"Build It Up" by One for the Team

Build It Up - One For The Team

One for the Team is a pop band, but not what one expects to hear from the genre. Using intentionally conflicting male and female voices they create a charming vocal combination. "Build It Up" is one of my favorite tracks from their breakout album of the same name, and a great example of their sound.

They released Ghosts on Tuesday (though not yet available on Lala.com).

"You Ruined This" by The Audition

You Ruined This - The Audition

Great Danger (released yesterday) needs to be the album that finally sees The Audition put it all together. Their fourth studio album is best described as third attempt to follow up their great pop-emo debut, Controversy Loves Company. While Champion and Self-Titled Album had some really good moments, at best they lacked consistency track to track and at worst were some wince inducing lyrics over some of the best music they have made.

What has kept me eager for every release from the band is the tremendous potential they've shown on each album. They remind me of a Third Eye Blind meets Fall Out Boy, but have yet to produce a single that can introduce them to that pop audience. "You Ruined This" is so far my favorite song from Great Danger, though I can tell the album will be keeping my attention for a while.

"Quiet Little Voices" by We Were Promised Jetpacks

Quiet Little Voices - We Were ...

I saw this Scottish band on Sunday night at Radio Radio (my first visit to the cool Indy venue), and was excited that they lived up to my expectations.

These Four Walls is the kind of album that happily slips into the background while your mind wanders to other thoughts until forcefully grabbing your attention. "Quiet Little Voices" is an upbeat track that grabs your ear with tons of energy and the haunting atmosphere that the Scottish accent always seems to add.

"Gossip" You Me At Six

Gossip - You Me At Six

UK's You Me At Six release their second album, Hold Me Down, tomorrow in the US. "Safer to Hate Her" is so far my favorite track from what I've heard online, though not yet available to stream from a site I am able to post here. YM@6 are a solid pop-punk outfit and hopefully this album is more consistent than their previous album, Take Off Your Colours. "Gossip" was a standout track from Colours and shows the potential these guys have for writing rock music with crossover appeal.