Blank Dogs - Under And Under (2009, In the Red Records)

If anyone is my pick to take the torch from Wavves as the next lo-fi indie buzz act, it is Brooklyn's Blank Dogs. Hyped up by the internet and a staple at Todd P showcases, the always masked Mark Sniper has put out a steady stream of EPs and singles over the past two years as Blank Dogs. The sound, like many other acts of the same vein, has very clear influences. The melodies and hooks have the same poppy gloom as Joy Division and the distorted drum machines and fuzzed out vocals make you thing of Big Black. It is a potent combo and the combined product is a scary thing. It is something that will make you want to dance and cower in fear at the same time. Equal parts fun and horribly ominous.

Despite being a one man operation, Blank Dogs brings several instruments to the table, all of them compliment each other perfectly. From tremolo heavy surf guitar lines, to scummy drum machines, blown keyboards and washed out vocals that are just poppy enough to keep you more entertained then beat down. While many of the songs are rather punishing and frightening (Setting Fire to Your House is my bad mood jam) it never takes itself so seriously that it detracts from the overall experience. With a blend of so many influences all coming together in a a great debut LP of fuzzed out post punk, I really do hope that the buzz finally does come Blank Dog's way. "Under and Under" certainly deserves the hype.

http://www.myspace.com/blankdogtime

The Antlers - Hospice (2009, Self Released)

Every indie music fan has their gateway album, and mine from day one has been Neutral Milk Hotel's "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea". Over the years a portion of me has tried to find something similar, but all the low-fi and alt-folk I listened to always fell short lyrically. I finally have found something that comes close to Jeff Mangum's songwriting, in of all places "Hospice" from the Brooklyn shoegaze/dream pop group The Antlers.

A sober tale of illness, isolation and finally comfort unfolds over the 11 songs. The album plays between delicate Rhodes lines and twinkling guitar and wrenching loud sections. All the while lead singer Peter Silberman unfolds the album's touching narrative with a gentle falsetto that can turn into a scream that will move mostly anyone with a heart. When the album's "Prologue" finally comes, the emotional closer feelings strikingly like Hotel's "Two Headed Boy Pt. 2". While not at this point an "Aeroplane" to be, it is truly inspiring the parallels that "Hospice" makes me draw. Highly, highly recommended, one of my favorites of 2009.

http://www.myspace.com/theantlers

Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca (2009, Domino Records)

Consistent, a word that has always summed up Brooklyn's experimental outfit Dirty Projectors. After their brilliant 2005 release "The Getty Address" and then 2007's "Rise Above" an incredibly original re-imagining of Black Flag's classic "Damaged" they have now signed to Domino and continued their winning streak with "Bitte Orca". This is a very early leak (about 2 months or so) but I am going to write it up anyway, just because it was been impressing me for the better part of the week. The Projectors had my mouth watering when they teamed up earlier this year with David Byrne for "Dark Was the Night" and finally hearing them on another proper LP is as always a sonic treat.

Dirty Projectors craft a sound on Bitte Orca that is equal parts lush and delicate. Dave Longstreth's trembling voice is perfectly complimented by often skittish percussion and synth work. While the typically rich guitar and other string work perfectly compliments Amber Coffman's stronger voice. While there is really no strong concept or narrative, as with the last two albums, it does deliver roughly 40 minutes of engaging yet never pretentious pop with an experimental twist to it. The overall experience is a rewarding one, Longstreth and Coffman harmonize beautifully together and the string work is some of the best you will encounter in modern indie. "Bitte Orca" will be released on June 9th by Domino Records and the Dirty Projectors will be touring the country this spring and summer opening for TV on the Radio.

http://www.myspace.com/dirtyprojectors

Crocodiles - Summer of Hate (2009, Fat Possum)

So let's see what we have here:

1. 2 piece band from So-Cal
2. Noise pop
3. Signed to Fat Possum
4. Just released their debut LP

And yet this is not a Wavves review, boy that is refreshing. San Diego's Crocodiles have been making some noise and have blown me away with their far less abrasive brand of noise pop. While Wavves cranked out gruelingly loud and harsh noise pop, Crocodiles tone is down big time though and end up creating a sound that is much more akin to The Jesus and Mary Chain with a little bit of summer So-Cal pop music mixed in for good measure. At 30 minutes it never feels like a chore to sit though, and the influences are pronounced but never detract from the overall product. Which is a breath of fresh air compared to some of the similar releases that have come out of late. While there is definately a nasty side, it still has a solid core of upbeat California summer time punk.

Cymbals Eat Guitars – Why There Are Mountains (2009, Self-Released)

I hate the word epic; I’ve always felt that internet nerds have played the word out over the years, stripping it of all meaning. What was once meant to describe only the most lofty and grand things, now is used to describe things as mundane as haircuts and naps. This pet peeve has caused me to hesitate when it comes to applying this tag to any of the new music I come across. The streak is finally broken though, because “Why There Are Mountains”, the self-released debut from Brooklyn’s Cymbals Eat Guitars is nothing short of epic.

“Why There Are Mountains” brings that guitar driven indie rock vibe that is lost in the current obsession with lo-fi and shitgaze. Massive walls of sound, rich screams, delicate Rhodes lines all swirl together for a completely engrossing experience. In a period where less is considered more, it was very refreshing to listen to something so sweeping and polished. It is even more impressive considering that the album is self released, some of the bigger label indie lately doesn’t sound as good. The attention to detail creates a powerful experience and one of the first pleasant surprises of 2009. Despite a weak band name, Cymbals Eat Guitars are no doubt a band to watch out for. This debut is impressive to say the least, and is hopefully a sign of much more to come.
http://www.myspace.com/cymbalseatguitars