Out the Other's ACL Previews: Brett Dennen, Muse, TV on the Radio and More

Only one more week and I'll be waking up in Austin, ready to put on an entire bottle of sunscreen and head out to Zilker Park for my favorite music festival in the world. I know you guys may have thought I forgot about you - but I've been hard at work on my Austin City Limits Festival Preview Page, trying to wrap up the project before the festival actually starts. From today through next Thursday, I'll be posting every morning with a new batch of band previews from my site, but remember that you can check out the whole page at any time. Here's today's dose:

Benevento Russo Duo - Marco Benevento and Joe Russo have been playing together as "the Duo" for about five years now, and their jamming, alternative variety of jazz and instrumental rock earned the pair "Best New Groove of the Year" at the 2005 Jammys. (full preview)

Greyhounds - Formed in L.A.around 2000, Greyhounds now call Austin their home, and they play a smooth, attention-grabbing mix of funk, rock and soul looped with loose, bluesy grooves. (full preview)

Brett Dennen - A rather last-minute addition to the lineup, Brett Dennen has been playing for several years in Northern California, where KCRW first spotted the artist in 2004. His second album and Dualtone debut comes out this month, and features Dennen's unique voice and phrasing in the context of folky singer-songwriter fare. (full preview)

The Rocket Summer - 23 year-old Bryce Avary is the man behind the Rocket Summer, and you might already be familiar with his music if you happen to be a fan of So You Think You Can Dance. (full preview)

Troy Campell Band - Troy Campbell has been a staple in the Austin music scene for years, and his latest album is a collection of roots and country rock that reflects a wide array of influences, as well as the years of experience under his belt. (full preview)

Massive Attack - My friend John calls this band "the grandaddy Godzilla-beast of trip-hop," and through years of a morphing and changing sound and lineup, they have certainly earned that title. (full preview)

TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain was one of the most hotly anticipated records of the year (or still is, if you're ignoring the import), and the album's challenging blend of rock, jazz, electronica, a capella and trip-hop will surely make it to more than a few "Best of 2006" lists at the end of the year. (full preview)

Trish Murphy - Growing up with a struggling musician father just sparked an interest in Trish Murphy, instead of scaring her away, and since she relocated to Austin in the late '90s the singer has been "one of the fastest rising musical stars in Texas." (full preview)

White Ghost Shivers - This is one of the most interesting bands I've previewed for the festival, and their most recent album, Everyone's Got 'Em, is one of the most interesting (and entertaining) releases to land in my mailbox this year. White Ghost Shivers "have been peeling faces off the unexpecting for 6 years" and expect ACL to be no exception. (full preview)

Muse - Somehow I had forgotten about Muse since the release of Absolution a few years ago, but I'm beginning to think their mix of hard rock and classical influences (complete with soaring vocals a la Thom Yorke) will be a blast to see live. (full preview)