Guided by Voices 
Let's Go Eat The Factory 
Guided by Voices Inc. Records

Let's Go Eat The Factory is the first studio album from Guided by Voices' "classic lineup" in fifteen years.

The record contains twenty-one completely different low-fi gems that twist and turn and morph and distort and expand and contract in greatly-varying soundscapes, much like band leader Robert Pollard's haphazard collage art.

The opener, "Laundry And Lasers," is an instant raise-your-beer-in-the-air classic, whereas Tobin Sprout's schizophrenic "Spiderfighter" takes such a profound direction-change in the middle of the tune that it may be the most memorable moment on the album.

Men in Suits Talking About Stuff
A Review of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Before I wax poetic about the clothes, the atmosphere and Gary Oldman's performance in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, let me tell you upfront: I really liked this movie.

Starring Oldman, Colin Firth, the guy who plays Sherlock in the BBC show, and Bane, the movie is based on the novel by John Le Carre, which many consider the ultimate spy tale.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, the movie, is all about restraint.

The Spits —The Spits
In the Red Records 

Fuck yeah! The new Spits record is finally out!

After a long wait that included hearing a rumor about how The Spits themselves bootlegged CD-R copies on Ebay for way too much cash, the much anticipated fifth full length studio album is now officially available online via In the Red Records and in local shops like Sonic Boom.

The Spits are a weird phenomenon, while praised the world over, their recordings have always been pretty fucking shitty and fail massively in comparison to their live show.

Yes, I know they are weird and it’s the aesthetic they are going for and it’s their “we do what we want” punk ethos and live show that have probably garnered the band it’s large underground following in the first place, but there’s a large part of me that wishes they would just record a straight forward record that captures their live intensity and brilliance. Those lo-fi basement recordings with vocals that sound like they are being played at the wrong RPM fall flat for me on most occasions. 

Wilco — The Whole Love
dbPM Records 

Wilco’s eighth full length is an adventurous, ambitious recording, especially when compared to the relatively “safe” last two albums Sky Blue Sky and Wilco (The Album)” the band released. 

Opener “Art of Almost” is the most experimental track the band has produced since 2004’s stellar A Ghost Is Born record. It's A lush and foreboding sound with strings and synths anchored by Jeff Tweedy’s voice. 

Other highlights are the bouncy, upbeat “I Might” and the triumphant, sprawling album closer "One Sunday Morning (Song for Jane Smiley's Boyfriend).”

Tom Waits — Bad As Me
Anti Records

Listening to Tom Waits is like drinking at your favorite dive bar—oddly comforting in its familiar sleaziness, but likely holding with a few exhilarating surprises.

His 20th studio album, Bad as Me, is an impressive showcase of the many styles that make him an undisputed living legend. It also has a few interesting twists and features equally impressive guest appearances by Flea, Keith Richards, and Les Claypool, among others.

Wild Flag – Wild Flag
Merge Records 

Wild Flag is a “veteran riotgrrl super group” of sorts. It features members of Sleater-Kinney, Helium, and Steven Malkmus & the Jicks.

Based out of Portland, the quartet toured (including six shows at SXSW 2011) and built a following prior to recording their self-titled album at The Hangar in Sacramento.

Wild Flag starts off strong with raw, saucy-sweet garage tracks like “Romance” and dance floor-worthy “Boom.” The awesome percussion and bass lines form a solid core, as scratchy rock guitars meander all over the place amid hints of electric violin and eerie synth/keys (see “Racehorse” for the deepest jam track.)