Tanya Morgan
The Bridge EP
Interdependent Media

Tanya Morgan is not a southern soul singer. She is in fact a trio of three emcees, together comprising a hip-hop group based partly in Cincinnati and Brooklyn. You probably have heard their impressive first album Monlighting, which received critical acclaim from The Source and XXL magazines, or their mixtape Sunlighting, available as a free download from Tanyamorgan.com. The Bridge EP, out June 17th joins two other 2008 releases for the group including Tanya Morgan is a Rap Group, a mixtape featuring DJ soul, and Brooklynati, their next LP. A metaphorical bridge towards their next release, The Bridge contains a diverse mixture of old school beats, unusual rhymes, and a taste of a laid back life. My favorite track is the last track “How Low”. Its fast paced beat is like an eighties break beat, and the three emcees flow quickly over the top. The third verse is the best: “Mom totally likes my band/and I’m trying hard to give a damn/but, uggh, I can’t”. It’s that swagger and talent that makes the EP great and has earned them a spot on the 45-date Freshly Dipped Tour with underground legends Heiroglyphics and Blue Scholars this summer. – Jonathan Mendick, Mannerist Zine

Son Ambulance
Someone Else’s Déjà Vu
Saddle Creek Records

Son Ambulance is basically folk musician Joseph Knapp’s solo project. However, Someone Else’s Déjà Vu also includes long time band member Jeffrey Koster, some members of the Faint, and other various Omaha musicians signed to Saddle Creek Records. You may associate Joe Knapp’s name with label mates and highly successful band Bright Eyes, of which he was one a member. The first track “A Girl in New York City” starts the album off on a good note with a quick-paced samba beat. A breakdown in the middle of the song leaves us with a cacophony of percussion and samba whistles, my favorite moment in the song. On most of the rest of the album, a lone guitar or piano accompanies the folk and psychedelic-rock-inspired singing. During another one of my favorite tracks, Jeffrey and Joe hit some brilliant harmonies on “Yesterday Morning” a-la Simon and Garfunkel. The album blends sleepy lyrics with mellow guitars, double bass, vibraphone, keyboard, and sax, making it a great album to read a book to. Recently released on July 8, this album will make a good addition to your collection if you like Bright Eyes, folk music from the sixties, or dreamy Romantic poetry. –Jonathan Mendick, Mannerist Zine

Meho Plaza
Self-titled
Better Looking Records

Meho Plaza’s recent self-titled album mixes a pop aesthetic with electronic punk noise. The trio, which consists of keyboardist Jennifer Hwang, drummer James Connely, and vocalist/guitarist Mike Thrasher, has garnered significant press by such reputable organizations as the Los Angeles Times and Pitchfork Media. Tracks like “I Sold My Organs”, “Lets Play Police”, “The Beach”, and “George Washington” all contain manic catchy guitar riffs, and a danceable backbeat. Interspersed at random are four or five songs out of the eleven that make me want to scratch out my eyes out. Perhaps the poppy half appeals to the people who have never heard Meho Plaza, and the five tracks of experimental synth-driven madness appeal to hardcore fans and live show attendees. Whoever the audience is, the juxtaposition of pop and noise makes for a good head scratcher. A good friend pointed out to me earlier that Radiohead is also a band that forces you listen to their albums many times, because the first time you question the experimental stuff. After thinking it over I will probably look forward to listening to this album more over time, and let it grow on me, like a weird fungus. – Jonathan Mendick, Mannerist Zine