"In the Ever" by Mason Jennings (Brushfire Records) - Out now
First things first: Mason Jennings is not Jack Johnson. It’s easy to get confused, since they do sound kind of similar. And they both fit nicely into the mellow folk rock category. This has to be something Jennings considered before signing to Johnson’s label, Brushfire [...]

"My Grandfather, the Cubist" by Joy Electric (Tooth and Nail Records) - Out now
With "My Grandfather, The Cubist," Joy Electric’s Ronnie Martin continues to peel back the effervescent layers of pop hooks and move towards a sharper, more minimalistic sound.
 
As the title suggests, this album has more angles and edges, with sounds that are harsher and more distinctly [...]

 
"Body Language" by Monotonix (Drag City) Out Now
As with many underground indie bands trying to break through, their fan base grows from Internet buzz, MySpace entries, and many times, what their gigs are like. When it comes to Monotonix, their shows are incendiary. Literally.
There are pictures from their concerts on their MySpace page; one [...]

 "Old Home Movies" by The Botticellis (Antenna Farm Records) -Out Now
If born in the ’70s or early ’80s, you did it, too. You riffled through your parents’ old albums, trying to make sense of strange names and creased images—Petula Clark in a pink raincoat, the Beatles crossing a street, a woman covered with [...]

"Evil Urges" by My Morning Jacket (ATO) - Out nowWeird. Less than five years ago, My Morning Jacket seemed like a full-throttle Southern rock band with a penchant for blow-out live performances.

But they started drifting into uncharted territory with 2005’s "Z," still including their trademark anthemic blowouts, but also weaving in more moody, aural [...]