Summer means a lot of things to a lot of people. It's true, just ask one. This summer promises awesome releases from high-profile stars and talented underground hellraisers. The Cardinal takes a look at which bands promise to be worthy of your iPod shuffle when you're catching waves, soaking rays or sitting in your dark, dank basement playing Grand Theft Auto\ and looking for a motorcycle to steal.
Art Brut, Bang Bang Rock & Roll
If United States foreign policy didn't put the country at such a distance from its European allies, U.S. consumers might not have had to wait 'til May 9 to get their hands on Art Brut's spectacular debut, Bang Bang Rock & Roll. Since the album's international release last year, the band has earned widespread critical praise everywhere from Pitchfork Media to Rolling Stone.
Sounding like a youthful version of The Fall's Mark E. Smith, singer Eddie Argos shout-sings his way through 12 tracks that span the distance between The Kinks and the vanguard of the New Wave revival. With songs about headbutting, Matisse paintings and making music ""as universal as ‘Happy Birthday,'"" Bang Bang Rock & Roll is not only the funniest album in recent memory, but also one of the best. Plus it comes with a ""Create your own poster"" kit.
—Matt Hunziker
Stuart Davis, Good Weird
After a three-year hiatus, the original ""post-apocalyptic-punk-folk"" singer Stuart Davis returns with his latest, Good Weird. Early indications already point to the title as completely accurate, with equal measures of both ""good"" and ""weird."" Davis released the title track on his website last year and it just amazes. It is an infectiously poppy song with metaphysical implications that rocks out like no other as Davis wails, ""Give me your weird / Give me your good weird.""
Other tracks Davis devotees will recognize from his live shows including the beautiful ""Glass"" and the raunchy ""Innocent Three Way,"" which manages somehow to incorporate the phrase ""Kicked it off with some naked Twister"" into a pop song. There is no doubt that with Good Weird, Davis has found the perfect title for his work.
—Kevin Nelson
The Futureheads, News and Tributes
In the swollen ranks of the post-punk revival, with all the razor sharp guitar hooks and precision drum salvos, no one was quite as sharp or precise as The Futureheads on their self-titled 2004 debut. Splitting the difference between early XTC and Gang of Four, the disc's 15 outstanding tracks sped by at a breakneck pace, riding on the strength of 4-part vocal harmonies that had the effect of turning any track into a potential single.
The band claims the forthcoming News and Tributes, out May 29, is a step towards a wider stylistic range, and if the advance single ""Skip to the End"" is any indication, they are at least playing with slowing down the tempo. More straight-forward pop than anything on their debut, the track's call-and-response chorus and oddly ""X-Files"" reminiscent video might be the band's breakout moment.
—Matt Hunziker
Mission of Burma, The Obliterati
With The Obliterati, pioneering post-punk band Mission of Burma will issue the third full-length LP of its 26-year career, adding to the most welcomed and astonishing indie-rock comeback story of the last few years. Original members Roger Miller, Clint Conley and Peter Prescott have brought replacement Bob Weston into the fold to handle the engineering and tape manipulation that signifies their sound. On May 23, Matador Records will release The Obliterati, which could be the most aggressively raw, urgent and challenging album of the year.
Bursting onto Boston's burgeoning art-punk scene in 1980, Mission of Burma released only one LP through tiny Ace of Hearts Records before disbanding in 1983. The album, Vs., is one of the most powerful and evocative statements in the history of punk rock, and would stand as their sole album for more than 20 years until their unexpected reunion in 2004. Proving that they haven't lost a touch of their relentless sonic assault, The Obliterati picks up right where Burma left off.
—Matthew Gardner
Tom Petty, Highway Companion
Get ready to roll another joint because it doesn't look like Tom Petty is going to back down anytime soon. Twelve years after his last solo outing, the sublime Wildflowers, Petty once again leaves The Heartbreakers at home for his upcoming solo album, Highway Companion. To be released by the man with the Midas touch, Rick Rubin, and his American Recordings company in June, Petty reportedly takes a much softer approach this time around, assuming many of the instrumental duties along with fellow Traveling Wilbury and longtime collaborator Jeff Lynne. Aiming to not only release the record in July, this summer the rock icon will set out on what he claims to be his last national tour and will assist in the filming of a documentary about himself and his storied 30-year career. As Petty once said, ""It's good to be King.""
—Derek Eby
Polyphonic Spree, The Fragile Army
Everyone's favorite gospel robe-garbed, borderline hippie commune, Polyphonic Spree, will release a new 13-song album entitled The Fragile Army July 3. Though the Spree are known for their over the top melodies about all things happy and joyful, the large pop choir is using the album as a critical commentary on the war in Iraq.
Pre-released lyrics sport lines like, ""We may have missed a championship of a cross becoming a gun."" The 20 person band claims it will upkeep its orchestra sound, but has enlisted John Congleton, a member of the punk band Paper Chase, as the producer. According to singer/songwriter Tim DeLaughter on the band's blog, the songs will also be tweaked by Steve Albini, who has worked with Pixies and Nirvana. Certainly the Polyphonic Spree's celebratory manner will be adapting to a more intense, rock sound. The band plans to post rough mixes of some of the recordings from The Fragile Army on its blog for fans to listen to and comment on before the album is released.
—Carrie Lorig
The Raconteurs, Broken Boy Soldiers
Formed by Jack White of the White Stripes and fellow Detroit rocker Brendan Benson, The Raconteurs release their debut album, Broken Boy Soldiers, May 16 and will appear at Lollapalooza in August. The Raconteurs are rounded out by the rhythm section of Jack Lawrence on bass and Patrick Keeler on drums from The Greenhornes, a Cincinnati garage band. If lead single ""Steady, As She Goes"" and ""Store Bought Bones"" are any indication, the Raconteurs are going to be a band to be reckoned with this summer.
It is exciting to hear White backed by such a solid rhythm section, and the tunes are a perfect mix of White Stripes/Greenhornes garage rock and Benson's pop sensibility. ""Steady, As She Goes"" is catchy and simple, while ""Store Bought Bones"" is the most satisfying, bluesy romp of a rocker this side of Led Zeppelin. The Raconteurs are coming on strong.
— Stephen Dierks
Three Days Grace, One X
If they hate everything about you, why do they love you? Perhaps Three Days Grace will answer this timeless rhetorical question when their follow-up album—One X—drops June 13. Anyone who appreciates hard rock would admit to having a 3DG song stuck in their head at some point in time, and the first single off of One X, ""Animal I Have Become,"" is a sure hit.
If you are (understandably) unable to deal with the suspense, simply visit www.threedaysgrace.com, and when the thumping bass line kicks in, get ready to hum the melody for the next six weeks until the CD's release. 3DG jumpstarted their headline tour with Staind last month. Make sure to catch them at The Rave in Milwaukee May 21 for a sneak preview of their album.
—Alex Pacheco\
