Hospitality
“Hospitality”
Release Number: Debut
Hailing From: Brooklyn, NY
Genre: Indie Pop
Label: Merge Records

The term “indie pop” is one of the least descriptive genre names in music. These two abbreviated words tell a listener that A) the band belongs to an independent record label or is unsigned, and B) that their music follows the conventions of pop music tradition. This does not say much about a band’s sound, and yet countless bands are given this label. While it doesn’t help a beginner listener choose what he or she might be interested in, perhaps the label of “indie pop” motivates some bands to be more creative, avoiding gimmicks but still creating a sound that separates them from the rest. Clearly not every “indie pop” artist rises up to that challenge and some change their sound drastically. But others set out to refine and perfect the “indie pop” sound; Belle and Sebastian, Camera Obscura, and Teenage Fanclub are just a few such bands that have produced nearly-timeless pop albums and yet do not sound derivative. Brooklyn-based Hospitality might soon join that group. On their eponymous debut album, the band shows that they have the all chops to be included in such esteemed company, but aren’t there just yet.
Click here to read the full review.

First Aid Kit
“The Lion’s Roar”
Hailing From: Sweden
Release Number: 2nd Full Length Album
Genre: Indie Folk
Label: Wichita

First Aid Kit is composed of Swedish sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg.  The band got their start in 2007 with the release of their first demo.  Much like many bands today, First Aid Kit acquired more recognition through their YouTube videos, predominantly their cover of Fleet Foxes’ “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song”.   The group released their first full length album, “The Big Black & The Blue”, in 2010.  In early 2011, the group performed with Bright Eyes, a collaboration which may have led to Mike Mogis, of Bright Eyes, producing “The Lion’s Roar”. The acquisition of Mogis to the team has definitely proven to be a great addition and has offered the group a more polished sound with this new release. Whatever combination the Söderberg sisters have going is definitely working for them.
Click here to read the full review.

Tune in later today (February 16th) at 3pm to hear a live interview with of Montreal member Dottie Alexander.

We had Dottie Alexander from of Montreal with us on the air earlier.  Stay tuned for a post containing the full interview.

of Montreal recently released their new album Paralytic Stalks on Polyvinyl Records and are on tour for the next few months.

To find a show near you, check here.

Here are the Top 30 Albums at WTSR for the Week Ending 2/12/2011!
(Listed by Artist then Album Title)

1 PORCELAIN RAFT Strange Weekend
2 JEZABELS Prisoner
3 BRITE FUTURES Dark Past
4 GOOD FIELD Good Field
5 SUBMARINES The Shoelaces
6 BIG DEAL Lights Out
7 OF MONTREAL Paralytic Stalks
8 SUMMER CAMP Welcome To Condale
9 FRáNCOIS AND THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS E Volo Love
10 ASTEROIDS GALAXY TOUR Out Of Frequency
Click here to see the full list.

Here are the Top 30 Albums at WTSR for the Week Ending 12/4/2011!
(Listed by Artist then Album Title)

1    FIRST AID KIT    The Lion’s Roar
2    LOS CAMPESINOS!    Hello Sadness
3    CATE LE BON     Cyrk
4    ASTEROIDS GALAXY TOUR    Out Of Frequency
5    SUMMER CAMP    Welcome To Condale
6    WISE BLOOD    These Wings
7    PTERODACTYL    Spills Out
8    I, A MAN    Fifteen Thirty Three
9    GUIDED BY VOICES    Let’s Go Eat The Factory
10    JESSIE BAYLIN    Little Spark
Click here to see the full list.