Spector drops a very electro beat on their new single, “Grey Shirt & Tie”. Church bells and synth layers create a 2011 wall-of-sound aesthetic. The layering increases throughout the track, which isolates Fred Macpherson’s vocal and makes it shine. Spector is doing radio ready rock (that dying genre) better than just about anyone in the UK right now. Now it’s time to show USA some love with a few tour dates! Contributed by Chris Gedos
Spector 
(Facebook)
Rating: 8.24
nihiti (purposefully lowercase) is a NYC psych-folk duo, and their cover of “The Orchids” by art rock vanguards Psychic TV is my pick for track of the week. The original version is so lo-fi it’s barely audible, but the cover double tracks the vocal, which almost sounds triple tracked with added echo, to make sure the listener can understand each and every beautiful lyric. “And in the morning and the night, I fall in love with the light.” The cello on top with violin underneath adds even more sweetness to an already tender song. Fans of everything from Califone to Fairport Convention will go bonkers over this truly multi-generational track. Contributed by Chris Gedos
nihiti 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 9.05
“Shark” by Sleeping Bags sort starts off with its least best foot forward (its other foot?), crawling and dragging about for a good two minutes, from there the track opens up into a sprawling, beautiful piece of nu-gaze; shimmering layers of distorted guitars, crashing drums, you get the picture. Don’t sleep on this track (at least til you get to about 3:00).
Sleeping Bags – SharkSleeping Bags 
(Bandcamp)
Rating 7.8
“All Eyes” from London UK band Post War Years is a soulful, big beat rock and roll tune with just enough menace to really make things interesting. Look out for the Minus the Bear-esque guitar-taps breakdown at 2:54.
Post War Years – All EyesPost War Years (Official) (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
Dirty Bombs newest EP Alpha Transmisson is a great listen for all you dance rockers out there. The band has built a substantial following throughout the northeastern United States, and is continuing to blossom. Versatile songwriting and musicianship is represented throughout the album, so this album appeals to all walks of life. This EP makes me think of The Faint, New Order, and Manic Street Preachers to name a few. Clever synth hooks, and craftily woven bridges bring originality to Alpha Transmission. “In Every City”, a great dance piece (also my favorite track) will have you shakin’ in no time. Contributed by Trevor Meyer
Dirty Bombs – In Every CityDirty Bombs 
(Facebook)
Rating 8
LA band Batwings Catwings sort of sound like the b3sci blog distilled into a band. Lovers of punk and metal but with an affinity for top 40 and hip hop BC are definitely b3 kindred. Heavy guitar music with great pop songwriting sensibility gets us really excited. We’re psyched to debut the band’s track for “Early Exit” b/w “Radio” (which you can download here for free).
Batwings Catwings – Early ExitBatwings Catwings 
(Facebook) (Twitter)
Rating 8.1
Every once in a while, a great song is recorded that has potential to be timeless. That’s the case with this track from The Features’ Wilderness album. If “Another One” doesn’t become a hit for this band, I hope someone else decides to record it.
The Features – Another OneThe Features 
(Official) (Myspace)
Check out Bruce’s “Go Deep” show on Fridays 1-3 pm Pacific, 4-6 pm Eastern, 9-11pm GMT. Also listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.
“You Guys..” is our first taste from a new EP project coming soon from Field Mouse. The musical layers make waves, and as it’s melodies crashabout, we’re loving this new noise by the Brooklyn based band.
Field Mouse – You Guys are Gonna Wake Up My MomField Mouse (Bandcamp) (Facebook)
Rating 8.3
American Thunder, the new album from Harrison Hudson, is an unexpected treat from the Nashville outfit. Lo-fi production fuses with ambitious sing-alongs to create an unassailable combination. It’s been a while since I’ve heard songs so tightly structured around linear-sequential, narrative storytelling. “Bookstore Girl” could become a winter semester anthem in Cambridge, Madison and Ann Arbor. “Cherish The One You Got” takes a twee sensibility and ages it like a fine wine, like a post-pubescent b-side from Who Will Cut Our Hair When We Are Gone. The single, “Every Girl”, is lovely enough but one of the safer songs on the album. However, that’s the mark of a great LP, when the deep cuts are indistinguishable from the singles. The pedigree is apparent: Big Star, Guided By Voices, Magnetic Fields. (Also listed on their Facebook page is Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and Ricky Nelson.) But then you hear The Crystals-esque backing vocals on “Run My Way” and all comparisons go out the window. I want to put this review in a time capsule for three months, because when the songs are there, the replay value is a given. Bravo, Harrison Hudson! American Thunder is my favorite album of Q4 2011. Contributed by Chris Gedos
Harrison Hudson – Every Girl Harrison Hudson – Bookstore GirlINFO: (Official)
Rating 8.7
Analog Rebellion deliver a powerful, soulful, guitar-driven sound on “Holy Atmosphere”. The band may remind a bit of Cold War Kids or The White Stripes but altogether the Analog Rebellion sound cooks into something not only really exciting but all unique for its genre. AR are a great new band for your radar. Check it out.
Analog Rebellion – Holy AtmosphereAnalog Rebellion 
(Official) (Facebook)
Rating 8.1
Fractures are the 90’s MTV buzzband you wish had existed back then. Picture it now, the smooth Dan Cortese dropping Fractures in between fresh buzzcuts from Harvey Danger and Jawbox. Yeah sounds pretty rad, right? Follow that up with a four-hour block of Singled Out (the Jenny McCarthy-era) and a “brand new episdode” of “Daria” and life is ripping pretty hard. “Nicotine” is great and will be in your head no less than 30 seconds into the track. Get it.
Fractures – NicotineFractures (Facebook) (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.2
SULK are one band probably not shy on excitement for the upcoming Stone Roses upcoming reunion tour. “Back In Bloom” takes the band’s Monkey Man & co.-aping to a bridge further than previous releases. “Back in Bloom” sounds of a band in transition, a young band starting to piece together an individual sound. The track is a step forward for the UK band and we look forward to what will be next.
SULK – Back In BloomRating 8.0
