Channeling a young Joni Mitchell something fierce, lead singer Sally Ellyson and the rest of Hem have quietly put together the sleeper album of the summer with Funnel Cloud. Displaying a hushed, sonic beauty and deft musicianship, Hem is what the Cowboy Junkies would sound like if they tinkered more in the studio. On ecstacy. Armed with swooning melodies and Ellyson's haunting voice, this talented group of Manhattanites have definetely set the bar pretty high for their contemporaries. Anyone willing to step up? For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Hem: Not California

Hem: We'll Meet Along The Way

Hem: Reservoir

Hem: Hotel Fire

Sometimes, kicking back and enjoying the moment enables you to see things with more clarity. Such was the case with As Tall As Lions self titled sophomore album. Initially dismissed as too lite and entirely too familiar , the album rattled around my house until I decided to pull it out for a second spin. Maybe it was the humid breeze outside, maybe it was the cabernet. Or maybe it was the fact that I finally pulled my head out of the sand. Whatever the reason, something finally clicked and I pressed repeat deep into the night. Possessing a sound akin to a more rockier Jeff Buckley, ATAL's lush tones of ambient pop pack an emotional punch similar to the great 80's styled love songs of The Smiths and Aztec Camera. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

As Tall As Lions: Love, Love, Love (Love, Love)

As Tall As Lions: Milk And Honey

As much as I wish I was hosting this show, I'm not. But I will be in attendance, if only to check the best unsigned band of the year: Division Day. And so should you. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Division Day: Hurricane

Division Day: Colorguard

Empty beer bottles. Clothes strewn about. Eyes trying to focus, morning has come too soon. This is what I think about when I listen to Razorlight. Rock and Roll personified. Perfectly aping a thick, 60's garage sound, this self titled sophomore album came out of left field to land on my top releases of 2006. Combining The La's rough and tumble melodies with The Animals spooky atmospherics, Razorlight have successfully updated an established sound without sounding too contrived. But the real star is lead singer/guitarist Johnny Borell. With a vocal style reminicent of Bob Dylan and David Byrne, Borrell expertly paints a picture of a young lad enjoying the perils and pagentry of success. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Razorlight: Los Angeles Waltz

Razorlight: I Can't Stop This Feeling I've Got

Razorlight: America

Razorlight: Who Needs Love?

Welcome to another edition of the Friday Five Alive mix here at Indoor Fireworks. For your listening (dis)pleasure, five tracks guaranteed to get you ready for the weekend:

Tokyo Police Club: Citizens of Tomorrow

Shiny Toy Guns: Le Disko

DJ Shadow: You Made It feat. Chris James

Outkast: Hollywood Divorce feat. Lil' Wayne & Snoop Dogg

Girl Talk: Hold Up

With new album Talk To La Bomb dropping on September 12th, I wanted to share with you Brazilian Girl's excellent first single. If you haven't already fallen in love with this group, buckle up. Apologies for the short post but life has been getting in the way lately. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Brazilian Girls: Jique

Am I really that predictable? A very generous reader sent me Movie Monster; the debut major label album from Austin, TX's Sound Team. Assuring me I'd fall in love with their 80's styled, synth burnt, rollicking songs I popped the album into my cd player. It hasn't left since. Blending an experimental and vastly underrated knack for killer hooks with solid production, Sound Team have successfully bridged the gap between college rock and art rock. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Sound Team: Born To Please

Sound Team: Back In Town

Sound Team: Movie Monster

Sound Team: No More Birthdays

The Dresden Dolls kind of remind me of that strange couple at the party that no one dare talk to. Mostly out of fear. Fear that they are cooler than you. Fear that they are more talented than you. And fear that they have a better (read: kinkier) sex life than you do. While I can't shed any insight into what happens behind closed doors, I can confirm that vocalist/pianist Amanda Palmer and drummer Brian Viglione have deftly crafted one of the most intriguing releases of 2006 with Yes, Virginia...
Mixing equal parts pop with their self described punk cabaret, Palmer and Viglione manage to make two instruments and a delicately commanding voice flesh out an entire album of catchy, close to the bone vignettes. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

The Dresden Dolls: Dirty Business

The Dresden Dolls: Sex Changes

The Dresden Dolls: Necessary Evil

The Dresden Dolls: Shores Of California

Welcome to another edition of the Friday Five Alive mix here at Indoor Fireworks. Today's selections constitute the Top 5 tracks spun this week at home, in the car, and whilst bathing. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

DJ Shadow: Backstage Girl feat. Phonte

Justin Timberlake: SexyBack

Beck: Cell Phone's Dead

The Pipettes: Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me

Thom Yorke: And It Rained All Night

Someone broke Nina Gordon's heart real bad. Not in an Alanis Morrisette, "I'm going to skewer you in front of the whole world" kind of way. It's more akin to a deep smoldering heartbreak. The kind that quietly haunts you every second of the day, never letting you forget how badly you still burn for this person. On her new album Bleeding Heart Graffiti (out August 8th), Gordon let's the listener into her shattered world via dusky, smoldering pop songs that run the gamut from down right goofy to heart wrenching. With tight production and slick backing musicians aiding her, Nina Gordon has finally managed to shake loose her alt-rock past with Veruca Salt. One heartbreak at a time. For your listening (dis)pleasure:

Nina Gordon: Kiss Me Til It Bleeds

Nina Gordon: Turn On Your Radio

Nina Gordon: Pure

Nina Gordon: Christmas Lights


***CONTEST ALERT***

To compliment this post, the fine folks at Filter have teamed up with us on a cool contest. To celebrate the release of Nina's new album one lucky winner will receive a SIGNED copy of the disc as well as a hard copy of Ragged; a thirty-two page mini magazine featuring stories on indie rock and alternative music from major and up-and-coming artists. As you may have guessed, Ms. Gordon is featured in one of the interviews! If you're feeling lucky, email me at indoorfireworksonline@gmail.com with "Kiss Me" as the subject. Good luck!

***CONTEST UPDATE***

Thanks to all that participated in the Nina Gordon contest! A winner has been chosen and will be notified via email.