Indieface Band to Watch: Harlem

Harlem
Self-described as thrash, the melodic beach rock of Harlem grabs your innards and commands you to shake it. This Austin, TX duo brings on the head-bobbing soul rock in "South of France". "Beautiful and Very Smart" evokes late 50's style rock-n-roll with a modern indie edge. Listen up for them coming to a city near you!

To buy a vinyl LP, click on the photo below.

Can I Get A Hand Clap?

New music from The Bird and The Bee (The Blue Note Label Group) means new ways to chillax for indie pop music lovers. The first time I heard Inara George sing over Greg Kurstin's musical backing, she asked me to give it up for her ("please"), put my hands in the air, and then, if I knew what was good for me, shake it like I just don't care. I'm glad I answered the call!

Luckily, we get to do just that all over again (See "Polite Dance Song" below). Not much has changed for the joy producing, jazz-influenced, indie pop duo from Los Angeles. Their new release, Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future, comes out on Tuesday. The title previews the overall direction of the tunes on the 2nd full length effort from George and Kurstin.

The first single, "My Love", features prominent hand clapping alongside the distinctive pop sound first introduced on their self-titled debut album. The ethereal feel of Inara George's voice meshed with Greg Kurstin's lighthearted keyboarding and hooks deliver a catchy, retro-infused, hip-mover of a song. "You're A Cad" also demonstrates this hook connection, quite literally in fact. Another song from the album, "Ray Gun", features an ambient mix of electropop blips and bleeps that accompany the 70's soft rock persona of George. "Love Letter To Japan" sounds like it could be used in a commercial for a new personal robot named "Kitano", in a good way. "Witch" also stands out as a smokey, come-hither track as George shines lyrically while a older Bond, James Bond-ish atmosphere is created in the process.

By also including "Polite Dance Song", previously featured on the September 2007 Please Clap Your Hands EP, and "Birthday", also found on March 2008 One Too Many Hearts EP, the band has launched a well produced full length album which in turn showcases some of the best of a few EP's released over the last couple of years. Those new to the band will appreciate these inclusions.

Overall Rating: 7.5 out of 10