Goodnight Loving
Crooked Lake
(Dusty Medical)
When I first listened to this record, I knew what I was hearing was familiar, but couldn't quite place it. Thank God I now know that the music of Goodnight Loving is generally referred to as "cow punk," a hybrid of country twang and punk. It's great to listen to head-bopping, foot-tapping music that doesn't wear you out, and this Milwaukee-bred band serves up a nice dish of down-home country rock that's fun and refreshingly down-to-earth. Check out "Latter 20th Century Apocalyptic Blues," if for no other reason than its brilliant title. —Brianna Snyder
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The New Pornographers
Challengers
(Matador)
How is it that a band like Canada's New Pornographers—made up as it is of respected pop songwriting savants—could create a record that isn't excellent? The band may have over-polished everything here on their latest, which is pristine, but somehow largely joyless. Challengers is not classic, despite the clear evocations of and debts to the Beatles and the Pixies. These tunesmiths probably write pop songs in five-beat time ("Mutiny, I Promise You") better than anyone—but this record is still a bit hollow in comparison to the band's majestic 2005 release, Twin Cinema. —John Adamian
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Dax Riggs
We Sing of Only Blood or Love
(Fat Possum)
The title says it all. With elements of mid-'90s alterna-rock, Dax Riggs could pass for the grunge and post-grunge sounds of Soundgarden, Bush or STP. Riggs also works through gritty blues, bruising sludge, dark dramatic goth and retro glam. With dramatic little flashes of soulful and aching vibrato in his singing, Riggs does an excellent driving rock cover of Richard Thompson's "The Wall of Death." The solemnity, gravity and force of Dax Riggs is a refreshing, if very 1996, change of pace. Even with its curious anachronisms, this is a satisfying record —John Adamian
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The Go! Team
Proof of Youth
(Domino)
The Go! Team made a splash on the indie music scene a couple of years ago. Their quick, uppity songs sound like they're recorded at a pep rally for the apocalypse. On their second disc they do the unthinkable: they hone their charmingly chaotic proclivities into an even tighter sound and at the same time expand the noise of the previous record. The songs are more melodic and streamlined, while at the same time sounding even more over-stuffed and arena-ready. It adds up to a very fun musical experience. —Drew Taylor
