Completely agree with you on Hot Hot Heat. I just grabbed the single
this week from iTunes and it's great.  Their last disc was more
mainstream than their brilliant debut (or their Eps), but still good.
This new one is supposed to be produced by Butch Walker and will
probably be even more streamlined.  Doesn't matter, "Let Me In" is
definitely one of their best singles.



-----Original Message-----
From: audities-owner@smoe.org [mailto:audities-owner@smoe.org] On Behalf
Of AssociationWorks
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 12:19 PM
To: audities@smoe.org
Subject: new music...and then some

Man...the floodgates have opened in the past week w/ new releases!

RECOMMENDATIONS...
The Rulers
Hands down - this band has *the best* track on the forth-coming IPO CD.
Not only that...they have free downloads on their MySpace page. When the
song "Caroline" kicks in...you'll be hooked! www.myspace.com/rulersmusic

Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
I can't tell if this band is too clever for their own good...so the jury
is still out for me.
But this is defininitely an engaging new record. Varied styles and
arrangements, buoyant melodies and nods to Squeeze...which should be a
good thing in any pop-lovers book!

Tega And Sara - The Con
This Canadian sister-duo picks up where their last release "So Jealous"
left off .... infectious and quirky melodies, and smart pop song
structures.
'Nineteen'
is the current single - and the best representation of the new record.
Check
it:
http://www.myspace.com/teganandsara

Stars - In Our Bedroom After The War
The song "Bitches in Tokyo" sparked my attention here.
Quiet, lilting pop....with piano and subtle electronic
textures....perfect for a rainy afternoon http://www.myspace.com/stars

Hot Hot Heat - Let Me In (single)
A promising sneak peak at their new album. This band seems to embrace
more melodic sensibility as they grow older. Vocalist Steve Bays still
sings like a Ritalin-deprived Robert Smith with cottonmouth and the
jerky, counterpoint guitar work of guitarist Dante Decaro is still a
cornerstone of their angular, post-punk sound.

DISAPPOINTMENTS...
Rooney - Calling the World
Is *sooooooo* wanted to like this new record, but so far, am completely
underwhelemed.
Their debut had some melodic depth to it - this follow-up just seems
uninspired, over-produced pop lite. Not much here to sink one's teeth
into.
Anyone else want to weigh in?

RANTS...
Interpol - Our Love To Admire
Paul Banks' knack for melody is about as adept at George Bush's foreign
policy prowess.
The appeal of this band is puzzling. I mean...Joy Division are
over-rated enough - we don;t half-assed hacks trying the same thing 30
years later, do we?

White Stripes - Icky Thump
I love lambasting this band at eery turn. Jack White is stilla
second-rate guitarist and Meg White makes Bobby Brady look like Neal
Peart. Why this band sells records is completely beyond me. Seriously!

...and don't even get me started on the Smashing Pumpkins.

that's it,
Jeff