Chill dronologists Crinkles have chosen to release their EP Italian Ice in the dead of winter 9one year ago).  Strangely enough, the EP channels neither summer nor winter, but rather the crisp air of early fall… where, if there were actually trees in my neighborhood, there would be crunchy (crinkly!) leaves upon which to tread. Influenced by Brian Jonestown Massacre and contemporary of Ducktails, Crinkles have a smooth, albeit unpolished approach to this mellow, lo-fi psych-pop genre commonly referred to as "chill wave". Their take on it is characterized by more complexity in the arrangement department and a (way) above the average attention to guitar sonics – this record features a rather impressive "vocabulary" of great sounding guitar tones. Vocals are raw with feeling, layered, but still thin, as if stretched to the breaking point by thought and emotion. See the band live on December first at Shea Stadium. Check their bandcamp for more details, and for digital download of the EP. -allison levin

New Jersey based group Only Living Boy bring back that sound bred in the 90s when some grunge artists rediscovered the power of blues (think early Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Temple of the Dog). The band just ended a 30 date nationwide tour supporting its sophomore album “Hide Nothing”. The band’s songs, filled with bluesy guitar riffs, heavy driving bass lines and raw vocals, have also been in rotation at more than 200 radio stations, while their latest video for “I Hear Music” has been popping up in several blogs across the nation. Only Living Boy will be playing at The Mercury Lounge on Nov. 29th and Feb. 8th at Bowery Electric in NYC. – Christine Cauthen

Schizophrenic Queens, NY quintet Fall of the Albatross serve up a soulful smorgasbord of eclectic heaviness as heard on their six-track 26-minute excursion ENTANGLEMENT. Fusing mind-blowing funk, smooth jazz, headstrong progressive rock and blistering technical metal into a surprisingly tidy package, this troupe of versatile musicians exhibit an adept ability to seamlessly shift styles despite their ADD-riddled nuances (“Mace”) to comprise cohesive songs that captivate the senses (“Enjoy Yo’Self”). Not just another band that mixes a few elements of different music together to form their own sound, Fall of the Albatross intertwines an arsenal of wise beyond their years musical knowledge and prowess together to form a jawdropping listening experience custom made for the adventurous ear.  Mike SOS

I have a hard time believing that a bunch of (presumably) smart kids from Brooklyn decided to name their band "Friends". That is the least "searcheable" band name in history (together with that other band called "My Favorite",) and I wasted about 47 seconds (!!!) trying to find their Facebook page. To their credit though it must be said that it doesn’t look like the name thing is getting in the way of their rise in popularity. Friends is currently recording their debut album, but they released this video of the single "I’m His Girl" in October. They recently toured the US and have a bunch of UK dates booked in February. Their funky, sexy psych-hop formula – reminiscent of a weird combination of Santigold and Chairlift – has tons of seducing power. They’ll be opening for Oh Land on December 10 and 11, don’t miss!

You’re not gonna want to miss this show on December 4th at Arlene’s Grocery, organized by Deli intern Amanda  Check it:

Brooklyn’s Sea Monsters (in the picture) are a trio that make rockin’, awesome unabashedly in yo’ face punk music. The bros make an awesome, lo-fi brand of music that is poppy without being too annoyingly poppy and discusses the fun things in life: sex, love, and having fun.

NYC duo Indian Rebound have in The Deli’s radar recently, with their signature brand of dreamy, showstopping indie rock jams. The band is currently working on new tracks, with their most current single, “So Strange” available on their bandcamp.

Ski Lodge is the newest project from Andrew Marr, a former member of the Clementines. Marr’s music is the perfect feel-good music: dance-worthy, jangly indie pop tunes that instantly make your day better (trust me, they’ve made my past week better). His EP is out now on Dovecote records.

On the bill also Florida based psychedelic indie pop duo Sunbears!

This year the folks at DROM NYC are making a list and checking it twice for their first annual Holiday Jamboree party on December 18. So far, on their list are some great NYC artists, like Jennifer Logue (in the picture), The Wellington Papers, The Shake, The Young Things, and Danny Ross, as well as a few internationally renowned dance troupes, an emcee, and a late-night dance party that’s sure to make you break a sweat and cleanse the naughty side right out of you, just in time for the holidays. To hitch a ride and ensure your spot on the Holiday Jamboree sleigh, visit their website and RSVP on facebook. Tickets are $10 and for extra “nice list” insurance all proceeds go to NY Cares Winter Wishes Program that delivers toys to 32,000 underprivileged children in the NY area. – Tuesday Phillips

Creeping towards their ten year anniversary, Parts & Labor’s industrious tone of yesteryear rings a new truth and sincerity in these dire times of economic need and greed. Their music is the love child of everything from the fear of Y2K to the frenetic electro rock explosion that has taken over the world.
Members Dan Friel, B.J. Warshaw, and Joe Wong remember the days before Williamsburg became the swank Upper West Side of Brooklyn, gigging extensively in the area to support their music and label, Cardboard Records. Parts & Labor have released five full length albums and a ton of 7” compilations – and graced the cover of The Deli in 2007. Their latest release, “Constant Future” is meticulously produced, but they maintain their fuzzy experimental roots with louder than Zeus power chord choruses layered with Dan Friel’s haunting vocal work.
Parts & Labor plan to take a hiatus after a string of ongoing shows in Brooklyn, each replicating live one of their albums. On December 16th they will be playing tracks from their 2006 release, “Stay Afraid” at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn with Pterodactyl. February 24th is the 10th anniversary fest at 285 Kent Ave. where they will be playing with other bands that came out of the Williamsburg scene in the sketchy time after the turn of the new millennium: Oneida, Talk Normal, and more to be announced. – Ed Guardaro (@wangtungchufu)

Brooklyn folk-rock veteran Toby Goodshank, a member of NYC bands Double Deuce, the Tri-Lambs, and the Moldy Peaches has released a new album "Truth Jump Fall" in early october. The album, which was released October 18th via Toby’s bandcamp, features beautiful acoustic tracks like “Sara and Jon” that showcase Goodshank’s signature, piercing voice and intimate and catchy songwriting which is very reminiscent of the Decemberists. Check out our favorite track  “Baby I Feel Like I Just Got Cut In Half” streaming here. Goodshank will be performing at the Mercury Lounge on Friday, November 25th with Diane Cluck & Anders Griffin and Jeffery Lewis & the Junkyard. – Amanda F Dissinger

Channeling influences as disparate as early The Who, Camper Van Beethoven and Nick Cave into a sound that’s equal parts Americana and Rock’n’Roll, in their new album "Octopus" New Jersey’s Big Wilson River have crafted an in your face rootsy sound that’s as entertaining as it is intriguing. The rock’n’roll single "Eighty Days Armadillos" is a super-fun party song that borrows "My Generation"’s stop and go formula and develops it in more rootsy ways, exploiting to perfection the classic country male/female interlaced harmonies. Lead vocalists Darrin and Emma deserve praise for great performances full of character and earthy passion throughout the record. Other songs in this collection, like "Gipsy Song" and "Dandelion," reveal a more playful approach, with Darrin’s vocals full of punk attitude and occasional psychedelic influences, while other ones, like "Backyard Passout Fest" and "River Boat" develop in more classic folky ways, allowing Emma’s alto to cast its spell. A great record for parties and long car trips.