InRadio 4.1 Blink, May/June 2006

To hear these and other great artists, order now.

Arizona Amp and Alternator
Thrill Jockey Records
Arizona Amp and Alternator is Howe Gelb and friends keeping themselves busy in the desert (actually Denmark and Modesto mostly, with a little Tucson thrown in for good measure). Howe is a talented songwriter, and he's joined here by a star-studded collection of co-conspirators- M.Ward, the boys from Grandaddy, Scout Niblett, Danish chanteuse Marie Frank, and Jeremy Gara (Arcade Fire). The disc is an eclectic array of great music played by talented musicians and a fine way to start of InRadio's fourth year.


The American Analog Set
Arts & Crafts
If you haven't seen The AmAnSet live, you may have missed the boat. AmAnSet, who released Set Free last year, have said that their tour in support of the album would be their last. Do not let that deter you from picking up the album. On their sixth full-length release in eleven years, Texas' American Analog Set has finally found its musical balance. Instead of lo-fi ambiance or the overt pop, Set Free blends the best of both into one heavenly package.


The Blue Scholars
In homage to hip-hop's empirical formula - one DJ & one MC, and duos such as Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Gangstarr and Blackalicious, the Blue Scholars embody the chemistry that made these groups so consistent not only on wax, but live on stage as well. What results is the blend of poetic, raw vocal delivery with melodic boom-bap and turntablism, painted with politics and preservation. The duo formed in early 2002 when emcee Geologic and DJ/producer Sabzi came from vastly different musical approaches to collide. One a distinguished battle emcee and poet, the other a former punk/ska drummer and jazz-trained pianist, the duo's backgrounds laid the foundation for a versatile combination of beats and rhymes at once political and personal.


The Hold Steady
Frenchkiss Records
The Hold Steady is a Brooklyn-based musical group, although the members have strong connections to Minneapolis-something that is frequently reflected in the group's lyrics. Frontman Craig Finn was previously vocalist for Twin Cities band Lifter Puller with Hold Steady band mate Tad Kubler. The Hold Steady's first album, Almost Killed Me (2004), was a sleeper hit among music critics; last years, Separation Sunday, was not. Finn's unique chronicling coupled with a great backing band propelled The Hold Steady to the forefront of the indie music scene. The album is different and it's great.


The Gossip
Kill Rock Stars
On their third album, Standing in the Way of Control, The Gossip have thrown aside their predominately punk sound for a more danceable one. Newcomer drummer, Hannah Blilie joined Beth Ditto and Brace Paine for the recording of their latest album. When their first album, The Gossip, was released on K Records in 1999, the trio proclaimed: "We started a band 'cause we were bored. Our mission is to make you dance, and if you're not gonna dance, just stay at home and listen to the oldies station." If that was their goal then they have succeeded.


Jenny Lewis and The Watson Twins
Team Love Records
Jenny Lewis took a break from fronting Rilo Kiley in 2005 to record her first solo album, Rabbit Fur Coat. With help from the Louisville duo, Chandra and Leigh Watson, along with producer Mike Mogus (Bright Eyes), Jenny Lewis has created an album grounded in the comfort of a country/folky/gospel sound. The album has been receiving mixed reviews, some seem to have fallen in love and some have not. It's worth a listen either way, the three sing beautifully together, and have produced an honest and unique album.


Okkervil River
Jagjaguwar Records
2005's Black Sheep Boy, the fourth album from Austin's Okkervil River, is an amazing album, whose story unravels throughout the entire record. A concept album that moves thematically rather than narratively, Black Sheep Boy was inspired by the Tim Hardin song of the same name and begins with this cover. The following 10 songs expound on these themes of prodigality and wanderlust as the band display an unflinching devotion to the sheepish title metaphor, following it all the way through until the boy becomes a ram. The appendix to Black Sheep Boy is also out now on Jagjaguwar.


American Princes
Yep Roc Records
American Princes formed when Little Rock, Arkansas welcomed three New York City transplants with open arms in early 2003. Slade, then-bassist John Beachboard and drummer Matt Quin holed up in an unheated country shack, spending their days writing songs. Enter guitarist Collins Kilgore, a local whose tasteful guitar leads, and songwriting savvy quickly made him an indispensable part of the equation. The band released We Are the People in August of 2003 and, Little Spaces in 2004. Signed to Yep Roc Records in 2005, the band went into the studio to record Less and Less, which was released on April 4th.


Jolie Holland
ANTI Records
Former member of the Be Good Tanyas, Texas native Jolie Holland is about to release her third solo album, Springtime Can Kill You. Just as with her lauded 2003 basement-tapes, Catalpa, and 2004's studio debut Escondida, Holland writes with a soft focus and a sharp edge (and sometimes vice-versa). Springtime Can Kill You takes this approach to a transcendent level. Holland's sepia-toned song noir and billowy voice are in rare form as she weaves ethereal tales at a crossroads where haunting meets joyful-hers is a voice from the heavens singing stories of the underworld. If you ever get a chance to see Holland, do so, her live voice and presence is truly unique and unforgettable.


Field Music
Memphis Industries
Field Music is the latest product of a long-running musical expedition, directed by Andrew Moore and brothers Peter and David Brewis. Their debut album, Field Music, was released to critical acclaim in the UK in August 2005, accompanied by the singles Shorter Shorter, You Can Decide and, most recently, If Only The Moon Were Up. All three core members hail from Sunderland, England, where they can usually be found, hidden away in their studio, crafting bizarre experimental pop music or in nightclubs, insisting that Fleetwood Mac be played at volumes which test the limits of human hearing endurance. Their debut album will be released in the U.S. on April 9th.


Jason Collett
Arts & Crafts
Although Jason Collett didn't release his debut album until 2001, he has played an important role in the Toronto music scene since the late '80s performing with the Andrew Cash Band, Ursula, and Bird. After playing guitar with Broken Social Scene for a while Collett was once again ready to put out another solo effort. This took the shape of Idols of Exile, a fine album that was released early this year.


Jeff Hanson
Kill Rock Stars
Jeff Hanson, prior to going solo fronted indie rock band M.I.J. Born in Milwaukee, WI, Hanson began his musical training at age four with guitar lessons. He formed M.I.J. when he was only 13, and after seven years the band released a 7", an EP, and a full-length on Caulfield Records. Since parting ways with M.I.J. he's released two albums on Kill Rock Stars, his latest, is a very fine sophomore album.


The Plastic Constellations
Frenchkiss Records
We're not going to the belly of the beast / with straight staccato we'll shake it 'till it bleeds
So begins Crusades, the third album from Minneapolis-based band The Plastic Constellations. It's a lyric that goes on to color and temper the rest of the record, hinting at the triumphant spirit to follow. Whereas the band bounced between Pavement-inspired jangle and big rock anthems in the past, Crusades wastes no time establishing the latter over the former. Crusades is firmly a Rock Record and it is firmly unrelenting.


The Pipettes
Memphis Industries
The Pipettes (Becki, Rose and Gwenno) and their backing band The Cassettes formed at a Brighton beach party last year and have wasted no time since in their stated mission to: 'turn back the clock to a time before The Beatles ruined everything.' Their trademark polka dot dresses, doowop anthems and choreographed hand movements have earned them fans across the globe. For good reason, put cute dresses aside, the girls can sing. They have spent most of January and February recording a debut album with Andy Dragazis (Blue States) and Gareth Parton (The Go! Team) at the desk.


The Most Serene Republic
Arts & Crafts
Hailing from the suburbs of Toronto, the Most Serene Republic features Adrian Jewett (vocals), Adam Nimmo (drums), Ryan Lenssen (keyboards), Nick Greaves (guitar), Andrew McArthur (bass), and Emma Ditchburn (vocals/guitar). The quirky indie rock sextet formed in 2003 and inked a deal with Arts & Crafts shortly thereafter, becoming the first band signed to the Toronto label that didn't include a member of Broken Social Scene. North American dates with Canadian pals Stars followed into spring 2005. The band's sophisticated debut, Underwater Cinematographer, was issued later that summer.


Peter Adams
Subcircle Productions
The young talent on InRadio 4.1 is Peter Adams. The 22 year old Oberlin grad began playing shows this year. His first release, Spiral Eyes, was recorded in his bedroom, where he wrote, produced and played all the instruments on the album. Without much help he's put out a fine first album that is starting to make some noise for itself in the Cincinnati area. He's been busy playing shows in and around Ohio.


The Kingsbury Manx
Yep Roc
Chapel Hill, NC's own crazy diamonds, The Kingsbury Manx, made a splash with their seemingly out-of-nowhere eponymous debut in 2000. Steadfast in their musical iconoclasm, the Manx have continued to evolve their brand of quietly beautiful ethereal psych-pop. The Manx's newest album, The Fast Rise and Fall of the South, was recorded and co-produced with Wilco's Mike Jorgensen. Although The Manx have opted for a sparer sound, the arrangements are colorful and varied.