School Of Seven Bells – Ghostory
CD | MP3
Vagrant Records
Release Date: February 28, 2012

Every music geek has a pair of headphones they value above all others. Maybe it’s those earbuds that shut out the other commuters on the subway, or maybe it’s the full studio set that lets you hear bits in your favorite songs you’ve never heard before. Whatever your pair, the reason you own them is to experience music on a different level. Music can be enjoyed in many different ways, but there are albums that come along that seem to be tailor made for headphones, and the new School Of Seven Bells record, Ghostory, certainly belongs in that category.

Sweet Sour
Band Of Skulls
CD | MP3
Vagrant Records
Release Date: February 14, 2012

As a music geek, one of my favorite pastimes when listening to a new artist is picking out all of their influences. I can usually figure it out right away, but then there are bands like Band Of Skulls. The English power trio so effortlessly blends styles like blues, classic rock, pop, folk, and garage rock on their new album Sweet Sour that pinning down one or two major influences becomes nearly impossible. Fans of 2009’s Baby Darling Dollface Honey need not worry about a sophomore slump. The way that record was produced, it felt as though the band would leap from your speakers into your living room, rocking out right in front of you with every spin. Everything that made the former effort sound fresh and exciting is still here, just tightened and refined without sounding forced or insincere.