tokyo police – INDIE ROCK CAFE

The best indie, alternative, rock and pop new CD and MP3 releases of 2008 are pouring in at a dizzlingly pace. This week’s New Tracks Tuesday features Tokyo Police Club, Tapes N Tapes, Elf Power, Sleeper Car, Sarandon and The Flight of the Conchords.

Ontario, Canada’s quirky quartet Tokyo Police Club mix straight away garage rock with poeticism and post-punk overtures, accompanied by catchy guitar hooks, energy-drenched drumming and infectious melodic bass lines, in their new full-length CD, “Elephant Shell.”

MP3: Tokyo Police Club – “In A Cave” from Elephant Shell
Stream: Elephant Shell from MTVU.com

Minneapolis’ lo-fi, jamming indie rock outfit Tapes N’ Tapes has released their first new album since 2006’s widely-acclaimed “The Loon”. The CD is full of spirited rock mixed with dark keyboards, experimentation and the band’s signature shaky vocals.

MP3: Tapes N’ Tapes – “Hang Them All” from Walk It Off
Stream: Walk It Off from MTVU.com

Athens, Georgia’s psychedelic indie pop band Elf Power has returned from sabbatical with a new album In A Cave. The album is a collaborative effort featuring Olivia Tremor Control hero Eric Harris, the Instruments Heather McIntosh and former Of Montreal music man Derek Almstead.
MP3: Elf Power – “Paralyzed” from In A Cave

The El Paso band Sleepercar mixes Americana jingle-laden pop with swirls of alternative folk on their debut album West Texas. Jim Ward, a musician well-heeled in the indie music world for his work with At The Drive-In or Sparta, spent six years working on this album. “Even if you are a bit wary about the whole “Americana” tag, this album is worthy of your attention and may even help expand your musical horizons” says music writer Rich Duncan.

MP3: Sleepercar – “Stumble In” from West Texas

More new or upcoming releases:

MP3: Sarandon – “Welcome” from Kill Twee Pop!

MP3: The Conchords – “Ladies of the World” from Flight of the Conchords
Stream: The Flight of the Conchords

To kick-off the playlist series for ‘best’, or favorite, songs of 2007, I have posted the first list below.

While there are some mainstream artists included in this series, the focus is mainly on independent, or indie, and alternative songs by some of rock, pop and electronica music’s most talent, and in some cases, vastly under-rated artists and music groups.

You can subscribe to get these songs and playlists through any medium you prefer whether it be via your iTunes, email or favorite feed reader.

Here’s the first playlist of songs from 2007:

Brainstorm – Arctic Monkeys from Favourite Worst Nightmare

The Night Starts Here – Stars from In Our Bedroom After The War

Sleeping Lessons (RAC Mix) – The Shins from Wincing The Night Away

Your English is Good – Tokyo Police Club from Your English is Good

My Sword Hand’s Anger – Apostle of Hustle from National Anthem of Nowhere

Hollywood Bass Player – Jose Rouse from Country Mouse City House

For Agent 13 – The Besnard Lakes from The Besnard Lakes Are The Dark Horse

Keep The Car Running – Arcade Fire from Neon Bible

Imaginary Man – Ray Davies from Working Man’s Cafe

Fucked Up Kid -Broken Social Scene from Spirit If…

Bank Holiday Monday – Stereophonics from Pull The Pin

Heretics – Andrew Bird from Armchair Apocrypha

Lake Michigan – Rouge Wave from Asleep at Heaven’s Gate

If I Could Cry – Jens Lekman from Night Falls Over Kortedala

If I Saw The Bright Shines – The Octopus Project from Hello Avalanche

Go to Part II

Various installment of this series will include “lists of lists” for the best music of 2007, including songs, albums, music videos, concerts, artists, festivals, album artwork, MySpace pages and more gathered from dozens of mainstream music websites and established music bloggers.

If you need indie songs year round, subscribe to Feed Me Indie

Tag: tokyo police

New Tracks Tuesday: Tokyo Police Club, Elf Power, Tapes N Tapes, Sleepercar, Sarandon and Flight of Conchords

Best Indie and Alternative Songs of 2007, Playlist I