Rounding up the last of the January releases ... not by released date but by the date they entered WMBR's music library. This sampler turned out quite well, I especially enjoy it in the car.

1. Lily Allen - "Everything's Just Wonderful"
UK hitmaker finally lands on our shores. Upbeat but cynical tune doesn't provide much of a worldview but then again I wasn't exactly exepecting much beyond some catchy narcissistic introspection. Played 2/3/07.

2. Apples In Stereo - "Same Old Drag"
The multiple mentions of Joanie make this a must on the show. Played on 2/3/07, expect it to be used as a closer. For a comeback album they're in top form, as addictive as Fun Trick Noisemaker.

3. The Channels - "Through Your Teeth"
The local band with the "The" not the DC band without. Some reasonably interesting lo-fi pop here. Played 2/3/07.

4. Fujiya & Miyagi - "Transparent Things"
The latest in the blips and chirps division of indie pop. They're from the UK not Japan and there's 3 of them not 2. This stuff can get very samey on a full-length.

5. New Young Pony Club - "Ice Cream"
Another solid release on Modular, dance-pop/electro all the way with some dispassionate female vocals making double-entrendre sexual come-ons. Needless to say it works well for me. Played 1/25/07.

6. Maps of Norway - "Traffic"
Doing the 80's retro-rock thing but not very new-wavey - thicker and darker but not very gothy either. Arena indie-rock perhaps? Spun something by them on 1/25/07, doubt I'll get back to it again.

7. The Faintest Ideas - "Dexter's Got A Sinister Heart"
Melding some pop-punk idears with early 90's indie-pop for a fun pastiche that may have made the K or Kill Rock Stars roster back in the late 90's. Instead it's from Sweden and for the Magic Marker of today! Spun on 1/25/07.

8. Bloodthirsty Butchers - "Waking Up Is Hard To Do"
From a split ep on Teenbeat with +/- covering this Japanese band and the Butchers returning the favor. As much as I adore +/- I'd say they got the worst of the matchup.

9. Dr. Dog - "Old News"
Philly beard and wooly hat band shed some of the jam leanings on their first and throw in some very solid production. Strongly reminiscent of early 70's country rock with some soul leanings in there as well. Played this on 2/3/07, fit in well on Christopher Vyce's Lost & Found the same day.

10. Backyard Tire Fire - "Don't Know What To Do"
Alt-country, that moodier Richmond Fontaine vein of the genre. Production was a little listless for my tastes. I believe Bernhardt spun these guys 2/4/07, as for me ... I might & I might not.

11. The Woods - "Night Creature"
The only tune I really liked on this one, though repeated exposure has increased my affection. A lo-fi folk-as-in-new-folk-not-the-BUR-stuff duo that definitely sounds like a basement confection, spare yet cohesive.

12. Winterpills - "Handkerchiefs"
Local indie-pop band whose late-05 release made my best of disc last year. Their songs take a little time to build but really grab once they get some momentum. Nothing as spectacular as the last one but still quite lovely. Played on 2/3/07.

13. Lovers - "Perpentual Motion, Perpetual Sound"
Hey, they're back! This is not as sweetly pop as their previous releases, almost sounding like a solo release for the singer. Similar to the Emily Haynes solo disc but not as strong vocally and quite a bit more despondent.

14. Catherine Howe - "On A Misty Morning"
Re-issue of an early 70's short-run LP, her label sank before full distribution commenced. Young British actress doing the emotional folk with full-strings thing, dated but several songs still pack the punch.

15. Warm In The Wake - "Good King"
Mining that early 70's soft-rock sound with a bale of hay thrown in for a slightly country-leaning sound. This tune is the most authentic sounding of the bunch, we'll see if it finds its way on the air.

16. The Frames - "The Side You Never Get To See"
Ireland's favourite sons with a new one, much slicker production that previous efforts. Sounding very emotional now, though it was never a problem for them before I admit. Quite captivating at times. Aired this on 1/25/07.

17. Emily Grogan - "Restless Souls"
Local singer who doesn't really fit into the BoC program as it's going for a more AAA old school Carole King sound. I'm still diggin it quite a bit and will probably find a way to fit it in.

18. The Three Bells - "Over And Over Again"
From a station purchase of a RPM girl groups comp. Great little do-I-or-don't-I-love-him 60's tune, sounding as if the fate of the world rests on her decision.

19. The Caution Curves - "Malgorzata"
Heard Patrick spin this on Subject to Change 1/27/07 and was immediately taken. Not standard BoC fare, lead singer sounds like a less coherent Life Without Buildings as she screeches and stutters her way through the song. I believe she's alternately attempting to say "Yes" and "no" in a rapid fire staccato fashion while instruments collide behind her. Will definitely play.

20. Big Sir - "Saxophone"
M83 side project that has a few reasonable tunes in the electropop vein, played a different song on 2/3/07.

21. Rosyvelt - "Hook"
Straight up and down indie rock that is unlikely to get spun as the production gives it very little weight.

22. Central Services - "Fun (While It Lasted)"
A song about November, how can I resist? Seattle WA pop group with some jangly thoughts in their genes. Played on 2/3/07.

23. Bishop Allen - "Clementines"
The monthly ep's keep arriving, so far there's only been one duff month which is a huge credit to these guys. I bet by the end they were severly doubting themselves and the whole idea, but I applaud. Closed the 1/25/07 show with this tune, one of their more sweeping and dramatic songs.

24. The Good, The Bad & The Queen - "Nature Springs"
Latest supergroup from the UK, members of Blur & The Clash and others I forget here. Despite the pedigree this is a rather quiet and moody release, the songs wash rather than rinse.