Califone - The Orchids 8.0/10

Califone is an indie folk group from Chicago, USA. This track is taken from their album Roots and Crowns released by Thrill Jockey in 2006. It's a rare thing when a cover can be considered as good or better than the original version, but that is the case with this cover of a song by Psychic TV from the early 1980's. Carefully plucked acoustic guitars are matched with frontman Tim Rutili's world-weary voice while a harmonica moves in and out adding depth and grace. Rutili has stated that the sound of the album Roots and Crowns was directly inspired by Psychic TV's version of the song. The poetic lyrics mention shades of lightness, darkness and colour, and revolve around the common theme of eyes and sight.

Electric President - Good Morning, Hypocrite 8.4/10

Electric President is an indie electronic pop band from Florida, USA. The group's main members are Ben Cooper and Alex Kane. This track is taken from their self-titled album released by Morr Music in 2006. The track's keyboards, pianos and whooshing electronic beats sound much larger and fuller than the bedroom recording studio they were made in. The lush electronic gurgles and crisply thumping rhythm are set against Ben Cooper's hushed vocals, creating a sound which is reminiscent of The Postal Service. The call-and-response voices used in the middle section also recall the pop sensibilities of Junior Senior. Lyrically the track describes the personal alienation brought about by modern technology and lines like 'nature's haircut is concrete now, we played our part' remind me of the environmental themes of Grandaddy's album The Sophtware Slump. This track is best experienced through headphones while curled up on a sofa, gazing out the window at a busy city street.

The Lovely Feathers - Photocorners 8.6/10

The Lovely Feathers are an indie guitar pop band from Montreal, Canada. This track is taken from their album Hind Hind Legs released by Equator Records in 2006. The track is a fine example of the unusual song structures they employ on the album Hind Hind Legs. The tempo and timing of the melody often shifts abruptly; it begins slowly and then goes through sequences of rapidly speeding up the pace and then slowing down again. The style is more akin to jazz bands and jam bands, but they make it seem like a perfectly natural technique to use in an indie pop song. The lyrics offer snapshots of lost love and longing, though the group choruses of 'We'd laugh if we were younger' sound positively joyous. I consider this to be an overlooked gem of a track, and the full album Hind Hind Legs is also worthy of another listen to appreciate the unique tempo shifts the band makes use of.