New To Know: The Mary Onettes + The Canon Logic + Power Animal

The Mary Onettes

Oh, the Swedes. How do they manage to continually produce refreshing musical acts? Perhaps it is the water or maybe a government that supports the arts. The Mary Onettes have the mystery ingredient in spades. They have two well received albums to their name, the self titled 2007 release and last November’s Islands which marked a real maturation of their airy indie pop. Layering reverberant guitars with echoey vocals and using classic synth it a little up tempo punch. The group’s arrangements evoke a sense of detached reflection while lead singer Philip Ekstrom infuses them with the perfect degree of cool emotion. There is an undeniable classic 80′s pop feel about their work but, especially on the new album, the group has maintained the essence of the retro sound while adding a reverent but evolved indie sensibility.

They will be kicking off their US tour here in Philly on the 19th at Mar Bar.

[MP3]Once I was Pretty

The Canon Logic

The Canon Logic knows a thing or two about assembling all the right pop elements to create catchy songs without sounding formulaic. Their new album FM Arcade is riddled with strong guitar riffs, accessible (ie singable) harmonies, exuberant piano lead melodies and even some hand clapping. The single “Nights At Armour Mansion” lends a nod to pre-boy band male led pop of the late eighties while “Dead Man” has a jangly indie flavor about plutting them toe-to-toe with their fellow Brooklyn indie rock bands. The tracks stand alone, each with their own distinct appeal yet the album, when played straight through, has its own cohesive ebb and flow. I’d bank on greater experimental works to come this new band.

They’re coming to Northstar Bar on April 9th with Freezepop, Plushgun and Pants Velour.

[MP3] Nights At Armour Mansion

Power Animal

I love it when the stars seem to align and a band appears on my radar like buck shot from assorted sources. Numerous folks have praised their experimental tunes; one person calling my attention towards the unusual arrangements of voice, mechanized noise, banjo, glockenspiel, piano, etc another excitedly claiming them as their favorite new musical discovery. After listening I must agree that they aren’t afraid of trying out some new shit and for the most part with an incredible rate of success.

The Philly group is seven strong which not only provides a lot of energy to their work -and I can only imagine a lot of varied inspiration-  but a lot of sources for sounds. On tracks like “Dear My Body…” and “Rabbit” they rock a subdued psych-folk vibe with chanty group vocals; the kind of music you’d find in a mumblecore flick. On others like “The Turn Around” they dabble in tweeish electro pop territory. It’s clear their interests are sorted and they’re attempting to explore as many of them as possible however, while it is really enjoyable for the most part, I’d like to hear a clearer purpose to their music making. But that is what a sophomore album is all about. For now, I like where there coming from and I am excited to see where they will go.

They’re contributing their track “Female Wrestler (less urban version) to Edible Onion‘s forthcoming compilation A Cure For The Broken Hearted while their own album People Songs came out March 23rd.

[MP3] Female Wrestler (Less Urban Version)

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