Sky Hero
Rose Hip (Silent Tracks Vol. 1)
Kreativ Network Recordings

Sky Hero is officially in the air. With the release of Rose Hip we are reminded that sound is not always sound. This particular release, more of a “performance/sound art piece” than party mix is composed of 15 tracks (two of them bonus tracks) of raw silence introduced by a consistent sound of something starting and stopping. These starts and stops are the essence of the album, as one forgets he is listening to anything at all until the next track is introduced and audibly startles the listener back into the activity of listening… intently… to nothing… to silence. Maybe it’s all a joke. The perfect solution to rid your ears of today’s appalling music: no music at all. Grab a listen (or download your favorite Sky Hero album) at Last.fm. – Ryan Stephens, Mannerist Zine

Finest Dearest
Self-titled
Bloodtown Records

The rocking prowess of this San Francisco quartet is the result of gambit basement jams a few years back. After a few lineup adjustments, Finest Dearest is now equipped to release a notable album with a blasting vocal front courtesy of Carly Schneider. Clean and convinced, this band is obviously still new, yet reminds me of a Sleater-Kinney/Belly/Breeders mashup. As far as lyrics, there are a few witty remarks and plenty of chic prose, but this element comes off as secondary to the instrumentation, which is highly studio-processed. The final word is that these folks have packaged some refreshing rock for you to discover. – Kelly D. Williams, Mannerist Zine