The Party Of Helicopters

Never mind 4/4 rhythms; here's time signature insanity. Layering almost metal-like riffs over frenetic, schizoid percussion, Party of Helicopters reminds us of what the simplified SoCal pop variants would have us forget: punk guitars don't have to come wrapped in tidy packages. read more »

Filed under:

Alternative/Punk » Post-Punk

New Terror Class

The late descendants of Harriet the Spy capture the dirty, originalist '80s dance-punk sound that the latest wave of synth fiends is trying so hard to emulate. One listen confirms the affect of their object. Feisty punk drums and laser guitar tricks set up muddy, space-rock keyboards and deliciously droll lyrics. read more »

Filed under:

Alternative/Punk » Post-Punk

Depeche Mode

Over a 25-year career, Depeche Mode has woven experimental, industrial, disco, and rock influences into a refreshingly unique electronic voice, in the process becoming a constant source of inspiration for many others. As with their former albums, the group's 2005 release "Playing the Angel" works with familiar themes of redemption, loss, hope, and pain--the sort of musical and lyrical substance that has always set these guys apart from their peers. read more »

Filed under:

Alternative/Punk » Synth Pop

Location:

United Kingdom

Camera Obscura

And you thought the Strokes were taxing their microphones. Wait'll you hear this anti-Barthesian band try to cram its surly vocals into that poor little metal orb. And that's not to mention the vampiric spook of Obscura's shimmering synths, which make the Faint's "Danse Macabre" sound like a fancy-dress waltz. read more »

Filed under:

Alternative/Punk » Post-Punk

Mike Coykendall

At long last this fixture of the Northwest indie folk-pop scene is striking out on his own, and his debut solo LP is a hypnotically wise set. On "Hello Hello Hello," Coykendall crosses his experience playing with the Old Joe Clarks and producing M Ward, offering spooky psych-folk for our inner space cowboy. Syd Barrett would be wowed. read more »

Filed under:

Alternative/Punk » Alternative Country-Rock

Location:

Portland, Oregon, United States