It’s not every day you hear a band criticize Congresswoman Olympia Snowe in a song. The moderate Republican usually scores high marks from liberals, but then Appomattox is no moderate band. The power trio – one of the best live bands in town – is taking pop music’s ultra-digestable format and cramming politically charged lyrics head-on down its throat. A welcome change from the usually passive temperament of modern pop, this band has found a way to stand out amongst Brooklyn’s crowded backdrop by turning the form on its head and back to its roots as a countercultural force for change. But don’t worry, singer/guitarist Nick Gaynier makes the medicine go down easy. With incredibly catchy hooks and dub-soaked vocals, you’ll easily forget the politically charged backdrop in chants like "Where’d the money come from?" in ‘Speculators.’ The entire 5 song EP (Appmttx) could be mistaken for a less vitriolic groups’ output like The Chameleons, until you hear what’s really going on and realize a closer kinship could be made to Gang of Four’s political spirit. Check out new single Radiator (streaming below), in which our singer extends his rage toward an anonymous Julia, in a way you wish he was talking about you. They just played with Joe Lally from Fugazi at Knitting Factory. Sorry if you missed it, but don’t worry… these proletariat punks aren’t leaving NYC anytime soon. – Mike Levine (@goldnuggets)

New York’s Revolving One, a relatively young band playing modern rock with pop influences, was founded by a brother and sister team, Mario Mendieta on guitar and Deb Mendieta on vocals, and formed only last summer. The quintet released their debut, “Love or Another Kind of Hunger EP”, in September. The band’s material rotates through a variety of emotions, offering a little something for everyone’s good and bad days. Opening track, upbeat and moody “Lonely Man,” blends delay guitar riffs reminiscent of The Edge with a radio friendly melody, and transitions into the band’s sentimental single, “Lucky,” characterized by airy vocals and chiming guitars. “Out to Get Me”, our favorite track, is a straight ahead pop-rock tune with a bubbly verse that builds into a super-catchy chorus, while “Our Days” takes down the tempo to a gentle ballad. Rounding out the record, “Midnight Lies” channels a sinister side and exposes a more aggressive instrumental approach. Catch Revolving One for the holidays at Kenny’s Castaways on December 23. – Meijin Bruttomesso

Keyboard player/programmer Stephanie Brown may hail from New Zealand, but there’s definitely some kind of nordic component in her music. After performing for 3 years in a blues band, in 2010 she started working on a solo project that’s not bluesy at all: Lips. She recently released some really good new tracks that are somewhat reminiscent of Oh Land (but darker) or Bjork (but less orchestrated). We are really enjoying in particular the track streaming below, entitled "Ghost and Demons". Lips played Spike Hill last Saturday, check the band’s bandcamp profile for upcoming shows.

Layers of vintage synths and buzzy analog bass lines are the new background to the smooth soulful voice of Kurt Feldman in his post-Depreciation Guild project The Ice Choir. More "passionate" than songs from the previous now defunct act, the just released new track “Two Rings” presents lyrical references to “obsidian” and “black rain”, keeping everything just mysterious enough for the dream pop genre. Kurt has masterfully encompassed the influences of New Order’s “Every-time-I-see-you-falling” (take me back to my swirling alternative rock disco dance music days!), but he is actually a much better singer than Bernard Sumner ever was. Not completely rejecting guitars, there is a sweet and slithery solo that emerges just past the three minute mark and runs under the final bits of vocals up to the end. With this new direction coming out of the NY music scene, one has to wonder if a “Dead or Alive” or “Haysi Fantaysee” revival will be next? The new 7" single is out today via Shelflife joined by the b-side track "The Ice Choir." On Friday November 18th, the band will celebrate this release at The Cake Shop. – Dave Cromwell