Kurt Vile’s songs, which are precise and timeless sounding on records, were deconstructed and torn apart at the 7th Street Entry. While I would never advocate, or approve of, a band sounding note for note like their album, there is a point where it seems like Vile was adding dissonance just for the hell of it.

After all of the great albums the band has released the one that finds its way back to my stereo most often is 2002’s Kill the Moonlight.

No matter whether you are an audiophile or just someone who wants to party, Girl Talk has proven to be the best at what he does, with no better example than the amazing Night Ripper.

While the album as a whole isn’t as strong as Men’s Needs Women’s Needs, Whatever, We Were Aborted may be the most concise, anthemic song the group has ever written and is a stirring song that continues to highlight the strengths of this great band.

Childish Prodigy jumps all over the place over the course of its 11 songs, ranging from dreamy, strung out folk music to stomping rock and roll. The main strength of the album is the timeless sound that Vile creates, both representing new and exciting sounds while keeping an eye respectfully on the past…

After releasing one of my favorite albums of the year, Eskimo Snow, a few weeks back, Oakland band Why? came to town Wednesday night to play what was one of the best shows I have seen this year at the Triple Rock Social Club.

Whether you see his stripped down live show or hear the dense, melodic orchestration on My Back Will Bend, you will find that Melom is a richly talented singer/songwriter who is a welcomed addition to the Minneapolis music scene.

For a cynic like myself whose first instinct is to cry bullshit when bands pull out their “heart on their sleeves” routine, it was a telling experience that enabled me to realize not only how connected people are with these bands, but also that this type of music is simply not for me.

Zombie Season are a Minneapolis-based lo-fi, post punk band that mix male and female vocals and have a flair for dramatics.

The best (and worst) of the month of September (including “Backspacer,” “Pussy,” Woods, Sufjan and Dizzee) as chosen by Culture Bully contributors.

xx is one of my favorite discoveries of the year and offers a rare occasion where a band comes out of the gate with a disc that is not only enjoyable, but doesn’t sound like a pastiche of other bands.

While I Fear You, My Darkness was a pretty straightforward shot at creating electronic pop songs with killer hooks, the band extends its sound on Wild at Heart.