MP3: The Uglysuit- Chicago from The Uglysuit (August 19th, Quarterstick)
They’re not from Chicago, try Oklahoma City. The latest Quarterstick/Touch & Go signees pen an upbeat, atmospheric pop tune. The ballad features reverb laden guitar over piano and organ.

MP3: Electric President- Monsters from Sleep Well (June 24th US Release, Morr Music)
There are a lot of dudes out there doing the indie electronica thing. This duo has more bite and creates a greater density in their songs than say The Postal Service. Their 2006 debut was one our yearend favorites.

MP3: The War On Drugs- Taking The Farm from Wagonwheel Blues (June 17th, Secretly Canadian)
Channeling a gazed-out Springsteen, these Philadelphia boys play rock ‘n roll. Citing a common interest in Bob Dylan, they’ll also appeal to the freak folk set a la Animal Collective. I’m not a fan of the latter, but the connection is there.

MP3: Mostly Bears- The Pharmacist from The Ed Mitchell Clinic (Out now, Funzalo Records)
The forest is thick with bears these days in the indie rock world. Here’s a lurching, Radiohead-esque score from the Arizona natives.

And now for this week’s Smorgasbord Sundae Wafer…
MP3: David Vandervelde- I Will Be Fine from Waiting For The Sunrise (August 5th, Secretly Canadian)
We’re claiming David Vandervelde as a Chicago artist for at least this next record. Written in the midst of his transition to life in Brooklyn, the warmer production comes across a bit softer. Vandervelde keeps the classic 60s/70s vibe of his previous efforts, though with more pop and less rock than we were expecting.

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