Reclaimed from a graveyard of vinyl, "The Talking Book" is a collection of oxidized aural snapshots buried between the gloom and the gorgeous. Formed by Bill Gould, best known as a founding member of the group Faith No More, and conceptual sound artist Jared Blum, best known for his abstract pop under the moniker "Blanketship", and other releases on his lo-fi musique concrete label, Gigante Sound. "The Talking Book" is the first installment in a series of like-minded recordings on Gould's Koolarrow Record Label.

The sophomore full-length from Leeds-based five-piece Vessels, recorded with Grammy-nominated producer John Congleton (Explosions in the Sky, Modest Mouse) in the heat of the Texan summer, "Helioscope" is the sun-scorched yin to the yang of the snow-capped peaks of their 2008 debut "White Fields and Open Devices". Championed by Pitchfork, BBC, NME, and others, this is a stellar combination of Battles-like prog and Sigur Ros atmosphere.

Formed from the bellybutton of Marmoset songsmith Jorma Whittaker with a little help from his friends, this cauldron of material was brought into light with a distinctly male/female, death/life, able/unable articulation. Comprised of half boys/half girls, some band members literally divorced while the band recorded. Every vinyl in this limited release has all original, handmade artwork echoing the sound as a visual. Jorma & Movie Bare are bound and unbound to be burnt into your memory before fading away.

The music of We Are Hex recalls classic Joy Division, the Cure, Gang of Four, PJ Harvey and the Jesus and Mary Chain, but combines those sounds with the modern ferocity of Nashville Pussy or Ponytail, and yet accomplishes all of that without losing the pop sensibilities of the 50s and 60s, or the urgency of classic punk. Beyond Race says it's "like an old school riot grrl dating Aleister Crowley", and we couldn't agree more.

We Are Hex - We are the Goer {OFFICIAL} from Another Cool Design on Vimeo.

Morrow makes aggressive rock n roll in a way that a lot of bands seem to have forgotten. Their energy is real, their intentions are unassuming and sincere, and their songs are gritty, rough, and loud at just the right times. The melodic hooks and dark melodies bring to mind bands such as The Black Heart Procession, Nick Cave, and the Constantines. Combinations of tasteful key switches and abrupt rhythm changes offer a dynamic of familiarity alongside originality.

Having toured with influential favorites such as Sebadoh and Shipping News, Louisville-based Second Story Man continue their 11-year history with the release of "Screaming Secrets". Their third full-length, recorded with Kevin Ratterman (Elliott, Wax Fang), is the band's best work yet - showcasing their uniquely melodic, dynamic, and heartfelt sound.

With their third album, Indiana's House Of Bread have created a collection of lush, quirky, and occasionally noisy synth-pop songs. "Superhuman Tomb" combines elements of 80’s dream-pop with walls of Siamese Dream-like guitars and ethereal vocals into an album that will make fans of Air, Asobi Seksu, and Dan Deacon head for the dance floor and/or the medicine cabinet.

For the 3rd installment of their ambitious 7 inch series, NYC Post-Pop heros Hunters, Run! return with a record that is simultaneously their most challenging and most accessible to date. Following up on the acclaim and instant-sell-out of EP1 and EP2, it would have been easy for H,R! to continue in their traditional Elvis Costello/Husker Du-inspired vein. But as all 80s rock fans know, the 3rd single has to be the ballad.