Ian Axel - I'm On To You

Vivian: Great piano-based pop, like Ben Folds on a great day… catchy, kitschy. I'm in love.
Neil: He's like the female Michele Branch. I'll give him my support over James Blunt.
Rick: Piano happy-go-lucky New York tramp music.
Michael: I hear Supertramp and Eric Carmen.

Peter Baldrachi - Solid Ground

Vivian: Mid-era Wilco-ish pop music, shades of Arizonan guitar… In danger of usurping Ryan Adams' throne.
Neil: That's almost a double-phallic name referring to shaved areas… and it's pube-less.
Rick: Semi-alt-country-rock… no twang, but lots of sass and sharp wit lyrically.
Michael: Billy Vera and the Beat-offs. "You're gonna" is the gem in all this. Beatle-y goodness.

Bonerama - Bringing It Home

Vivian: New Orleans big band horn jazz mixed up with prog-rock guitar. Cool is not cool.
Neil: Tower Of Power with funk. Big welcoming sound, some jazz guitar and blues.
Rick: Just what the world needs… more not-great New Orleans jazz. Live is cool, though.
Michael: Chicago's horn section doing Thelonius Monk, Beatles and Zeppelin. And impressive originals. Good times.

The Expendables - The Expendables

Vivian: Groovy sk-unk rock with hearty reggae influence. Amazing rhythm section, average Sublime-type rock. Great vibe.
Neil: 311 wimpy vocals, 420 music. They thank Pepper. End of story.
Rick: Typical So-Cal fare that would be at home on Skunk Records… It's a decade late, though.
Michael: Goldfinger without the energy.

Hell On Heels - Dogs, Records & Wine

Vivian: 60's-style garage rock, heavy organ, made by four hot girls… best chick rock this year.
Neil: Bassist Chela Larue may be related to Chesty Larue. Le row, Le bow wow!
Rick: Totally non-sub par girl rock with classic Memphis overtones. Nice guitar work and rhythm. Serious.
Michael: Decent rolloer-girl rock. Delinquent girls with nice organs.

The Hit & Mrs. - Buried In The Backyard Of My Heart

Vivian: Lo-fi high energy Jesus And Mary Chain-laden rock music. Sonic and beautiful with Hooters keyboards.
Neil: If the Ramones learnt how to play better. Damn good songs, rough but smooth.
Rick: Well sewn riffs and lyrics. Well-balanced production. '80s.
Michael: I like it for the Kinks value. Quite enjoyable. Manly fragrance, but I like it, too.

Last American Buffalo - Marquis For The Debutante

Vivian: Heartfelt, clean rock music based in 80's post-modern and emo-alt-country. Fans of Wilco, Fixx rejoice.
Neil: Please observe the one note per syllable rule. Collective Soul Asylum.
Rick: Catchy, slow drum beats that leave you tapping your pen.
Michael: Dude can't sing just like Conor Oberst, but musically very solid.

Lovely Crash - Buddha Car

Vivian: Girl power rock… dull teeth, occasional brilliant lyricism and solid musicianship. Chick needs voice lessons.
Neil: Meaty, driving road rock. The vocals need punched, but I'm digging it. 3 thumbs up.
Rick: Poor production, hollow lyrics, trite rhythms.
Michael: A second rate Breeders. Maybe third rate.

Murder Mystery - Are You Ready For The Heartache Cause Here It Comes

Vivian: Jangly 80's style pop, Human League vocals, loosely electronic music… I'm confused, and so is this dude.
Neil: Clever vocals, cute They Might Be Giants songs. A nice upbeat depression. Triumph.
Rick: Lead singer sounds like an upbeat, swanky Morrissey. '80s.
Michael: Happy fun time whimsical rock with a small r.

The Radishes - Good Machine

Vivian: Garage rock with real attitude. Awesome thrusting guitars and attitude-full rabble rousing lyrics.
Neil: Snotty heavy punk. Dead Boys, Gorilla Biscuits. Good for picking up slutty Jersey girls.
Rick: The Radishes are totally radical. Cop Shoot Cop.
Michael: Sort of Naked Raygun meets Baldo Rex. Hard hitting but audible everything. Very nice.

Switches - We Are Switches EP

Vivian: Brilliant UK pop - touch of disco… fans of Franz Ferdinand, etc will be very pleased.
Neil: Power chord glam. Nice big sound but repetitive. Ladies choice skate… ladies choice.
Rick: Sounds like The Fratellis and Queen.
Michael: Sounds a lot like the Von Bondies.