15. Mogwai - Mr. Beast (Matador) As ever, Mogwai manage to blend unadulterated post-rock weight to their shoegazer tendencies with tracks like "Glasgow Mega Snake" and "Folk Death 95," showcasing their ability to create anthems with no words. This is where Mr. Beast really shines, in between blistering chord progressions and gradual swings into corybantic climaxes. In some ways a throwback to earlier (and heavier) Mogwai material, Mr. Beast isn't merely a rock album.......

It doesn't seem that long ago, but it has been nearly 10 years since Ben Folds Five were alternative radio kings with Whatever And Ever Amen. The success led to conflict within the band, which only managed one more album before a messy break-up. Ben Folds has done a lot since then: turned 40, moved to Adelaide, Australia, started a family, and released two solo albums and two live recordings. Last year's Songs For......

Van She's self-titled EP makes a brief but strong statement: it's not simply the fact that the band is to synth pop what The Darkness is was to glam rock, but there's a remarkable degree of craftsmanship and potential in their music. The sound is tight and studio forged, but it never sounds plastic or overproduced. Tracks like "Kelly" will make you wonder if Jennifer Jason Leigh is losing her virginity in some dugout somewhere,......

Check this week's IST list to see when these artists will be performing. Miranda Sound [mp3] Close Calls [mp3] The Lull of Youngsters [mp3] Midas Black Heart Procession [mp3] Not Just Words Peel [mp3] Moxy Blues Buttercup [mp3] Hot Love [mp3] We're Easy [mp3] Anti-Antarctica Diplo [mp3] Gold Lion (remix) [mp3] Bloc Party's "Helicopter" (remix) [mp3] Staring At the Sun (remix) CSS [mp3] Lets Make Love and Listen to Death From Above The Theatre......