Hyped on: Indie Surfer; Some Velvet Blog
Official site
MySpace
Who: Originally signed to the Astralwerks label, this L.A. collective released their self-titled, electro-tinged, psychedelic pop debut in 2004, which included the majestic single “What Are You Afraid Of?” Initially a two-man operation (bassist Francis Ten and guitarist/vocalist Robert James), the band is now a multi-ethic six-piece and has recorded a slew of new tunes already well-honed on the road.
What: Recorded on a bleak corner in downtown Los Angeles (hence the title), West Indian Girl’s new songs take their original template of organic dream-rock into a whole new universe of ebullient sunshine pop with the chops of a seasoned jam band. In short, West Indian Girl is equal parts Coachella and Bonnaroo. They can be as joyously optimistic as the Polyphonic Spree (“Sofia”) and rock like a hyper-melodic Jane’s Addiction (the single “Blue Wave”). Singer Mariqueen Maandig’s impassioned vocals add even more warmth and energy to the celebratory songs.
Made for: Girlfriends of guys obsessed with My Morning Jacket. Boyfriends of girls obsessed with Devendra Banhart. Music supervisors. Any good late-night/early morning drum circle. Experimenting with hallucinogenic chemicals. A road trip up the coast.
X-Factor: “West Indian Girl” was an especially powerful form of LSD in the ‘60s created by notorious chemists Augustus “Bear” Owsley and Nick Sands. – SS
The Coathangers, "The Coathangers" (Rob's House)
Hyped on: I Rock Cleveland; INDIEBLOGHEAVEN; The Summer of Steve
Official site
MySpace
Who: Four Atlanta indie rock girls hatched the idea for the Coathangers while stuck in a car together on a long drive to an anti-Bush rally. They conceived their quartet's sound as a mix of snotty punk attitude, buzzy garage pop and brash, 21st century feminism (their name is a crude reference to a pre–Roe v. Wade abortion technique). Barely a year later, they’re hot on the heels of the Black Lips and Deerhunter as the most hyped band in Atlanta’s crowded post-punk scene.
What: Frequently compared to the Slits and Bikini Kill, the Coathangers make wickedly funny, three-chord party punk that, depending on your point of view, is either moronic or brilliant, or maybe a little of both. Most of the attention has focused on their crudest anthems, “Don’t Touch My S---!” and “Nestle in My Boobies,” but it’s the hooky, lo-fi grooves and cheesy keyboards of songs like “Parcheezzi” and “Tonya Harding” that make the Coathangers worthy of the hype.
Made for: People who remember when punk rock meant using limited musical skills to make fun, high-energy pop songs. Anyone who’s ever wondered what would happen if Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna and the B-52s’ Kate Pierson started a band together. Chicks who kick ass and the dudes who love them.
X-Factor: “The Missing Letter” features an accordion and Russian lyrics. Sounds like Gogol Bordello just found their next opening act. - AH
White Williams, "Smoke" (Tigerbeat6)
Hyped on: Brainwashed; The Sky Report; Coke Machine Glow
MySpace
Who: Joe Williams, the 23-year-old programmer, singer, guitarist and delay wizard behind emerging electronic-pop force White Williams, used to crave noise—at one point in the late ‘90s he was opening for Black Dice and the Rapture. But one day Williams woke up and decided that something more accessible was in the cards.
What: Williams’ debut album mixes loops, blips, jazzy guitar grooves and some pretty sweet vocal effects—in other words, less Lightning Bolt, more Paul McCartney. Tracks like “The Shadow” come off as if the Sea and Cake took an E pill and locked themselves in Danger Mouse’s studio; meanwhile, “Fleetwood Crack” is just a funny song title. Single “New Violence” has made its way onto the podcast/skinny-jean mixtape circuit and pretty much bangs, with Roland washes and noodly guitar solos laid under the singer’s (possible) political screed. Or the tune could be about screwing—lyrics are sparse in Williams’ world and ready for “interpretation.”
Made for: Reformed ravers looking for an intelligent album (and sick of Daft Punk hysteria). Bar/party DJs looking to juice their playlist—WW’s cover of Bow Wow Wow’s “I Want Candy” is as haunting and infectious as the original is not.
X-Factor: We pulled “Smoke” from the CD pile mostly because of William’s association with buzzworthy acts Girl Talk and Dan Deacon; he toured with the pair extensively this year. He also has dates with Battles, adding to his certified hot status. – MR
Add a comment