ladyhawk - ladyhawk
i still can't really understand why this doesnt get the hype it deserves. its like black mountain if they were a good band. if comets on fire and ladyhawk went on a tour together it would be the most awesome indie throwback long-hair rock tour ever. it's drunk ugly dudes that wear expensive pants but like nature and like rock n roll and neil young equally. and just want to slam a guitar in your face and then be your friend afterward. arguably the best "indie rock" record of the year.
fans of: dinosaur jr., crazy horse, black mountain
math and physics club - math and physics club
also one of my very favorite albums of the year. i just found it before the brother kite, and hold it dear to my heart. its just a super cute album. yes i said it, super cute. its some of the absolute best pop music all year. its a short album. its like that one sweater you own that you always want to wear. horribly gay, but so what. basically its like the first 2-3 belle and sebastian albums exactly, but they might even execute it better. or with more hooks. and we all know hooks are what matter. thats why they are called hooks.
fans of: belle and sebastian, lucksmiths, orchids, twee.
mindy smith - long island shores
not necessarily a small name, but i guess i didn't really hear about the record much here, and i figure its something a few people would dig. its not a great record and probably won't make my top 50, but its good for what it is. mindy has a beautiful voice, she sings about god and love, she does the whole alt. country female singer thing as well as anyone out there. bits of the album are flat, but bits of it are super strong too.
fans of: tift merritt, be good tanyas, kasey chambers, all that.
mohair - small talk
this album is a riot. a great time. its just a flat out, fun british indie rock n roll album. i dont even know if its indie or what. who cares. you could write them off as just another band, as i originally planned on doing or you could give them a listen and just be reeled in by their insanely catchy choruses and the beat of their music. its just about unmatched.
fans of: arctic monkeys, art brut, hot hot heat, the hives, etc.