Due to their two-man setup and no-frills recording, Vancouver's Japandroids risk being lumped in with the no-fi/noise-pop scene (No Age, Wavves) that finds bands using distortion to tear through the fabric of the medium. But they're coming from somewhere else, sonically and emotionally. What makes Post-Nothing such a thrill is the manner in which these guys hold absolutely nothing back. They make terminally catchy music played with punk's enthusiasm and velocity that, perhaps because there are only two dudes in this band, makes you feel like joining in to bash along. And as contagious as any of the lyrics, melodies, riffs, or drum fills are, their energy and lack of self-consciousness is every bit as equally lovable.

One of those "Best New Music" Pitchfork bands ! These guys actually deserve and deliver all the hype. Hailing from Sweden, Love Is All work cos they know their snags-- shitty equipment, love-lyrical cliché, inevitable Life Without Buildings, Orange Juice, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs comparisons-- but speed headlong into them regardless. As a result they turn lo-fi from a ho-hum excuse into an asset, making listeners respond not to an affected imperfection or lack of precision but to their passion.

This Philly foursome would not be out of place if they were released on Merge back in 1992. With heavy guitars reminiscent of Carolina's early 90s output, think Superchunk or Polvo but maybe a whole lot drunker. No bells and whistles here, just straight up raunchy riffs and melodies that a make you want to chug some Jim Beam into the night. Filtered through more modern fuzzes of punk and pop, the result is a sound that's catchy as hell.
This is the send off show for their U.K./euro tour. Shadowplay Records.