Hello hello hi to you and y’all from sampler central as we roll out anther octofecta of mildly interesting tunes for those who don’t cotton to name brands

Scan The Skies

Fool’s Gold – Soooo … remember last week when I namedropped the Talking Heads album Naked? Just pretend you did. Well, the real Nothing But Flowers moment rises here with this LA area side project that pays homage to cod African world music with this sinuous selection.

Taken By Trees – Never really liked the voice of the lead singer of the Concretes, so transitioning it into a less poppy more moody atmosphere doesn’t sound like a recipe for addiction does it? Nah not really, though occasionally she skips out on the moody murk and finds a rhythm or two to proffer.

Early Day Miners – Quite simply the friendliest Early Day Miners record ever. Much like a terrier leaping at the door for your attention as opposed to the shy basset hound style of their previous efforts, this album wants to be liked Liked LIKED!!! It’ll make you wonder if their bunker of Quaaludes suddenly ran dry. Or perhaps we can blame it on a woman …

Dodos – Last year’s favorite fractured fairy tale felt no need for consistency in tone or execution, this year’s model flies the friendly skies with consistency as its hallmark. Not too shabby, but the highs and lows have been counterbalanced into a pleasant pop pot pie. Better than Modest Mouse if you really needed to ask.

Nurses – OTOH, here’s the uneven release of the bunch aiming for an earlier generation of indie movie engorgers complete with awkward stares and meet cute memes. Feels like a demo that tentatively fleshed itself out at about 3am with an energy drink infusion, can’t fault them for needing some extra liquid to wet the whistle.

Apricot Rail – This group is more Australia than trout for the song title of the week winner. Otherwise it refutes its expeditious intentions with a sly lazy soundtrack feel more worthy of Temporary Residence than Flying Nun … or uh should that be Candle? Don’t want to offend nobody down there?

Wye Oak – Izzit we or why before the oak? Regardless they’re at least more proficient than She & Him and probably a damn sight cuter too if they wouldn’t wear such baggy clothes and show some skin. Actually the guy looks like the tech manager at my office but at least the girl has the good sense to hang out at skee ball parlors and such.

Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs – Their cover album exercises are rife with extremely clever choices and consequently doomed by mildly disappointing execution. Case in point, this largely unheralded genius slice of power pop surges in its original Todd Rundgren form, and therefore just about any cover version simply can’t match its infectious verve. But extra points for trying …