The BellRays, 'Hard Sweet and Sticky' (Anodyne)
Veteran noisemakers discover a new way to blow off steam.
By Jon Young 05.29.08 3:31 PM
After more than 15 years in action, Southern California's BellRays have mastered the essentials of swaggering rock'n'soul. As guitarist Bob Vennum spews slashing power chords and sleazy solos, hard-boiled shouter Lisa Kekaula snarls, "I'm comin' down to getcha!" like she's going homicidal, and injects the protest anthem "That's Not the Way" with thrilling, righteous anger.
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Animal Collective, 'Water Curses' (Domino)
Electronic pop naturalists create a sonic life aquatic.
By Andy Beta 05.29.08 3:28 PM
Amid the globules of sound on "Cobwebs," Animal Collective's Avey Tare mumbles about being "organic like strawberry meat." But on this new four-song EP, that's as close as the Brooklyn group gets to the compacted Day-Glo noise pop of last year's Strawberry Jam.
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SXSW 2008 Portrait Gallery: Bands on the Run
They came. They played. Some even conquered. Presenting a rogues' gallery from Austin, Texas' South by Southwest Music Festival.
By Blossom Berkofsky 05.29.08 2:18 PM
The Ting Tings
Brash British duo can dish it out and take it.
By Stacey Anderson 05.29.08 9:31 AM
In Katie White's native Manchester, they call it "footballer's injury." Or, in her case, "spazzing out."
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The Chapin Sisters
Showbiz folk family ditch Olsens, find their true voices.
By Mikael Wood 05.28.08 3:16 PM
The Chapin Sisters recently released their debut album, but the three siblings -- all nieces of late singer/songwriter Harry Chapin (of "Cat's in the Cradle" fame) -- have been singing separately and together since they were kids: Jessica, 40, cut class to record commercial jingles, while Abigail, 28, and Lily, 26, pulled children's choir duty on records by the Olsen twins, among others.
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Tours of Duty
As public support for the Iraq war wanes, rock bands fight an uphill battle to keep the troops entertained.
By Peter Gaston 05.28.08 1:12 AM
Hordes of young people gather in the middle of nowhere, raising devil horns and pumping fists along to a rock-radio staple. Laser lights penetrate the deep night sky and catch dust particles launched by the stomping of boots on desert ground.
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