New CDs

Killin' For A Livin' Price: $11.00 Artist: 1220 Description: Wunderkinds of the Knoxville TN local scene, their hook filled album from 2009 was recorded by Don Coffey Jr. of Superdrag (and the band can ROCK like the 'Drag too), the band has set out to cover new territory by incorporating a perfected power pop shimmer ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Brood Or Change Price: $12.00 Artist: 50 Cent Haircut Description: What best describes Jay Souza and 50 Cent Haircut? Think a rootsier Only Ones! Souza’s Peter Perrett-like vocals coupled with the band’s rockin’ approach add up to one terrific effort of “classic and richly toned slide guitars, whisky-soaked vocals and timeless melodies….like Hank Williams slapping The Beatles on the back over a few beers…Syd Barrett is the bartender, Johnny Cash is working the door, and XTC is on the jukebox” "Alt Honky-Tonk Garage Brit Pop." Not too far off the mark, though probably favoring the Brit Pop edge, heavy with warm, rootsy undercurrents… has a fluid, indefinable sound where all of these elements mix. "The album is like a cold beer on a hot day when you don't want to do anything, but still want to feel like more than a moldy lump on a lawn chair. 'Fiction' is a driving, pulsating sexy vision. 'Geronimo' makes you want to take your baby's hand and dance as hard as the guitar. The whole album is dripping with sweat and whiskey. it's perfect." - Sarah "The record's a bit like a scavenger hunt - they beg, borrow and steal from the masters and the obscure with the product being something completely original yet familiar. Describing themselves as 'a great American sound with that deep imported taste', if Ray Davies was in a rockabilly or Americana band it would sound a bit like this. Great harmonies, great interplay between jangle guitar and crisp leads, big thumping bass, skins pounded to within a inch of their lives, heavy and sometimes humourous lyrical content. They more than hold their own playing in the same ballpark as the likes of Ryan Adams, Wilco, the Jayhawks, the Cure (sans cheesy keys), the Kinks, John Hiatt, Elvis Costello and Graham Parker." - W1P Plus, how can you go wrong with a song like “Bring Me The Head (Of A Backstreet Boy)”? EXCELLENT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

My Music Plan Price: $11.00 Artist: 8889 Description: LIMITED STOCK!!! Thank you! Our prayers were answered back in May of 2005 when we pleaded for a full-length by this Wisconsin five-some after their most excellent debut jangly pop EP and they delivered! Furthering the jangly Brit-pop vibe that permeated their debut, this one again features hook-filled songs propelled by jangly guitars and the fragile vocals of Russ Benbow and Jason Teteak. "They exude all the sincerity and innocent charm of the proverbial boy next door: It comes through in their songs - polished pop rock statements draped in the classic hues of the Beatles, Beach Boys and Motown, and it comes through in their lyrics, which feature candid reflections on loving and living in a world that sometimes moves too fast...Behind the tireless drive of the band's talented songwriting tandem, they have authored a document of passionate delivery and meticulous craftsmanship. Terrific...the very definition of genuine." -The Isthmus "A Precious Pop Gem that is near-perfect guitar pop, a Midwestern spin on a grand British tradition. The melodies are gorgeous and infectious. 8889 are capable of turning relatively simple melodies into giant, sweeping epic moments, and have produced an album that is slick and radio-friendly without being excessive or lifeless" - Rick's Cafe "With a Brit-pop sensibility that harkens back to the late '90s and channels Blur with a dash of Oasis. They show a healthy disregard for all trends indie and moves decidedly into the genre of smooth guitar pop - clearly demonstrating potential and the possession of songcraft building blocks necessary to become lasting musicians." - The Daily Cardinal "They play smooth, earnest, and accessible jangle-rock with luxuriant harmonies. Their mid-tempo jaunts are flavored with keyboards and layered guitars, and Benbow provides a strong sway factor as the songs roll and flow." -The Onion Will appeal immediately to fans of 80's/90's Brit-popsters like Suede Crocodiles, Horse Latitides, Aztec Camera, The Bluebells, et all and more recently, Crumb. GREAT!!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

The Anatomy Of An Apricot Price: $10.00 Artist: 8X8 Description: 8X8 is the transatlantic collaboration between Lane Steinberg (NYC - he of Tan Sleeve, Cracked Latin, The Wind) and Alex Khodchenko (Kiev, Ukraine). The entire album was recorded via file sharing. The principals have never met, nor even spoken. Their relationship, which began as a series of emails, blossomed over several years into a working musical partnership that transcends the lack of a common language and physical proximity. "A rare and precious jewel of an album! Entirely done via the internet, yet it has an organic wholeness that you would swear could not be possible under those circumstances.Although it has a sound that one might consider 'Brit Pop' or psychedelic pop, and fits easily in a playlist featuring The Dukes Of Stratosphear, the Kinks, early Pink Floyd, Love, late Beach Boys, and the like, it remains completely original, so well have the influences been digested. Every song is a gem. It's a beautiful album, and stands on its own as a work with it's own integrity, rather than a mere imitation. I can't recommend this album more highly." - M. B. Dill "Bringing forth influences from Todd Rundgren, The Zombies, The Beach Boys and Procol Harum, it requires multiple listens – but it really sticks. Opening with 'Fantastic Sun' it’s the most immediate and catchy track with a rich layered musical palette. The vocal harmonies are transcendental here and continue on 'Layabout' and 'Time And Tender Love.' Even Colin Blunstone would be impressed by the swirling 'Live in Dreamland.' This isn’t simply music you listen to – you let it wash over you like lush warm breeze. Good headphones are a must for this material. Many other highlights include the epic melodies of 'Snowflake In The Rain' and 'Sweetness In Your Life.' Credit also must go to Gregory White on a variety of keys (Hammond organ, mellotron, etc.), Rebecca Ona (backing vocals) and Rick R. (drums). Easily makes my top ten list for 2012, and will remain on my ipod for a long, long time." - Powerpopaholic.com GREAT!!!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Azalea's Room Price: $12.00 Artist: 8X8 Description: 8X8 is the unique and mystical collaboration between Lane Steinberg (New York, US) and Alex Khodchenko (Kiev, UKR).  The two met in the Myspace days and have since developed an intuitive working relationship despite the fact that they have neither met nor ever spoken. At first listen, one could file under "Psychedelic Popular", but the strength of the compositions and performances are the real tribute to their influences.  "Azalea's Room", their second collection, has been two years in the making. The title track typifies the kinetic 8X8 energy with its Arabic sounding melody set to a jungle groove with lyrics describing a seaside refuge belonging to a woman who makes a fantastic cup of tea.  What follows are songs about star-crossed werewolves, cold war-era spies, a retiring obstetrician, a person trying to erase their identity from the internet...the usual rock n' roll subject matter.  It closes with a Hammond-fueled cover of "Tears of Rage", by Bob Dylan and Richard Manuel. The idea to do the song was batted around one evening with R. Stevie Moore, who plays bass on the track.  It's a bittersweet ending to an album of impressionistic nostalgia via loping grooves and enchanting melodies. "Steinberg and Khodchenko have been around long enough to know that you can't stand still and expect to be taken seriously, and here show some serious growth in a number of areas without abandoning the distinctive baroque pop sensibilities that sugarcoated our earlugs first time around.  So while delicate pop miniatures like 'Ice Wings', the Beatlesque ballad 'Code Name Jacqueline' and vintage harpsichord pop fare like 'Dr Winkler's Hands' could make a fine home for themselves on (their debut) 'Anatomy of an Apricot' there's also plenty of room for the groovy eastern rock stylings of the title track and perhaps best of all, the moody bedsit melodrama of 'Laws of Attraction'. I'm not naive enough to assume that stardom beckons of course, but there are certainly a few more attentive sets of ears that are going to be well pleased to make the acquaintance of this particularly fine album." - TheActiveListener.com EXCELLENT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Inflorescence Price: $12.00 Artist: 8X8 Description: Three years in the making, “Inflorescence”, is the third 8X8 album from the transatlantic collaboration between Lane Steinberg (NYC, US) and Alex Khodchenko (Kiev, Ukraine). The principals have never met, nor even spoken. They collaborate via file sharing in a close musical partnership that transcends the lack of a common language and physical proximity. The music, for the most part, can be described as melodic psychedelia. “They have done a magnificent job of condensing their various 60’s and 70‘s influences, who appear to range from Procol Harum to The Left Banke, into a euphoric baroque-infused sound that’s still distinctively their own. From start to finish it’s like sitting in a comfy parallel universe where the songs are instantly recognizable hits. The fact that they aren’t, and are never likely to be, doesn’t prevent this duo from consistently producing magnificent psych-tinged pop of the highest order!” – Shindig! Magazine Let’s just hope we don’t have to wait another three years for their next one! GREAT!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

All Broken Up Price: $9.00 Artist: Aaron Fox Description: Aaron was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. After graduating high school, he escaped from the Chicago suburbs and attended Rock School (Berklee College of Music) in Boston. In his final year in Boston, he recorded this 2003 debut effort (sans T ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Late Too Soon Price: $13.00 Artist: Aaron Fox & the Reliables Description: Here's some very cool, jangly, garage pop rock (with some very cool Replacement-like, chord-sequenced tunes) outta the Windy City! Aaron Fox & the Reliables started as a collaboration between Aaron Fox, guitarist/singer/songwriter, and guitarist Mike Bu ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

The Best Game Price: $13.00 Artist: Abandon Ship Description: LIMITED STOCK!! WOW!! On their third release from 2006, Damian, Gabriel and Nathen Lester (aka Abandon Ship) have taken it all the way! They just kept getting better and better with each release and certainly deserved wider recognition! The arrangements here are stunning, with lots and lots of guitar and vocal layering, live drums and quirky drum machine (you've never heard this sound before!) and high-energy, groovy performances. The songs are very accessible and catchy and range from guitar rockers with Beach Boys harmonies to quiet, beautiful, acoustic numbers. Think a mellower Dan Jones and you have a real good idea of what's happening here! "This was my favorite album of 2006. The versatile and talented Brothers Lester put something really special together here. Songs on 'The Best Game' ranged from sweetly lyrical to indie garage aggressive; to my earnest and untrained ear, the music is reminscent recalls Beach Boys, CSN&Y, (and perhaps a dollop of XTC?). Their sense of youthful, boyish wonder notwithstanding, these boys can also rock!" - Trey In LA And the tasteful, plentiful, Brit-Pop inspired guitar throughout is the frosting on the cake! GREAT!!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none

Happy Endings Price: $13.00 Artist: Abandon Ship Description: LIMITED STOCK!! Born into a musical family, the five Lester brothers grew up playing instruments and singing harmony with their parents. In 2004, Nathan, Damian, and Gabriel Lester delivered a confident follow-up to their promising debut! Retaining their youthful vocal harmonies while delivering a more up-tempo effort than their debut, it’s chock full of layered guitars – not unlike early Brendan Benson and Dan Jones’ “One Man Submarine” (must be the water in Eugene, OR) which is still a fave around here! Posies-like at times too! "A complete blind listen...which is not at all unusual for me. There is something very exciting about hearing an album having never heard a single song...then being completely blown away by it. Which is what happened with this one. The Brendan Benson-like melodies, harmonies and songwriting stays strong and the guitar work is stunning! These siblings possess loads of talent, and it shows all over this album. This one is chock full of great tunes. Listen to it on a rainy day, a sunny day, in the morning or at night Abandon Ship create melodies and pop hooks that manage to suck the listener in early. Catchy, stick to ya kinds of tunes. Anyone who likes pop songs with lots of hooks, catchy melodies, and thoughtful chord changes, should buy this album right away and never stop enjoying it immensely." - Count Keef A grower! GREAT!!! ... read more » Quantity in Basket: none