Portugal. The Man - In The Mountain In The Cloud (2011)

In The Mountain In The Clouds opens with the super catchy “So American” -- a blast of falsetto driven psychedelic rock n’ roll announcing that Portugal. The Man is back. They may now be on Atlantic Records, after stints with Equal Vision and Fearless Records, but the major label hasn’t disrupted the quality of their songwriting that made them a QuickCrit favorite. As with all of their recent albums, their sound continues to evolve. In The Mountain is not as sexy or funky as last year’s American Ghetto, ditching its glitchy electronic buzz and replacing the psychedelic soul of the Satanic Satanist, with cosmic glam. It all makes for even greater sonic grandeur on songs like the anthemic “Got It All (This Can't Be Living Now)" or the soaring “Everything You See (Kids Count Hallelujahs).” Guitars swirl and ring while the vocals alter pitch and pace. Lyrically, singer/guitarist John Gourley is still grappling with life in 21st century America. He seems to accept that we may all be fucked, but that’s just fate, and we might as well “be cool with it.” The songs build, crash and flow together nicely, closing with the "Sleep Forever", which escalates slowly into a wonderfully epic ballad -- a perfect closer to a fantastic album.

Smith Westerns - Dye It Blonde (2011)

For some bands, like Jaill, the move out of the garage can sap some of their energy. However, the Smith Westerns seem to have taken the best of their fuzzy pop and polished it up with gloriously glammy sheen that far exceeds the promise of their debut. Marc Bolan’s T.Rex influence is heavy on Dye It Blonde, but the album is still fresh and sprightly. Every song is catchy and energetic, with smooth guitar-work and sing-a-long choruses. These youngsters out of Chicago have nailed the 70s glam pop sound without sounding gimmicky or pigeonholed. You can’t go wrong with the heartfelt anthem of “All Die Young” or the casual and buzzing boogie of "Weekend". MGMT fans should enjoy the woozy psychedelia of "Imagine Pt. 3" (mp3). I welcome these fresh faces to the rock scene with open arms.

They play Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco on the 13th and the Doug Fir in Portland on the 15th.  I can't wait to see them.

The Biters - The Biters EP / It's Okay To Like Biters EP (2010)

While The Biters' mix of classic power pop and punk rock could easily find a place on Rhino's now out of print D.I.Y. series, their sound mainly reminds me of Portland's fabulous and doomed Exploding Hearts. Judging from their video, they look like some the guys I see down at Slabtown and the East End, where I am sure someday they'll be warmly received if they ever tour through town.

There are plenty of us-against-the-world lyrics designed to maximize the fist pumping, beer swilling, and maybe some joyful jumping around. "Hang Around" (mp3) sneers and postures, but might just be sweet song of friendship. The bouncing rally cry of "Anymore" has a great celebratory cheer in the middle of the chorus. "Melody For Lovers" (mp3) rides a classic escalating riff and hand claps. I'll definitely keep my eye out for the 3rd EP coming out later this year.

Dirty Penny - "Midnight Ride" video

Quickcritters, I'd like to introduce you to Dirty Penny, Santa Cruz's latest and greatest hair metal, glam rock band. Due to the growing anticipation of Dirty Penny's sophomore album release, due out September 17th, I'd like to share with you a tasty video shot in San Francisco (not my rooftop), that gives you a pretty good idea of how truly awesome Dirty Penny can be. If you need further proof, check out their website.

.357 Lover - Diorama Of The Golden Lion (2009)

Whoa. This is one of those albums that kind of blows your mind. Imagine if Grease starred David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust instead of John Travolta. How much cooler would the transformation scene at the end be if Danny Zuko turned into a androgynous space alien? And while that isn't exactly the storyline, that may be my best change describing the overall experience. .357 Lover move from Queen's arena rock to Supergrass glam to show tunes and then into whatever Meatloaf was. Suffice to say this a weird, exciting, and epic rock opera (I think), along the lines of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The mood changes along with the music styles, incorporating playful, serious, and sinister images into the lyrics, but it's all too over-the-top to be anything but tongue-in-cheek. I'm kind of bummed I am only hearing about lead singer/songwriter Corn Mo now. Check out "Nighttime School" or "Event Horizon" for a little taste.

Office - Mecca (2009)

I loved the Office's lo-fi glam on their last album, Putting On The Ritz. However, on Mecca, they have mostly ditched the glam in favor of upbeat indie rock. And as good as Ritz was, this one is better. For the most part, the album bounds along, bursting with hooks. Only occasionally does it slow down, like for the beautiful "Enter Me, Exit You" with its chirping xylophone and soothing vocals. slowing down. There are a couple great songs, like "Nobody Knows You", which rides a bright, shinny chorus and thumping drums straight into summer and the short "Dr. Drako", which wraps surf guitar and a chant-along chorus around rapid, tightly-wound vocals. Cryptically dark lyrics provide a bit of contrast, but are delivered with such enthusiasm that they rarely alter the buoyant mood. Oh, and you can download the album free from their label Quack! Media. Check it out!

Portugal. The Man - The Satanic Satanist (2009)

After wallowing in a music rut, it feels good love an album again. In this case, it's The Satanic Satanist by Portland transplant Portugal. The Man. While last year's Censored Colors had its moments, nothing was as good as the killer lead single and future rock anthem "People Say", which meditates on war and loss over a couple sweet guitar lines and a great sing along chorus. It kicks off a solid set of songs that merge classic rock and psychedelic soul. However, like other standout modern revivalists The Features and The Jessica Fletchers, it isn't just about a retro sound or mood — the songs are loaded with pop hooks. Although I dig pretty much every song, my other two favorites are "Work All Day", which rides a great rhythmic and repetitive chorus, and "Do You", featuring imploring lyrics and huge fuzzed-out riffs.

Amazing Baby - Rewild (2009)

Amazing Baby's Rewild has all the elements that I love in an indie psych album: space rock guitars, chugga-chugga drums, abstract chants, dance beats, and layered vocals. The songs perfectly balance the shimmering experimental jams of the Secrete Machines with the all-but-the-kitchen-sink glam pop of MGMT. Best of all, the songs remain tight and catchy. Of course, my immediate favorites were the ones I loved off their free Infinite Fucking Cross EP — "Headdress", "The Narwhal" and "Pump Your Breaks" — but the new additions are just as good. I especially like the astral and glittery "Bayonets", the tambourine bashing and echo laden "Kankra", and the propulsive and slinking guitar riddled "Deerripper". "Roverfrenz" even features clattering beats that recall recent Animal Collective. Somehow they pull it all together and live up the high expectations set by the EP.

Fires Of Rome - You Kingdom You (2009)

You Kingdom You is a rock and roll combo platter of an album—touching on influences ranging from glam, heavy metal, punk, Bowie (just listen to “Monkey In A Cage”), a little dance rock, and of course, the classic rock... the list goes on. The tone and swagger reminds me of Diamond Nights’ 2005 release Popsicle, which still gets my inner glam-rocker all excited with each re-listen. Coincidentally, the two bands both hail from that little east coast music Mecca known as New York City. From the hard charging guitar riffs of “I'll Take You Down” and “Love Is A Burning Thing,” to The Rapture-esque dance beats and vocal squeals of “Bronx Bombardier,” (which is anchored by the chant, and all too factual threat, “Don’t fuck with me when I’m not sober...”), to the finely orchestrated and layered structure of “Dawn Lament” and T.Rex styled “But You're Such A Cherry,” Fires Of Rome do a little bit of everything, and they do it all really well. If you're seeking a solid party rock album, look no further.

Also, if the track “Set In Stone” tickles your fancy, and you like club versions of rock songs, have a listen to the Set In Stone Remixes collection. Pretty rad, if you ask me.

Amazing Baby - Infinite Fucking Cross EP (2008)

All four songs on this EP are great and although they all more or less can be described as psychedelic rock, they cover a broad spectrum touching on glam, indie, and garage rock. Like MGMT, the band plays with sound textures, layering guitars, sound effects and choruses, while never loosing sight of the song and hook. "Pump Yr Brakes" rides heavy rough-edged guitar riffs, but the vocals and chorus keep it out of the sludge. "The Narwal" starts with hypnotic rhythmic guitar and drum beat and then introduces wordless backing vocals that recall the recent glam rock of Pop Levi or David Vandervelde. "Supreme Being" is dreamy, with chiming guitars, and chanted/sung vocals. "Head Dress" speeds things up, reminding me of All Night Radio with its low level-distortion shimmering over a beat that gets you nodding with it's ebb and flow. All in all, it is a solid four songs. I can't wait to hear more from them. Oh, and you can get it free on their website. Sweet.

Pop Levi - Never Never Love (2008)

Last year, Pop Levi's sugar assaulted glam rock was on heavy rotation on my headphones, so I was excited to see this one come out. He kicks things off with some electric glam boogie on "Wannamama", and again I'm hooked. This one's mellower and has more of a 80's influence than The Return To Form Black Magick Party. It's a little Bowie and a little Bolan, with a fresh twist of Chromeo. The album is full of weird processed vocals, electric hand claps, and sweet dance floor pop. I know it's not for everyone - the lyrics are generally simple and repetitive, some might say dumb - but these songs are meant for good times on glitter accommodating dance floors. Overall, the album is fun, but far from essential. Slip "Semi-Babe" or "Oh God (What Can I Do?)" onto your next party mix.