Rock

(Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Pink Floyd)

Lying in States: The Bewildered Herd

After breaking out into the scene in 1999, Lying in States found themselves touring alongside other American indie bands like Hot Hot Heat, Rye Coalition and Denali to name a few. These Chicago natives initially released this EP, The Bewildered Herd, back in 2002. Followed by a full-length album in 2004, Most Every Night, and a second album in 2006 titled, Wildfire on the Lake. These two albums were released under local label, Flameshovel. The band is made up of Justin Trombly -bass, Fergus Kaiser - guitar, Ben Clarke - vocals, guitar, Mark Benson - drums and Jeremy Ohmes - keyboards. Not quite sure whether the group is still alive and kicking after 2006. Couldn't find anything pointing otherwise either. Oh well, one thing's for sure. If you love shoegazer indie rock, then this is a record worth checking out.

Shindig Records: Shindig 001

Shindig 001 is a 6 track collection from UK based indie netlabel, Shindig Records. This cool 6 track mini album runs for a little over 20 minutes and showcases the label's artists. Established just over a year ago, the label launched their roster on April 30th 2009. Their current lineup includes WeRunRiot, Neil Ward, and the Shakinouts. As expected, most of the tracks from this record revolve around indie Brit rock. Typical of the Kaiser Chiefs and even a touch of the Arctic Monkeys with acoustic pop influences. It's definitely easy listening music that borders on indie new wave. Something that you'd want to check out if you're planning to go ahead and celebrate a cool Saturday night hosting a cool little shindig at your place.

Shearer: Monument

The underrated pop-punk band, ‘Shearer’ have literally forged an album that is deserving of a Monumental status... Alright, this statement may be parabolic to an extent; nevertheless, ‘Monument’ is still exceedingly addictive and wholehearted. ‘Shearer’ have endowed this album with a sound comparable to that of pop-punk band, ‘The Lost Profits’ and this vibe is most observable in the similarities between vocalists and guitar tone. In saying this, ‘Monument’ demonstrates a happier mood and reflects the bands nature, in not taking themselves too seriously. This nature is further reinforced through their self-proclaimed influences of: ‘Jaegermeister, cheap polish cigarettes and table water’. Instrumentally, this band reminds me of ‘Millencolin’. Generally, this is due to a common use of cheeky, generic and ‘bouncy’ simplistic verses in which lead to texturally thick and climactic choruses. These are often fashioned through an extreme contrast in dynamics and an addition of harmonic and sometimes multiple backing vocals. Additionally, vocal lines in which intertwine with the dominant voiced melody are also regularly used to enhance this contrast.

The Beehive Spirit: The Beehive Spirit EP

If you're looking for a new garage band to love, then you might want to check out The Beehive Spirit. This cool and short EP is filled with jangly guitars, half wailing vocals and boppy beats that border on garage pop and indie hipster rock. This San Francisco band likes to play sunshine rock that's infused with psychedelic rock. Their self-titled EP includes 4 tracks that would surely please indie music fans everywhere. The EP took about a year in the making and the band collaborated with several artists in the process; most notably, Jeremy Black and Cochrane Miller.

Ellephare: The Best Defense

Ellphare is a indie rock band made up of Kyle Mathis - vocals, Luke Pigott - guitars, Charley Tynes - guitars and Josh Myrs on drums. The Best Defense is a self-released EP that's filled with 7 indie alternative rock tracks. The album contains a nice combination of fast upbeat alternative tracks and more indie, laid back cuts. The band creates songs that contain a spiritual element to it. For a debut EP, the group has successfully created a compilation that is both interesting and engaging. The Best Defense is a self-released EP from the group that's filled with 7 indie alternative rock tracks. The album contains a nice combination of fast upbeat alternative tracks and more indie, laid back cuts. The band creates songs that contain a spiritual element to it. For a debut EP, the group has successfully created a compilation that is both interesting and engaging. In their early career, they've already been hailed as one of the top 10 bands in the Cornerstone Festival New Band Showcase. Take a listen to these catchy and inspiring tracks.

Lonely Planet Boy 1969: No Dream Is Good Dream

This Chinese rocker creates awesome music inspired by rock greats Neil Young, Syd Barrett, Tom Waits and Nick Cave, to name a few. Lonely Planet Boy 1969 creates melodic tracks that transcend time and space. No Dream Is Good Dream runs like a 1970s rock album, filled with moody atmosphere, shady, almost whispery, vocals and an awesome indie progressive feel. If there's anything this guy has learned from his influences, it's collating the good and ditching the bad. Each of the 9 tracks exhibit their own personalities; the good, the bad, the quirky and the plain eccentric. Clearly, if you love most of those artists mentioned above, chances are this compilation will become a surprising favorite.

Plastic Evolution: At a wooden desk

Plastic Evolution's At a Wooden Desk is a dreamy, indie acoustic/electric guitar infused album. Plastic Evolution is a one man band from Nijmegen, Netherlands. As much as I'd love to tell you who he is, it seems that he's keeping that a secret. After several attempts at Google, all I could come up with is that he uses Gerben/Gnoeben as username on Last FM. I guess we can just settle with calling him Plastic Evolution for now. The musician creates indie lo-fi, alternative tracks right in the comfort of his bedroom. His album contains 6 tracks that are filled with sincere yet barely there vocals along with a great blend of samples, acoustic and electric guitars as well as a trippy mood. The album is available as a free download under a creative commons license. Go ahead and download it here in Frostclick as well.

The Shark Bubbles: Necktie Troublespot

Call it noise rock, psychedelic electronic dance pop or indie spacerock, whatever it is, Necktie Troublespot by The Shark Bubbles is, well, something else. This German band's music has been likened to those of great rockers The Velvet Underground, and it's not just the Nico-esque female vocals we're talking about. Necktie Troublespot is an eclectic album filled with uncharacteristic song arrangements, diverse instrument work and music that appeals to your senses.

Teleflorists: Full

The Teleflorists are as shoegazer rock n' rollers as they come. Released a couple of years back, this 2008 EP contains 5 tracks that are decidedly alternative post indie noise nowave. Although the quality of the live recording can easily be dismissed as unimpressive, this recording does contain several tracks to love and like. Full is an album that any noise shoegaze punk rocker will enjoy playing loud and proud.