We Ate The Machine
by Polysics

At first I thought Polysics were from Mars. Then I realized, no, Mars is close enough that the average joe has a minimal understanding of it. Polysics are from a garage on Themisto, hidden behind Jupiter from our prying eyes and telescopes, under an alien flag of Devo album sleeves, making records that take at least one full listen just to orientate yourself to their world. It’s worth the effort – once you pierce the veil of their seeming foreign musical language, We Ate The Machine is secretly awesome. In fact, it’s one of the best albums I’ve heard in the past year.

Making sense is so overrated.

Recommended Tracks
Blue Noise – It’s like riding It’s A Small World on, well, another world.

Rocket – Garage rock slammed into New Wave and shot in a rocket to one step beyond the furthest reaches of known space.

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Baby Darling Doll Face Honey
By Band of Skulls

Is it too easy to say this is what I always wished the White Stripes would sound like? If Band of Skulls is criticized for wearing influences on their sleeve a bit too obviously then tracks like “Light Of The Morning” do nothing to help their case. It reminds me of when Black Rebel Motorcycle Club started and everyone cried “Jesus and Mary Chain!” but by Howl they had developed their own voice. And their first album was aces anyway.

It’s the same with Band of Skulls. The execution is superb, the writing skillful enough to make the tracks interesting without mucking them up by overplaying. Nothing against guitarist Russell Marsden, but I think the songs improve greatly when bassist Emma Richardson joins the vocal mix. Baby Darling is not essential, but it sure is fun. And it just might be the first step to a unique band three or four albums down the road.

Recommended Tracks
I Know What I Am – An obvious choice, but for good reason.

Patterns – Rolls like a fuzzed our Robert Palmer track.

Bomb – Stomp worthy anthem to run off the stick figure hipsters

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Love Is Dead
By Lowry

Lowry is wicked good at nailing that slightly askew sound. Even the quickest perusal of Love Is Dead will prove “Whiskey” is a thing of beauty, starting as displaced folk and ending as one of the best Mercury Rev songs never recorded. Songwriter Alex Lowry gives each song depth and nuance with some tricky and advanced songwriting while the band alternates between extended ruminations and radio-friendly firecrackers, all acoustic and all heartfelt.

Despite the sadness in the sound it’s not a depressing record, rather an optimistic melancholy. Tracks like “One Thing” and “You Die Alone” have such a gorgeous flow to them you half expect to physically see the sound waves coming out your speakers. Special mention is deserved by album closer “The Road You Left On,” which is such an absolutely perfect winter song I can barely stand it.

Recommended Tracks
Whiskey – See below.

The Road You Left On – See above.