The List - 5/31/07
Up and coming indie rock band from Austin, Texas who’s gained modest notoriety solely off word of mouth and a couple EPs. Now that they’ve released a full-length album – a May 22nd self-titled release – they’re primed to become major players in the American rock scene. They’re certainly catchy, rockin’ and diverse enough.
“A Song Away”: Truly incredible single from local rock group that sounds like it should have been a chart topping hit sometime in or around 1986. Almost impossibly addictive and intensely moving despite being ridiculously simple. Check them out at www.myspace.com/hockey.
“Wonderland”: Standout track from the emotional powerhouse, sometimes cheeseball but often poignant Atlanta singer/songwriter who we first started getting into following his Empyrean performance a few months back. If you want an introduction to Aparo, Wonderland is the place to start.
Escape from Planet Love: Highly amusing 2006 album from self-described “poptronica” band. There’s no way not to smile when you’re listening to somebody sing, “Welcome to the Ghettoplex 15. If it’s funny, we’ll laugh. If it’s scary we’ll scream. If it sucks ass we’ll throw milk duds at the screen. Give our money back. Boo!” Clearly, the music itself can’t be as good as those lyrics, but it’s not far behind.
Yours Truly, Angry Mob: We’re not going to say Yours Truly, Angry Mob is a better album than their debut effort, because Employment was just a phenomenal burst of energetic and memorable hooks. But this time around, the self-effacing humor is more biting and the sound is new enough to be enticing while familiar enough to be pleasing. A worthy sophomore effort from the Brit rock quintet, to be sure.
