30 Second Reviews from 10/14

Hockey
Mind Chaos
SOUNDS LIKE: Portland, OR new wavey rock quartet (plus a fifth keys guy) with buzz and a dumb band name, music's alright/almost disco
Free Association: We think these guys don't play hockey, maybe NHL 94 on SNES
For Fans Of: LCD Soundsystem, Phoenix, Strokes

The Lovemakers
Let's Be Friends
SOUNDS LIKE: High energy electrified pop rock that blends bands that shouldn't be blended: Tegan & Sara meets Avirl LaVigne plus Blink 182
Free Association: Their debut was much more fun, this, their third, not so good
For Fans Of: Ladytron maybe? Hard K Clarkson?

The Dutchess & The Duke
Sunset/Sunrise
SOUNDS LIKE: Dark folk from Seattle goin' back to the days of Leonard Cohen and Dylan with simple, strummy songs filled out by organs and drums
Free Association: This isn't your dad's folk but it's not yours either
For Fans Of: Belle and Sebastian, Joan Baez

Basement Jaxx
Scars
SOUNDS LIKE: The UK duo drops another dose of weirdo electric but stepping up their game with guests: Santigold, Sam Sparro, Yo Majesty, and Kelis
Free Association: If you took away the guest vocals, it'd just be shit euro disco beats
For Fans Of: Daft Punk, M.I.A., raves

Jamie T.
Kings & Queens
Sounds Like: Brilliant South Londoner dubbed a one-man-Arctic-Monkey has high energy hooks, quick delivery and loads of talent
Free Association: There's a nice touch of hip hop glazed over his punishing lyricism
For Fans Of: Strokes meets Dizzee Rascal, Beasties

Fool's Gold
Fool's Gold
SOUNDS LIKE: Delightful debut of L.A. collective specializing in afro-pop but not in the trendy way, this is world music from America with Hebrew singing
Free Association: Born of barbecues and backyards, this is joyous sunny times on disc
For Fans Of: Authentic Vampire Weekend, Blk Jks

Espers
III
SOUNDS LIKE: Philly quintet's third LP of acid folk is a variety pack of weird influences: baroque, traditional folk, prog, and jazz improv
Free Association: The milk-eyed mender has taken too many pills and she's pissed
For Fans Of: Donovan meets Tool, Joanna Newsom

AFI
Crash Love
SOUNDS LIKE: Surprisingly not terrible post-punk power rock from bad-haired Californians eschewing the pitfalls of emo, barely
Free Association: So many bands do it 100x worse than you, so points for that
For Fans Of: Rise Against, Pennywise, tattoos

SUPER REAL.