Point Juncture WA tucks vibes, horns, and awesomeness into a sprawling atmospheric thing on Heart To Elk that sounds like wind whipping through the tops of pine trees. Breezy and cool like Stereolab but with the noise and nonchalance of Northwest indie rock. The female/male vocal interplay is a plus as well. Seriously good shit from a band I’ve written about before.

MP3 | Point Juncture WA – Once Tasted Ever Wanted Heart To Elk

What kind of album title is Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future? It’s the latest from LA duo The Bird And The Bee and is one of the best pure pop albums I’ve heard in what seems like forever. Charming and even though I really shouldn’t like this and can’t see myself as a fan of this band, I am. Despite all my better judgment and punk tendencies, I really like this album. It might be because singer Inara George is the daughter of Little Feat founder Lowell George, but probably just because the songs are great.

MP3 | The Bird And The Bee – My Love Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future

Who knew that Bat For Lashes was actually kinda good? For me, the hype had all but killed this band, but I quite like the album Two Suns. Not enough to put it on any kind of year-end list, but well enough for it to find a place in whatever sort of rotation might be considered regular around here.

MP3 | Bat For Lashes – Daniel Two Suns

In Miniature plays oh so sprightly pop-rock with lyrics like “If you be my trailer park, I’ll be your tornado.” Actually in a lot of ways, this sounds like Sarge; a version of Sarge that never hung around with the guys in Braid and where Elizabeth Elmore’s lyrics weren’t so biting. It’s an alternate reality where jangly guitars play while the rhythm section bounces to and fro as the harmonies of layered female vocals hang in the air. The EP is pleasant enough and totally inoffensive, but it just isn’t my thing. In fact, if I lived in that alternate reality world, I’d probably kill myself.

MP3 | In Miniature – Tornado Hey, Marsupial

Bob Mould’s latest solo album, Life And Times, works perfectly as a follow up to 2007’s District Line. I mean, if you like Husker Du, Sugar, or any other solo Bob Mould stuff, you’re gonna like this and the electro and folk touched power-pop contained within. It is sensitive but strong and rockin’ but restrained. I guess that’s what happens when yr’ creeping up on 50.

MP3 | Bob Mould – MM 17 Life And Times

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1. Review: The Bird And The Bee – The Bird And The Bee (or) continually and never ending
2. Review: American Steel – Destroy Their Future
3. An Unexpected Bloody Mess
4. Review: Guns Up! – Outlive
5. Review: The Hands – The Hands