Byrds Of Paradise

'Byrds Of Paradise' was first introduced to us by the coolest of dudes, over at ye ol' Friendship Bracelet. 'Byrds' has been blowing up all over our buddy's sites, and rightfully so, these guy's put out the jams. Brilliant guitar work and gleaming vocals are 'Byrds' main attributes. "Paradise DC," lo-fi pop wise, is one of the best pop anthems, I've heard all year. The guitar part in this song is so amazing. I find that music becomes increasingly genuine the simpler it gets, you honestly don't need much to create great tunes. This group exemplifies originality, what this outfit can do with a couple guitars, a bass, and some drums, is in a word, exceptional. Snag "Paradise, DC," "Kids In The Hall" and peep the dates, after the jump.

Haunted Houses

Will lo-fi ever get old? Probably not as long as we have bands like 'Haunted Houses' around to keep us goons in line. Dude makes the jams. If I could soundtrack my life, I'd probably ask 'HH' to do it. Although the project is pretty bedroom rock, it's not the ears-bleed-core stuff we're used to hearing these days. It's far more delicate, extremely well put together dreamy jams. The song crafting is some of the best I've heard in a long time. While some of the songs are instrumentals, the vocals are simply put, prodigious. "Day After Hospital Part III" showcases these two attributes the best. Rainy guitar and heartsick vocals, make the song almost a perfect soundtrack to life's low points. Snag "Day After Hospital Part III" and four bonus Mp3's, after the jump.

The Choir Quit

I can not stop listening to this new jam I just got from 'The Choir Quit,' it is honestly the perfect soundtrack for the weekend. 'The Choir Quit,' is a new lo-fi band from South Carolina. The tunes are mostly guitar based anthems with hints of summer. Sunny vocals and fuzzy instrumentals make 'TCQ' a great addition to this years rising trend, of lo-fi acts. "Saturday Night," the bands most catchiest of tunes, is a blissed out gem thats just dying to be danced to. Snag "Saturday Night," "Mbur///" and peep the dates, after the jump.

Ghost Wave

A while back I took a trip to Mexico and the whole time I was there I was wishing I could have some good tropical music to go along with it. Luckily I snagged some 'El Guincho' and 'Coconot'. But still there needed to be more, I could only listen to "Alegranza" so many times. If only I had discovered "Ghost Wave" before hand. This is the pinnacle of the tropical, lo-fi movement. Yes, sipping cerveza and listening to 'GW,' by the bright, blue pacific would have been ideal. Who am I to complain though, It was Mexico. "One By One," my personal favorite song off of 'GW's' three song sampler, is a gorgeous, well put together piece. Damp vocals, Latin inspired guitar, and a simple snare are crafted into one of this years best tropical jams. Snag a copy of both "One By One" and "Sooli," after the jump.

R3vi3w: Desolation Wilderness - New Universe

Kid Trails

I relate listening to this next outfit with drinking a good cup of coffee in the morning. It wakes you up and makes you realize how great life actually is. Simply put, it's refreshing. "813 Food," the amazing new single by South Carolina's 'Kid Trails', is by far one of the most creative lo-fi songs of this year. Using what sounds like sticks and a bench for percussion 'KT' produces a pretty heartbreaking jam. Check out "813 Food" and (the recorded earlier today) "All Yr Throat," after the jump.

Boneless

At the risk of getting in trouble, I'm going to say, there are only about twenty projects in the world that can use samplers properly. Nevada's, 'Boneless' are in the top five. Thanks to our buddy's over at Get Off The Coast, 'Boneless' was brought to our attention earlier this week. For the past few days, I have been going to school, casually listening to the three tracks that were posted on GOTC, trying to think of the words to describe this outfit. It's best described as some of the best use of sampling I've heard all year. Take for instance "Breathless," this track is incredible, it's hard to imagine that ohhs and ahhs, with a couple of guitar chords could ever come close to sounding this good. Snag "Breathless" and two bonus tracks, after the jump.

Summer Blondes

Oh teenage angst, is there anything quite like it, no I think not. Yes, high schools forever, your parents don't "get" you, these are the best times of your life, etc. Let's face it, even John Hughes would be envious of your high school career. OK, maybe not, but this next outfit is the perfect soundtrack to remind you of the best or in some cases worst, times of your life. 'Summer Blondes,' produce some the best somber lo-fi that we've heard in a while. Somehow they've successfully woven surf rock with good old fashion blues. "Trash'n USA" is the perfect example of this bands talents. The vocals though woeful, properly accompany the instrumentals, with just the right amount of howling. It brings you back to a time where pep rally's and football games were your only plans for a frigid Friday night. Grab "Trash'n USA," "Hangin' Ten With Mr. Cooper," and "Underager Rager!," all after the jump.

Babes

What can I say about Kentucky's, 'Babes,' other than this project, is lo-fi perfection. Nothing is overdone, it has just the right amount of everything. Honest vocals, flawless guitar hooks, simple yet progressive drum parts all make this project a favorite of SE. So many bands are trying to hop onto the bandwagon of this lo-fi boom but 'Babes,' makes it feel, oh so right, by simplifying instead of complicating. Take for instance, "Why Do You Make Me Move," one guitar, one drum kit, two dudes, it's fresh, that's the best way to describe it. You can't get anymore rock and roll than that. Snag a copy of "Why Do You Make Me Move," after the jump.

Dizzy Jaguars

So, lo-fi is blowing up right now, whats the appeal of it though? For me, I think it's how endearing bedroom pop/rock is. I mean it's just a couple of guys/ladies jamming out in their garage, bedroom, or basement. That's what it's all about, doing it for the love of the game, I mean music, yeah music. Anyway this next band cranks out some pretty amazing stuff. "Dizzy Jaguars" is a unbelievable lo-fi duo from San Diego. Lovable lyrics and smooth pop riffs make this band a massive stand out in the dizzying mess of lo-fi acts these days. Dudes, tear it down. "You Always Break My Heart," is a outstanding production that harness's the bands main attributes, whimpering guitar and smokey vocals. Check out "You Always Break My Heart," "Blood Surfer," and the 'Washed Out-esque' "Waitin, On A Summer Day," all after the jump.

R3vi3w: Naomi Punk - Naomi Punk

Today we're starting a new feature. Every Friday we'll find a album released that week and review it in three words. It's short, to the point, and you can score some Mp3's! Feel free to post your own three word reviews for the Mp3's attached to the posts in the comment sections. Check out the first "R3vi3w," after the jump.

Dirty Beaches

'Dirty Beaches' is a lo-fi, psych project from Montreal. Its hard to explain the sound, it basically sounds like a soundtrack to a old 60's beach movie. It's balmy, jangly, surf psych. "Coast To Coast" from 'DB's' upcoming tape, is a chill, laid back, song with shimmering instrumentals and Roy Orbison-esque vocals. Check out "Coast To Coast," "Shangri La" and the dates, after the jump.

Family Portrait

Is it possible to be too cool? A question that has riddled my mind for the past few days, because lo-fi outfit 'Family Portrait' just might be. Let's check out the facts, Stellar vocals, amazing bass lines, solid percussion, and amazing guitar parts. The hooks that these guys produce are hands down some of the best, put on vinyl, period. Take "On The Floor," one of my favorite songs of this year, for example. It starts with some watered down vocals and is mixed with a blissed out guitar strum to culminate into one of the best tunes of this year. So is it possible to be to cool? Maybe, if it is, 'Family Portrait' has definitely achieved it. Grab "On The Floor," "Mega Secrets," and peep the dizzates, after the jump.

Reading Rainbow

I love psychedelics and if you read this blog you most likely do as well. The problem with psychedelic bands are, that there's about one out of every two hundred that are actually good, but when your talking about 'Reading Rainbow,' their in a league of their own. The music that these two produce isn't just another peg in the psychedelic genre, no, this is a full, mind blowing, revival of classic 70's rock and roll. On "A Life To Find," drizzly guitar is shredded as drums are hammered to create a tasty jam that channels early 'Velvet Underground.'Grab "A Life To Find," "We Are Too Young," and check the dates, all after the jump!

Canoe

'Canoe' is a brilliant lo-fi, dreampop outfit from Florida. Lustrous guitar and flushed vocals are the bands main attributes. With so many heavy hitters in the dream pop realm, it's hard for a band to find a niche but 'Canoe' has successfully produced something that could be the next step of the genre. "River Trail 2," off of the bands amazing "River Trails" demo is the perfect, watery soundtrack to the fall. Grab "River Trail 2" and "River Trail 1," after the jump.

Alphabets

Usually I like to listen to music solely on what season it correlates with, it just seems easier to relate to it in that way. That's all different with this next project. I don't think a season exists that this music could pair with. "Alphabets" is one of a few bands that I've encountered in which I am rendered speechless. Trying to put down what this sounds like in words, is like trying to punch Steven Seagal in the face, it's impossible. All I can really say as that it's bloody incredible. The sounds that this guy produces are insane, the drum work is some of the best I have ever heard. Alright enough talking about this, go listen. Snag a copy of "Lemur Toes Sneak Attack Battle Outs," "Lullabones Heatbath With Iguanadon Stomps," "Grandfather Zeb Rah Heart Speak," and "Migrating," after the jump.

The Light Rays

Ah, the beach, how we do love it. The sun, the sand, the waves, etc, etc. Living on the west coast does have it's benefits, something that 'The Light Rays' seem to have captured in their music. Radiant guitar hooks, airy drum parts, catchy baselines, and even some chill organ stuff, all contribute to this bands off-the-wall uniqueness. "Surf Song," the third song off their outstanding demo, channels the 1950's like no other beach rock I've heard this past (tear) summer. Grab "Surf Song," "LSD Palm Trees," and check the dates, after the jump.

White Crime

What happens when you mix the sad sound of late seventies era punk, with this years lo-fi movement? It's really not that hard to imagine, 'White Crimes' achieves this and make it look way too easy. 'White Crimes' is a ghostly lo-fi project from Oklahoma. A distorted guitar and mild but exceptional drumming, create some of the most hauntingly original music that has been produced to date. "Forgive The Arrows," my favorite song off the bands killer, "Ruining America EP," is a culmination of the bands talents. Fuzzy guitar parts dance as poignant vocals float over a thud of simple percussion. Grab "Forgive The Arrows" and "Toward The Abyss," after the jump.

Pure Ecstasy

So, summers over guys, I hope it was as good for you as it was for me. With that being said, lo-fi, beach rock hasn't become any worse, has it? It still seems somewhat relevant, right? I wish It was still summer. Anyway, for those of you like me check out Austin's, 'Pure Ecstasy.' These guy's put out some colossal summer jams, that can bring back memories of warmer weather and better times. "You're In It Now," the single off of 'Pure Ecstasy's' amazing "Bangin On Wine" 7", starts out with some alluring drum and guitar parts which lead into Nate Grace's charming, lovable vocals. It's one of my favorite songs of the summer. Anyway, score a copy of the watery "You're In It Now," after the jump.

New: Small Black

SE favorites 'Small Black' have released a excellent new single. It's what you'd expect from the B. Get all the synthy (Synthy? Yes, perfect) goodness after the jump.