A band that takes its name from a French children's television series about a boy and his dog would almost have to be precious, and to be certain, Belle & Sebastian are precious. But precious can be a damning word, and Belle & Sebastian don't have the negative qualities that the word connotes -- they are private but not insular, pretty... [+] Read More

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The indie pop unit Ladybug Transistor was led by vocalist/guitarist Gary Olson, a onetime string stretcher and key inspector at his family's piano factory; the group debuted in 1996 with the LP Marlborough Farms, titled after Olson's Brooklyn-area home recording studio. After a line-up change which left only Olson and drummer Edward Powers... [+] Read More

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With melodic, baritoned anguished that falls somewhere in the neighborhood of Scott Walker, Pulp touring guitarist and former Longpigs member Richard Hawley began his solo career with his self-titled debut in 2001. Richard was raised in Sheffield, England, the son of a steelworker and grew up listening to folks such as Roy Orbison and Elvis... [+] Read More

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With melodic, baritoned anguished that falls somewhere in the neighborhood of Scott Walker, Pulp touring guitarist and former Longpigs member Richard Hawley began his solo career with his self-titled debut in 2001. Richard was raised in Sheffield, England, the son of a steelworker and grew up listening to folks such as Roy Orbison and Elvis... [+] Read More

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By the time Sondre Lerche had released his major label debut (2002's critically-acclaimed Faces Down), the then-19 year-old Norwegian wunderkind was already a veteran of the music world. Signed to Virgin Norway in 2000, Lerche released the chart-topping EP You Know So Well in February 2001. A commercially successful follow-up EP (No One's Gonna... [+] Read More

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Yo La Tengo was in many respects the quintessential critics' band: in addition to its adventurous eclecticism, defiant independence, and restless creative ambition -- three qualities that virtually guarantee music press acclaim -- the group's frontman, Ira Kaplan, even tenured as a rock scribe prior to finding success as a performer. So... [+] Read More

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Young and Sexy's boy-girl vocals, gentle melodies, and golden arrangements pay true homage to the Beatles while securing them a spot in the ranks of contemporary wonder popsters Call & Response, Aislers Set, Beulah, Gentle Waves, and the Clientele.

The origins of Young and Sexy lie in a chance meeting between Paul Hixon Pittman and... [+] Read More

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