Pseudosix Pseudosix (Sonic Boom)

Pseudosix began as Tim Perry's solo project, but quickly became a group effort with Emil Amos (Grails, Dolorean), Joe Kelly, and a handful of other local, talented friends. The band has written and recorded with pals from Joggers, Decemberists and The Standard in their relatively short existence, but the impetus has been barreling towards this release since back in the day when Perry wrestled with the nerve to perform live, solo. The music is haunting, catchy and incredibly good -- taking a little from bands like Blitzen Trapper, a dab from Grizzly Bear and an impressive guitar tone that reminds us of Nels Cline's remarkable guitar solo in "Impossible Germany," from this year's Wilco release. The band does not have any out of state tour dates at the moment, but we expect that to change fairly quickly.

Pseudosix Official
Pseudosix MySpace
Pseudosix "Some Sort of Revelation" (mp3)

Aesop Rock None Shall Pass (Definitive Jux)

When the first thing that we're informed of about an album release is who is featured on it, we immediately recoil and start to worry. Aesop Rock's hip hop full-length, None Shall Pass, features the likes of John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats, El-P "and more!" so we're hoping these additions are a supplement to what is already a great album. One thing we love is the art and creativity involved in this album's release: a web site with a video that requires a game win to view, an e-card that quizzes and rewards you along the way, and naturally the Jeremy Fish design that appears throughout the campaign. For fans, the five year wait for new material (aside from Nike's Original Run) will be pleased - at times the record is incredibly DJ Shadow influenced, and at other times (the title track in particular), the keyboard loop borders on cheesy ... unless supported by the strength of AR's ominous backing vocal samples and his own self-reflective lyrical content. Try out the entire album streaming at his MySpace.

Aesop Rock Official
Aesop Rock MySpace
Aesop Rock "Freeze" (video)

Modern Lovers Modern Lovers Reissue & Remaster (Castle)

Jonathan Richman's Modern Lovers came out of Boston in the early '70s, and their self-titled (eponymous) full-length is a legendary statement of allegiance to Massachusetts, geekery and love. Produced by John Cale - a musical wrecking ball in his own right, the man behind Paris 1919 and member of the Velvet Underground -- the record clearly influenced by late '60s Lou Reed, the birth of New Wave and pop music everywhere. Like too many destined-to-be-influential bands of the '60s and '70s, the Modern Lovers suffered a premature breakup and the members went on to other things. Richman followed a softer path and still records music to this day (if you're a total newb you might recall a handsome stranger with a guitar at the end of Something About Mary), Jerry Harrison went on to the Talking Heads, and David Robinson co-founded the Cars. The reissue of this classic art rock record includes eight bonus tracks, 'Dignified & Old', 'I'm Straight', 'Government Center', 'I Wanna Sleep In Your Arms', 'Dance With Me', 'Someone I Care About' (Alternative Version), 'Modern World' (Alternative Version), & 'Roadrunner' (Alternative Version). Includes slipcase & foldout sleeve with extensive liner notes, photos & other memorabilia.

Modern Lovers @ Wiki
Simes' Jonathan Richman page with complete Modern Lovers Discography

Aesop Rock: None Shall Pass
Ben Harper: Lifeline
Blockhead: Uncle Tony's Coloring Book
Blue States: First Steps Into...
Circus Devils: Sgt. Disco
Concentrick: Aluminum Lake
Dickies: Second Coming (remastered)
The Honorary Title: Scream & Light Up the Sky
The Howling Hex: XI
Jamie T: Panic Prevention
Liars: Liars
Lyle Lovett: It's Not Big It's Large
Madlib: Beat Konducta Vol. 3-4: In India
Michael McDermott: Noise from Words
The Modern Lovers: The Modern Lovers
New Young Pony Club: Fantastic Playroom
Northern State: Can I Keep This Pen?
Odd Nosdam: Level Live Wires
Pash: The Best Gun
Pseudosix: Pseudosix
Rage Against the Machine: The Lowdown
The Real Tuesday Weld: The London Book of The Dead
Ringo Starr: Photograph: Very Best of Ringo Starr
Sly & the Family Stone: Greatest Hits (remastered)
Super Furry Animals: Hey Venus!
Turbonegro: Retox
Various Artists: Baby Goes Hair Metal
Various Artists: Baby Goes New Wave
Various Artists: Little Darla Has a Treat for You, Vol. 25: Endless Summer Edition
Various Artists: Putumayo Presents: World Hits
VHS Or Beta: Bring On The Comets