This is the thread where I champion relatively unheard of bands new albums that aren't really on any radar instead of creating a thread for them that no one really replies to. I won't be talking about the Patrick Wolf or Nick Caves of the world or even the Vampire Weekends and Fleet Foxes that get alot of hype from just around the internet in general. Though I may make exceptions for releases I feel are particularly fantastic and not that hyped around here but deserve more attention.

Headlights "Some Racing, Some Stopping"
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...headlights.jpg
Label: Polyvinyl
Genre: Dream-Pop
For fans of: Earlimart, Grandaddy, Grand Archives

They're nothing groundbreaking or original but it is quality indie-pop and the slightly folk edge it has makes it more unique than other hyped acts doing a similar sort of thing. It kind of reminds me of a more melodic and dreamy Death Cab for Cutie but with a male/female duet to put in a very mainstream context.

MySpace.com - Headlights - CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - Indie / Pop / Rock - www.myspace.com/headlights



Evangelicals "The Evening Descends"
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...ngdescends.jpg
Label: Dead Oceans Records
Genre: Indie-Pop/Experimental

I just found out this band is actually on tour with Headlights, so it's cool they're albums are being hyped one after the other. I don't know who to compare this to or say it sounds like because there is so many influences and different styles at work here from like, Of Montreal maybe? to the Flaming Lips to some Radiohead stuff like 15 Step to even Marvin Gaye. Forget Vampire Weekend, this band is the most creative band of 08 (so far).

MySpace.com - Evangelicals - NORMAN, Oklahoma - Soul - www.myspace.com/evangelicals

Headlights sound a lot like Maritime and Evangelicals sound like Youth Group kind of. I'm really digging Headlights. If you have any indiefolk lined up for this bump it up to next, please?


Edit: Woah Headlights is on Polyvinyl? I don't really like this whole were definitely not indiemo Polyvinyl. Because I'm grumpy and don't like change.

I think I need to take a leaf out of your book Re: post presentation. I have posted so many new bands on here that have just died a death because of the lacklustre appearance of the original post. A sticky could be in order.

I'll h00k you up now.

She & Him "Volume 1"
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...heandhim-1.jpg
Label: Merge Records
Genre: Country/Folk/Pop
For fans of: Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins, Jens Lekman, Bright Eyes (Lifted, Wide Awake, Cassadaga)

This has by far been one of my favorite releases of the year so far. Zooey Deschanel has a gorgeous smokey voice and it melts me like honey or something meltable. It's a really retro soulful release covering a variety of genres from pop to country and its very well done and very addictive so yeah check it out.

MySpace.com - She & Him - US - Indie / Country / Pop - www.myspace.com/sheandhim

It's hella creative, yeah, but the album is uneven and inconsistent imo. It has a few very good tracks and unfortunately a large number of not so great ones (which I'd be half inclined to call "duds" though said term may be inappropriate), that seem to almost suggest a questionable ability to develop their obviously ample ideas into coherent, dexterous indie pop songs.

Have you tried Alegranza! by El Guincho btw?

Thao Nguyen with the Get Down Stay Down "We Brave Bee Stings And All"
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...res__/thao.jpg
Label: Kill Rock Stars
Genre: Indie-Pop/Folk
For fans of: Cat Power, Feist, Tilly and the Wall

Like Cat Power but happy, like Feist but good, It's Thao Nguyen with the Get Down Stay Down. This is one of my favorite releases of 08 currently and one of my favorite releases currently, ever since I heard it two hours ago I've been listening to it on repeat =]. I basically described the sound so uh, yeah check it out it's solid and fun and happy.

MySpace.com - Thao with The Get Down Stay Down - Wash, DC/ San Francisco - Indie / Folk / Pop - www.myspace.com/thaomusic

im really enjoying Headlights. amazing band and she has an amazing voice.

Yeah I just listened to their 2 songs on myspace and, jah they are amazing.

A Weather "Cove"
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...res__/cove.jpg
Label: Team-Love
Genre: Slowcore, Indie-Folk
For fans of: Carissa's Wierd, Elliott Smith, Iron and Wine

Hushed and quiet like fellow Portland indie musician Elliott Smith (RIP) before them A Weather have created an album with a stark and quiet intimacy you don't usually see on Team-Love. There's nothing very country or even very Omaha-esque about them, which is a very good thing. This band is very much a Pacific Northwest act, melancholic and obviously a product of Nick Drake's Pink Moon. I expect great things from A Weather.

MySpace.com - A Weather - PORTLAND, Oregon - Indie / Acoustic / Rock - www.myspace.com/aweathermusic