Simon Spire – No Solid Ground – Music Stream April 15, 2012 New Zealand’s Simon Spire brings the wide-eyed pop on the No Solid Ground EP. Like Death Cab for Cutie without any of the frowns.
Shearwater – You As You Were – Music Stream April 15, 2012 Shearwater channel Richard Thompson on “You As You Were,” although that comparison applies to vocals only, as they prefer piano to guitar sounds.
7 Horns 7 Eyes – Divine Amnesty – Music Stream April 15, 2012 7 Horns 7 Eyes bring (almost) 7 minutes of metal fury and atmosphere on “Divine Amnesty,” a song from the Seattle band’s debut Throes of Absolution.
School of Seven Bells – Lafaye – Music Stream April 15, 2012 Get an earful of Alejandra Deheza’s ethereal vocals snuggling up against Ladytron-style synths and realize this band has cool to spare.
Say Anything – Burn A Miracle – Music Stream April 15, 2012 Singer Max Bemis has an incredible charisma that channels Ted Leo, and that energy is on shining display during “Burn A Miracle.”
Cathedral – A Funeral Request – Music Stream April 15, 2012 Doom legends Cathedral are calling it quits after 20+ years, with one last album due this year before the coffin is lowered.
3 Inches Of Blood – Metal Woman – Music Stream April 15, 2012 With Cam Pipe’s trademark high-pitched wail and the band’s polished thrash-meets-Priest/Maiden sound, 3 Inches of Blood are metal to the core.
Pilgrim – Astaroth – Music Stream April 15, 2012 Rhode Island crew Pilgrim specialize in slow-as-molasses doom, the kind that sounds downright lethargic at times.
Black Tusk – Crossroads and Thunder – Music Stream April 15, 2012 Savannah’s Black Tusk sound a lot like fellow Georgians Kylesa. Their fast and heavy mix of stoner metal with hardcore punk is immediate and effective.
Backwoods Payback – You Know How This Works – Music Stream April 15, 2012 West Chester, PA stoner stalwarts Backwoods Payback are “3 dudes, 1 gal rocking harder than you” according to their Facebook page.