Wavelets - Athaletics

Wavelets - Athaletics

Wavelets hail from Gainesville, FL but sound like they're from the mid-west. These dudes play twinkly indie rock and they play it very well. If you like American Football, or more recently Everyone Everywhere, then you'll totally be into these dudes. Tiny Engines Records just put this bad-boy out (Is there a better label going today? These dudes are seriously batting a thousand; Not one bad release) so go and buy it in every colour.

Static Radio NJ - We Are All Beasts

Static Radio NJ - We Are All Beasts

This is one of the best albums that I've heard all year. We Are All Beasts sounds like Samiam and The Draft mixed with a pinch of Seaweed and a dash of Nirvana; Gruff and emotional punk rock with just a touch of 90's heaviness. There isn't a bad song on here, every track is a serious banger. These dudes used to sound like Lifetime/Kid Dynamite but have grown by leaps and bounds on this new one. You need to be into this.

LEATHER

Leather - Anchorite 7"

Leather - Sterile 7"

Leather ride the perfect middle-ground between hardcore and grunge. This is dirty, fuzzy and pissed-off shit. Leather sounds like Pissed Jeans with John Joseph singing. Jade Tree just released the Sterile 7" and it fucking slays so go buy it (Jade Tree needs the money). Sterile is more melodic than Anchorite, but both are equally rad releases that are totally worthy of your precious time.

Algernon Cadwallader - Parrot Flies

Algernon Cadwallader - Parrot Flies

This is the second album from these PA dudes and it is a total monster. Eleven of the best tracks you'll probably hear all year. Algernon play intense and mathy indie rock that any fan of Cap'n Jazz, By Surprise and Monument will totally dig. I thought their debut was the shit but Parrot Flies is just a total banger and so much better. I've listened to this all night on repeat and I can't get over how totally rad it is. This has already been posted on every blog on earth so if you haven't grabbed it do so because this album will totally own your life. I'll be blasting this shit out my car window all summer long. Jam.

Big Kids

Big Kids - Hoop Dreams

Big Kids - Don't Be A Baby EP

Big Kids - Phone Home

Big Kids are the fucking shit. Try and remember the first time that you heard Weezer.... That is what hearing these dudes for the first time is like. Big Kids play emotional punk rock that sounds like Small Brown Bike, Bear Vs. Sharks and Hot Rod Circuit mixed together. Every one of these dudes' jams is a total banger that begs repeat listening. I jam this shit on the regular and you should too. Buy whatever these dudes put out and press a beer in their hands when they play your shit town. Life changing punk rock right here.

M I D D L E S T A T E S

TAC - Middle States

New EP from one of my all time favourite bands. These dudes can do no wrong and this EP is no exception. Four tracks in twenty-eight minutes and it definitely leaves you wanting more. Middle States is some of their most experimental stuff, and in that regard it reminds of Low Level Owl more than anything else. Epic fucking shit. Now I want another full-length.

BLACK GOD

Black God - S/T

First there was Black Widows, then Black Cross and now Black God. This is the latest collaboration between Rob Pennington (By The Grace Of God, Endpoint) and Ryan Patterson (Coliseum). Along for the ride this time are Nick Thieneman (Young Widows) and Ben Sears (Prideswallower). This was recorded last Halloween in Louisville, KY and it totally fucking slays. Head on over to No Idea Records and buy a copy. According to the band they have already recorded the follow-up 7" but I have no idea when that will be released, hopefully soon. Best hardcore release of the year (so far).

Kicking Spit - Psychrockbullshit

Kicking Spit - Psychrockbullshit

Former members of the New Jersey band Seasick playing rad 80's influence hardcore punk. This three-piece sounds a lot like Dinosaur Jr. and Hüsker Dü, and I mean a lot. Tons of fuzzed out guitar solos, great melodies and a killer rhythm section make this EP one of the best I've heard in a while. Tankcrimes Records released this on LP and CD, so go grab it from them (they also have this as a free download right now on the label's bandcamp).

Miniscule Brown Bicycle

SBB - F & F

I always felt a kinship with these dudes, probably due to their geographical proximity to me (Michigan/Ontario). I have been waiting eight years for these dudes to release something new and this album does not disappoint. After this long of a wait they could have released recordings of their bowel movements and I'd be here telling you how rad it sounded and how their "mic placement for track ten was especially amazing". Thankfully Fell & Found is eleven tracks of smart and gruff indie punk that is as much of a progression from The River Bed as that album was from Dead Reckoning. You need this album in your life. Lets cross our fingers that these guys keep writing and recording. Now if we can only get Hot Water Music back in the studio.

Forming

Forming - S/T

I don't know fuck all about this band except that they're young and they play totally rad throwback 90's punk rock. If you dig Samiam, Jawbreaker and Seaweed you're gonna love what these dudes are doing.

Moondoggies

Moondoggies - Don't Be A Stranger

Moondoggies - You'll Find No Answers Here EP

Moondoggies - Tidelands

Moondoggies have only been around for a couple years now, but they are making some of the best country and folk-tinged rock around. Their new one, Tidelands, is ridiculously good and one of 2010's best albums. They have four-part harmonies like their Seattle neighbours in Fleet Foxes, but they combine them with driving organ-heavy classic rock. Like The Byrd's Sweetheart Of The Rodeo covered by Bruce Springsteen And The E-Street Band. Over the course of their three releases they have yet to write a bad song. Moondoggies are perfect for saturday night or sunday morning. If you like Fleet Foxes, Band Of Horses or Blitzen Trapper then you'll love what Moodoggies are doing.