If you're not already completely stoked for Exray's self-titled debut LP, due out February 1st on Howell's Transmitter, then you must have missed the stellar cassette EP they released last year, Ammunition Teeth.

Of course, you might have still had the pleasure of being introduced to the band's signature "lo-fi grime" sound if you watched The Social Network. Just in case you have no interest in watching a gossip film about nerds, but you're still dying to hear Exray's's contribution to the soundtrack, "Hesitation," you can grab the mp3 on Pitchfork. ...

If you're not already completely stoked for Exray's self-titled debut LP, due out February 1st on Howell's Transmitter, then you must have missed the stellar cassette EP they released last year, Ammunition Teeth.

Of course, you might have still had the pleasure of being introduced to the band's signature "lo-fi grime" sound if you watched The Social Network. Just in case you have no interest in watching a gossip film about nerds, but you're still dying to hear Exray's's contribution to the soundtrack, "Hesitation," you can grab the mp3 on Pitchfork.

Either way, you need to start gettin' stoked for Feb. 1st all the same.

Allow me to demonstrate why:



That's the video for "You Forgot," which debuted on Pitchfork and was directed by Colin Held.

By now you're surely bookmarking the Exray's pre-order page, so I'll leave you to it. But before you go, don't forget to check out the video for the Exray's track "Ways to Stop Time," off of Ammunition Teeth. This video was directed by Pixar's Jeanne Applegate and recently debuted on Altered Zones.

I came across il gato while updating Wiretap's show calendar. I liked them so much, I did the whole pop-up player thing on Myspace so I could flip back and continue listening to them while I was researching other bands for the tedious task of creating the calendar for this lovely site.

I decided to contact the band when I realized I was humming their songs days later while making coffee in the morning. They got back to me right away and invited me to shoot a couple of their shows, which was a ton of fun. Below is a clip from the show they played at Cafe Du Nord, it's a medley of two of my favorite songs, "In The Lightning It Is Written" into "The Rollicking Waltz". Il gato are one of those bands that everyone can get into, so check it out!

I came across il gato while updating Wiretap's show calendar. I liked them so much, I did the whole pop-up player thing on Myspace so I could flip back and continue listening to them while I was researching other bands for the tedious task of creating the calendar for this lovely site.

I decided to contact the band when I realized I was humming their songs days later while making coffee in the morning. They got back to me right away and invited me to shoot a couple of their shows, which was a ton of fun. Below is a clip from the show they played at Cafe Du Nord, it's a medley of two of my favorite songs, "In The Lightning It Is Written" into "The Rollicking Waltz". Il gato are one of those bands that everyone can get into, so check it out!

SHUTEYE UNISON
Our Future Selves
(Parks and Records; 2010)

The first time I hit play on Our Future Selves, the new album from Shuteye Unison, what immediately struck me about the opening riff of opening track "Be Kimball" was that it was way different from how the band's last album started. The opening track of that album — the band's self-titled debut LP — creeps in slowly with a wall of warm ambient noise. Back then I thought that was a boldly arty way to start an album. Like any good artist, the band seems to be deliberately confounding expectations with the opening of their new album.

SHUTEYE UNISON
Our Future Selves
(Parks and Records; 2010)

The first time I hit play on Our Future Selves, the new album from Shuteye Unison, what immediately struck me about the opening riff of opening track "Be Kimball" was that it was way different from how the band's last album started. The opening track of that album — the band's self-titled debut LP — creeps in slowly with a wall of warm ambient noise. Back then I thought that was a boldly arty way to start an album. Like any good artist, the band seems to be deliberately confounding expectations with the opening of their new album.

But don't worry — if you're a fan of Shuteye Unison's dreamy indie pop with a decidedly post rock bent, you're still going to love Our Future Selves. The album is stylistically very similar to its predecessor, except for that opening riff.

Which isn't to say there's been no evolution from album to album. Shuteye Unison has broadened their sound somewhat, incorporating what sounds like an a cappella childrens' choir at the end of "Portable Rome," for instance. And there also seems to be something looser about the overall feel. The songs are less tautly arranged, more atmospheric, but without sacrificing any of the catchier hooks that made their debut album so likely to get stuck in your brain.

Take standout track "Century M" for instance. They've been playing this song live for a while, and I swear the Mogwai-esque bassline has been stuck in my brain ever since I first heard it. Thing is, the entire song is not only anchored on that bassline, but the band is more or less content to just let the bass breathe, inhabiting a space totally unto itself, continually asserting itself amid a guitar line that never really vies for your attention but adds just the right amount of harmony and noise to make the song feel complete. Tracks like this show that the band is really coming into its own, and should be one to watch going forward.

You can catch Shuteye Unison this Saturday down in Princeton, CA (near Half Moon Bay) at Old Princeton Landing (deets are on the Parks and Records website). And if you're anything like me, you'd love to hear Our Future Selves on vinyl. Well then, pony up! The band has a Kickstarter page for donations to help a vinyl release happen. Listen to a preview of Our Future Selves here.

I asked Jon, band member and Parks and Records founder, a few questions about the album, and thought I'd let the band speak for themselves a bit.

What were you trying to capture with this album? How does this album differ, in your opinion, from y'all's first album?

Jon - To be honest the one thing the band aligned on with regards to a common thread for constructing this album was, "sexability above all." It was our way of saying we wanted to capture something physical, emotional, beat-driven, and exciting. During the writing process if we got stuck, one of us would say, "sexability above all," and it would help get us back on track. Other than that we make a conscious effort not repeat ourselves, experiment with the fundamental elements of a pop song without becoming self indulgent, and have fun. 

Clipd Beaks are one of my new local favorites. They've been around awhile but not up until recently did they really get to me... in a good way. Saw them at the Hemlock Tavern a couple months back when they played with White Cloud and was really entranced by their sound. Then the White Cloud boys played their most recent music video of "Blood" and I was super sold. And I am posting it now here to hook you...