To The Nuts!

Quite a range of styles for you today, from fuzzy, VU-inspired noise pop to sunny 70's A.M. pop to alt-country.

Manhattan Love Suicides, "Clusterfuck"

This track is from MLS's new CD, Burnt Out Landscapes [BUY]. The CD is a compilation of several of the band's 7-inches, live tracks, and 4 brand-new songs. The 27 tracks on the CD should certainly hold us over until album #2.

Gramercy Arms, "Looking At The Sun"

Gramercy Arms is a NYC "supergroup" of sorts featuring members of Joan As Policewoman, The Dambuilders and Guided by Voices (they get the latter two references by virtue of drummer Kevin March). Sarah Silverman even contributes backing vocals, as does Nada Surf's Matthew Caws. From what I can tell, their self-titled debut CD is currently only available in the UK. You can order it here.

Blue Mountain, "By Your Side"

One of my favorite alt-country bands of the 90's was Blue Mountain, a Mississippi band fronted by the husband and wife team of Cary Hudson and Laurie Stirratt (the sister of Wilco's John Stirratt). The two ended up getting divorced in 2001, and the band soon broke up. After some time away, though, they've regrouped (in musical terms only, I believe), and just released a brand new album called Midnight in Mississippi [BUY].