The Monolators, “Don’t Dance” (Monolator Music/Ninja Star) — It is with good reason that the Monolators, anchored by the husband-and-wife team of Eli and Mary Chartkoff, have become darlings of the Eastside scene: They’re honest and earnest, qualities displayed with sharp wit in the everyday anecdotes in their music, and they play every show with […]
Chapter 6: We arrived in Athens to a blast of heat that was absolutely delightful. The tour’s kickoff show was surprisingly packed, and we were taken aback by the warm welcome. The next day, we were Acropolis-bound. We got really lucky — it was off-season and the weather was windy and bright.” And the view […]
[Quickly catching up on some local album releases:] Le Switch, “And Now … Le Switch” (Autumn Tone) — Frontman Aaron Kyle’s boozy voice is the cannon (and sometimes a loose one) of this L.A. quintet, but trumpeter/violist/singer Maria DeLuca is its secret weapon. You imagine DeLuca leading a parade down Bourbon Street to “Pristine” or […]
[Quick blurbs on a couple of albums released today:] Murs, “Murs for President” (Warner) — The L.A. underground sensation just keep getting better. His seventh album (and major-label debut) is a playground of sprightly production — a little R&B, a little pop, a little kitchen sink. Will.i.am and Snoop Dogg turn up, but they’re not […]
[Quick takes on three albums released today — no, I haven’t heard the new TV on the Radio (astute review here), but everybody I know with an iPhone says it’s great:] Cold War Kids, “Loyalty to Loyalty” (Downtown) — While not as immediately infectious as “Robbers & Cowards” (save the single “Something Is Not Right […]
