The Cribs Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever (Warner Bros)

Yorkshire's Cribs are a three-piece outfit made up of three brothers, each equal parts befuddling and beguiling. On their major-label debut, the brothers Jarman find themselves channeling everyone from Malkmus to Johnson (that's Calvin), combining sharp-tongued irony with trademark British snarl, shining most when their catchy, sharp hooks let their claws out. The Cribs aren't necessarily doing anything new, but the finely polished pinnacle of sassy brit-indie accepts, offering interesting moments of American influence urge the songs on towards an interesting outcome, suggesting that it might be possible to be entirely Yorkshire pop while being influenced by sarcastic pop gents from across the pond.

The Cribs Official
The Cribs MySpace
The Cribs "Men's Needs" (YouTube)

Editors End Has a Start (Fader)

Editors have a lot to live up to on their sophomore release, but given the fact that the UK reception has been more than generous and supportive, we encourage high hopes. End Has a Start continues where the band left off with The Back Room, opening the door a little for more stadium ready sprawl, a bit more Bernard Sumner and a pinch less Ian Curtis. That being said, the centerpiece remains vocalist / guitarist Tom Smith's voice: a distinctive tenor that demands your attention, even when the lyrics aren't as smart as you'd hope. The voice, mind you, is what enables Editors to appeal to arena crowds and intimate indie venues: he can wail against squealing guitars or croon atop a gloomy piano, and it's all equally moving. Austinist music writer Tom Thornton interviewed Tom Smith, do check it out.

Editors Official
Editors MySpace
Editors "Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors" (YouTube)

Magic Numbers Those the Brokes (EMI/Heavenly)

It's easy to say that the Magic Numbers are a simple, straightforward pop four-piece with sugary and always somewhat sappy subject matter, but we'd be betraying the beauty therein. Simple pop songs? Maybe -- but you try performing them at karaoke. There's not much better in a world full of self-conscious and self-important solo acoustic projects and collectives than a gang of remarkably unremarkable folks writing tight, shimmering pop songs that have you tapping your feet and trying to sing along all while realizing that the words you're learning are actually somewhat heartbreaking. "This Is a Song" quickly digs in, and as the finely tuned vocal harmonies grab you, it becomes apparent that the song is about being in the acute corner of a love triangle.

The Magic Numbers Official
The Magic Numbers MySpace
The Magic Numbers "This Is a Song" (YouTube)

Charles Mingus Sextet with Eric Dolphy: Cornell 1964
Chemical Brothers: We Are the Night
The Cribs: Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever
Daisuke "Dice-K" Matsuzaka & Various Artists: Music From The Mound
DJ Mayonnaise: Still Alive
Editors: An End Has A Start
Ellen Jewell: Letters from Sinners & Strangers
A Fine Frenzy: One Cell In the Sea
Garbage: Absolute Garbage
Grant Lee Buffalo: Copperopolis (reissue)
Grant Lee Buffalo: Fuzzy (reissue)
The Honorary Title: Untouched and Intact EP
Judy Collins: Judy Collins Sings Lennon & McCartney
Magic Numbers: Those The Brokes
Meat Puppets: Rise To Your Knees
M.I.A.: Boyz EP
Mick Harvey: Two of Diamonds
MInnie Driver: Seastories
Raising the Fawn: People Press Play: People Press Play
Sleight of Hand
Raul Malo: After Hours
Robert Fripp: At the End of Time: Churchscapes - Live in England & Estonia, 2006
Robert Pollard: Crickets
Robyn Hitchcock: Jewels for Sophia (reissue)
The Rocket Summer: Do You Feel
Rooney: Calling The World
Suzanne Vega: Beauty & Crime
Teddy Thompson: Up Front and Down Low
Various Artists: Buddha Lounge: Renditions of Metallica - The Black Lounge
Various Artists: A Mighty Heart (soundtrack)
Various Artists: String Quartet Tribute to H.I.M.
Yellowcard: Paper WallsYesterday's New Quintet: Yesterday's Universe