Death Cab for Cutie- Narrow Stairs

Their back!

Oh those Sub Pop darlings from the rainy town of Seattle are so back. That’s right Death Cab for Cutie have released their latest gem “Narrow Stairs.” And as expected it’s nothing short of progressive and amazing. As where Plans was a bit more depressing then anything Narrow Stairs has a little more angst to it. A little stronger and slightly more dark. Kind of after the break up and your past missing them but now for some reason irrationally hating them and their new boy/girlfriend but your still civil about it. They’ve also included the longest song ever recorded by them, the 8 minute and 35 second long single “I will posses your heart,” with about five minutes of intro and three minutes of lyrics and song. But it’s simply fantastic.

To put things into perspective on the album you’d have to reference a quote by Mr. Walla back in ’07 while they were in the studio. Simply stating: "thus far it's pretty weird and pretty spectacular; lots of blood. It's creepy and heavy... we've got a ten minute long Can jam, and had you suggested that possibility to me in 1998, I'd have eaten your puppy's brain with a spoon." And that’s exactly what it is and most likely what you’d think as well when Death Cab when they entered the scene back around ’98.

This is by all means the best work that Death Cabs ever done thus far and I can only wait to see them live. Honesty the album is so amazing that as I type I find it really hard to describe what I really feel about it. In fact I can’t. So get off your bottoms and go out and buy the bloody thing already. And do I really have to tell you the links. Seriously though, an outstanding piece of work by these guys.

Flobots- Fight With Tools

Viva La Revolution!......Out of Colorado?

Yeah that’s right you may or may not of heard of them yet but we’ve a new addition to the political revolution. Flowbots, a six piece rap/rock band out of Denver Flowbots have been round since about 2005 with their first EP of sorts, “Platypus” and now with their full album “Fight With Tools.” Now when you think rap/rock your probably say, “oh joy, another Linkin Park or; what was that 90’s band that started that craze?” Well, your wrong. Flowbots is an amazing blend of, well, rap/hip-hop, rock skaish, funky and…..classical? Yes on top of the usual 3 or 4 piece band they’ve added horns and a violinist to the mix producing a very unique and tight sound. So with that being said who are they again?

Jonny 5- Emcee, Vocals (as stated on their “Space”

Brer Rabbit- Emcee, Vocals

ANDY “ROK” Guerrero- Guitar, Vocals

Mackenzie Roberts- Viola, Vocals

Jesse Walker- Bass

Kenney Ortiz- Drums

So when the album starts out you hear the typical-ish political stance rap, war, media control, etc. But it’s got a shine to it. It’s….well polished, well rehearsed, Jonny 5 backed by classical and strings, horns like it’s the saddest song in the world. And then it explodes. And it’s not like Rage Against the Machine or Linkin Park, it’s well produced, the lyrics are powerful and back with meaning and substance. And it glides along the musical spectrum, from something indie sounding, something jazzy and upbeat, something hard and forward, and something beautiful and full of four piece soulful harmonies. This is for the everyday man’s revolution. Something that all people can enjoy and appreciate rather than an “in your face” impeach happy, *uck Bush, attitude.

“Handlebars,” the band’s single to come off of “Fight with Tools,” is an amazingly powerful song that can get you off your seat chanting against the establishment. The album’s message isn’t monotone either, it touches on world events, US political happenings as well as 9/11 and other hot topics per say. In short this hodge poge of politically influenced rappers, violinists, trumpets makes for an amazing album. You can check out more on their “Space” at myspace.com/flobots or their website at www.flobots.com. Word.

Coconut Records- Nighttiming

Who knew?

Apart for the ol’ Phantom Planet who knew that Jason Schwartzman, possibly the sexist man alive with a Jewish last name, had a side project of sorts? Coconut Records. No not a label, a band, even less of a band a solo project by Schwartzman. Formed, per say, in 2006 under what is presumably his label, Young Baby Records, Coconut Records has released “Nighttiming.” And what can I say, it’s really bloody good. Yes, yes it’s got some Phantom Planet..ish qualities, but what did you expect from the former drummer of the band?

The album itself is as indie as you can get. Filled with acoustic ballads, funky dance along songs and overall feel goodie-ness. Not bad for a guy who did, well, everything on the album (with a little help from the likes of Mike Einziger and others). And to add that special touch of lovingness each album ordered through the website usually comes with something. First starting out with Polaroids of JS himself, in the end Coconut Records has turned into something of a fashion statement. Now producing handmade Coconut Records dog collars and tote bags.

But yes in the end the album is quite brilliant. Well worth the listen and the few quid you’ll spend on getting it. Really you come out on top if you buy it and get a surprise. Check out his “Space” at myspace.com/coconutrecords or the website at www.youngbabyrecords.com.

Honeycut- The Day I Turned To Glass

It’s amazing what a mac commercial can do for you.

It’s done wonders for the band Honeycut. With their debut album, “The Day I Turned to Glass,” the three piece electro-funk band is making a very quick name, especially after signing on with such a renoun label as Quannum Projects, harboring the likes of DJ Shadow, Lyrics Born and Blackalicious, among others. Two San Francisco natives and a Frenchman Bart Davenport, RV Salters (the French guy) and Tony Sevener) get together and create some of the most funky, rhythmic and soulful electro-pop on the planet.

They’re sound is so unique, and has definitely carved out a niche. Not quite hip-hop, or pure electric. The DJs I’m sure will go nuts for it. And it’s always a trip watching mostly electronic band play live. Well let me tell you they put on a really good show, especially with RV and his multitasking keyboard playing while dancing act. Like the Subpop family, the guys from Quannum really support each other, and draw from each other. Honeycut’s album transcends through soundscapes and beat seamlessly and the way Bart delivers is such a mix of soothing vocals it’s so sweet it’ll make you diabetic. It’s an album that any respectable lounge monkey should have in his player for the cocktail party. Definitely check these guys out, support them, listen to them watch out for them.

Switches- Lay Down The Law

It’s another Brit invasion! We just can’t seem to keep em out can we?

Switches. The latest Brit-pop nue wave thing to come out of the UK has released their debut album “Lay Down the Law.” I gotta say though, the hits keep coming out from across the pond. Switches is one of those bands that’s kind of all over the map when it comes to they’re sound. Almost like there just grabbing whatever thought our sound that comes by their ear. They’ve got an amazing march to anthem sound mixed with a big screaming sound and top it off with a three part harmony vocals which spins off as a little Queen-ish. It’s really fantastic to be honest.

Putting out their EP, “Message from Yuz,” back in 2006 (which they only pressed 500 of) lead to their debut album, “Heart Turned to D.E.A.D,” which was recorded in LA by Rob Schnapf and engineered by Doug Boehm. It tanked. After some touring with a couple bands such as The Automatic the band released its second single on Atlantic, “Drama Queen,” back in January 07 which lead to the re-recording of their current album, “Lay Down the Law.” Fancy that.

So these guys have been through a lot in the past couple years, finally getting some recognition on the Interscope label and currently touring with UK it band The Bravery. The band has a long road ahead of it, but their sound is really unique and catchy enough to start etching out their place. Even with little publicity and air play in the UK “Lay Down the Law” peaked at 64 on the charts with its first release in 2006. So check them out, listen to some of their stuff out and get to like them.

Fono- To Broken to Break

Fono has to be one of the least known success stories to come out of San Diego. A literal phoenix in the music industry, 8 years after debuting with “Goesaroundcomesaround,” they’re back with “To Broken to Break.” And let me tell you, 8 years and a fire will solidify a band to churn out upstart and straight forward rock.

One could say that Fono has gone where the money is for a bit. Commercial music, having a plethora of songs featured on MTV, sports shows, DVDs, ER and others, but hey you do what you do to pay the bills yeah? You shouldn’t hold anything against these guys. They’ve also got touring success, having toured with the likes of Bon Jovi, Guano Apes, Third Eye Blind, Robert Plant and others. Following that up with overwhelming UK success as well. They’ve been though a lot. After the success of their album and then they’re commercial success along come the California wild fires of 2003, burning down they’re studio and gear.

But pushing through that and now coming out with “To Broken to Break,” which was produced by Chris Sheldon and mastered by Bill Dooley, you get a mix of 90s sounding power rock. Seeing as the two produced and pushed some of the greatest bands of today through the melting pot that was 90s rock. And you know what? It’s fantastic that way. Right now there’s a giant hole in the music industry that was left by that era and it needs to be filled, and Fono is just the band to do it. Something big and loud with a purely energetic driving pounding sound. It's actually kind of funny though when you listen to them and come to the realization that they really do have a solid 90s rock sound to them. The 11 track album has everything from power anthems to buzz ballads and as always the always out of place soft balled. They’re live show is amazing as well even in the smallest of venues, such as the Beauty Bar, where there is such a live energy around them.

Definitely check this band out and catch them live. “To Broken to Break” is definitely a most kick ass album if there ever was one. And to top it all off you can download said album for free at they’re website, www.fono.net.