Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band, "Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band" (Dead Ocean)
Hyped on: Stereogum; The Walrus; FensePost
MySpace
Who: If it looks like this Seattle band was named by a 13-year old history buff, that’s because it’s pretty much true. MSHVB drummer Marshall Verdoes, 13, is the adopted brother of the band’s frontman Benjamin; the five-piece was formed after Marshall excelled at the drumming lessons he was taking while in middle school.
What: It’s an interesting story on paper, but what do these guys sound like? Answer—a lot of popular Seattle bands, including the jagged, math-y guitars of Modest Mouse. Garage stomp “Masquerade” is very 2001 with its driving rhythm guitar, but expands to more interesting theatrics at the midpoint. With its vocal layers and intense, throwback guitar work, “Going on a Hunt” recalls Oxford Collapse.
Made for: People who are sick of wussy family bands like the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players. People who want to get a jump-start on a forthcoming SXSW buzz band—we’re calling it here.
X-Factor: MSHVB first became known by releasing a number of odd, lo-fi PSAs. Again, there is a 13-year-old in this band. – MR
Andrew Lipke, "Motherpearl & Dynamite" (MAD Dragon)
Hyped on: PopWreckoning; Some Velvet Blog; The Broken Bell
Official site
MySpace
Who: Born in South Africa and bred in Philadelphia, where he earned a degree in music composition from the University of the Arts, Andrew Lipke is a prodigy who can play virtually any instrument and is fluent in every genre from classic rock to classical. His third solo release, “Motherpearl & Dynamite,” arrives on MAD Dragon, the Philly-based indie label run by Drexel University students.
What: Lipke’s omnivorous musical upbringing is on full display on “Motherpearl,” which encompasses everything from alt-country balladry (“Forgive and Forget”) to Oasis-like modern-rock anthems (“Get It Over With”) to Zeppelinesque rawk (“Mindgames”) in just nine slender tracks. He’s versatile enough to pull off nearly all of it, but Lipke really shines when he marries a strong melody to some good old-fashioned classic rock riffage, as he does to dazzling effect on the rootsy “Sweet Changin Heart” and the power-pop crunch of “The Barker.”
Made for: Fans of like-minded Philly kitchen-sink rockers Dr. Dog. Public radio listeners; Lipke has been featured on several NPR affiliates, including Philly’s WXPN and Minnesota Public Radio’s Music Exchange podcast. Groupies of a certain Led Zeppelin cover band (see below).
X-Factor: No wonder at least one track here (“Mindgames”) has such a Led Zeppelin vibe; to pay the bills, Lipke lends his multi-instrumental talents to Get the Led Out, one of the country’s most successful Zep tribute bands. – AH
Fever Ray, "Fever Ray" (Mute)
Hyped on: Gorilla vs. Bear; Discobelle.net
Official site
MySpace
Who: Better known as the female half of Swedish brother/sister synth-dance duo the Knife (you remember “Heartbeats”), Karin Dreijer Andersson delivers a solo debut under the moniker Fever Ray. The self-titled album drops in America on March 24 courtesy of Mute.
What: On her own, Andersson crafts music that’s more fractured and harder to penetrate; think older Björk without all the melodrama. This is what the Swedish winter sounds like sung by a chilly chanteuse and remixed on a MacBook by Nor-Euro köol kids. And then there are the moments when Fever Ray verges on something like New Millennial Cyndi Lauper on an electro-Viking quest. Hey man, it’s complex!
Made for: The Knife, Portishead and Goldfrapp devotees on heavy downers. Anyone who lives in a grey, rainy climate and/or runs an all-black-and-white-clothing boutique. Comedown moments at after-after-parties.
X-Factor: Blog-favorite British bangers F--- Buttons have already done a remix of lead single “If I Had a Heart.” – KND
Paper Route, "Are We All Forgotten" (Low Altitude)
Hyped on: Indieball; tuneage
Official site
MySpace
Who: The synth-pop revolution soldiers on in…Nashville? This Tennessee quartet offers up heavily programmed melancholy on their latest EP, “Are We All Forgotten,” which has already won enough attention to garner the band a deal with Universal Motown (which will release a yet-to-be-titled full-length from the band this spring), as well as a tour slot with fellow heavily hyped synth-poppers Passion Pit.
What: There’s an air of familiarity here; frontman Chad Howat’s croon recalls Chris Martin at his most brooding, and the band’s lush electro-pop could easily be confused for the Postal Service. Live, however, the songs take a sharper edge, with Howat and guitarist/co-vocalist Chad Smith adding a real rock ‘n’ roll heft…and a back-and-forth vocal assault that could easily be called, well, emo. Dirty word in ’09? The palpable yearning in “You Kill Me” proves that real emotion trumps hipster posturing any day of the week.
Made for: Non-elitist indie-rockers (go away, Pitchfork readers). Jimmy Eat World fans who wish the group would do a remix album. The musical director for iTunes ads (we’ve got 5:1 odds that “You Kill Me” has that right je ne sais quoi to back-up the campaign for the next generation of iPhones).
X-Factor: This is truly DIY pop: Howat recorded the initial tracks for the EP on an iBook in his bedroom, then posed as a music student at a nearby school to gain access to the university’s music labs and record some additional parts. – KM
