a couple years back, which (and this is the primary reason why I started that section of the site) helped Lee meet Ann from Sleepy Records who jumped at the chance to release this debut album of theirs! The dozen songs on this record combine the bedroom pop sound of bands like the Pocketbooks (with whom he shares a number of similarities) and the lush, orchestral style of Camera Obscura and Burt Bacharach (both of which are the most obvious of his influences). The recording quality is certainly closer to the former, although the quality of the songwriting is arguably comparable to the latter. And above these mostly sunny pop songs, lie lyrics laced with lost love, loneliness and despair, but with a slight hint of hope showing through every now and again. A fine debut that is as delightful as it is heartbreaking!   MTQ=11/12

Llama - "s/t" cd  (no label)
This disc has very little information on it whatsoever - just a minimal cover and the song titles and a llama icon on the back - but in the few credits printed inside, the one thing you need to notice is that this is the new band from Seattle stalwart, Rusty Willoughby (you know, the main guy behind Flop & Pure Joy, drummer for the Fastbacks, etc). Some of the songs on this album aren't as instantly catchy as the ones you'd find on the Flop albums of the early 90s (I do wonder what he's been up to since then), but there are still quite a few shining moments, like "Alright", "Shape In The Clouds" and "C'mon C'mon", although it takes the album a few songs to pick up from a slow start. In fact, many of the songs on this album remind me quite a bit of Spoon - from the afore-mentioned peppy "C'mon C'mon" to the moody "It's OK" - and that's a band whose records I've always found take a few listens to fully appreciate. Always good to hear from Rusty, no matter what moniker it's under!   MTQ=9/11

Locas In Love - "Wir Fangen Von Vorne An EP" cdep  (Sitzer)
This band wowed pretty much everyone in attendance during their live US debut at the New England Popfest, so it's no surprise that I really like this disc. They've had a handful of cd and vinyl releases in their native Germany over the last several years, and this is the newest of the bunch. Their music fits somewhere in between David & The Citizens and the Pixies (at least, in spirit), but with a little more indiepop influence. Björn handles most of the lead vocal duties, but Stefanie comes to the front for "Zum Beispiel Ein Unfall". The lyrics are in German, but their sense of humor is not lost on those who do not speak the language, courtesy of song titles like "Avoid Karmic Disaster (Get Your Punishment Now)" and "No Mr. Bond, I Expect You To Die". I'm not entirely sure if this is a teaser for their forthcoming album or a standalone EP, but either way, it's excellent!   MTQ=4/4

The Loch Ness Mouse - "Busman's Holiday" 7"  (Cara)
The is the first record released on the Cara label that wasn't by the Dupont Circles (a fine group led by Michael of Cara), and also the first domestic release for this Norwegian pop band with previous releases on the Perfect Pop label (also home to like-minded pop bands like the Tables and the Bartlebees, among others). This quick little gem has two catchy pop tunes (the flip being "Girl Don't Tell Me", a Beach Boys song), with a total running time of under 4½ minutes, which is just perfect! Both songs are a lot of fun, and I'd definitely like to hear more from this group!   MTQ=2/2

The Loch Ness Mouse - "Flair For Darjeeling" cd  (Happy Happy Birthday To Me)
Though this record was originally released in 1999 on Perfect Pop Records in Norway (the band's home country), it has just recently been reissued on Happy Happy Birthday To Me. Partly because Mike is releasing the their new album sometime this year and wants to get everyone caught up to date on this wonderful band, and partly because he is in love with this record. And this certainly is a record to get excited about! It starts out with the absolutely perfect pop tune, "Judy", and it doesn't let up. Sometimes they remind me of an older Japanese pop band, like Flipper's Guitar; other times they have a little bit of a psych-pop feel to them, especially on "Edgerton Underwater Strobe Camera". Often times, they are reminiscent of the better Elephant 6 bands, like the Minders or the Marbles. Either way, this record is packed FULL of absolutely perfect pop songs, and that second record of theirs couldn't come soon enough!   MTQ=12/12

The Loch Ness Mouse - "Key West" cd  (Happy Happy Birthday To Me)
Long-awaited second album from these Norwegian popstars. It's a little softer than the first record, with the band taking cues from the Beach Boys & Steely Dan. The album is full of light, bouncy drums (and bass to match!), the right mixture of acoustic & electric guitars, and scores of extra instruments, like trumpet, mandolin and assorted percussion, but the key to the record's sound is the abundance of vocal harmonies. Not only does everyone in the band sing, but they have numerous friends (including American pals from Of Montreal & Olivia Tremor Control) helping out on various songs. I do wish that there were more upbeat songs on this record, as it does seem to drag in spots, but it's still quite enjoyable. I will say, though, that the blazing guitar solo in the final track, "Quay West", sounds a little out of place!   MTQ=10/12