When Animal Collective played in Austin last, it was at the start of our sticky, wet summer, and the band mesmerized their crowd at Antone’s with a remarkable set featuring quite a few tracks from the then-unreleased Strawberry Jam and even some post-Strawberry Jam jams as well. Now, at the advent of fall (or what we Texans call fall), the Collective returned to Emo’s, and fans of the New York-based group were more than ready... more ›

Shout Out Louds Our Ill Wills (Merge) 2005's Howl Howl, Gaff Gaff produced a moderate buzz for the Stockholm-based Shout Out Louds, dropping a snappier, poppier version of garage rock on our tightly belted laps. The record, equal parts Johnny Marr and Rivers Cuomo, pondered the woes of hipster heartbreak, dumb-luck sadness and singer Adam Olenius' distinctive croon simply oozed with longing and hope. That being said, Howl Howl is not at all a... more ›