Some things in this world are simply too beautiful and unique to invite comparison. You may be thinking of your first love, the passing of a comet, deep-fried Oreos or Britney Spears, but let me point you in the direction of Jaggery, a Boston-based musical ensemble that blurs the boundaries between genres and takes its audience on a happily delirious, and wholly unpredictable, jaunt through them all.

On November 13th Jaggery will release their latest EP “Private Violence” which was inspired by Truman Capote’s profile of notorious murderer Perry Smith in his book "In Cold Blood."  Vocalist and songwriter Singer Mali puts herself in the bloody shoes of “someone who did something terrible,” weaving together songs of abuse, confusion and hopelessness in a world that doesn’t forgive mistakes. These feelings are fleshed out with art rock’s most innovative and riveting instrumentation, augmenting Mali’s soaring voice and haunting piano with delicate harp, polyrhythmic West African-inspired percussion, prepared upright bass and a viola’s rich tenor and glissando. Together they redefine modern art-rock music, shifting effortlessly from hard-boiled jazz ballads to old-world folk refrains and tortured chamber music propelled by driving drum rhythms.

Check out teaser track “No Sympathy” streaming below for a deliciously greasy preview of the killer tunes (pun definitely intended) to come! A CD release party is in the works for Boston, and a miniature tour of the Northeast will follow, so stay tuned to their website for details. If there is one show to see this year, my money is on this one. Don’t miss out! – Dean Shakked

I’m not sure that any band’s name so perfectly describes a band’s sound better than Earthquake Party!, a three-piece noise-rock outfit from Boston. “Pretty Little Hand,” off the band’s three-track “vs. Pizza” album, is the exact combination of chaos and celebration. In case you are already planning a party for the Roland Emmerich-style apocalypse happening later this year, Earthquake Party! are here to provide the soundtrack. The band will bring its high-energy sound back home with a show at the Middlesex Lounge on September 4th. Watch the video for “Pretty Little Hand” below. – Josh Johnson

"Pretty Little Hand" by Earthquake Party! from loroto on Vimeo.

Is Stockholm syndrome so wrong? Prepare to be held for ransom by thick, grisly riffage and tales from the future-punk Odyssey. Connecticut’s shape-shifting aggro-prog outfit Hostage Calm have announced the drop date of their second LP, “Please Remain Calm,” which will hit the streets October 9th thanks to the fellas at Boston’s Run For Cover Records. Unhappy to settle on any one sonic definition, Hostage Calm are a slithering and regenerative Hydra of complex rock flavors with an undercurrent of East Bay punk rage, harkening equally to Pavement, Tom Petty and Rancid while remaining unfamiliar and fresh. With a grandiosity and panache rarely seen since the days of arena rawk and vinyl leggings, each track on “Please Remain Calm” reflects on the illusion of time and the absence of right and wrong – there is only creation.

Hostage Calm will be touring with Into It. Over It. on their first full tour from October 17 to 31, and then flying right back out the door in support of Streetlight Manifesto on the Always Almost Home Tour. Don’t miss them when they come through Boston and New York on November 24 and 25! Listen to the band’s debut album streaming below. – Dean Shakked

Boston’s Cowgill, named after lead singer and guitarist Paul Cowgill, have built up quite a following in their hometown. That following has recently expanded due to the six-piece band’s first major tour, which hit Brooklyn, Chicago, and Washington DC. In addition to their extensive touring, Cowgill released their debut album, "Side One of Planted," which features five songs that show off all of the band’s different influences. Read on to learn more about Cowgill’s name, future albums, and the Boston music scene. And if none of that interests you, there are also masturbation jokes, so there’s something for everybody.

Read the full interview here.

Earlier this month, Boston’s Abadabad released a new single entitled “All The Bros Say.” The guitars shimmer, the vocals float, and the entire song breezes across your ears as you desperately hold on to the last remaining month of summer. Since you’ll have this song immediately stuck in your head, Abadabad were kind enough to schedule a show August 27th at T.T. the Bear’s Place. That way you can shout “Get the hell out of my car” in unison with a group of people who also have become addicted to one of Boston’s rising bands. The band’s debut EP, “The Wild,” comes out September 11th. Stream “All The Bros Say” below. – Josh Johnson

 "Words & Tricks" is the debut release from young Boston-area songwriter James Roseman. The album signifies a more than good start.  Largely an acoustic pop sound, Roseman demonstrates allegiance to his role models (e.g. his Postal Service cover) and an ear for catchy melody, but his musical versatility is clear. “Words & Tricks” is an endearing, homey project with Roseman playing multiple instruments, each track delivered in an exploratory and sometimes rough-cut style. Still, as he’ll be the first to tell you, it’s all about the process.  I’d like to think this means we’ll be hearing more from him in the future. 

Read the full interview here.

Ready, set, bong! Get your fuzzed-out munchies on and prepare to receive the latest rips from Connecticut beach-punk outfit High Pop who just released their second full-length record “Hip Hip Hooray” on August 2nd. Endless foamy waves of guitar crash and swirl against the pulsating and overdriven bass, creating a broken sky of shimmering reverb clouds that hang lazily like stale smoke in the back of a speeding panel van. It’s the Dead Kennedys doing their best Beach Boys impression on April 20th. If you think you can jive with this turkey then head over to their Bandcamp and pay what you will – support underground artists and labels! You may have caught them last week on a very short and sweet tour with label mates The Guru and The Hiya Dunes, but if not then keep your ears aimed to the basements and you’ll hear it when High Pop cough their way back into town. – Dean Shakked

Boston folk band and recent NE Band of the Month nominee (polls open through August 17th) Tallahassee is holding a mini festival to raise money for their next album. The “Talla-Galla Fund Raiser” takes place August 17th and 18th with a Tallahassee headlining show at TT the Bear’s Place and a Tallahassee carnival at the Heartbeat Collective, respectively. So if you want to hear a follow-up to 2011’s excellent “Jealous Hands,” then you’ll find yourself right at home at the Talla-Galla this weekend. Check out the event’s trailer, and stream “Jealous Hands” below. – Josh Johnson

Tallahassee’s TALLA-GALLA Fund Raiser- Aug 17/18 from Tallahassee on Vimeo.

The word “eclectic” doesn’t even begin to describe the music of Boston’s Strange Changes. The eight-piece band, led by singer/guitarist/chief songwriter Tom Dowd, combines elements of classical, jazz, metal, and pop into one totally unique sound. Deli readers have recognized the band’s talent, and Strange Changes was voted one of June’s Artists of the Month here at the Deli New England. In this interview, Dowd talked about the band’s influences, past and future releases, and the Boston music scene. Strange Changes will celebrate the release of their debut full-length album, “I Want You,” with a hometown release show at The Middle East October 5th.

Read the full interview here.

Get psyched for the latest bundle of tie-dyed sing-along rawk from Beantown favorites Mean Creek who are preparing to drop their second full-length album, “Youth Companion,” on October 16 via Old Flame Records. The dazzling twin-vocal ballroom dance of singer-guitarists Chris Keene and Aurore Ounjian blends sinuously with the Norse thunder created by bassist Erik Wormwood and drummer Mikey Holland, yet the music swells endlessly like a vast ocean of reverb. Anthemic, regal Band of Horses-style mood rock meets the overripe and unbridled energy of the Pixies. Catch the album’s first single, “Young & Wild,” streaming below, and if you missed them at the Paradise last week then head to their Bandcamp for a few things to tide you over until they come back home. – Dean Shakked

On August 9th, Boston four-piece Dan Webb and the Spiders will officially release their split 7” with Beach Party. Webb’s side of the single will feature three (yes three) new songs from the Spiders, which in it of itself is an achievement. It probably helps that most of the band’s songs are under two minutes, but Webb and his boys pack a hell of a lot into those two minutes. Just take a listen to “No Country,” which is 114 seconds of pure rock n’ roll. The band will celebrate the release with an August 9th show at Cambridge club The Middle East. Stream “No Country” below. – Josh Johnson

Tomorrow, August 4th, Beverly, MA will hold the River “Music Matters” festival at Lynch Park. The free outdoor festival is being staged in order to benefit music in Beverly public schools. Among the bands playing will be Boston’s own Air Traffic Controller, who released their second album, “NORDO,” in June. “NORDO” is filled top-to-bottom with persistently happy and bouncy indie-pop. Even when lead singer Dave Munro sings, “I’m so miserable” like he does on “Pick Me Up,” the song still contains an underlying feeling that everything will turn out all right. ATC is a band sure to explode, so be sure to check them out for free while you still can. “Pick Me Up” is streaming below. – Josh Johnson