The Bird and the Bee - Please Clap Your Hands, Blue Note
What if The Carpenters decided to mix 1960’s style lounge music with modern day nightclub beats? They might just sound like The Bird and the Bee, a California co-ed duo that deserves to be the next big thing.
With Greg Kurstin on keyboards and guitar, the soothing retro vibe sounds like something blasting from Cary Grant’s bachelor pad. Add Inara George on bass and vocals, and things become even more surreal. With the smoothness of Jewel or Dido, Inara’s silky voice floats on top of the staccato beats. The end result is a soft, sensual song that still keeps its drive and energy going.
With only five tracks on this EP, things are over too quickly. “Polite Dance Song” is so unbelievably addictive, it might just be the musical equivalent of heroin. Followed with four more amazing gems, including a Bee Gee’s cover, this disc needs to be three times longer. At current length, it’s more of a cruel tease.
(Jason Janik)

Voodoo Glow Skulls - Southern California Street Music, Victory Records
These California street cats are back with their 8452nd album. This record proves two things: 1. Don’t fix it if it isn’t broken. 2. It is not broken. 3. These dudes still rock. Ok, that’s three things. But with a group that has as much punch as they do, you can expect them to pack something extra. If you’re searching for some ass kicking, ska-punk-skate-rock - search no further. This release is guaranteed to kick the asses of at least 45% of the music in your collection. It really doesn’t get any better than this. If you’ve ever saved a broken skateboard for sentimental reasons -you need this disc.
(Shane Epting)

The Protocol - Recess, Parlor Records
Music goes in cycles. What was old is new, which holds true for The Protocol, as their new disc digs up the not-so long ago sounds of the Nineties. Is it too soon for such a familiar sound, or will they lead a Nineties comeback?
Recess is stuffed with a dozen songs that could’ve easily been on any Brit pop disc a decade ago. The tunes are filled with the same polished angst that made Bush and Spacehog radio favorites. This could be good bad, depending on a listener’s preference for the genre.
Best track, “The Words You Didn’t Say,” has an urgency to it. Some others lose their momentum, making The Protocol sound more like a Nineties cover band than an original group. Overall though, this disc is a good spin.
(Jason Janik)

Gogol Bordelo - Super Taranta!, Sideonedummy
If you’ve been aboard this crazy train of reckless rock for a while, you’ll notice it’s far from resting on tracks of conformity. Front man and fire-bucket beater, Eugene Hütz, easily exhibits that orderly chaos that can sound awesome. These new songs will release your inner gypsy. Plus it’s a great soundtrack for a night of drinking cheap Vodka and talking with a cheesy Russian accent while trying to seduce your roommate’s sister.
Featuring awesome tracks such as “Supertheory Of Supereverything” and “My Strange Uncles From Abroad,” this is one album you don’t want to miss. So, if you’ve ever drunk liquor made in a bathtub or if you thought that Frank Zappa was “too mainstream,” this one is right up your sinister and twisted alley.
(Shane Epting)