In Review Online: Unheard Of #1

This is a feature I will start doing for In Review Online every so often. Some of these bands have been featured on the site before - some have not, but they're all worth checking out.

For indie music enthusiasts, discovery is what drives us, especially as modern technology makes it so much easier for artists to create and disseminate music to the masses. While you could argue that the magic of finding your new favorite band is lessened by the simple fact that it can happen multiple times a week, the abundance of cheap, high quality music so readily available has created opportunities for both musicians and music lovers alike that never existed previously. Still, it’s impossible to find all the “good stuff,” even by following tastemaker websites, perusing internet radio, or keeping company with fellow junkies – there’s just not enough time in the day to hear it all. And, as fun as it is to discover new and notable musical talent around the web, it’s almost as enjoyable sharing what you’ve found and discussing (or even arguing) about the band’s legitimacy as “the next big thing.” No longer is it hip (as long as you’re older than 16) to keep your musical treasures to yourself; if you’ve found a diamond in the rough it’s your solemn obligation to make it heard! In this spirit, I’m presenting five artists or bands that I feel are worthy of your attention and that I’m guessing you haven’t heard before – so take a look and a listen and let me know what you think. (Full Article)

Featured Bands:

Pree

Holiday Shores

Sonya Cotton

Rubik

Bagheera

Introducing...Holiday Shores

The mysteries behind many band names often stay unsolved for years, if they are ever found out at all, but Holiday Shores frontman Nathan Pemberton isn't shy about revealing the inspiration behind the title. The five-piece band's namesake is Holiday Shores Ct., the beachfront street in Florida where Pemberton spent his childhood. The sun and surf must have permeated deep into Nathan's psyche as his band's debut, Columbus'd The Whim, is a charming and summery set of noisy pop tunes that fit well into the current noise explosion taking over the indie scene. The boys combine a youthful energy with a remarkably mature ability to create subtle pop hooks and I, for one, find the group's new album to be refreshing and especially accomplished even among those records by some of their more spotlighted peers.

The magic of Columbus'd The Whim doesn't reveal itself all at once, but rather in layers and after a listen or two. That's not to say the music is unappealing at first glance or difficult to enjoy, but the mix of hazy guitars, sharp percussion and washed out vocals takes a more concrete shape once you've familiarized yourself with the songs bit. When it starts to sink in, the music becomes somewhat addicting as there seems to be more in the group's noisy compositions to love each time around. First single "Phone's Don't Feud" (download via The Fader below) is a great place to start, a brief, psychedelically-tinged tune that borrows some bits and pieces from several indie greats (Grizzly Bear's harmonies, Animal Collective's watery production, etc.) but doesn't really sound like anything else out there. Also available below (through Pitchfork) is the album's second single, "Edge Of Our Lives," a more upbeat track with messy guitars and a driving, almost Afro-pop rhythm. If you like those two, you'll likely enjoy the rest of the album as it follows a fairly similar pattern, though there's enough variety to keep the momentum going and the listener's interest level high throughout.

I've made it known before that I'm still not in love with noise pop, but Holiday Shores is another of those bands wearing down my resistance with music too good to ignore. Give them a listen on MySpace or track down the songs I mentioned earlier with the links provided. One way or another, make sure you get familiar with Columbus'd The Whim.

Phone's Don't Feud (MP3 via The Fader)

Edge Of Our Lives (MP3 via Pitchfork)