Dragons Power Up! : This Way to Gunshire (local)
With a serpentine, low-fi sound coiled round a flaming pile of reverb sits Dragons Power Up!, a Minneapolis-based beast of a band with one mission – to rock. This Way to Gunshire chronicles their planetary conquest and , with folded wings and fiery breath, strikes fear into the hearts of the innocent and warms the hearts of the damned.
Wannabe Hasbeens : Former Trans Future Vol. 1 (C*Motion Music/BMI)
Minneapolis’ Wannabe Hasbeens bill their sound as “Dumb rock for smart people,” and we can’t really argue. The group’s new album, Former Trans Future Vol. 1, is a pop production masterpiece geared toward the Basilica Block Party crowd. From the spunky “One More Night” to the teenage panty-grabber “Anthem for a Late Bloomer,” processed guitars, tender lyrics and layers upon layers greet the dumb listener across all six tracks. As far as we’re concerned, it’s a smart move. Last week’s City Pages has a great article with the group.
The Next Step : Love & Fear
Minneapolis group the Next Step have released their fourth album, Love & Fear, which is the first in a new trilogy the group is planning. “The Streetlight Diaries” is a rock opera trilogy with Love & Fear representing the break-up. Honest & Happiness will represent self-discovery, and the final piece is Life & Death. Yes, the group is a little dramatic with a flair for the theatric. Love & Fear takes itself plenty serious, but abounds in emotional hooks, unique time signatures and original writing.
NemoJoe : Crushed to Dust (Waterbed Records)
Crystal, Minnesota trio NemoJoe studied fromt the school 90s rock, and their latest full-length, Crushed to Dust, is an A-. Favorite tracks include: “Hey Yeah Yeah(Crushed to Dust)” and “Eyesore.”
Charley Dush : Breakdown Union
Minneapolis singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Charley Dush has a unique religion – one that revolves around the trinity of B’s: Beach Boys, Beatles and Byrds.
Jangly stompers, pedal guitar ramblers, country toe-tappers and poppy head-bobbers populate his new Breakdown Union gospel. The disc drops April 20 at Mayslacks, and you can bet that’s going to be a hell of a CD Release Party.
Signal to Trust : Golden Armour (Modern Radio)
Although the rumor mill keeps speculating Minneapolis group Signal to Trust has broken up, the label confirms the group will be playing local shows as Brian Severns is back in town visiting. We’ve been listening to their latest, Golden Armour, and can’t wait to see them live. If the members could just stay in the same zip code, can you imagine if this was the new sound of Minneapolis? Plus, they have the best packaging we’ve ever seen (DIY diorama!).
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