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The Slew - 100%

It’s not often that the DJ and rock worlds collide in an explosive way; But 100% is the outcome of such an impact. The Slew is the creative brainchild of celebrated Canadian turntablist Kid Koala, who later recruited guitarist Dynomite D and the former rhythm section of the Australian band Wolfmother for help.

Devendra Banhart - What Will We Be

Devendra Banhart has a peculiar name; His style is no different. Described as everything from freak folk to New Weird America (as coined by music magazine The Wire), Banhart has been making waves in the underground indie scene. His strength relies on his ability to craft interesting folksy songs while blending just the right amount of pop weirdness—as demonstrated on his newest release.

Diablo Swing Orchestra - No. 2

From the opening, something’s off about the Diablo Swing Orchestra. Oh, they swing all right…but they’re using metal riffs to do it. Metal riffs, alongside horns, operatic vocals, elements of tango and other music that does not usually include distortion pedals…all can be found on this sometimes-gimmicky, always-unusual sophomore release.

Lake - Let’s Build a Roof

Anything stamped with a K is likely to be a/ something related to Calvin Johnson b/ oddly child-like and cute or c / the reason critics overuse words like “twee” and “fey.” That’s not to say there isn’t some fantastic stuff on Cal’s little label. Witness Lake. Let’s Build A Roof is only slightly guilty of b/, though some might argue c/.

Blk Jcks - After Robots

Why are people referring to Blk Jcks as the African TV on the Radio? Clearly, they’re the African Mars Volta…okayl, to be honest and fair, neither are true. Both, however, are properly evocative of the South African group’s sound. They the former’s alternative-flavoured genre-bending, and plenty of the latter’s progressive rock freak-outs.

Maserati - Passages

Fans of Georgia psyche-rockers Maserati may be the only ones who want to pony up the pennies for this latest release. That’s not because Passages is bad album, but because this rarities collection is not even truly all that rare. Collected here are tracks from the band’s split EP with Zombi, as well as some remixes and one new number.

Kings of Convenience's Declaration of Dependence

“What we build is bigger than the sum of two,” sings the Norwegian duo, Kings of Convenience, on their newest release. This lyric rings true as the music, though sparse at times, feels lush with emotional minimalism. By invoking the harmonies reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel with sounds of the surf à la Jason Mraz, Declaration of Dependence is a volume of subdued yet alluring pop music.

Noah And The Whale

We fall in love. Break up. Then move on. Or in the case of Charlie Fink, lead singer of Noah and the Whale, you write an album eulogizing the entire affair. The First Days of Spring envelops the listener into songs of heartbreak, hopelessness, relapse and finally renewal.

Monsters of Folk

Super groups have always been cause for excitement, and this one is no exception. Monsters of Folk (members of Bright Eyes, and My Morning Jacket) debut self-titled album is a mix of Americana and folk rock. Dabbling in Dylan-esque outlaw imagery and alluding to the music of Paul Simon and Wilco, Monsters of Folk manage to convey some real heart.

Electroluminescent - Measures

If you've seen Electroluminescent live, you know what kind of fascination it can hold. Ryan Ferguson moves from instrument to instrument, looping layering guitars, drums, keys and noise, shaping

Swan Lake - Enemy Mine

The opener on Swan Lake's debut, "Spanish Gold, 2044," sounds as though David Bowie and Hawksley Workman got drunk listening to Purple Rain.

Akron/Family – Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free

If you were led to the Akron/Family by one song, you might be perplexed. One spin of the album opener “Everyone is Guilty” would lead you to expect a crazily percussive modern indie-psyche band who’d spent an awful lot of time rifling through ‘70s LPs. A spin of “The Alps & Their Orange Evergreen,” however, might lead you to expect the next Fleet Foxes.

The Ghost Is Dancing - Battles On

The Ghost is Dancing once overran stages with ten-odd members and twenty-odd ideas per song. For all the enthusiasm, however, the songs always seemed to come up short; the sound was good, but the songs were unmemorable. Not so now. Battles On is the Toronto group's latest, markedly superior release on Sonic Unyon.

Dinosaur Jr. – Farm

The reunion of J Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph – collectively known as Dinosaur Jr. – could have been a horrible mistake. Their first attempt, “Beyond,” allayed most fears. “Farm” not only allays the rest, but takes it up several notches. It’s almost astounding to hear songwriting this good at this stage in the band’s career.

Bishop Allen – Grrr...

Bishop Allen released an EP every month for a year, which is the kind of gimmick which – along with a tweeish indie rock sound – will undoubtedly cause blood to curdle like bad milk in the veins of some jaded interweb critics. No, Grrr…breaks no new ground and yes, occasionally they are reminiscent of a thousand other indie rock bands with a shabby but polite pop sound. So what?

Voivod - Infini

Voivod are a metal band that seemed to avoid metal trappings – in both image and sound. At different points on their latest, Infini, you can hear Motorheady speed metal married to progressive structures that flow into memorable choruses. Other times, you’d hear what used to be called “grunge” riffs but with oddball sci-fi lyrics. Together, it all works, and sounds like classic Voivod.

Spinal Tap – Back from the Dead

The farther we get from Deep Purple and Rainbow’s heyday, the less relevant Spinal Tap will become. That doesn’t mean they won’t still be funny. Back from The Dead features some new songs, and they’re entertaining enough, but they do sound like paler imitations of the funnier material from the original Spinal Tap film.

Pink Mountaintops – Outside Love

Stephen McBean rocks the psyche in his main gig, Black Mountain, but it’s harder to label what he does on his less raucous side-project, Pink Mountaintops.