Strangelights

Strangelights is perhaps the perfect name for a psych-influenced rock band. One with sitar-like guitar, maracas, and a wah-soaked guitar riff. This Minneapolis trio has all that and more. And by more I mean a singer who is a dead-ringer (vocally) for Ian McCulloch of Echo & the Bunnymen, but don't make that the only reason to download "Planet Vesusvius."

Planet Vesuvius [MP3, 5.9MB, 256kbps}

susstones.com
mplsltd.com
myspace.com/strangelightsband

Polara

While it had been a few years since Polara's last release, Ed Ackerson did put out a solo album last year, following it up this past May with the new Polara album Beekeeping. It continues the time-tested, 3hive-approved Polara formula of throbbing, wah-soaked mod psych fuzz-pop.

Original Post 4/9/2005: Ed Ackerson, the main man in Polara, had an earlier mod/power-pop band called the 27 Various. I first bought an album of the 27 Various just because of one sentence on the back cover. They proclaimed their avoidance of a certain musical equipment manufacturer under the song listing by declaring "The 27 Various are proud to be {manufacturer's name removed} free." I didn't like that company's amps anyway, so I bought the CD. Ed moved on to bigger and better things with Polara, whose song "Counting Down" from their album Clean is still one of my favorites. Polara's got a new EP out to whet our appetites for a full length LP in the fall; unfortunately no MP3s, so in keeping with Citizen Bird from the other day, here's some earlier examples of Polara's soulful fuzz-pop. And Ed, if you're reading, I'm still {manufacturer's name removed} free! Addendum: New EP means new MP3! Polara's now offering "Thirty Seconds" from their new EP. Enjoy!

From the LP Beekeeping:
E Flat [MP3, 5.0MB, 192kbps]
Both Ends Burning [MP3, 4.8MB, 192kbps]

Older songs:
Thirty Seconds [MP3, 4.4MB, 160kbps]
Is This It? [MP3, 4.7MB, 160kbps]
Jetpack Blues [MP3, 5.0MB, 160kbps]

www.susstones.com

Missing Numbers

Happy New Year from 3hive!

So as I was reviewing songs I had downloaded in 2006 but never posted—you know, just to see what I forgot about last year—I came across the Minneapolis band Missing Numbers hiding on my hard drive. Haunting, dark, moody, suspenseful, and darn catchy. So much music, so little time...

The Real Realizer [MP3, 5.0MB, 160kbps]
Game [MP3, 6.3MB, 160kbps]

www.susstones.com
www.missingnumbers.com