Everybody’s favorite lesbian twin sister duo Tegan and Sara are readying the release of their fifth studio album, The Con, for July 24 on Vapor Records.

While the sisters have always had a bit of a dark edge to their songs, The Con delves deeper into that direction, and features more stylistic departures (like tracks with synths, more mature lyrics) than heard in their previous works. From what I read on their homepage, this change is attributed to the girls having written most of the record away from each other’s company.

My take on The Con -

I have yet to be sucked into this album like I did with previous works If I Was You and the superb So Jealous. The songs are good, and certainly do show growth for the girls, but they just lack memorability. So far I’ve listened to The Con four times, and maybe it’s just old age, but I seriously cannot recall what a single song sounds like just by looking at the tracklist, whereas I don’t usually have that problem. Part of this may be that there are no songs that immediately stand out. Their poppy sound is toned down, and instead tracks are built upon layers, which sometimes requires more attention than they’re worth. This isn’t to say The Con is something that should be avoided, it’s just something that we haven’t come to expect from the duo. And change is never easy.

Tegan and Sara: The Con

Tegan and Sara: Floorplan

Tegan and Sara: I Won’t Be Left

Tegan and Sara: Monday, Monday, Monday

Tegan and Sara: This Is Everything [live] (My personal favorite)

The Con comes out July 24 on Vapor Records.

I want to say that there’s a Hallmark card somewhere that says something to the effect of ‘friends come and go, but best friends stay forever.’ That’s all sweet and fine, but where does this leave best fwends though?

Anthony and Dustin are from Fort Worth, TX, and they are Best Fwends in the music world. The duo uses toy keyboards, cheap microphones and a computer to create their own version of idiotic anti-pop, which is featured in its fullest extent across the 34 tracks that compose their debut, Alphabetically Arranged, available on Moshi Moshi Records.

In a 2005 interview with ‘Sup Magazine, the duo said that “the largest portion of our time is spent on making awful things sound decent.” It’s a pretty apt description as the album plays out like a spastic 80s cartoon mixtape for the gym, where all but three tracks are under three minutes. Alphabetically Arranged isn’t just completely irreverent, it’s also a lot of fun to listen to.

Best Fwends: Adultnap

Best Fwends: Bump in the Day

Best Fwends: M.Y.S.E.L.F. [XXXChange Remix]

Best Fwends: Zwzzt

You can be best fwends with Best Fwends when you visit their MySpace page.

The Go! Team: “Grip Like A Vice”

Thunder, Lightning, Strike was one of my very favorite albums of ’04, and is one I still enjoy listening to. In interviews with the group, Go! Team members hinted that a second album, if they even made one, would probably not be the cheerleaders on speed concoction that the first was. Since the single appeared online last week, it’s been giving my speakers a full-body workout. The best description that I’ve found about the song comes from Pitchfork, which states ” ‘Grip Like A Vice’ sounds like the band is riding a shopping cart with bum wheel as it zooms dangerously down a bumpy hill.” Go! Team, Go!

Ryan Adams: “Everybody Knows”

Ryan Adams gets knocked a lot for his dickish ways, but damn can the guy write some good songs (note: I said some. By no means all). I’m particularly fond of his newest single from one of probably 15 forthcoming albums this year. Adams’ lyrics are exquisite here, and the tune seems to lightly float around like a smoke ring.

Peter Bjorn and John: “Let’s Call It Off” [Girl Talk Remix]

This is one of those weird cases in which I heard the remix before the original, so this is the one I’ve come to rely upon. The truth though, is that Girl Talk — who released one of my favorite albums last year — took an already great song and just improved upon it. It’s boppier and brighter, and all the better.

True to her name, Kathy Diamond’s debut, Miss Diamond To You, is a radiant treasure and also one of the most noticeable standout records this year.
Miss Diamond To You is not only highly danceable, it’s also an intelligent and contemplative look into womanhood.

Much of the impeccable disco-electro-funk instrumentation can be accredited to producer Maurice Fulton, who’s lent his skills to Mu, !!!, Hop Chip, Annie and the Rapture to name a few. Fulton’s production sets the album in a completely different realm than most current club tracks, yet the album maintains an accessible and modern feel to it.

Diamond herself is no slacker on the talent factor either. Her airy, everywoman voice is reminiscent of greats like Chaka Khan, Sally Shapiro and Alison Goldfrapp, and sucks you in with its everchanging tone. This may be in part to the Londoner listening to mainly soul and disco tracks while growing up.

This is one of those albums that I just can’t seem to completely wrap my head around, which has earned it heavy rotation on my iPod, and hopefully yours as well.

Kathy Diamond: All Woman

This song just oozes sex, but not to the point of overt promiscuity like other female pop songs. It also includes a sinuous slap bass and one of my favorite lines of the year (I came/I saw/I conquered your heart).

Kathy Diamond: Between the Lines

Miss Diamond To You is available digitally on eMusic and on CD at Permanent Vacation Records. Be sure to check out Miss Diamond’s fantastic “Over” on her MySpace page as well.

One of my favorite things is whenever I check the old MySpace account and find a friendship request. It’s nothing new for independent/non-label artists to send friendship requests to people in an attempt to build their fan base, but it’s pretty rare when the artist is of immense talent. Needless to say, I was delighted upon listening to tracks posted by the Silent Midnight.

The Silent Midnight is a one-person musician, who goes by the alias of Midnight Lover. Midnight’s tracks are sweetly layered instrumentals built from two guitars, a mini keyboard and a harmonica. The music is the perfect score for that transition between dusk and dawn.

While there is no album currently set for release, three additional tracks have been posted on the Silent Midnight’s MySpace page, which I highly suggest listening to.

The Silent Midnight: Midnight Session 5 12

It would be unfair to compare the Kissaway Trail to the Arcade Fire. Sure, their melodies and string arrangements are reminiscent of the Canadian powerhouse, but while the Fire’s lyrics often have a dark and hopeless undertone, the Kissaway Trail’s songs showcase joyous hope and youthful optimism.

The Danish band’s self-titled debut is quite an intricate maze of sounds that evokes comparisons to the Polyphonic Spree, Brian Wilson, Grandaddy, Mercury Rev and the aforementioned Arcade Fire. Vocalists Thomas Fagerlund and Søren Corneliussen perfectly compliment the group’s soaring banjo and mandolin driven sound. Each of album’s 11 fairytale-esque songs are so perfectly crafted and brimming with love, it’s hard to believe these guys have only been together for such a short time.

You can pick up the Kissaway Trail’s self-titled album on Bella Union Records. Also, head over to their MySpace page for a list of concert dates.

The Kissaway Trail: Smother + Evil = Hurt

The Kissaway Trail: La La Song

The Kissaway Trail: 61

It’s no secret that the rap and hip-hop industry have become increasingly watered down over the years. Most of the music that’s emerged over the past three years has seemed especially bland, as nearly faceless artists release an empty club-ready single that retreads previous formulaic hits.

Thank goodness for sisters then, specifically Kid Sister. Kid Sis, who comes from Chicago’s suburbs (not all MCs have to be from the hood to be a good), is a mix of playful old school lyrics over new school beats. The club rapper’s tracks can rock both clubs and crowds alike.

The 26 year old started grabbing attention after spitting over a disco-laden Atrak track “Pro Nails,” which she posted on her MySpace page. It generated enough attention that she was noticed by industry execs, and earned a spot on SXSW’s 2007 tour bill. Kid Sis is accompanied in her live shows by Atrak as well as her brother J2k’s group Flosstradamus (who are also slated to hit it big in ’07).

Random facts: Kid Sister has a large male fan base due to her love of science shows. When not performing, she earns extra money by babysitting DJ’s children.

Kid Sister: Control

Kid Sister: Girlie Rock

A newly mixed version of her song “Damn Girl.” Personally I like this version better as it has more punch.

Kid Sister: Let Me Bang [XXXChange Remix]

Almost more of a mash-up than a remix because Kid Sis is backed by a Tangerine Dream song. Extremely good.

Kid Sister has an iTunes EP which features the songs “Damn Girl,” “Control’ and various remixes of each song. She is expected to release a full-length later this year. You can check out more of her material and a list of tour dates on her MySpace page.

Let’s Go Sailing: “Sideways”

This is one of those songs that I just can’t stop listening to. Layers of orchestration gently cradle Shana Levy’s airy vocals, while she sings about looking at someone in a different light. It’s a near perfect pre-breakup song.

The White Stripes: “Icky Thump”

Meg and Jack’s newest single is a dandy. Meg White’s drumming is just a primitive as ever, and Jack White’s hot-as-shit guitar riffs are some of the Stripes’ best to date, and his rapid-fire (dare I say rappish) delivery is something seems to suit duo and hint at the tantalizing things to come. It’s certainly gotten me excited for their new album by the same name.

Björk – “Wanderlust”

I’m not a big one for Björk simply because her songs aren’t structured enough for me, but for some odd reason her Volta album is really doing it for me. The second track, ‘Wanderlust,” is a fantastical voyage through a cosmos of horns and electronic beats that seems to endlessly drift through time.