Pop hooks and harmonies will abound this Saturday at the Tap Room as the local quintet Tight Pants Syndrome will release their debut album.

The band was founded in 2004 by guitarist Tom Stephens. After some departures, Stephens retooled the…

With album titles like “Songs for the Weary” and “Defeated, TN,” it’s clear that local country/folk outfit Theodore has an affinity with society’s down-and-out. The quartet writes about hard times, hard living and heartbreak, along the lines of Tom Waits,…

Add Pittsburgh artist Girl Talk (a.k.a. Gregg Gillis) to the list of acts that are giving their new music away in hopes of bolstering their fan base.

The album, “Feed The Animals,” is now available digitally via a “pay what…

Coldplay “Viva la Vida” (Capitol)

For their fourth studio album, Viva la Vida, Coldplay turned to Brian Eno for help in crafting and refining their sound. The move works remarkably well as both the songwriting and the music demonstrate a focused…

Source: AMG

My Morning Jacket “Evil Urges” (ATO)

My Morning Jacket’s Evil Urges embraces Prince, prog rock, and even electro-funk, blending those new arrivals with the band’s steady approach to southern rock. For those fans who criticized the adventurous sounds of 2005’s Z,…

Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich + Fussible “Tijuana Sound Machine” (Nacional)

TJ’s leading electronica group updates traditional Norteño rhythms with ambient techno. The brass band oompah, fanciful noisemaking and organic beats are effective on the dance floor or for chillin’ at home.…

Sources: InSound, AMG

Fleet Foxes “Fleet Foxes” (Sub Pop)

They may be from Seattle, but on their self-titled debut album, Fleet Foxes create a world that’s part Olde England, part Blue Ridge Mountains, mixing British and Appalachian folk with ‘60s rock…

Source: AMG

Al Green “Lay It Down” (Blue Note)

Al Green’s Lay it Down is his third outing for Blue Note. This time out he enlisted James Poyser and Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson of the hip-hop supergroup The Roots to produce this set. Green’s…

Source: AMG

Mudhoney “Superfuzz Bigmuff” [Deluxe Edition] (Sub Pop)

If Mudhoney’s Superfuzz Bigmuff wasn’t the first shot fired in the battle to bring “The Seattle Sound” to the four corners of the world, it was the first one that well and truly hit…

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…