Source: AMG

Featured Albums:

Death Cab for Cutie “Narrow Stairs” (Atlantic/WEA)

Mixing pop melodies with dark themes, crunchy production, and 5-minute instrumental intros, Death Cab for Cutie presents a mature follow-up to 2005’s Plans. Those looking for the next “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” may be dissapointed, but Narrow Stairs offers its own share of potential singles, from the ironically bright “No Sunshine” to the speedy “Long Division.”

Old 97’s “Blame It on Gravity” [Deluxe] (New West)

After fifteen years of barroom rock & roll, the Old 97’s continue to occupy the intersection between dusty country-rock and pop. Blame it on Gravity is their seventh studio effort, and its mix of rock songs, ballads, and mid-tempo shufflers results in some of the quartet’s best work since Too Far To Care. Listen to the breezy “She Loves the Sunset” to hear Rhett Miller stretch his songwriting legs, or get your classic Old 97’s fix with the album’s full-tilt opening track.

Black Angels “Directions to See a Ghost” (Light in the Attic)

“The Black Angels bring the aura of mid-1966 — the drilling guitars of early Velvet Underground shows, the raga inflections of late-show Fillmore jams, the acid-prayer-stomp of Austin Avatars and the 13th Floor Elevators.” - David Fricke, “Rolling Stone”

Duffy “Rockferry” (Mercury)

Those tempted to dismiss Duffy as only the latest pair of false eyelashes to straggle through the British neo-soul parade owe it to themselves to listen to Rockferry, a more authentic record than the debuts from Joss Stone or Amy Winehouse.

Local H “12 Angry Months” (Shout! Factory)

Post-Grunge, Alternative Pop/Rock

Mason Proffit “Come & Gone” (One Way)

Folk-Rock, Country-Rock

Rufus Thomas “Tiger Man: Earliest Recordings 1950-1957” (Document)

R&B, Electric Memphis Blues

We Are Scientists “Brain Thrust Mastery” (Virgin)

Indie Rock, New Wave/Post-Punk Revival