Okay

The first time I listened to Okay was somewhat of a brief and cynical experience. Too cute in its depression, I thought. Their upcoming album Huggable Dust is made up entirely of one-word-title songs that run an average of about two and a half minutes. It's quirky before you even press "play," and it gets quirkier once Marty Anderson starts in with his lonesome little-boy quaver over an acoustic guitar and other sounds and instruments reach for a melancholy kind of folk-pop. Yes, it's a bit of a lo-fi cabaret. But it's one you won't want to stop watching thanks to how personal those somber lyrics are made to sound through Anderson's home recording aesthetic. Fans of Daniel Johnston, The Flaming Lips, and the Elephant Six collective will find much to like. The rest of you might, too.

My [MP3, 5.1MB, 253kbps]
Compass [MP3, 3MB, 96kbps]

myspace.com/okaytheband
www.absolutelykosher.com

The Gang

What does it sound like to have a band of former Jersey prep school kids with great indie DNA joined by a Julliard-trained Icelandic lass? Like a glorious train wreck, actually. The Gang is a Brooklyn-based quintet started by classmates Gary Keating and Rich Bonner, who then recruited Danny Leo (fellow Seton Hall Prep grad and Ted's little brother), Eva Johannesdottir (not an SHP grad, unless they have a branch in Kopavogur, Iceland), and Patrick Brennan (older brother of Tim in Dropkick Murphys). Yes, they're all over the place both on the bio sheet and on the MP3s. But don't worry because that's the way it's supposed to be. "One Up the Sun" seems to draw equal inspiration from Gang of Four (perhaps the inspiration for their name as well?) and Billy Joel. And "Sea So" is a cacophonous anthem of screaming vocals, screeching guitars, and a towering rhythm section that barely bothers to keep rhythm. It drives my wife insane even when I listen to it quietly, and that's more than enough to keep it in heavy rotation on any set of speakers I have that can handle it.

One Up the Sun [MP3, 8MB, 320kbps]
Sea So [MP3, 6.1MB, 320kbps]

www.thegang.us
myspace.com/thegangnyc
www.absolutelykosher.com

Ex-Boyfriends

Cory over at Absolutely Kosher brought Ex-Boyfriends to my attention with perfect timing considering my re-kindled interest in XTC and the accompanying power-pop kick I'm on. Dig their Drums and Wires era vibe—mixed in with a touch of Archers of Loaf and 999. Album's available next week and in March the band begins making rounds out West. Ready, set, pogo!

Him For Me [MP3, 2.9MB, 128kbps]
Willingly [MP3, 3.0MB, 160kbps]

www.absolutelykosher.com
www.ex-bf.com

Sparrow

Time for some band genealogy: more than a decade ago, drummer Jason Zumpano stole singer/guitarist Carl Newman from a covers band and formed, simply, Zumpano. Their debut album, on Sub Pop, Look What The Rookie Did, is pure genius. Easily one of my favorite records of the past ten years. See, while too many bands haphazardly claim to be influenced by The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, Zumpano is one of the few that make the influence count. After two records Newman and Zumpano went their separate ways and formed The New Pornographers and Sparrow, respectively. It took me a while to track down Sparrow, but it's been worth the wait.

This is How it's Done [MP3, 2.0MB, 192kbps]
The Early Years [MP3, 3.5MB, 192kbps]
Gone [MP3, 2.2MB, 192kbps]
Mountain on Mountain [MP3, 7.6MB, 250kbps]
A New Way of Smiling [MP3, 5.6MB, 215kbps]
A Broken Sign [MP3, 6.3MB, 205kbps]

www.absolutelykosher.com
www.inflightmusic.com

The Dudley Corporation

The Dudley Corporation. The name alone sounds like something out of "The Office" (the original British series, which I just spent all weekend watching for the first time ever...eerily genius). Their website gives off a similarly ironic corporate vibe. Musically, these Irish lads have a wonderful pop-hazard sensibility, recalling at times The Smiths without being redundant. Watch for East Coast dates with Pinback in May. Album's in stores today.

Glance [MP3, 3.0MB, 160kbps]
A.M. [MP3, 1.6MB, 160kbps]
What a Human Does [MP3, 1.6MB, 96kbps]
Divil the Bit [MP3, 2.0MB, 160kbps]
One in a Squillion [MP3, 2.8MB, 160kbps]
RKP [MP3, 2.9MB, 160kbps]
I Could Never Take the Place of Your Bohemian Rhapsody [MP3, 10.6MB, 256kbps]

04/14/06 Update: Dudley Corp. Rhapsody

www.absolutelykosher.com
www.thedudleycorporation.com