California’s Novice headlines a cracking pop bill this Wednesday at Room 710. Future Warped Tour candidates, the band expertly combines catchy melodies, energetic power pop, and mall-punk production. Novice’s discography includes A Day Out In The Sun EP (2003), Interrupting The Scenery (2004), and Forgive The Silence (2006), along with this year’s self titled EP. On the road, they have played with the likes of Less Than Jake and Shiny Toy Guns. The Most,... more ›

We know what you're thinking. Weren't The Shins just here last month at the same venue? And weren't they at Stubb's in September, and at ACL? The answers are yes, yes, and yes. But success means new fans, and the #2 Billboard debut of Wincing The Night Away has led to a headlining spot on the MTVu tour of college towns - thus, the Shins play Austin for the fourth time in a year... more ›

Even on the stronger tracks of the album, the band seems to be doing nothing more than borrowing from what has worked elsewhere. The opening track, “You Are the One,” kicks off with amped-up synths that are something more than reminiscent of The Faint, before collapsing into a clichéd imitation of ‘80’s new wave, albeit with the kind of overblown lyrics that one would sooner expect to find in a hair metal ballad. The first single, “Le Disko,” is certainly the album’s strongest point, though even there the band doesn’t quite manage to hit its stride. Take into account the aimless drivel that surrounds it, and there just isn’t much to recommend the album. True, there are a couple decent tracks, but you’re not likely to feel like your iPod is incomplete without them. more ›