HOT CHIP - "MADE IN THE DARK"

London's Hot Chip has been on fire since their 3rd studio album 'The Warning' arrived in 2006. If you made good notes on your festival guide, then you caught their rump-shaking side stage set at '06's Lollapalooza. They were one of the many bands I talked to during that weekend, and were probably the most enthusiastic and "excited to be here" of them all. If your ear has really been to the ground, you had already known them from their first disc to make it to our shores, 2005's 'Coming On Strong'. It's true that back then, nobody was getting blown away by the quality of the songs. However the simple, elementary, almost Casio-like keyboard hooks were at very least loads of fun, and spawned dozens of remixes. Dance floors were later exercised with the many quality remixes from 'The Warning', causing the band's name to begin creeping up nearer the top of festival posters row by row. Is 'Made In The Dark' the big masterpiece that some anticipated? No, I don't think so...but that's good, because it means there's still another gear hidden away for these guys. Plus, it's still a great listen..and yeah, there's already remixes. Inquire with your local dj. (and DO NOT miss them April 14th @ The Vic!)

BOB MOULD - "DISTRICT LINE"

Bob Mould's name is as legendary in the world of alternative rock as that of Corgan, Bono, Morrissey, Westerberg, Smith, and Curtis. Beginning in 1979 with his massively influential Minneapolis post-punk hardcore band Hüsker Dü, then his 90's alterna-rock power trio outfit Sugar (who released one of my top records of that decade, 'Copper Blue'), and now 7 solo albums, it's always been something new and innovative from Mr. Mould. I'm happy to report that he hasn't revived his odd electronic experimental phase from earlier this decade (though the live shows were rather interesting during that time!), which fell by the wayside with his 2005 effort 'Body Of Song'. This record honestly seems like the culmination of his near 30 years of sounds and phases and projects...with the tenacity of Hüsker Dü, acoustics of his early solo work, the catchy hooks of Sugar, and even his electronica phase pops up with both keyboards and voice effects. The title, I would venture to guess, comes from his adopted home of Washington, DC..where he moved about 6 years ago when I was still there. I gotta say, I loved popping into random clubs and nightspots and finding Bob at the controls in the dj booth.

NADA SURF - "LUCKY"

If your only exposure to Nada Surf is their 1996 modern rock radio smash "Popular", then you've got a lot of listening to do. During the course of 4 records in the years since, they've grown, improved, and developed into a fine indie-pop song-making machine. 2002's 'Let Go' caused people to do just that and let go of the band's "Popular" stigma, while 2005's 'The Weight Is A Gift' was one of my favorite records of that year. 'Lucky' picks up right where that one left off, earning critical accolades for their bright, and at times mellow, pop songcraft. Try to catch their April 4th show @ Metro.

AIR TRAFFIC - "FRACTURED LIFE"

If you were wondering when 2008's version of Kaiser Chiefs, or Franz Ferdinand, or The Libertines, or whatever new kid UK indie/raunchy rock outfit was going to arrive, they might have in the form of Air Traffic. Hailing from Bournemouth, on England's southern shore, their debut record isn't perfect, but it's brimming with energetic tracks suitable for rocking out any iPod playlist. And really, how many bands nail it the first time out, anyway? (Radiohead's 'Pablo Honey' has a handful of solid numbers, there's no way around that...but perfect? No. That took a few albums more.)
Does this one arrive on our side of the pond with excess baggage of British hype? Yep. Will that have any negative effect? Who cares..just enjoy the record.
Get to know the lead single "Charlotte" now, before the rest of America catches on in 8 or 9 months.

SCHOOL OF LANGUAGE - "SEA FROM SHORE"

This is the debut record from Britain's School Of Language, which is essentially a side project of David Brewis. David's day job is being the frontman of the decently successful outfit Field Music, who has toured through town a few times. The album is released on Chicago's own Thrill Jockey Records, and it's a stellar collection of UK guitar rock, that fans of XTC might latch right onto. For a glimpse of School Of Language, and a few words from Brewis, check out our "Thrill Jockey Records 15th Anniversary" feature that we had on the show recently. Find it to the right by clicking "MORE VIDEO", and scrolling down to the "METROMIX MUSIC" section.

ANOTHER RECORD I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THAT IS OUT THIS WEEK:

KAMERA - "RESURRECTION"

Swedish synthpop-electro-dance-new wavey-rock. Yes!

Happy listening!
cheers,
pogo