Darlington has been bouncing around Dallas for a few years now, under various monikers and joined by various bass players. But braintrust Christy (the last name varies; usually a variation of the band name) is still happily cranking out the Queers-style punk pep. On Moron-A-Thon (Stardumb), recycled yet trusty riffs are glued together with spit balls, and bra sizes and pajama parties become fodder for the lyric book. (The Ramones redux "My Corolla" counts as an aesthetic departure; ...   [ read more ]

CD $15.18

Established fans of this scrappy Irish quartet may be startled by the band's slight turn toward electronica on its fourth studio album, but there's no need to fear: the focus is still on bittersweet melody and whimsical lyrics. Lines like "Bring your canary, bring your flame" and "I'd say life's a different story when you're facing certain death" and entire songs like the snotty, raunchy "One Stringed Harp" offer an interesting counterbalance to what are often delicately beautiful arrangements and tunes...   [ read more ]

CD $16.13