The only bummer about this record is having to type the word “Mistake” four times in a row when you want to reference the title, otherwise this electropop disc is a lighthearted bit of magic. It’s the kind of album that lures you in with its whimsical songs then you check the notes and see collaborators like John Tejada, Jenny Lewis and artist Geoffrey McFettridge Then you read a little further and go, “Oh, it’s Jimmy Tamborello…” who most people...

Back in 2003, the Cheebacabra burst onto the scene with funkified jams that earned praise from KCRW to Filter Mag’s top albums of the year. Now Cheeba is back with another grooving, laid back album and his very own label, Macrosoft. Exile in the Woods is a snythed out version of a funk album that features collaborators/ producers ranging from Money Mark to Peter Scherr of the Hong Kong Philharmonic. All the synths on Exile definitely conjure up references to...

For longtime fans of Placebo, Meds seems to be another solid album with a few extra perks. As usual, the band displays a range between high energy anthems and more heartfelt ballads. On the delicate “Song To Say Goodbye,”  Molko laments the drug use and destructive lifestyle of a fellow musician who is left unnamed. The catchier-than-hell tune “Infrared” sees the boys using their usual arsenal of hard hitting drums, a wall of guitars, electronic embellishments and coy lyrics. However what differentiates this...

For those who need consistency in an album, Beams isn’t for you. For listeners who appreciate a sonic journey that weaves you through upbeat dance electro (accompanied by oh so many handclap sound effects) to more spaced out jams, then Beams is for you. While the Presets cite electropop acts like Pet Shop Boys and New Order as influences, the album only hits hints of these greats a few times. In a lot of ways, Beams would seem to fit...

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The three ladies of the Like are young. So young it’s hard not to get hung up on the fact. However, unlike other songstresses their age who come off as manufactured pop tarts, this trio is a savvy, silly group of girlie girls with extraordinary music sensibility. Their debut album, Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking? showcases vocalist/guitarist Z. Berg’s beautifully sandpapered vocals coupled with clever pop melodies that have truly impressive song structure. Speaking via phone with Berg as...

After his massively successful spring tour,“The Erasure Show,” Andy Bell’s solo debut album has arrived. Electric Blue delves into Andy’s first true love, disco. And this album will force you to hit the dance floor. Yes, it’s that good. After years of collaborating with Vince Clarke and once Depeche Mode, Andy decided to step out of the shadow of Erasure (the band is so not breaking up, so don’t start any rumors) to deliver 14 superb songs. The album includes...

The Warlocks have been generally typified by two characteristics: a lot of band members and a psychedelic sound. It’s almost as if they’re consistently approached as the twisted Brady Bunch of psychedelia. However, on their newest release Surgery, psychedelia blends into shoegaze and pop as the band’s range extends from catchy yet dark anthems like “Come Save Us” to the addictive, spaced out drone of “Thursday’s Radiation.” Talking with drummers Jason Anchondo and Bob Mustachio is like talking to...

Band Name: The Tender Box Homebase: Los Angeles Interviewee in question: Lead guitarist, Ric Moon 1.) You guys have been around a lot longer than most bands, considering you’ve had no band member changes, you’re practically the Latino U2 of Los Angeles (minus the millions of dollars and fame). How did you manage to keep up all these years? We hired that therapist/shrink dude Metallica hired, although we had to pay him with publishing and allow him to write song...

When We Are Scientists played the Troubadour in Los Angeles last November, the room was filled to near capacity with young fans who already knew every word of the trio’s music. Keep in mind, the band’s album had not been released in the States yet. On stage, their performance was charismatic, the audience was dancing their asses off and interacting with the band during between song banter that seemed like a bizarre comedy show (and one that was actually funny)....