Why? Get Mumps

Nipping at the ragged heels of their eagerly devoured Sod in the Seed EP (which you can download for FREE here), WHY? at last unleash their fifth long-player, Mumps, etc, a meticulous work of morbid fascination and offbeat romanticism dubbed Mumps, etc. Though there is a mysterious sickness (perhaps of the mind) that lurks about these thirteen songs, one might also imagine the title as describing the musical state of these three Midwestern men as they bring their sound into glisteningly buff focus.

Yoni Wolf, brother Josiah and Doug McDiarmid are in the pocket, the unbreakable rock core at the center of a spinning ball of sonic kaleidoscopie. And all the things we love about them are still true: the grinning sun-warped choruses, that jangly Western lope, those confessionals cut with wry wit and crude details, set dancing down the odd knots of complex poetic daisy chains. It's just that ... well, all of it sounds better than ever this time around.

You can hear this for yourself as WHY? is on tour.
Here are the dates...
10.05 Düsseldorf, Germany: New Fall Festival
10.06 Evreux, France: L'Abordage
10.07 Paris, France: Maroquinerie
10.08 Brighton, England: Old Market
10.09 London, England: Electric Ballroom
10.10 Manchester, England: Central Methodist Church
10.11 Bristol, England: Fleece
10.12 Glasgow, Scotland: SWG3
10.13 Oxford, England: The Bullingdon
10.15 Berlin, Germany: Volksbühne

10.18 Cincinnati, OH Lois & Richard Rosethal Center for Contemporary Art Black Box Theatre
10.20 Pittsburgh, PA Altar
10.24 Richmond, VA Canal Club
10.25 Athens, GA 40 Watt
10.26 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
10.27 Orlando, FL The Social
10.28 Tampa, FL Crowbar
10.29 Tallahassee, FL Club Downunder
10.30 Mobile, AL Alabama Music Box
10.31 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon
11.01 Houston, TX Walter's
11.02 Dallas, TX Sons of Hermann Hall
11.03 Austin, TX Fun Fun Fun Fest
11.05 St. Louis, MO Luminary Arts

Download:  Jonathan's Hope
Download: Probable Cause
Revised 3.0 Version (with Twitter button)
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Lost on Indian Trails

Indian Trails was formed in early 2011, when Nico and Antti thought they wanted to try and do something musically lighter after five years of mostly hard-rock band experiments. In early summer of 2011 Jouni Mathias was found via internet and after first practice he joined the group and the band was officially born.  Leo Richard and Joel Alex joined the band at early winter 2011

The groups first single and song they wrote together was "Lights," which was later recorded and now released. After a year of so of writing music it was time to record first EP.  Called Brighter Night was released in April.

Download: Anchor
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Finn Riggins Are Big News

I must admit I don't know much about the mighty Finn Riggins. Hell, I thought they/he was some Irish folk singer that sang about Guinness and Dublin.  So with that in mind, I'll share what I've learned outside of the fact that they're a great band.

The collaborative brainchild of three music school graduates from the University of Idaho -- Cameron Bouiss, Eric Gilbert and Lisa Simpson -- Finn Riggins relocated to Boise in 2009 where they've become key players in the young music and art scene of Idaho's largest population center. Eric Gilbert is the festival director and talent buyer for Boise's Treefort Music Fest, which made its debut in March. They also played the first ever Boise Showcase at SXSW this year with Built to Spill and Youth Lagoon.

So you could say that Finn Riggins owns Idaho and judging by their output of quirky indie rock (and cool videos) it's well deserved.  As if to prove that point...check out their tour dates...they may very well have played every nook and cranny in the state!

Tour Dates....
Aug. 4 Heise, ID - Kelly Canyon Music Festival
Aug. 8 Jackson, WY - JacksonHoleLive! w/ The Features
Aug. 9 Priest Lake, ID - Millie's
Aug 10 Sandpoint, ID - Downtown Crossing
Aug 12 Moscow, ID - John's Alley
Aug 16 Stanley, ID - StanleyStreet Dance
Aug 17 Boise, ID - Radio Boise PRE Fat Block Party w/ Brainstorm + Buster Blue + Ssssnake
Aug 23 Idaho Falls, ID - D'Railed w/ Tartufi
Aug 24 Jackson, WY - Pink Garter Theater w/ Tartufi
Aug 25 Pocatello, ID - Old Towne Block Party w/ Tartufi
Sep 1 McCall, ID - Salmon River Brewery

Download: Big News
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Fergus & Geronimo Surprise Us

Like some of history’s most well-regarded and oft-reissued acts, Fergus & Geronimo is doing exactly what they are compelled to do for their anticipated sophomore LP Funky Was the State of Affairs: making an album that actually plays like a cohesively complete statement.

And yet the record is entirely unpredictable, even as it tackles reoccurring themes, which the band says include, “aliens, technology, intergalactic dating/hooking up, the Roman Empire, and the earthling resistance movement.” 

Though at times it sounds like fairly serious subject matter, the group employs a sharp-tongued attack with the same sort of gallows humor cracked wise by the likes of their equally Doubting Thomas inspirational figures, everyone from the Mothers of Invention to Devo. 

You can hear this for yourself below.  "No Parties," is a jumpy, punky, new wave tune that seems to have a nervous twitch about it that propels the whole thing into pop oblivion.     If this and "Roman Tick," are anything to go by we're in for a coneheaded blast from the past that's as cool as it is interesting.  Known for throwing left hooks, Fergus & Geronimo may have just thrown us a right one out of nowhere with Funky Was the State of Affairs.

Download: No Parties
Download: Roman Tick
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Slam Donahue Pull A Quick One

When you name your band Slam Donahue I think you can expect listeners to view you a certain way. It's all in the name...it's kind of violent and my mind went straight to some cage match wrestling imagery. But as the say goes, "You can't judge a book by it's cover." And that's especially true with this bunch.

Slam Donahue is anything but violent. In fact, these guys are so sunshiny, frivolous, and jolly that they're probably Disney employees. Anyway, they've just released their rather sinister EP Hemlock Tea. Once again, a red herring as judging by the first tune, "I Turn On," it's not really to sinister at all. This is all jumpy rhythms, strummy guitars, folky rock vocals, and a sense of this being a feel good hit of the summer.

Hear for yourself...just don't drink the tea. I mean they sound happy...it doesn't mean they are happy

Download: I Turn On
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Romans Head Back...Way Back

What would happen if Spoon went a bit glam? Well that's question Romans might know a little something about. Just releasing their debut single, Mystery Girl, Romans will make you forget everything you knew about rock n’ roll. Bonded together by Jeremy Fury (Singer for Ohio-based band, We Are the Fury) and Craig Bonich (Guitarist of Head Automatica and Jaguar Love), Romans strive for a timeless sound that knows no boundaries.

Incorporating the best parts of 50’s Doo Wop, 60’s Brit-Rock, and 70’s Glam, Romans bring together an array of sounds to create the perfect blend of musical nostalgia while looking forward. With elements of The Rolling Stones and a nod to T-Rex and Ziggy Stardust era David Bowie, there is no denying that Romans are in love with the past...and the future.

"If you go far enough into the future and look back at a specific period from the past, everything seems to blend together," Fury says.  And that's where these Romans want you to lend them your ear.

Download: Mystery Girl
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Dinosaur Jr Bet On The Sky

On September 17th 2012 Dinosaur Jr will be releasing a new album entitled I Bet On Sky through [PIAS].

The tracklisting is:
1. Don't Pretend You Didn't Know
2. Watch The Corners
3. Almost Fare
4. Stick A Toe In
5. Rude
6. I Know It Oh So Well
7. Pierce The Morning Rain
8. What Was That
9. Recognition
10. See It On Your Side


I Bet on Sky is the third Dinosaur Jr. album since the original trio – J Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph – reformed in 2005. It marks the band’s 10th studio album since their debut on Homestead Records in 1985 and their first since the 2009 album Farm.

Listen: Watch The Corners

Skyline Pigeons Live In A House Of Mysteries

Santa Barbara/Los Angeles, California-based Roxanne and Caroline Teti, sisters of the indie rock/psych-pop band Skyline Pigeons, are celebrating the release of their debut full-length album, House of Mysteries with the release of a couple of songs for your downloading pleasure.

House of Mysteries is an 11-track collection inspired by the traumatic and liberating experience of loss and rebirth, following the Santa Barbara wide fires that claimed their home - and all of their possessions.

You've seen it on the news. Devastation over wild fires. Displaced families, priceless family heirlooms gone, and everything people once had now ashes. We watch this from the comfort of our homes on the news, feeling bad for the faceless people we see on our TV screens, but that feeling soon dissipates as the next horrific 5 o'clock news story comes on. However, what if it wasn't just a news broadcast? What if it was your life? Your reality? And you lost everything?

Each song on House of Mysteries takes the listener inside the emotional journey of such a reality, the way one travels from room to room of a home. Skyline Pigeons are able to use each individual song to explore, uncover, and confront the hopes, scars, and fears that become buried in the human subconscious. While each song maintains independence, their essence is familiar yet fresh, the way a chapter of a book flows freely yet is bound by story—a story with songs intriguing and soul biting.

For Skyline Pigeons, music is more than just a career it's a form of therapy and a way of channeling all those emotions into something productive.

Download: Tennessee
Download: Lucid
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Unicycle Loves You

In 2010, Unicycle Loves You stripped away the studio gloss of their self-titled 2008 debut and took a large step forward with the release of Mirror, Mirror. With frontman Jim Carroll in complete control of the recording process, the resulting record was one far more true to the band's vision, and more representative of their influences.

Once again handling the roles of songwriter and producer, Carroll has dug even further into his Sebadoh/Guided By Voices-influenced home-recording roots for Unicycle Loves You's latest record, Failure.

Loaded with buzzing guitars in the red, highly addictive melodies, and lush boy/girl harmonies, Failure combines the best elements of 90s indie rock and dream pop for a refreshing Pop Art sound.

Download: Garbage Dump
Download: Wow Wave Cinema
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Drowning In Broken Water

Broken Water began when Kanako Pooknyw started hanging out at the house Jon Hanna shared with one of her friends. Hanna was a reclusive sort—the type of guy who had a secret solo career lodged deep inside an old laptop. Pooknyw disarmed the socially anxious Hanna over months of shared cigarettes and stoned banter. Broken Water’s rhythm section—rounded out by the addition of Pooknyw’s good friend, the understated but amply talented bassist Abigail Ingram (also of Congratulations)—is no mere backdrop for Hanna’s loud, impeccably distorted and swirling guitar sound. Every member of Broken Water take turns contributing lead vocals—Pooknyw and Ingram balance things out with a mix of Mazzy Star-like precision and eerie, haunting melodies that can draw a jagged line back to My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, or even the springy, deadpan vocals of Black Tambourine.

A sometimes noisy, sometimes droning, often pretty and subtly poppy band—is very much a product of its hometown. Shape-shifting over the course of EPs, singles, and full-length albums released consistently since 2009, the band has managed the rare feat of evolution in the service of a signature sound, wild experimentation that ultimately works as a harness, locking down the music’s unique and idiosyncratic internal logic. In other words...at times they're more Sonic Youth than say, Sonic Youth.

Tempest, the new record, will be Hardly Art's seventh release of 2012. Album opener and leadoff single "Drown"--a droplet-sized taste of the beloved band's oceanic expanse of mesmeric, turbulent sounds.

Download: Drown
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The Sweet Serenades Are Moving On

Swedish duo The Sweet Serenades released their debut album Balcony Cigarettes in 2009.  After the release, they toured Europe,  found themselves featured on Grey’s Anatomy and received critical acclaim from around the globe.  

Despite living the rock and roll dream for a brief period of time, the last year hasn't been exactly the best for this almost brotherly duo.  The band nearly ran out of money and ended up spending time in various basements and even their moldy band trailer in an effort to save money while writing songs and recording them.   Now completed, the band hopes to emerge from the mildew with a new record.

Inspired by Gary Glitter, My Sharona, ACDC, The Strokes and Arcade Fire. Their high-energy-pop is sure to lift the spirits of fans and themselves. The brand new single, "Moving On," is an energetic workout of floor toms, shout backs and catchy, energetic guitars.  This is the first taste from the upcoming album Help Me! to be released in the spring of 2012.

Download: Moving On
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The Quiet Americans Take Their Medicine

Fresno, California band The Quiet Americans are anything but quiet. This loud fuzzed out band was formed in 2010 by songwriter Luke Giffen and drummer Eli Reyes. The Quiet Americans combine bright melodies and animal like drums with fuzzed out guitar squall. Sort of like Link Wray meets Dinosaur jr. filtered through an echo chamber.

The six song EP Medicine is their first release and is out on local cassette collective Coattrack Records. The recording of Medicine was a family affair, Eli is married to Luke’s sister, and Luke’s little brother Ross contributed moog synth to the record. The entire record was tracked to an old Tascam 8 track reel to reel recorder, in their practice space and sounds like the best thing ever recorded on it.

Download: Selia
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Crossing The Pond

Ok..I have to admit when I saw an email with the words POND on it, I just about had a heart attack. Yeah, I went there...I thought the old Sub Pop band was back. How awesome was would that have been. I guess a little too awesome because it wasn't to be. This POND comes to us from across one and hails from Down Under.

While not the original, this POND are a pleasant surprise. Quite good in that noisy 90's indie rock mixed with psyche pop kind of way they might just make you forget of their older twin. With fuzzy guitars, kind of screamy vocals and a quick pace these guys fully embrace the indie RAWK philosophy.

Mixed by Kevin Parker (Tame Impala) and Rob Grant at Poon's Head Studio in Perth, Beard, Wives, Denim is an audio diary of ten friends' strange, terrible and blissful time in the country trying in vain to be a wholesome family band. It sounds just like it, distorted and woozy and fractured and ultimately nostalgic and loving and coming to your closest hip and with it record vendor in 2012, through Modular Recordings.

Download: Fantastic Explosion of Time
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The Denzels Are Not From Washington

Still a young group, The Denzels been called “a melting pot of all of New York Cities most successful acts.” Their influences range from Brian Wilson and The Cribs, to The Antlers and The Cure. Most of all, they’re influenced by the bands they see each week all over the city. There is a new Brooklyn sound and it’s changing every night.

Originally named The Goods, the band began playing around Brooklyn and quickly became known for their energetic live shows. In early 2011 the group changed their name to The Denzels and released the Slow Death EP. The songs are a mixture of their surroundings and their upbringing, combining New York style Indie Rock with West Coast beach pop.

Download: Rae Rae
Download: Black Girls
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Archers of Loaf Release Vee Vee Once Again

On February 21, Merge will reissue Archers of Loaf’s sophomore release, Vee Vee, on dbl-CD, limited-edition green LP and digital download.

Remastered by Bob Weston and featuring new liner notes by MAGNET magazine editor Eric Miller, physical copies of Vee Vee will include sixteen bonus tracks and new cover art re-imagined by graphic artist Jay Ryan. Reissues of All the Nation’s Airports and White Trash Heroes will follow later in 2012.

The first full-length produced by Bob Weston, Vee Vee was a slight departure from the previous bombastic noisepop that characterized Archers of Loaf’s previous work, and it proved that the band wasn’t just a flash in the pan. The album became their best-selling album to date and landed them on the covers of most fanzines and at the top of college radio charts across the country. “Harnessed in Slums” and “Greatest of All Time” became anthems of the underground and led to successful tours with the Flaming Lips and Weezer.

Here's the tracklisting...
Disc 1 -
1. Step into the Light
2. Harnessed in Slums
3. Nevermind the Enemy
4. Greatest of All Time
5. Underdogs of Nipomo
6. Floating Friends
7. 1985
8. Fabricoh
9. Nostalgia
10 Let the Loser Melt
11. Death in the Park
12. The Worst Has Yet to Come
13. Underachievers March and Fight Song

Disc 2 -
1. Harnessed in Slums ’95 (Bob Weston Radio Mix, 1995)
2. Telepathic Traffic (“Harnessed in Slums” single, Alias, 1995)
3. Don’t Believe the Good News (“Harnessed in Slums” single, Alias, 1995)
4. Smoking Pot in the Hot City (7” single, Esther, 1995)
5. Mutes in the Steeple (7” single, Esther, 1995)
6. Mark Price P.I. (out of print)
7. Bacteria (The Speed of Cattle, Alias, 1996)
8. Equinox (unreleased) (J. Coltrane)
9. (Big Joe and) Phantom 309 (out of print) (T. Faile)
10. 1985 (Marathon Boombox Demo)
11. Fabricoh (Marathon Boombox Demo)
12. Nostalgia (Marathon Boombox Demo)
13. Let the Loser Melt (Vee Vee 4-Track Demo)
14. Underdogs of Nipomo (Vee Vee 4-Track Demo)
15. Nevermind the Enemy (Vee Vee 4-Track Demo)
16. Don’t Believe the Good News (Vee Vee 4-Track Demo)

Download: Harnessed In Slums
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Praise The Old Monk's

The Brooklyn prog-punk trio Old Monk has confirmed the release of their debut album Birds of Belize on Los Angeles's Eenie Meenie Records. The album will hit the streets via compact disc, digital and vinyl formats on January 17th, 2012. The digital version of the album will contain three bonus tracks.

Blending a love for of progressive rock, indie rock and pop punk has produced a sound that will sound familiar to most ears. But the one ingredient that stands out from the rest is the energy that Old Monk puts into their recipe. A raucous sound distinguishes the band from the crowd of over produced studio albums or overly bland lo-fi sounds that has been usual seasoning used by most bands today.

Old Monk are a jittery, frenetic bunch who wrangle their guitars in an almost Futureheads meets Polvo kind of way.  Spiky riffs bounce off speedy drum fills and out of breath vocals to create a ridiculously quick paced songs that will leave you exhausted.  That's just was indie rock should do and Old Monk does with vim and vigor!

Download: Sacred Birds
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Shhh It's The Silent League

The Silent League was formed in 2004 in Brooklyn by Justin Russo (then keyboardist for Mercury Rev during the classic Deserter's Songs/All is Dream era). File 13 released the band's debut album The Orchestra, Sadly, Has Refused in 2004 to worldwide acclaim. The Silent League has since appeared to be an on-again/off-again relationship between a collective of musicians interested only in periodically making records, playing shows, and disappearing again. This may be true as nobody in New York ever seems quite sure whether or not the band still exists.

Their beautiful second album, Of Stars and Other Somebodies was never released in North America -- until now. Lay tracks through the past 5-6 years worth of new music (take Arcade Fire, Interpol, Beirut, St. Vincent, Stars Like Fleas, Bishop Allen...) and you're going to run over more than a handful of people who began with or spent time creating music under the The Silent League moniker... many of them still do, you just don't know it.

"We don't really care about maintaining a place in the industry. There is enough noise in the world and everyone has other work to busy themselves with," says Russo, "We try to keep it new, detached... We make music when we think we have something to say that isn't already being said."

Download: Let It Roll
Download: The Tolka Not The Liffey
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Out Of The Races And On To The Big Broom

RACES (formerly known as Black Jesus) formed in the fall of 2009 after singer/songwriter Wade Ryff escaped the sweaty grips of multiple bands, the San Fernando Valley and a real life witch. Originally formed as an impromptu group assembled for a one time performance, this haphazard ensemble of 6 musicians decided to continue playing together and see what opportunities came their way.

Despite still have a really bad name, the band's music is ridiculously good.  Sweeping, slightly large in scope, and so full of emotion that they seem to be sponsored by Kleenex RACES are very good at what they do.  This is indie rock gone wide screen and it's awesome. Their EP, Big Broom, will be released on November 15th and we're willing to race you to it.

Download: Big Broom
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The Jezabels Search For An Endless Summer

The Australian moody-pop quartet The Jezabels have been all over the world and back. Upon completing their European tour in September, the four will be returning to the U.S. and Canada in November to tour with the Canadian indie rock band Hey Rosetta!

Somewhere between their relentless touring schedule and having a nervous breakdown, the band hope to put the final touches on their album, Prisoner. If the lead single, Endless Summer is any indication the album will be the best thing that the Cranberries never recorded. A perfect combination of 90's alternative and Ozzy pop the band are bound to cause a stir wherever they may roam.

Here's to the summer...and an endless one at that.

Download: Endless Summer
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Braid Are Back! Seriously.

Hey folks.  I'm absolutely buried in all kinds of stuff right now that's not musically oriented, so rather than being my usual snarky self I'm going to rely on a fine series of publicists to provide you commentary for the next couple of days.  Enjoy. 

Polyvinyl is pleased to announce the release of Closer to Closed, Braid's highly anticipated, long-awaited follow up 1998's seminal Frame and Canvas. Closer to Closed is the first collection of new Braid material in over a decade and will be available August 16th on limited edition 180-gram white vinyl, CD, and digital formats.

To quote its members, "Braid played 597 shows, 47 states, and 18 countries...and counting."

Aside from highlighting one prominent aspect of Braid's enduring legacy (their relentless touring ethic) the statement also makes one other fact crystal clear: the group does not view their career as a closed book, but rather one in which chapters still remain to be written.

In mid-2010 the members of Braid -- Chris Broach (guitar/vocals), Bob Nanna (guitar/vocals), Todd Bell (bass), and Damon Atkinson (drums) -- became excited about the idea of releasing something for Record Store Day 2011 and decided to set aside time in December to get together and see what would happen.

That happening became Closer to Closed.  And like their last studio album, Closer to Closed crackles with energy throughout. From the immediately hummable Broach-sung opener "The Right Time" to the rapid fire drumming that fills closer "Universe or Worse," Braid expands its trademark sound with new layers and textures.

Although no plans are currently in the works to record a full-length, the group is certainly open to the idea.

Download: The Right Time
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