Lately, the streets of rock and roll seem cluttered with matching Mod dresses filled with Swedes and Brits with their hair in bangs and Phil Spector in their lockets. The Affair tear through them like a flame. There might be girl groups in their rearview mirrors, but there are knives in their hands and there is lightning in their eyes. Faux-finishing school poses and demure, wistful cooing have been demolished by soulful defiance. The "my boyfriend's back and there's going to be trouble" of yesteryear has been appended with "because I'm going to kick his ass for leaving". Holloway's voice is bruised and angry but triumphant on "Dead Letters", playful and full of sass on "Jailbait Date" and positively flawless on "Left At The Party". Her own lyricism is at once coy with a wink, but full of piss and vinegar. There's not a vocal turn on the record where she doesn't deliver. "Happy endings never interested me", she wails on "Swallow the Nights". The press might not abide her. The L Magazine named them one of the 'Top 5 bands to feature on your My Space page' and called them "the best thing to happen to new wave since skinny ties". A poll at Coolfer.com named them one of the top three NY bands beside Les Savvy Fav and LCD Soundsytem. The Hartford Courant described them as 'Ronnie Spector fronting X' while Vice Magazine said that singer Kali Holloway "has a killer voice that falls somewhere between Poly Styrene and Freda Payne". Everett True spouts in Plan B Magazine that they are "Delightful!" Green Pea-ness blog raves, "TOTALLY FUCKING INFECTIOUS - seriously, the Hanta virus should be so lucky as to have such an immediate and all-consuming effect as this". (AK061)

"Segni" is pressed into bright white vinyl and packaged in a heavyweight clear PVC sleeve, along with a coupon to download a high quality digital version of the EP. The concept and packaging is the visual work of All Tiny Creatures' own driving sonic force, Thomas Wincek. The pressing is limited to 500. All Tiny Creatures contains members of the Volcano Choir and Collection of a Colony of Bees. On Hometapes.

Delicate yet driving and expertly crafted, the futuristic sounds of In Flesh Tones are a hit with the critics. Pulsing, drum driven ambience is coupled with some of the most compelling, androgynous vocals ever. RIYL: Boards of Canada, Four Tet, Sigur Ros and Octopus Project.

Beautiful 5 song CDEP released by the band which led us to sign them. Includes the amazing "Dead Girls" among others.

The first manifestation of Bear In Heaven's Beast Rest Forth Mouth, the Wholehearted Mess 12" EP is pressed in jewel-like multicolored vinyl. Bear In Heaven curated remixes of the single "Wholehearted Mess" from Pink Skull, Max Brannslokker, and Arclike, resulting in the creation of a unique tributary off Bear In Heaven's own musical flow and in a bona fide banging dance-friendly record. Limited to 1000. Comes with a digital download, so you can take it with you. On Hometapes.

The compact disc is housed in a heavyweight gatefold cardboard wallet, printed in vibrating pure CMYK on both sides. A 6-panel folder insert hides inside (including lyrics), opposite the pocket concealing one of the brightest, greatest-looking CDs Hometapes has ever made. The music inside is AMAZING! Best New Music says Pitchfork. We agree. On Hometapes.

Within four walls in Brooklyn, Jon Philpot, Adam Wills, Sadek Bazaara and Joe Stickney have mined the democracy of their collaboration, plus the endless hours of stream-of-consciousness recorded documentation of rehearsals over the past year to conceive the crystalline form of Beast Rest Forth Mouth, their second album, their exaltation. Pitchfork called their first album 'a true cohesive work in an era when the album-as-art form appears to be slowly dying' and The Onion found it 'a powerful, functional mix of This Heat, '70's soft rock, early Genesis, and oddly, later Pink Floyd.' An LP - in two editions: A red jacket containing a transparent blue LP. A blue jacket containing a transparent red LP. Although exact in every other way, the pressing was split into these two colorways. This is the ideal physical experience of "Beast Rest Forth Mouth" and of the art that binds it together. It's about choice, about variation, and about being a nerd for vinyl records and the special things you can do with them. All LPs include: - a 22.5"x17" newsprint poster (printed in CMYK) featuring the album lyrics and art unique to the LP. - a coupon for accessing your own high-quality digital download of the album. On Hometapes.

Blackout Beach is the solo vehicle for Carey Mercer, the head howler and songwriter for the wonderful and mysterious Frog Eyes. Like his work with Frog Eyes, these Blackout Beach songs are intense, miniature epics filled with decadent imagery and dark paths. Some might fence Mercer into the 'new weird folk' movement, but his songs are filled with more conviction, agitation and true sonic experimentation than all of those other folkies combined. Light Flows The Putrid Dawn is an atmospheric song cycle (in fourteen parts) that touches on a wide range of emotions, and an even wider range of song structure and arrangements. The album is more filled out and a bit more abstract/spacious than the recent limited Frog Eyes acoustic album, Ego Scriptor. Awesome stuff. On the fine Soft Abuse imprint.

Before there was Frog Eyes, Carey Mercer and Michael Rak had Blue Pine. A little more primitive and dramatic than FE, but you can't get to the other side until you cross the road. On Global Symphonic.

Our own beloved Bottom of the Hudson teams with Philly pal Coyote on this stellar split 12" with an awesome screened cover. On Hot Dog City.

Bottom of the Hudson's debut The Omaha Record consists of two demos, Omaha I and Omaha II. This little gem from Happy Home could be considered Omaha III, a little in-betweener before their second proper album.

The knock-your-socks-off debut by a new combo from Charlottesville, VA. A wonderfully hooky rock record. Lazy rock crit formula says Hunky Dory-era Bowie and/or Electric Warrior T. Rex showered with some Moby Grape-ish psych-rock and infused with slices of Slanted-era Pavement and Perfect-era Built To Spill. We say this arrived as a mysterious unsolicited demo and we didn't listen to anything else for a month. A small label signing war ensued and we came out with our huevos intact, a basket of roses and a wonderfully talented band to introduce to the world. A perfect record to herald the coming of spring and kick your ass this and every summer. (AK028)

Out of the bedroom, dressed, made-up and ready for company. Bottom of the Hudson trades the fuzz for a little polish on "Riot Act," the catchiest song Eli Simon has written thus far. Also includes the thick and velvety title track and the triumphant "One of Us." (AK054)

Fantastic Hawk is the second Bottom of the Hudson full-length. Transplanting their four-track bedroom mastery into a studio setting, Eli Simon and co. here produce a gentle, poetic, wry and intelligent work of art. As well-suited for fans of My Bloody Valentine and Sebadoh as it is for those who love Richard Davies, Jeff Mangum, Robert Pollard, etc. The group affectively employs a cool 1980's production/arrangement style a la Church (when they were brilliant). A horribly underrated record that's been unfairly eclipsed by the tragedy that followed its release.

The Court and Spark's singer M.C. Taylor spreads out a bit with this album that carries the C&S twang into the middle of a wide-open mesa, the landscape on the journey from the pueblo that was Ventura Whites to the Southwestern metropolis that is Bless You, the Court and Spark's (forthcoming) 2nd album. Boxharp finds Taylor collaborating with several of his bandmates and producer/engineer Scott Soulter, as well as Patrick Main of Oranger, Pat Campbell of the Oranj Symphonette and the inimitable Carrie Bradley on violin. Glitterhouse (who released the album) describes the album as Talk Talk's Mark Hollis fronting the Flying Burrito Brothers.

The stunning 1995 solo debut from Nothing Painted Blue frontman and independent pioneer Franklin Bruno. This is not the first we heard of Franklin having been 0PB fans for some time, but this is definitely the one that led us to his doorstep. Includes the classics "Uninsulated Wall," "For The Firedrill" and "Death of Vaudeville." On Simple Machines.

The lead singer for Nothing Painted Blue returns five years after A Bedroom Community with his second solo album. The songs here, mostly arranged with just electric guitar, upright bass and vocals, carry Franklin's trademark wit and knack for pop hooks. One of the greatest lyricists and songwriters of our time, Bruno is vigorously loved by his fans and criminally unknown and wildly underrated by the rest. Kiss Without Makeup includes a jazz trio reworking of his classic "Clean Needle" (originally from Shrimper's "Abridged Perversion" comp) and such newer favorites as "Nickname Stuck" and "Idiots." (AK005)

The third solo album and hands down the best yet from the lyrical juggernaut Franklin Bruno. The man brought his game to these recordings. Thirteen brand new tracks that swoon from the gentle Spanish feel of the title track to the dusty, tumbleweed twang of "Tired of the West" to the classic wry pop Franklin is known for on "Love's Got A Ghetto" to a cover of the Jerry Vale standard "Two Purple Shadows." As always, this man can write and rhyme. The album was half recorded with Dave Trumfio (Wilco, Mates of State, Handsome Family) and half with Craig Schumacher (Calexico, Giant Sand, Brokeback). Guests include members of Calexico, Nothing Painted Blue, Refrigerator and Jonathan Richman's band. (AK019)

Pre-order the forthcoming Buttonhead CD!

Pre-order the forthcoming Buttonhead LP!

Pre-order the new Chet LP!

Pre-order the new Chet CD!

This little gem, eight tracks of mostly acoustic joy, is a collection of live recordings, covers, and new songs. It's self-released on the band's own Prophecy Connection imprint and limited to a paltry 400 copies. Think of it as a gentle teaser to next year's astonishing Witch Season album. Get 'em while they're hot or, um, here.

First album by San Francisco's purveyors of the smokey twang. Includes "Ghost of Sigma 14B" and "A Joyful Dispel." Originally released by Tumult, the U.S. edition has sold out and is available here as an import from Germany's Glitterhouse label.

The Court and Spark's fourth stdio album on vinyl, courtesy of Camera Records.

Second album from the group that's gotten religion and gotten stoned. Sprawling, dusty country with lines on its face. An unbelievable achievement. Features a guest appearance on three tracks by Gene Parsons of The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers. (AK016)

The LP is limited to 500 copies and looks beautiful.

A brand-spanking new EP of gorgeous songs from San Francisco's lords of dusty distinction. Five new songs, all of which are exclusive to this CD, provide a welcome teaser for the forthcoming Witch Season album. Featuring back-up vocal appearances by folk legend Linda Thompson and the silky-voiced M. Ward. (AK038)

The transcendent third album from San Francisco's finest. Witch Season finds the band at its most inspired, stretching its dusty twang to incorporate other rootsy elements (namely folk and blues) and a few surprises (reggae, funk and rock'n'roll). But heck, I can tell you this bus got a brand new paint job, leather seats and a kickin' set of shocks, but nothings as good as actually going for a ride. Stunning, beautiful stuff. (AK040)

The fourth full length release from San Francisco's The Court and Spark is in stores and garnering rave critical reviews from many corners. The San Francisco Chronicle devoted an extensive feature to the band in their pink pages arts section a few weeks back and the feature's writer, j.poet, emailed to tell us they're his new favorite band. Prefix just gave it 4/5 starts and Lost At Sea said: "In my opinion, Hearts is an album worthy of much critical acclaim. This is [Wilco's] Yankee Hotel Foxtrot without the arrogance. This is one of the best Southern rock albums ever made by a California band. This is a record so disarming that it will pass most people by if they aren’t paying attention. This is a record you should buy." (AK057)

4-track recordings all over the map from the frontman and creative giant behind (or a part of) Heavy Vegetable, Thingy, Optiganally Yours, Pinback, Fantasy Mission Force, Physics, Snotnose, Advertising, Goblin Cock and the Army of Fig-Loving Cats & Mice. 29 songs in all. On Earth Music/Cargo.

The very hard-to-find showdown of fuckery is now available again!!! In one corner, the man of one million bands (including Pinback, Optiganally Yours, Heavy Vegetable, Thingy and Goblin Cock) shows up wielding his Fantasy Mission Force to face-off with Tigerbeat6 cover boy (J)Lesser. Only Vinyl Communication, a label clearly ahead of its time, could release such a monster way back in 1995.

The songwriting genius and cottage industry (Pinback, Thingy, Heavy Vegetable, Optiganally Yours, Goblin Cock, etc) returns with his first solo album since 1996's Lactose Adept. Eighteen brand new songs that range from bubblegum boy-band tenderness to death-metal brutality to the even-tempoed minimal and off-kilter pop for which he's become known. Wonderful stuff. (AK029)

Xiu Xiu is fronted by Eugene Robinson of Oxbow while the Dead Science get an assist by the late great Shooby Taylor the Human Horn. On Deathbomb Arc.

On Woodson Lateral.

This 2006 ep was released by our friends at Slender Means Society, who write, "Crepuscule is a powerfully understated collection of twilight ballads that finds the Dead Science yet again challenging their own ever-refining palette. The staggering drama of Frost Giant has scarcely quelled, but here seeps in with unexpectedly cinematic restraint." It's good stuff and we're happy to offer it for sale here.

The debut full length from this incredible Seattle trio. A ghostly and compelling tenor (like Jimmy Scott, Roy Orbison and Thom Yorke singing together from the Phantom Zone) plummets through imaginative guitar/contrabass/drums arrangements where jazz bites post-rock back and modern classical has itself a seizure. Includes the thundering "White Train." Includes sometime members of Xiu Xiu, Degenerate Art Ensemble and others.(AK033)

The second release from Seattle's noir-soaked mystery men. With roots in jazz, art/experimental and the more accessible side of post-rock, The Dead Science create an enigmatic, yet compellingly unique sound which showcases vocalist Sam Micken's breathtaking tenor over the groups gritty guitar-drums-upright bass arrangements. In addition to four tremendously strong originals (including the infectious toe-tapper "Cuz She's Me") recorded by the band in their new home studio, the EP also features the beautiful, unsettling and perhaps unlikely cover of Terrence Trent D'Arby's "Sign Your Name". (AK044)

The 2005 album from our favorite avant-popsters. Recorded with dark pop uber-producer Ryan Hadlock (Black Heart Procession, Blonde Redhead, Stephen Malkmus, etc.), Frost Giant is a 9 song litany of invisible crushing forces, sexual longing, and the well of misery. Combining the hyper-active looseness of improvised music with the economical arrangements of classic pop, The Dead Science have achieved a new and strange model of the "power trio," which owes equal debts to Prince, Einsturzende Neubauten, and John Coltrane. (AK050)

Destroyer's Dan Bejar up front, Frog Eyes in the Back, a lot of Destroyer's Your Blues caught in the middle, genius everywhere. CD on Merge.

12" on Soft Abuse.

The East Bay sonic scientists meet the Sacramento destroyers for two incredible live sets. This show really captures what makes Dilute special. Hella, of course, are in the business of ass-kicking. On Sickroom Records.

Their debut full length album, recorded by Andy Miller at the Chemikal Underground Studio in Glasgow and released in late 2002 on Chicago's Flameshovel Records after being released in the UK by Scientific Laboratories Records. The album starts with a hailstorm of bright guitar chords changing directions over posh vocal melodies and ricocheting drum swells and accents. As time progresses The Lonely World of... disapates into a section of lovely ballads. Its most endearing moments plow back into more mapped herks and jerks. On Flameshovel.

on Scientific Laboratories

The sophomore album from Dublin's finest marks a quantum leap forward in true romance and dizzying pop dynamics. Recorded at the Chemikal Underground Studio in Glasgow with help from members of the Delgados. In Love With The Dudley Corporation is a spastic love affair, a charming splendor of a record that surprises with every track. For fans of the wistful and the warm, the Smiths, the Wedding Present, Thingy, Heavy Vegetable & Pinback, who're taking the boys on the road. (AK048)

The latest (#3) and greatest from Ireland's lovelorn rockers, the Dudley Corporation. Of course, lovelorn no more because it's the Year of the Husband. But getting here was material for a lot of amazing songs.