ON ROTATION

The Shins, Port Of Morrow
It has been five years since The Shins released their last album. During these years, James Mercer, the driving force behind the band, has been quite busy with a number of projects including Broken Bells, his collaboration with Danger Mouse. Back with a new band line up, Mercer's music has never sounded more poppy or his lyrics so understandable (if that is possible). The combination makes these songs catchy and some of the band's most approachable. While I thought that the band's last album, Wincing The Night Away, was the pinnacle of the band's efforts to date, Port Of Morrow, is a welcome addition to their collection and should not be missed. 
 Simple Song  

The Lumineers, The Lumineers

With the help of band's such as Fleetfoxes, Neo-Folk Rock has found a wide audience over the past few years and it has become incredibly popular. I for one could not be happier about it. It has allowed a band like The Lumineers to get some well deserved attention. This trio from Denver, CO is set to release their self titled, debut album on April 3rd. While I hate using comparisons when talking about a band's music, one cannot help but hear a little bit of The Head And The Heart and The Tallest Man On Earth when listening to The Lumineers....and that is not a bad thing. Like those bands, there is such life and warmth to this band and this collection of songs. They just crackle with a wonderful energy.
                                                        Dead Sea   

Tanlines, Mixed Emotions
When Tanlines' album Mixed Emotions was featured on NPR's All Songs Considered, I will admit that I paid it little attention. Why? I can't say. Perhaps I was just distracted at the time. But then I listened to the album a week or so later, not realizing that it was the same band and album. And a funny thing happened. I really enjoyed it from start to finish. Electro pop with a wink to the '80's seems to be everywhere these days. Some of it is good, take last year's album Zonoscope by Cut/Copy. A lot of it is problematic for me for many reasons. Jesse Cohen and Eric Emm, the duo behind Tanlines, fall into the first category. The two really know how to craft great songs that are both smart and fun to listen to. 
                                                       Brothers