Silence The Foe

As a clear departure from our recent fare of experimental pop and understated indie rock, today's featured artist will serve to bludgeon our regular visitors over the head with an impressive blend of punk, hardcore and all-around raucousness. Silence The Foe is a five piece from Oslo, Norway consisting of musicians Anders Voldrønning (vocals), Marcus Forsgren (guitar, backing vocals), Roland Livar Kjenstad (guitar), Arnbjørn Joar Styrkor Marklund (bass, backing vocals) and Peter Rudolfsen (drums) who formed in 2000 and eventually released a debut full-length album titled Shaking Hallelujah in 2006. After rattling the old windows of our office with this three year old offering for a week, we couldn't help but share at least a few listens. Try this one.

MP3: Privacy Please



The driving sound edges forward without a single clichéd moment in structure or break for unnecessary reflection, with hints of influence heard from The Jesus Lizard or even early Fugazi if we happened to be reaching for distant comparisons. Of course, this is aside from the fact that STF could have easily ended up in the lineup of classic label Amphetamine Reptile Records had they only existed around 20 years ago. Before our gushing reaches ridiculous new heights, another song from the 2006 album Shaking Hallelujah and some information on the current status of the band is well in order.

MP3: I Killed The Last Punk

From what we've gathered, Silence The Foe dissolved shortly after their debut LP but, the original members are still connected and currently kicking around the idea of recording new music. For the latest updates and more listening you can visit the compulsory Silence The Foe MySpace page. Also, for a complete listen and free download of Shaking Hallelujah, as well as earlier music, we suggest the Silence The Foe Bandcamp profile. One last bit of lovely recklessness for you.

MP3: Heaven Have Me

The Phase 4

Burton Upon Trent, UK is home to the duo of musician/illustrator Paul McCaffrey and multi-instrumentalist Martin Carnaby who formed their music project The Phase 4 in 2004. Earlier this year, the band was featured on Compilation 18 from Columbus, Nebraska-based label Series Two Records. Unfortunately, we did not take our cue/email at the time and neglected to post the showcased track from that particular release. Months later, we received a physical copy of a promo CD and finally had a proper listen to what was explained to us as a work in progress that will eventually become The Phase 4 debut album. After giving this promo disc quite a few spins, it became almost impossible to figure out what needed to be tweaked or changed in any way. Instead of bothering with vague comparisons involving mid-60s garage, late-80s twee or early 90s pop from Japan, we will simply give you a listen to the following pair of previews we were especially taken with. Expect a more detailed review once the debut album is released. For now, it might be a good time to start swaying those shoulders and snapping that finger. Nice.

MP3: Lost And Found
MP3: Out Of The Blue

MML: Sunday Feline Frenzy!

However silly it might sound, after a few cocktails on the banks of the Ohio River and some discussion regarding how lovely our own little mini-tigers happen to be, we decided to re-feature random songs about our favourite brand of domesticated flea-bag. Cats, Cats and more Cats. Have fun listening and be sure to follow the links to support these artists. Also, if you have spare change jingling around somewhere in your pockets, contact a local cat shelter and give it to them. Money well spent... Meow!!

Soda Fountain Rag - I Wanna Be Your Cat

Erik Voeks - Finger Painted Cat

Takako Minekawa - Fantastic Cat

The Sheds - Mtn Cat

The Lovekevins - Private Life Of A Cat

Polynya: Crop Rotation

Updates on previously featured artists seem to have become a staple of our existence these days and this time around we have quite the treat to share. Back in January 2008, we originally reviewed Chapel Hill, North Carolina based four piece Polynya and their lovely self-titled debut album. Since that time, musicians Andrea Parthemore (guitar, vocals), Luke Berchowitz (guitar vocals, programming), Pat Johnson (keyboard, drums) and Thom Canova (bass, programming) have written and recorded another brand new full-length release titled Crop Rotation through their very own label Childhood Pet Records. The finished product is an impressive collection of songs that, once again, has our attention captured completely. A first listen from the brand new release is well in order.

MP3: Fan Fiction



With the 11 tracks that make up Crop Rotation, Polynya manages to thread classic psychedelia and a sprinkling of experimental electronic accompaniment into their unique brand of spirited yet measured indie rock. The result is an overwhelmingly solid release in which the instrumentation could seemingly spiral off into a dream state at any given moment if not for the gleaming vocal combination/exchange of Andrea and Luke to guide each song back into vivid focus. From the trippy beginnings of Ribbon Dragons to the searing guitar outbursts throughout Calico and final goodbyes of The Way Out At Last, Polynya delivers a favorite new album for 2009 in Crop Rotation. Another song for you.

MP3: Maul

Additional links:
Polynya MySpace
Polynya Facebook
Polynya ReverbNation

Golau Glau

Golau Glau are UK-based musicians who have made it quite clear that they would like to remain mostly anonymous for the time being. As much as we would usually consider this some sort of PR carrot'n'stick mechanism, the music is outstanding enough to pique our interest and have us scrambling to share the love after a number of listens. A quote from the band, followed by the lovely new track they sent our way:

"We are shy and nervous and we don’t want people to write about who we are as people or what we wear or how far we deviate from the music that has influenced us, just the music and the artwork. We hope you don’t mind that we haven’t written about how we met or what famous bands we like or how old we are or anything."

MP3: Summer Games

Yes... it really is that good. However tempting it might be to sink our teeth into a number of comparisons in the direction of Tom Tom Club or Future Bible Heroes, another expanded blather-fest can be set aside as we bring you the limited information available to us. Three days ago, the band released their debut single Soft Silver Young / Heartland Half Seizure through London, UK-based net-label Odd Box Records (Odd Box MySpace) and it is completely free for download. There is also a Golau Glau blog where you might find additional tidbits of information as well as a handful of other international music sites who were fortunate enough to receive a heads-up on this newly-formed project. A preview from the new single for you. Simply put... we are smitten.

MP3: Soft Silver Young

Starring Me: Parallels

Often times, it seems the artists who send updates on newly released music have perfect timing where sound and climate/season are concerned. Such would be the case for Jacksonville, Florida-based outfit Starring Me who we originally featured with a toasty little indie-rock gem to keep us nice and warm in October 2007. Since that time, members Tara Golden (vocals), Reed Clendenen (bass/vocals) and John Hashtak (guitar/vocals) happen to have located their long-lost drummer Jim Singleton to complete the full lineup once again. After a few brutal re-programming sessions for this reunited percussionist, the band now has a brand new, seven song CD titled Parallels to share that definitely has our summer-ears perked with the sparkling delivery we experienced. The track we've decided to showcase is probably the sweetest near-pop song of the new collection but, impressive as it might be, don't be fooled. There are a number of listening moments with decorative-yet-dark edges and enough meat on the guitar to keep any respectable shoegaze loyalist more than interested. For additional music, both past and present, pay a visit to the Starring Me MySpace page and also be sure to check out the band's side-project Purplespace who we recently made mention of just this past February. Have a first listen to an MML favourite from Parallels...

MP3: Skip The Beginning

**Bonus** From the release "Perfect In The Night" (2005)

MP3: Waves

MML: Sunday Night Cigarette Mix

Not much to report on this beautiful Sunday evening... just winding down the weekend with a handful of songs that all happen to address the particular habit of cigarette smoking while sounding quite well together. Please be sure to light up these lovely songs and also pay a visit the links for the featured artists where you will find plenty of music and information. Smoke 'em if ya got 'em...

The Spires - My Favorite Cigarette

Catholic Gaydar - Cigarettes And Sleeplessness

The Sheds - Do You Have A Marlboro

The Sheds - Between The Moon And Love

Fredrik Ståhl: Universally Personal

Gothenburg, Sweden-based musician Fredrik Ståhl is half of the duo Honeymoon Over! who were first featured here in August 2007. Since that time, we've mentioned Fredrik's full-length solo album Shortcomings & Longshots, a followup to his debut 2006 Start Making Sense EP, and now have another full-length offering to report. Universally Personal was released earlier this month and contains a number of gems that might just find their way into your summer vacation soundtrack. As sleepy-yet-sprightly as pop music can possibly be, Mr. Ståhl maintains a sound we consider perfectly suited for poolside or oceanside consumption on any continent. The entire new release is completely free for download through underground Gothenburg label Frukt Records and is well worth a spin. Have a listen...

MP3: Stoic Calm

The Argument: Everything Depends

Sorting through our email inbox has once again provided us with an update on a previously featured artist we've been hoping to hear more from [November 2008 review + download]. As a follow up to their self-released debut Summer/Winter Nights, the Malmö, Sweden based duo of Marcus and Niklas who make up The Argument have a new EP titled Everything Depends that was just released last week. Additional information plus music for listening can be found on The Argument MySpace page and there is also The Argument blog for some insight. The brand new EP is an effective yet understated collection of acoustic-threaded indie-pop songs that we've been enjoying over the past few days. The best part? You can download, at no cost, all seven songs that belong to Everything Depends by visiting The Argument Bandcamp page. A couple of tracks we were especially smitten with... enjoy.

MP3: Fallen Leaves
MP3: Black Eyed Bunny

Red Kitchen: The Second Person

Revisiting previously featured artists is always a welcomed occasion here at MML and this time we happen to have yet another musician that most certainly deserves an extended listen. Our original exposure to, and subsequent review of the Quebec City, Canada-based music project Red Kitchen took place in April 2008. Since that time, primary songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Matt McClure has been busy recording and finalizing 13 tracks for a newly released album titled The Second Person. A first listen for you...

MP3: Still Life From Courtroom

Interestingly enough, all of the songs contained within the new album serve as chronicles of an elderly man and his life as advanced Alzheimer's disease takes hold of his mind. For the lyrics or additional and frequently updated episodes to read, there is a Red Kitchen blog to visit. As for the music, if you've skipped ahead to listen we can hardly blame you. The sound is an impressive balance of crisp acoustic instrumentation, moderately distorted vocals and a warm underlying current of lo-fi accompaniment that manages not to stray too far into either an airtight studio or dank basement. Mr. McClure also inhabits a Red Kitchen MySpace page where you can explore more of the music and find further information. Another preview?

MP3: The Wake Or 110 Days

The Mystery Slides?

As an aside, we occasionally mention some of the unique, amusing and often confusing items we receive when bands send us a physical copy of their music. Everything from expensive glossy press-kits to poems, pins and even a colouring book (don't ask) seem to be fair game. Upon opening the package containing today's CD, a pair of Kodachrome photo slides fell out of the bubble-pack and we were almost certain they had made their way to us by mistake. After contacting Matt, it turns out that the slides are two out of a set of 20 that he would look at every morning while writing the music for The Second Person. We will undoubtedly keep them with our collection of curious treasures from the MML music blog. One final song from the new album...

MP3: The Museum Of Angry Dogs

Foxes!

However belated, we have an update to share on a band that was first mentioned here well over two years ago in December 2006. Since this very long time ago, Kayla Bell (vocals, drums, keyboard) and Adam Bell (guitar, vocals, keyboard) seem to have relocated from Oxford to Brighton, UK and have enlisted the musical accompaniment of Al Grice (bass, keyboard, percussion) as well as Matt Twaites (omnichord, keyboard, guitar, bass) to complete the latest lineup for Foxes! The brand new single, titled Who Killed Rob?, was recently released through CatCutter Records and is an impressive new listen that flirts playfully with nouveau-twee while managing to offer the band's longstanding take on traditional indie rock. The next live performance is set for this Saturday, June 13, at Brighton's West Hill Community Hall. Have a listen to this B-side (if you can call it that) from the new single Who Killed Rob? Lovely.

MP3: Albania

Video: Who Killed Rob? (2009)



*Bonus* From the EP 46a Appleside Drive (2006)
MP3: 6 O'Clock

Opsvik & Jennings: A Dream I Used To Remember

We originally featured the international duo of Norwegian-born Eivind Opsvik and Oklahoma native Aaron Jennings, with their previous album Commuter Anthems, back in March 2007. Since that time, these two New York City transplants have been working on what is now a brand new, full-length release in A Dream I Used To Remember which was just made available through NYC based Loyal Label. In celebration, a record release show will take place Monday, June 15 (9:30pm) at local East Village venue Nublu. For additional listening, information and freely-downloadable music, there is an Opsvik & Jennings website as well as the Opsvik & Jennings MySpace page to visit. It's not often we find ourselves delving into completely instrumental, ambient music but when an acoustic forefront is blended so warmly into an experimental electronic backdrop, the distraction can be beautiful... and A Dream I Used To Remember is just the preoccupation we needed. A preview for you...

MP3: Windswept

*Bonus* From the album Commuter Anthems (Rune Grammofon - 2007)
MP3: The Pendler

*Double Bonus* From the compilation RUFS (Fenêtre Records - 2007)
MP3: Self

Socialist Leisure Party

In an attempt to do some additional catching up, we've returned to our email inbox and found another recent collection of songs from a label of which we are quite fond. The kind folks at Portland, Oregon label Shelflife Records (Shelflife MySpace) have released a brand new EP, titled Tactical Pop! For Coffee Cadets, from the mostly UK-based outfit Socialist Leisure Party. Musicians Andy Hitchcock (vocals, guitar) and Kevin House (bass) have a history with Sarah Records (yes, that Sarah Records) band Action Painting! and are joined by Axel Amicabile (guitar) as well as Julien Kokot (drums) to complete the new music project. Although the band has often been pigeonholed as "post-punk", a vague identifier that always leaves us scratching our heads, the decision was made to ignore sub-sub-genre classification and explain the sound as energetic guitar-pop with enough classic influence to keep even the most jaded of critics from rolling an eye. For additional listening to the impressive new material, we highly recommend a visit to the SLP MySpace. The lovely track we have featured today is actually a bonus 7" single that accompanies the new EP upon purchase. Have a listen.

MP3: Head In The Hay

PS: If you decide to visit the Shelflife Records link we provided above, be sure to also check out Burning Hearts who we featured in December 2008. Amazing band from Finland we tell ya.

Three from Labrador.se!

So we made our way back to the States in one piece and have been unpacking our belongings while sorting through a mountain of emails for the past week. Finally, we are all settled in with an impressive assortment of new music and decided on the perfect way to kick-start our beloved MML blog once again. Plenty of our regular visitors are already familiar with Swedish label Labrador Records, but if you haven't been keeping up with some of the more recent and/or upcoming releases, there are definite treats in store for your ears. All of the artists are based in and around Stockholm, Sweden with each of them having a unique take on pop music that finds us addicted. Enjoy and be sure to offer support for the ones you might just fall in love with.

The Radio Dept.

After two years of delay, The Radio Dept. are set to release their 3rd album Clinging To A Scheme a bit later in 2009 and the single David will be available in just under a month. All you have to do is listen in order to understand how TRD have managed to maintain their popularity over the years. Just plain lovely.

Release: Clinging To A Scheme (LP)
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/officialradiodept
MP3: David

Little Big Adventure

Named after a mid-90s video game, Little Big Adventure offers a playful collection of songs with their brand new debut EP The Hateful Eye. Although the balance of music found within this new release escapes traditional comparisons, the title track might have you thinking heavily in the direction of New Order with just the slightest hint of Black Celebration-era Depeche Mode incorporated for good measure. Have a listen...

Release: The Hateful Eye (EP)
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/littlebigadventure
MP3: The Hateful Eye

The Legends

We originally featured Johan Angergård and his music project The Legends back in November 2008 and the album Over And Over has since been released. The second single from this impressive full-length offering is now available for preview and is probably one of our favourite releases from the past year or so. Try to find a more beautiful example of noise-pop... we challenge you.

Release: Over And Over (LP)
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/heknowsthesun
MP3: Always The Same

MML Vacation Mix: Bliss City East, Embarrassing Fruits, The Wagner Logic, Cabinet Of Natural Curiosities

Your friendly MML curators have taken it upon themselves to scratch enough pocket change/frequent flyer miles together in order to depart from the formerly-evil empire we now call home for a visit with family and friends in and around London, UK. Although our itinerary remains mostly unclear (pubs), we can at least give a heads-up on an evening we have excitedly set aside. Front and center will be our location on May 22 as Miles Hunt takes the stage with his long-time band The Wonder Stuff [Stuffies MySpace] (including the fiddle-tastic accompaniment of Erica Nockalls) at London venue Shepherd's Bush Empire. If you can find us milling around the stage and the exchange rate maintains its current level, expect us to buy you a beer for spotting the out'o'town music bloggers *Disclaimer: Beers may or may not be purchased from this O2-sponsored venue and are limited to one or fewer per stalker*.

For now, we bring you a sampling of impressive bands we have been paying a considerable amount of attention to in recent days away from the computer. Enjoy and know that we will miss you for the next two weeks. B'bye.

Bliss City East

Our friend and long-time shoegaze guru Perry, from Chicago, Illinois, has taken a sound he fashioned back in the early 90s with his band Skylight (who we featured in March and September of 2008) and created a simple yet beautiful new music project in Bliss City East. We originally presented this as a solo undertaking in December 2008, but now Perry (guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, programming, drums, vocals) has enlisted a full band with musicians Reuben Chew (guitars), Gail (bass guitar, keyboards, vocals) and Kim (vocals, keyboards) to complete the lineup. A brand new soon-to-be-titled EP is set for release this summer and there will be a limited tour to coincide starting July 10 at Chicago/Ukrainian Village venue Darkroom. Two new previews for you:

MP3: City Song
MP3: Happy Ending

Embarrassing Fruits

For those somewhat familiar with the history of the Chapel Hill, North Carolina music scene, this particular portion of today's feature will be an easy sound to recognize. In keeping with local tradition and presenting what could easily overshadow any big/new Merge sensation, the trio of Joe Norkus (guitar, vocals), John Neville (drums) and Lee Shaw (bass, vocals) of Embarrassing Fruits have managed to steal our collective ear. The band's debut, full-length album, titled Community/Exploitation, was released through Chapel Hill label Trekky Records just over a month ago and is well worth a few moments or even hours of your time. The next live performance will take place May 15 at local private-membership club Nightlight. If we end up doing a "best of" feature for 2009, you can place a safe bet this album will make the list.

MP3: Corner

The Wagner Logic

The Wagner Logic is a duo consisting of Jeremy Wagner (vocals, guitar) and James Glaves (vocals, guitar, drums) from Kasilof, Alaska. Although we find ourselves exploring various locations around the planet for new music, I am fairly certain this northernmost tip of the states and/or continent is a first for our little MML music blog. The understated guitars swirl responsibly while providing a dream-inducing, yet wonderfully dreary backdrop for whispering vocals that seem to emanate from a dank basement... exactly what we needed today. The track below will most likely be a part of the upcoming, yet-to-be-titled release through Wilderhood Records in the next month or so. To keep up to date with the band and listen to more music, we suggest a visit to The Wagner Logic MySpace page. Great stuff.

MP3: All In Good Time

Cabinet Of Natural Curiosities

As a parting listen, we have one of the sweetest songs in recent memory from Missoula, Montana (and/or Brooklyn New York) musician Jasmine Dreame Wagner. Her music project is Cabinet Of Natural Curiosities and the song featured today belongs to the latest full-length album, titled Searchlight Needles, which was recently released through Missoula label For Arbors For Satellites. The next live performance will take place May 12 at local venue The Laboratory as Jasmine kicks off a string of summer dates that will bring her through the Great Lakes (midwest to us) region and beyond. For a list of tour stops along the way and to get an earful of what has us completely smitten, stop in for a visit to the Cabinet Of Natural Curiosities MySpace page. Yeah, it really is that good.

MP3: Owllullaby

What a way to close up shop for a couple of weeks ah? We will return on or shortly after Memorial Day depending on the whole jetlag/boozelag situation. Much Love from Casey & Michelle xoxo.

Meeting Of Important People

Once again, we have the chance to keep our promise in following up on a previously featured artist with an impressive full-length release that was recently made available. Our original review of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania trio Meeting Of Important People took place in November 2008. Since that time, band members Aaron Bubenheim (bass, vocals), Matt Miller (drums, piano, vocals) and Josh Verbanets (lead vocals, guitar) have been quite the busy bees, completing their self-titled debut offering. In case you are not familiar with today's featured band or have yet to hear this new album, the song structures exist within a respectable tree-lined indie neighborhood, but in that guitar-haunted old corner home which sounds quite a bit different from its surrounding neighbors. Gloomy? Not at all... in fact, you just might find this new MOIP collection of music a perfect soundtrack for the warm change of seasons at hand. The next live performance will take place Thursday, May 7 in Pittsburgh as MOIP is showcased as part of the City Paper Remixed event at local WYEP Community Broadcast Center. Have a listen to the lead track from the debut album and contact them directly for a copy. Great stuff.

MP3: Brittney Lane Don't Care

MML Update: Twiggy Frostbite

Twiggy Frostbite is primarily the trio of Elin Lindfors (vocals), AnnaKarin Berglund (keys) and Emma Sjöberg (bass) from Gävle, Sweden who we first featured in December 2008 with a single from their upcoming debut titled Through Fire. Thanks to the kind folks at Stockholm-based label Despotz Records (Despotz MySpace) we are fortunate enough to have a second single from the recently-released album to share. Although this lovely track just barely times in at over two minutes in duration, contained within is yet again some of the most warm and well-measured pop music we have experienced in quite a while... beautiful, in fact. After a series of live performance dates at the Stockholm theater Dramalabbet earlier this month, Twiggy Frostbite is now preparing for their next engagement which happens to be the well-established event in Småland known as Hultsfred Festival. If you have the chance to attend this music extravaganza, a lucky sausage you are indeed. The second single for your ears...

MP3: Thrown In Two

Kite in the Air

Just over two and a half years ago, in August 2006, we featured the lovely duo of Jed & Lucia from northern California. Since that time, there have been no updates or communication of which to speak, so it was a complete surprise when opening our email to find an impressive new side-project that deserved our immediate attention. Kite In The Air is the beautiful vocals of Stockholm, Sweden native/San Francisco transplant Emma Lucia wrapped in an aerobic, yet thoughtful, backdrop of electronic accompaniment and production provided by Mark Reveley as well as Mike Genius of east/west coast-hopping outfit WZRDZ. The song featured today is one of five tracks that belong to the new self-titled EP that is available for download by visiting the Kite In The Air website. After rattling the windows of our little computer office with this new release for the better part of the past 48 hours, it only seemed fair to share the love...

MP3: Stinger

Dreamdate

How could we possibly end a gorgeous, sun-drenched weekend of gardening, beer consumption and sweat dripping off the nose without giving you a taste of the soundtrack? Admittedly, most of our listening centered around some old GBV and the new Bob Mould album (can you blame us?), but we also found the time to re-visit a band that was originally featured back in May 2007. For those not familiar, Dreamdate is the duo of Anna Hillburg (bass, vocals) and Yea-Ming Chen (guitar, vocals) from Oakland, California. As a follow-up to their debut album Come Over Now, these two upstanding young tryst-hunters, along with friends, have a brand new full-length offering, titled Patience, which is set to be released through Chocolate Covered Records (CCR Myspace) as well as Skywriting Records (Skywriting Myspace) in just a few short days. To celebrate this collection of new songs, there will be a Dreamdate CD release party on May 9 at local San Francisco venue The Knockout. If you happen to hold the glory days of 80s label Homestead Records close to your heart and could use a reminiscent yet new fix, this band will not disappoint. Two lovely previews from Patience for you...

MP3: Have I Told You
MP3: 8 Sleeves

Sex Jams

Glancing at the subject line for today's artist might have some wondering if a collection of sultry remixes suited for an evening of hot fornication awaits the ears. We mistakenly expected the same when originally checking out our featured band, but were pleasantly caught off-guard once the music took it's raucous shape. Sex Jams is a stirring indie rock four piece consisting of musicians Lukas (guitar), Katie (vocals), Christoph (drums) and Flo (bass) from Vienna, Austria. The band's debut 7-inch single is set to be released next month through Austrian label Fettkakao Records (Fettkakao MySpace) and then again later this year on Noise Appeal Records. To coincide with the new single, Sex Jams will be performing live for a handful of regional dates beginning May 8 at local Vienna venue Tüwi. One of the first things you might notice with the sound is the overwhelming influence of Sonic Youth in both instrumentation and song structure. If you are a hardcore, or even casual fan of SY, Sex Jams is an absolute must-listen. Enjoy the following preview of the new single.

MP3: On Our Way Home Is Nowhere

The Love Story

It's been well over two years since our original review of today's featured three-piece in December of 2006, but after squirreling our way through the post and excitedly retrieving a bright blue bubble-pack envelope with a familiar address label, we now have an impressive new collection of songs to report. The Love Story is a New York City trio consisting of musicians Molly Donahue (vocals, guitars), Renn Cheadle (guitars) and Jason Trammell (percussion, vocals, additional noise) who have a pair of previous releases and a brief bio that is well worth reading. The latest offering is a full-length album, titled Mink, which was made available through NYC label Blonde Records in recent weeks. With slow-burning intensity and a raw sound that captures what could easily be the recording process of a single microphone placed on a cold basement floor, TLS once again delivers a true lo-fi gem. The next live performance will take place this Friday, April 24 at local Brooklyn venue Dead Herring House. Lovely.

MP3: Puerta Rica

Groom

Our compliments on the Black Flag t-shirt

Many of the artists we feature on MML present a warm take on the phenomenon of love, while others seem to wrap themselves completely in the much darker and certain subject of death. Admittedly, our morbid curiosity is piqued on each end of the spectrum, however, it's not so often we find a band that is capable of blending the two together in such a cheerful manner. Introductions are well in order... Groom is the five-piece of Michael Stevens (guitar, vocals, synths), Jeroen Saegeman (guitar, melodica, keyboards), Wil McDermott (bass, synths), Brian O’Higgins (drums) and Ruan Van Vliet (drums, percussion, synth, autoharp) from Dublin, Ireland. Since 2004, these musicians have been writing and performing music and now have a mini-album to share titled At The Natural History Museum which is set for release next week, on April 24. To coincide with this release date, a live performance will take place that very same night in the upstairs portion of a fairly legendary local Dublin venue Whelan's.

Upon listening to At The Natural History Museum we found an impressive collection of catch-driven, guitar based pop songs, guided by the underlying wit and teetering vocals of Michael Stevens. The basic yet effective instrumentation and setup are solid enough for the band to avoid many of the peripheral bells and whistles commonly overused by similar guitar pop artists, which is refreshing to say the least. Have a listen to the following pair of tracks that belong to the brand new album from Groom.

MP3: Mythical Creatures
MP3: Let's Die Together

Screen Vinyl Image

Good bands always seem to know other good bands and such would be the case for today's featured trio. We originally found them well over a year ago as a result of snooping/stalking the social networking page of another duo we happen to love. Unfortunately, the track that was downloaded at the time (before MySpace committed suicide/disabled downloading) was never re-named on our computer desktop and we eventually forgot about that lovely song known only to us as "rtz57mx8que573ks.mp3". Now, after all of this time, there is a chance to redeem ourselves as a result of an email message received from long-time favourite label Safranin Sound. The band is Screen Vinyl Image and they are an experimental/psychedelic three piece consisting of Jake Reid (vocals, guitar, beat, synths, bass), Kim Reid (synths, programming, guitar, vocals) and Nathan Jurgenson (drums, programming, sampling) from Washington D.C. Although they have only been around since 2007, SVI boasts a pair of EPs, an impressive history of live performance dates and most recently their full-length debut album, titled Interceptors, which was released in January 2009. Have a listen to one of the latest tracks...

MP3: Fever



Yes, it really is that good. With influences ranging from the obvious in JAMC and, to a lesser extent, My Bloody Valentine, Screen Vinyl Image maintains the unusual balance of paying homage to the past while forging their own unique sound path that defies genre classification. Upon further listening, we found ourselves imagining these songs haunting the empty, damaged interior of a 70s era abandoned discotheque or boarded-up rollerskating rink (video concept?) At that very moment, those lovely chills up the spine returned to remind us why music is so very important. For additional information on purchasing a copy of the debut LP Interceptors and to preview more music, we suggest a visit to the Screen Vinyl Image website as well as the compulsory Screen Vinyl Image MySpace page. The next live performance will happen this evening as SVI takes the stage at a recently established venue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania known as M-Room. Another preview from the new album for you:

MP3: Asteroid Exile

If our previous reviews of bands belonging to the Safranin Sound lineup were somehow overlooked, the links below will bring you up to speed and provide some outstanding music.

The Vandells
The Antiques
The Vera Violets

Charlotte & Magon

It's not often we find a couple who end up meeting one another on the internet while surrounded by music, but today we share a lovely story that mirrors our very own with two like-minded people from different countries who have taken a chance and that extra step forward. Charlotte, from Paris, France, and Magon, a resident of Tel-Aviv, Israel met online and communicated for two years before finally deciding that music, airplanes and eventually love were available options. Together, these two musicians have a recently self-released collection of 9 songs to share, aptly titled Love Happens, as a result of their international relationship and we can easily recommend an extended listen to their musical labors. More of a detailed bio can be found by visiting the Charlotte & Magon website and a handful of incredibly warm new songs are waiting to be taken in at the Charlotte & Magon MySpace page. A few music websites, blogs and zines have focused on the songs that could serve well enough as a love-anthem for this duo, but leave it to MML to find the fuzz-tastic guitar track... a hidden gem.

MP3: Howard

MML Update: Punch and Judy

We have a full schedule of music coming up this week for the first time in quite a while and intend on getting to all of the audio treats that have graced our mailbox/email inbox in recent days. To kick things off we bring you an indie rock quintet who were originally featured here in October 2006, with a follow up review almost exactly one year later in October 2007. Punch And Judy is a raucous five piece consisting of musicians Olof Astrom (vocals), Bjorn Vestlund (guitar), Daniel Straneus (guitar/noise), Edvin Thorbjornsson (bass) and Jonas Abrahamsson (drums) from Gothenburg, Sweden. The band just recently unleashed a pair of new tracks, one of which can be found below, and have a limited European tour on their hands later this month with the first announced live performance taking place April 17 at local Gothenburg venue Fängelset. For additional information, social networking links and another outstanding track in Casualty, be sure to visit the Punch And Judy MySpace page. The song we received will serve as an introduction as the first full two minutes are a tension-building instrumental base for the heavily punk-threaded sound we have fallen for once again. Here you go.

MP3: KDG

As an added bonus, and/or for those who need that little extra nudge, please check out these two previously released songs featured on MML and prepare for the hair to stand up on the back of your neck. Enjoy.

MP3: Kids On Meth (2007)
MP3: A Punch-Up (2007)
MP3: You Better Know It's Coming Back (2006)

Sticklips

As happens like clockwork once each week, Sunday evening falls directly upon our heads along with the sobering realization of another cubicle-dwelling handful of days existing in the not-so-distant future. In an attempt to fight off thoughts of our circle-o-impending doom, we've taken the time to sort though our email inbox once again and have some beautifully haunting/enchanting female vocals to share as a result. Although our subject line serves as an initial introduction, please have a listen to the following track before we continue any further.

MP3: Our Shoving Leopard (Finished Version)



Sticklips is primarily the music project of vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Johanna Warren who currently resides in the college town of Annandale-On-Hudson, New York. It was at Bard College where Johanna met guitarist/experimental noise collaborator Jonathan Nocera and together these two musicians have come up with an impressive compilation of songs that will soon serve as a debut release. The upcoming album is set to be titled It is Like a Horse/It is Not Like Two Foxes and we have another gem that will eventually belong to this dreamy little offering. Shall we?

MP3: Bedding Wells (Finished Version)



If you've avoided any instinct to dine-n-dash and have made it this far, there is almost certainly a new soft spot in the ear for Sticklips. Johanna's vocal strength could affectionately be likened to a number of our favourite classic artists, yet we find ourselves at a loss for for any direct comparisons... this is a very good thing. More information and music can be found upon visiting the Sticklips MySpace page and there is also a Sticklips blog where vegan recipes (we might actually like to try) as well as some additional insight is readily available. The next live performance will take place next Saturday, April 4, at local venue/converted automotive garage known to Bard College students and locals as SMOG.

Finally, a track we consider to be the "showstopper" simply for the fact that it ramps up into something of a slow-burning version of any given song we can remember from long-lost lovelies The Primitives. Enjoy the following seven minutes and be sure to look for updates here at MML once the debut release is out of the gate.

MP3: I Must Mend The Sail (Finished Version)

(Editor's Note: Update 10/15/09 - We've replaced the demo versions originally posted with the final studio versions just made available to us by the band. The album It is Like a Horse/It is Not Like Two Foxes is set to be released in November - full review to come!)

MML News: Bob Mould - Life and Times

Ohhh, do we have a treat for everyone today. For those of you who are not aware, the brand new full length collection of songs from legendary musician/songwriter Bob Mould, titled Life And Times, is set to be released on April 07, 2009 through Anti- Records. Being the all-around Bob fanatics we are here at MML, this is a very important date and a CD we cannot wait to get our sweaty little hands on. The folks at Spinner.com were indirectly generous enough to post the track City Lights (Days Go By) this morning and we are completely ecstatic in bringing you a preview right here. Be sure to clear any potential distractions from your immediate surroundings and sit down to have a listen.

MP3: City Lights (Days Go By)

Track Listing for Life And Times:

1. Life and Times
2. The Breach
3. City Lights (Days Go By)
4. MM 17
5. Argos
6. Bad Blood Better
7. Wasted World
8. Spiraling Down
9. I'm Sorry, Baby, But You Can't Stand In My Light Any More
10. Lifetime

Bob Mould website (Pre-order Life And Times)
Bob Mould blog (Information)
Bob Mould MySpace (Listen)
MML Preview: District Line (2007)
MML Live Review (2008)

Casey Chisholm

We often find ourselves hopping back and forth between NYC and the various music scenes of Sweden in making selections for our blog and even jokingly considered changing the name of this little joint to Malmö Malmö Brooklynade after a few too many cocktails one night. This time, however, we venture much further west for our featured artist. Casey Chisholm is a musician from the northern Californian town of Aptos who has been writing, performing and honing his audio offerings since 2002. After a handful of previous releases, Casey recently completed a brand new, self-titled collection of songs through Ascension Recordings & Publications. The music is an effective combination of acoustic and not-so-experimental electronica guided by Mr. Chisholm's subdued vocals which seem to echo the delightful influence of Lou Barlow and/or even Marc Almond at times. The CD release party took place last night at Metamusic Records in Santa Cruz and, just in case you missed it, Casey can be found again this evening with another local in-shop-performance at Streetlight Records. A pair of songs from the new album for you...

MP3: Sleep In Silence
MP3: Alive

New Video: The Very Sexuals

Some welcome news to report on Eindhoven/Noord-Brabant, Netherlands lovelies The Very Sexuals, who we originally featured early last summer with their debut album Post-Apocalyptic Love [June 2008 MML Review + Info]. The band now has a brand new video for the track Carla from this outstanding release and Mr. Joep van Son was nice enough to give us a heads-up message the other day. Have a look.



Amazingly enough, the debut album Post-Apocalyptic Love continues to be available completely free for download and is every bit as good as we remember it being last year. A pair of tracks from the album for you...

MP3: Bowie Eyes
MP3: Billy Idol Look-Alike Contest

Finally, some links for the label, related music projects, musicians and previous MML reviews that are all good destinations for information connected to today's featured artist. Please click around and discover more about The Very Sexuals... we love 'em.

Subroutine Records
Subroutine MySpace

The Very Sexuals
The Very Sexuals MySpace

The Sugarettes
The Sugarettes MySpace
MML Review: January 2007
MML Review: September 2007
MML Video Post: Feburary 2008

Foam

Oscar Kocken

Lassus

Who is this faceless person pictured above in the under-developed photograph? If you are even a casual fan of the various music scenes around Sweden and/or follow some of our occasional offerings from this musically blessed country, today's featured artist is someone you will definitely want to know about. Lassus is the longtime music project of multi-instrumentalist Andreas Lassus from Gothenburg, Sweden. Aside from his active participation in the bands Muxika77 and Boy Omega (who we last featured in September 2006), Andreas has been busy with his own solo material. A mini-album, titled Stop & Start, Severed Heart, was made available in 2005 through Villa Recordings and, after a number of appearances on regional compilations, Lassus will soon have a debut, full-length collection of songs recorded and distribution-ready for 2009. The upcoming album is set to be titled Future War Inside The Heart and will be released here in the states through Chicago based label Fragile Famile Records (an offshoot of Jeune Eté Records) at a date that has not yet been disclosed. After listening to the impressive preview track we've provided below, what surfaced immediately was a combination of acoustic and experimental electronic accompaniment balanced thoughtfully without the slightest hint of one sound swallowing the other. Since the Lassus website is currently under construction, you will need to visit the Lassus MySpace page for additional music and information. Enjoy the preview track and be sure to check back in for updates on the 2009 release of Future War Inside The Heart. This song is just lovely.

MP3: Here Comes No Ray

MML: Sunday Night Cover Songs

"Happy Birthday, Dear MML, Happy Birthday to Youuuuuu!"

Since we recently missed our three year anniversary here at MML (by a few months or so) and failed to think of a witty subject line or source a picture that remotely brought to mind the topic at hand, we found ourselves saddled with a Google-tastic photo of birthday candles and an introduction that deserves no further explanation. Over the past three years, we've had the pleasure of sampling many artists that continue to expand their own sound while occasionaly exploring the beauty of various classic musicians who serve as inspiration for their work. The result is often humorous and playful but there are moments when we listen to these cover versions and....ohh the loveliness. Have fun with the following 10 cover songs and please support the artists by picking up a copy of the latest release or checking out an upcoming live performance. The links are all there for you! xoxo.

Purplespace

Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Website & MySpace
MP3: Pretty In Pink (The Psychedelic Furs)

Shannon Roberts

Location: Chicago, Illinois
Website & MySpace
MP3: The Book Of Love (The Magnetic Fields)

Atomic Garden

Location: Clermont-Ferrand, France
Website & MySpace
MP3: Gift (Sugar)

Tomihira

Location: San Francisco, California
Website & MySpace
MP3: Mr. Disco (New Order)

Buffalo Tom

Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Website & MySpace
MP3: Cupid Come (My Bloody Valentine)

Hellsongs

Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Website & MySpace
MP3: Run To The Hills (Iron Maiden)

Lili De La Mora & 11HZ Robot

Location: Long Beach, California
Lili MySpace & 11hz Robot MySpace
MP3: Let's Go To Bed (The Cure)

Boy Omega

Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Website & MySpace
MP3: Papa Was a Rodeo (The Magnetic Fields)

Pansy Division

Location: San Francisco, California
Website & MySpace
MP3: Breaking The Law (Judas Priest)

The Blue Up?

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Ana Voog blog & Ana Voog webcam
MP3: Pink Turns To Blue (Husker Du)

Limbs

Brooklyn, New York always seems to be an inevitable music destination for our blog and this time around we promise not to disappoint or confuse the natural order of things here at MML. Upon first listening to today's featured artist, a perverse thought of those later swooning years of Superchunk, set to a backdrop of unorthodox song structures in the tradition of long-lost DC indie rockers Jawbox instantly took shape in our heads. If this scenario makes sense to anyone familiar with the aforementioned classics, it will be difficult not to love what you are hopefully already listening to. Limbs is an NYC trio consisting of musicians Jeff Stultz (vocals, guitar, bass), Oisin O'Brien (guitar, bass, backing vocals) and Chris Pressler (percussion, backing vocals) who have a 2008-recorded full length album, titled Seeds On Stone, that was officially released last week (3/2) with a performance at Brooklyn venue Cakeshop. To preview more of this outstanding music and find additional information on the new release, you can either visit the Limbs website or stalk them to no end on the Limbs MySpace page. Your next chance to check the band out in a live setting will take place March 21 at local Gowanus neighborhood establishment The Bell House. I think it's safe to say... we completely adore this band.

MP3: Head Above Water

Baron Bane

For those who have any semblance of a quality audio system connected to their computers, now would probably be the perfect time to generate a respectable level of volume. We've been happily rattling the old windows of our little office with the bass tones of today's featured music and wanted to share this gem in a quick post. Baron Bane is a seemingly anonymous troupe of musicians from Gävle, Sweden (a town we showcased over the holidays with Twiggy Frostbite) who have been together for several years and have a handful of previous releases. The most recent single, Love.Cure.All, was originally made available through Swedish label Stupid Dream Records in November 2008 and can now be downloaded completely free (along with remixed versions) by visiting the Baron Bane website or the Baron Bane MySpace page. The track you are hopefully already listening to will eventually be a part of an upcoming, full-length, yet-to-be-titled release from Stupid Dream Records and we are very much looking forward to it.

MP3: Love.Cure.All (Original Mix)

Buke and Gass

When artists send a physical copy of their offerings to us in the post, the music comes in a wide range of impressive and sometimes amusing forms. We've received everything from beautiful glossy resume-type folders to a modified Blockbuster movie rental box (labeled in crayon, as I recall) containing music that always gets a thorough listen. This time around, we have our hands on one of the most eco-friendly submissions to date with a simple, seemingly hand-stenciled foldout of the recycled paper board variety. All packaging discussion aside, we now have our hands on a lovely and elaborate collection of songs, one of which can be previewed below. Buke And Gass is the multi-instrumentalist duo of Aron Sanchez (gass, drum, vocals) and Arone Dyer (buke, voice, bells) from Brooklyn, New York. Although they have only been writing and performing this music together since 2008, there is already a brand new EP, simply titled +/-, that was recorded at Polyphonic Workshop and is currently available for purchase. The handful of tracks that make up this new release are filled with asymmetrical transitions that could easily have any listener imagining another three or four songs within each one, yet the overall flavor presented requires each little piece remain intact. The consistent portion of building musical tension combined with Arone's beautiful vocals easily finds us with another early favorite for 2009.

More music and information on snapping up your copy of the +/- EP can be found by visiting the Buke and Gass website and there is also a Buke and Gass MySpace page for additional sounds. The next live performance will take place this Saturday, February 28 at local Brooklyn venue/gallery The Glasslands. Have a listen.

MP3: Sleep Gets Your Ghost

Throcke

We've been receiving an extraordinary amount of great new music via email directly from artists that have checked out our little MML-world, but have unfortunately been neglectful in enjoying it away from the computer instead of sharing with our regular visitors. Can you imagine? This all changes tonight as we get back to business in bringing you an impressive solo musician to take in. Christopher Mollineaux Carson is a traditional instrumentalist as well as an established purveyor of experimental electronica who has roots in both the North/South Carolina cities of Chapel Hill and Charleston. After seasoning himself as a songwriter and drummer for several music projects over the years, Mr. Carson now resides in Brooklyn, New York where his main focus, aside from short film scores and commercial television editing duties, is his solo music endeavor simply known as Throcke. Chris has a brand new, full-length collection of songs, titled Sometimes Not Unpointful, that were just self-released and that we are fortunate enough to have been listening to for the better part of this past week. The tracks contained within this new gem are an inspiring balance of conventional implements, original field-recorded samples and a series of downright bounce-tastic electronic beats we can recommend without a single caution.

This is where it gets good. The entire new release Sometimes Not Unpointful is currently available as a free download (for a limited time, of course) for those who visit the Throcke website. While spending time there, you will find a ton of additional music from previous releases and some more detailed bio/contact information. For those like our outdated e-selves who refuse to completely give up on a certain social networking standby for music exploration, there is also a Throcke MySpace page to check out... enjoy.

MP3: Starry
MP3: Yes, Inform

**Bonus** From the Throcke debut CD Advance Longing:

MP3: The Un-answerable

The Monument

It hardly seems at all like two years-n-change ago since we first featured a Swedish band known as Backslick in October 2006. We followed up with another update in February 2008 and there is some good news to report as of late. Band members Khaled Saibi (vocals/guitar), Peter Valtersson (guitar), Dan Holmgren (bass) and Adam Petersson (drums) recently decided to change their collective identity and now this indie rock quartet from Gothenburg, Sweden can be introduced as The Monument. Along with the name change comes a handful of songs that make up a brand new, self-titled debut EP. The sound remains focused on energetic beats and Khaled's off-kilter vocals that continue to float in a lovely place somewhere between classic 80s stylings of frontmen Andy Partridge (XTC) and David Thomas (Pere Ubu). Additional information can be found if you visit The Monument MySpace page and the debut EP can be heard/purchased through The Monument website. Please do yourself a favour and have a listen to the lead track...

MP3: Journey To Joy

Hirasakana Oyogu

After a brutal start to the week with eye-stressing hours looking through endless spreadsheets at work and some premeditated physical exertion (local disco gym) afterwards, tonight's featured music is a welcomed and rejuvenating sound. Thanks to Royce and Sam at Melbourne, Australia-based world/folk-pop label Brother Sister Records (Bro-Sis MySpace), we have a preview of one of the most recent musical discoveries to grace their lineup. Hirasakana Oyogu is a street musician from Tokyo, Japan who utilizes traditional hand drums to create both regional and international rhythms as well as the ukulele, djembe and flute to add a series of simple yet effective backdrops for his soothing vocalization. The brand new international debut is titled S/T LP and the songs were recorded at different locations around the Japanese countryside. You can find more information about this March 2009 release at the Hirasakana Oyogu label page and there is also (surprisingly enough) a Hirasakana Oyogu MySpace page for your listening pleasure. This is exactly what we needed... goodnight and enjoy.

MP3: A White Car

Purplespace

In order to avoid any confusion that might result from reading the subject line for today's feature, we need to explain that this is not an attempt to peddle any sort of colour-themed social networking community. What we have instead is an incredible listen in the form of an ongoing side-project from the Jacksonville, Florida trio Starring Me (Starring Me MySpace) who we first presented in October 2007. The spin-off endeavor in question has been dubbed Purplespace and it consists of primary contributors John Kathsah (music, vocals), Tara Golden (vocals) and Reed Clendenen (bass, vocals) along with musician friends Emily Erin (vocals), Jim Singleton (drums, synth), Todd Weise (guitar), Mary Stewart (vocals) and Rob Frerman (more beats). The lovely result of this loose collaboration has been a 2006 debut CD in Broken Bells and now the brand new full-length release titled A Tiny Little Spark. After receiving A Tiny Little Spark in the post and having listened repeatedly for the better part of a week, we can easily recommend what should be one of your first music investments of 2009. The sound within any given track floats somewhere between post-shogazers Ride and 80s-tastic classic Book Of Love with an undeniable, yet subtle similarity to Her Space Holiday from beginning to end. Additional music and information can be found and most definitely should be explored on the Purplespace MySpace page. Let's have a first listen to a track from the new release... shall we?

MP3: I Needed You