Slow down and smooth-out The Apples in Stereo and you’re getting close to Byrne, right down to the song’s title. Summer’s here, kids.
The Sugarplastic
Yes, they’re still around, releasing songs one 7-inch at a time. Less XTC, less silly, but still plenty mischievous.
The Advantage
The Advantage, well, they’re a cover band, pure and simple. The thing is, they only cover Nintendo tunes. Get ready to re-live hours and hours of wasted time as a teenager.
Le Coupe
A breezy, smooth, danceable pop song that could usher in world peace if the right people cuddled up and listened to it together.
The Magic Magicians
Wild-eyed garage romps from the super duo of John Atkins (764-Hero) and Joe Plummer (Black Heart Procession, Caustic Resin).
Calexico
Calexico sound at home in whatever spin they put on their decidedly Southwestern flavor — from smoldering mariachi (“Stray”) to box-step blues (“Sunken Waltz”). Tequila not included.
UMass Percussion Ensemble
Fantastic cover of the Radiohead epic. Talk about Schoolhouse Rock. Could this song be the “Smoke on the Water” or “Smells Like Teen Spirit” of the new millenium? (source: Coudal)
Sufjan Stevens
An ’03 fave makes an early and strong appearance in 2004. THE songwriter to hear this year.
Howard Hello
Sunny, ambient pop songs from San Diego, CA where everything is obvious. Howard Hello isn’t obvious.
Citizens Here and Abroad
Traveling along the same musical path, two bands reach a fork in the road. Velocity Girl chooses the bubblegum path; Citizens Here and Abroad press forward on the noisey pop path.