Stereogum — As I’ve said in the past and will likely say again, bass-free Olympia trio Gun Outfit create a sort of sloppy, stripped-down, lo-fi American rock played earlier by bands like King Kong or Washington State kin Some Velvet Sidewalk. (For their part, ... more info

Guardian Music — The lovable Mormon minstrels recorded a series of brilliantly vibrant, harmony-drenched psychedelic pop songs. Perhaps it's time for us to regard them as a credible musical force?With the UK release of Washed Out's Life of Leisure, it will be interes... more info

Aquarium Drunkard — The Fantastic Expedition is one of the world’s greatest country rock albums, ahead of its time and seriously overlooked even today. I would take it over Sweetheart of the Rodeo any day, as it’s my favorite piece of magic from the Byrds’ best so... more info

Powerpopulist — Favebloggers been berry berry good to pp. . .and u. Thanks, favebloggers.The Rubinoos - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend & The Girl - Another Aging Hipster - plus one otherThe Beatles - And Your Bird Can Sing - Peter's Power PopThe Prisoners - Better in Bla... more info

Stereogum — The NYPost’s exposé on “the epicenter of Bushwick’s hardcore scene” takes us for a ride on the J/M/Z to where Nomos, Pregnant, Drunkdriver (who have a great new record out via Load), and Byrds Of Paradise (who’ve recorded with Woods... more info

Guardian Music — Last time was all about the joys of noise. This week we're after songs that grip you from the offHello all. I hope this finds you in rude health. It's been quite a week here at Recommend Towers, one which has been filled with the odd-ball, the theatr... more info

Fantastic Weapon — Watch Out For Rockets kind of sounds like the name of some crappy "emo pop" band, like "Eye Alaska" or "We The Kings" - while I dono about their name, one thing's for sure - they are not a crappy emo pop band. WOFR falls into that vein of stuff that'... more info

Guardian Music — Sir Elton is putting the finishing touches to an LP recorded with the long-haired, big-bearded country-rock legendElton John is putting the finishing touches to his new album, recorded with 70s country-rock star Leon Russell. Sir Elton and longtime s... more info

Guardian Music — Ellie Goulding's threat of an acoustic-pop fusion raised the spectre of past follies. But her debut is busy mercilessly chasing down much bigger targets, writes Alexis PetridisIt may not have been a vintage year for music, but if nothing else, the 20... more info

KEXP Seattle — I first heard about Gospel music when I read Dave Marsh’s review of a Mahalia Jackson LP in an 80s rock magazine, so it makes sense that I first heard about The Byrds when I started reading reviews about a jangling, lyrical band out of Athens,... more info