Secret Disco Party

The Hundred in the Hands are my new favorite discovery. "Dressed in Dresden" was a no-brainer entry into my top 10 tracks of 2009, and while the endless stream of remixes don't improve on the original's sexiness, they've been the only releases with which to judge the band. Playing in what was described to me by lead singer Ellie D. as a secret show, to a sparse and fashionably-late arriving crowd THITH kicked some butt. The combination of precise machine-made beats and very timely guitar patterns feels the right kind of good. Look for a full write-up and INTERVIEW at the end of the month.

Twin Shadow - Castles in the Snow (myspace)


With a title that looks a lot like a Jimi Hendrix classic, I should be surprised to hear such a current sound as Twin Shadow's. The chilly keyboard theme sounds like wind whistling by in a snowfall. There is no Hendrix influence here, just indie 2010 synth-rock and a quivering vocal wail: "Here's all I know/ You're checkered room/ And your velvet bowwwohoh."


Oberhofer - Away FRM You (myspace)


To be totally honest, I didn't really want to like this band. They look like another just-graduated group of dudes that figured out the best way to get girls is to play in a band. Cameo was most full when they took the stage, and I think they already have groupies.

Their songwriting seemed to misuse ingenious guitar melodies by drawing them out too far, or not developing them at all. In 3Oh3-styled-spelling, "Away FRM You" lead guitarist and singer, Brad Oberhofer plays this very pretty melody with both hands on the neck. Then in comes the the cooing and the drums that feel much smarter than they are, which is okay because it sounds good.