Now Here This - Week of April 30, 2012

Another week, another set of fantastic concerts worth heading out to. Here is our weekly list of recommended shows to catch in, and around, the city. We promise never to waste your time, or our virtual ink, on shows we are not willing to plunk down our own hard-earned cash and time on ourselves. You can put all of these down as shows worth your time and money as well.

Suckers: Candy Salad Review

Brooklyn-based indie pop trio, Suckers deliver a strikingly gorgeous, loosely flung sophomore album.

George Sarah: Who Sleep The Sleep Of Peace Review

Electronic composer and multi-instrumentalist, George Sarah's latest album serves as a best of collection culled from his recent works.

Tennis: Young & Old Review

Husband and wife throwback duo, with drummer James Barone joining up during their first tour, Tennis had an awful lot of hype behind them when their debut, Cape Dory, hit last year.

Maps & Atlases: Beware And Be Grateful Review

For the first couple of minutes of the sophomore album from Chicago's Maps & Atlases, it sounds as though the twisting guitars and intricate beats of their debut return unchanged, which would be fine.

Breton: Other People's Problems Review

The blend of grimy club grinds and orchestral touches of, German composer, Hauschka chopped to bits make for an interesting, if occasionally clunky, listen on Breton's debut.

Audra Mae: Audra Mae & The Almighty Sound Review

In some ways the debut from Audra Mae's new band sounds like a more flushed-out, country-dipped take on Asteroids Galaxy Tour, but that somehow sells the crackling energy and swaggering confidence of it short.

Commercials Rock - Ford Mustang - 'Inner Mustang'

To Don Draper's delight, sporting events and the occasional live event on television have not quite allowed the DVR to squeeze the last breathe out of commercials just yet. With some great bands getting spotlights shined on them with each new Apple ad, we think that is a good thing. Allow us to introduce 'Commercials Rock', where we point out the band and song is in heavily played commercials.

Electric Guest: Mondo Review

Do not make the mistake of thinking you know what to expect out of Los Angeles indie pop duo Electric Guest simply because Modest Mouse produced their debut.

Dry The River: Shallow Bed Review

London's Dry The River takes the soaring folk bliss of bands like, fellow Brits, Mumford & Sons to its next logical step on their excellent debut album.

Geographer: Myth Review

Dreamy indie popsters, Geographer will melt your soul with their gorgeous sophomore album.

Gotye: Making Mirrors Review

Living somewhere between the quirky pop cool of Beck and the organ-dipped soul of Mutemath, this Belgian-born Australian artist's third effort is an arresting listen from start to finish.

Jack White: Blunderbuss Review

Unshackled from the expectations that come with creating an album with The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, or The Dead Weather, Jack White lets his genius off the leash for a vibrant, eclectic first offering as a solo artist.

Trampled By Turtles: Stars And Satellites Review

Mumford & Sons may have made folk cool again, but the word 'bluegrass' still hits many like a cold shower.

Dead Sara: Dead Sara Review

The dearth of strong female-fronted rock bands seems to be nearing an end, with bands like, The Dead Weather, Company Of Thieves, and Paramore leaving their mark in the music landscape.

Now Here This - Week of April 23, 2012

Here is our weekly list of recommended shows to catch in, and around, the city. We promise never to waste your time, or our virtual ink, on shows we are not willing to plunk down our own hard-earned cash and time on ourselves. You can put these all down as shows worth your time and money as well.

Bad Veins: The Mess We've Made Review

The squeaky strings inching through opening electro-pop bopper "Don't Run" make it clear that, Cincinnati duo, are not about to give up their love of looped strings on their sophomore album.

Devin: Romancing Review

The punk-infused, classic rock n roll sound of Devin's debut album make the singer-songwriter sound like Elvis Costello shot full of adrenaline, singing through Billy Idol's snarled lip.

Alabama Shakes: Boys & Girls Review

If Otis Redding, Tina Turner and Credence Clearwater Revival had a baby, it would be Alabama Shakes' stunning debut.

Oberhofer: Time Capsules II Review

From the start of the charmingly drizzled piano melody and off-kilter, sea-sawing vocals of "HEART", it is clear that Oberhofer puts a uniquely wonderful spin on indie pop.

Emily Wells: Mama Review

Texas multi-instrumentalist Emily Wells' official debut is a haunting piece that deftly balances moments of quaint beauty, funky oddities, and clever pop.

Portugal. The Man At The Vic Review

One of our favorite live bands at one of our favorite venues should have been a slam-dunk. The on-stage DJ and club-ready shot girls we found when we walked into The Vic should have been a warning.

Andrew Bird: Break It Yourself Review

Returning to the quaint, eerily melodic sound of his classic The Mysterious Production Of Eggs, Andrew Bird delivers a breathtaking beauty of an album on his latest.

Band Of Skulls: Sweet Sour Review

The dual-vocalist, blues-kissed UK trio, Band Of Skulls returns with a spectacular sophomore album.

Cursive: I Am Gemini Review

From the playfully taunting strut of "The Sun And Moon" to the devilishly jabbing "Warmer, Warmer", Tim Kasher and crew have a blast crafting the tale of twins separated at birth on the band's seventh studio album.

Bahamas: Barchords Review

Canadian singer-songwriter, Bahamas made a name for himself with the delightful, if excessively placid, debut, Pink Strat. The tempo does not pick up much this time around, but

Delta Spirit: Delta Spirit Review

San Diego indie rockers, Delta Spirit deliver sunny carefree bliss in a gorgeous package on their third album.

fun.: Some Nights Review

If there is any band in danger of having their harmonies materialize into delicious soft-serve ice cream as they ooze out of the speakers, it is fun.

Yellow Ostrich: Strange World Review

With their stunnig Barsuk Records debut, The Mistress, wholy produced and performed by, front man, Alex Schaaf in his bedroom

The Shins: Port Of Morrow Review

Following a break so James Mercer could hook up with Danger Mouse for Broken Bells, The Shins return with five years between their latest and 2007's Wincing The Night Away.

Young Liars: Homesick Future EP Review

The upbeat blip-happy tones of Vancouver synth-pop Young Liars definitely whets your appetite for their upcoming full-length debut

Miniature Tigers: Mia Pharroh Review

Expectations can be a dangerous thing.

Rosie Thomas: With Love Review

It is both appropriate and a shame that this album came out on Valentine's Day.

Cheyenne Marie Mize: We Don't Need EP Review

This six-track EP from the Kentucky-born singer-songwriter grabs your attention immediately with the sparse, percussion and vocal only, killer "Wishing Well".

The Magnetic Fields: Love At The Bottom Of The Sea Review

Stephin Merritt and crew are back with another set of dark, twisted, and oddly compelling love songs.