Fans of Destroyer now have a songwriter from NYC to call their own. Singing of the sticky situations that lead singer Leo Maymind finds himself in, the record ‘Gold Fools’ is a hypnagogic journey of competing influences, one half vintage synth wilderness, one half driving rock riffs. For their debut record, Spanish Prisoners ratchets their response to these influences up with the torrid journey of ‘Rich Blood,’ and personal favorite ‘Los Angeles Guitar Dream.’ This band’s washy vibe will leave its ‘tremolo-haze symphonies’ (their words…) on that vulnerable sweet spot of yours found right between the headphones. See them when they get back from tour to play Cameo Gallery April 1st.

MP3: Spanish Prisoners – Los Angeles Guitar Dream

This band submitted their music for review digitally here.

From the moment the ear buds dock and Friend Roulette’s ‘Sailing Song’ came up; I found I was already climbing mountains and working my way across unfamiliar canyons. There’s a perfectly hummable sentiment somewhere in this song that keeps working its way back to the surface, but only after first progressing through all manner of uneven meter changes, brass fanfare and incidental thematic adventure. At times stepping boldly into a space usually exclusive to the imagination of score composers like Danny Elfman, the group essentially writes Baroque pop pieces for an imagined Brechtian musical, casting its talented singer/songwriters Julia Tepper and Matthew Meade as the show’s unlikely protagonists.

After moving through so much landscape, you might think it reasonable that you’d eventually get a good idea about how this band operates. But the more I listen to Roulette, the less sure I am of where the genre’s fault lines are drawn. And it doesn’t help that the vocals are surrounded by generous portions of airy synth playing and legato violin bowing. So I’ve concluded one should only expect to approach the band’s after-hours sound while sifting through a thick haze of fog and mystery. Like an old Noir film, Friend Roulette never gives away the plot, but the distinct pleasure of discovering their dreamy Cabaret texture is enough to keep your ears duly occupied during the journey. – Mike Levine (@goldnuggets)

This band submitted their music for review digitally here.

Happy New Year (who made our 2011 Best of NYC list of Emerging Artists) doesn’t worry about making a mess; things will work themselves out eventually. In the opener to her two-track EP ‘Twins,’ singer/songwriter/noise-maker Eleanor Logan allows a deep bed of noise to envelope her airy vocals entirely for a good minute and a half prior to the drums kicking in. But once things get going, her works take on a life all their own. Like in her latest 7-inch, where the artist seems to drown in a warm bed of synths and buzzing guitars before the bass drum reaches out to pull the song forward, and Happy New Year forges a path all on her own. – Mike Levine

Reptar, as defined by Wikipedia, is “a fictional character from the American animated series Rugrats.” He’s a color-changing Godzilla who, depending on the occasion, is either out to save the world or destroy it. Similarly, the band Reptar is a force to be reckoned with, a furious dance party whirlwind fiasco which, depending on your level of immersion, may either save your world or demolish it. These guys will headline (together with Body Language) The Deli’s UN/OFF party in Austin on Thursday March 15, at Gypsy Lounge (1504 E 6th St), FULL LINEUP HERE. Do not miss! Read BrokeMC full feature about the band here.

If you’re a fan at all of Beck’s ‘Sea Change,’ you’ll no doubt find a familiar place with Aaron Roche’s string arrangements and hypnotic croon. But what you won’t be prepared for is how many instruments and textures Roche brings to the table. Given to elevating pop tricks to a high art sensibility, tracks like ‘Cyclocardorary’ and the haunting murkiness of ‘Death is all Around’ from new record “!BlurMyEyes” place Roche in the company of John Cale and R. Stevie Moore, artists elevating the usual pop canvas to a spiritual dimension.

I have yet to find a picture of Highly Suspect with their shirts on. With their blend of summertime hooks worthy of late-era Incubus, I guess this shore readiness is well-suited. The slow skank verse and distorted hook hum in songs like ‘The Alligator Song’ and ‘Gang Lion’ were practically made for an MTV spring break jam, but the rock trio’s lush tenor harmonies reveal an appreciation for subtler moments and the occasional lift to a loftier plane. And did I mention they have no shirts?

Mike Levine (@goldnuggets)

MP3: Highly Suspect – The Alligator Song

This band submitted their music for review digitally here.

Since we were talking about apocalypse (see previous post)… Fresh from last week video premiere at Glasslands Gallery in Brooklyn, here is local Electro-Pop band Kitten Berry Crunch‘s bloody and hilarious new music video for "Dead Kitten Dance Party!" This cat-masked rave horror parody was directed by Brooklynite Brett Herman. Kitten Berry Crunch’s next show will be at Matchless in Williamsburg on Friday March 30t. The band just finished mixing their new EP with Eric Broucek (!!!, The Holy Ghost!, The Juan Maclean, DFA Records). – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here). The Deli’s NYC Open Blog is powered by The Music Building and APS Mastering.

Adam Thorsen is some kind of a novel Matt Johnson (of The The memory) who combines synthesized machine melodies, a soulful voice, and live percussion by Chris Davies, in his sophisticated electro a-pop-calyptic style. Check out the single "Our Own Rhythm," streaming below. – (as posted in The Deli’s Open Blog – post your band’s entries, videos, and Mp3s here). The Deli’s NYC Open Blog is powered by The Music Building and APS Mastering.

Stepping out of their roles as supporting musicians, drummer Sam Levin (Sea Sick, R Stevie Moore) and guitarist/vocalist Indigo Street (Jolie Holland, Gregory Sauner of Deer Hoof) have a new project called Shy Hunters. Their tracks which showcase a keen sense of songwriting at work: "Time Bomb" emphasizes tomahawk drum stomps as rhythmic base, while alternating spoken word and sung vocals are further enhanced via multiple guitar textures. "Stained Glass House" (streaming below) sticks with this musical formula of a structured drum pattern providing sole rhythmic foundation, while vocal melodies soar along complimentary guitar lines, creating a more relaxed and "conducive" atmosphere. Don’t miss Shy Hunters at the Bell House on April 7th. – Dave Cromwell

Delicate Steve isn’t your typical band. The beat of their music has the power to force you to sing along, despite the lack of words. The way Steve plays his guitar is melodic in nature, providing a faux-voice track for his feel-good, exotic sounding tracks. “Afria Talks to You” is Delicate Steve’s latest tune (stream it here), from the sophomore album "Positive Force" that’s coming out May 15. His previous CD, "Wondervisions" was acknowledged by the media and the blogs (Deli included) for its unique qualities. After touring lots last year, Steve and his band will head down to perform their new songs at SXSW ’12 – The Deli booked them last year down in Asutin. – Christine Cauthen