Toad the Wet Sprocket, courtesy. This week we bring you a guitar-hero-antics-inducing tune by Des Rocs, a bittersweet release by The Exploding Hearts, Jesus and Mary Chain revivalists DAIISTAR, a nine-minute epic by Maps, a live concert favorite by Santa Barbara’s Toad the Wet Sprocket, a folky gem by Thom…

Temples, courtesy Molly Daniel. This week’s tracks go all over the place, musically. Temples are back, and their psychedelic sound has only gotten better. For a bit of alt-country, Carolina Story never disappoints. John Oates makes us wish for a better tomorrow with his beautiful cover and Fences still…

Gord Downie and Bob Rock, courtesy. Scotland’s answer to Jarvis Cocker with Hamish Hawk, featuring Choctaw Nation’s Samantha Crain. A new song from the late Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie, with Bob Rock. New Yorkers Frankie Rose and Hooray For Earth both have catchy new tracks. Reckless Son will…

Rachel Goodman’s favorite shows of 2022 include Wu-Tang Clan, LCD Soundsystem, Bikini Kill, Girl Talk, The House of Love, Trace Mountains, The Airborne Toxic Event and The War On Drugs. I was convinced I didn’t see many shows this year, but looking back I was dead wrong! So after…

Rachel Goodman’s top alt-rock and alt-pop songs of 2022. L to R; Row 1: Fontaines D.C., Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem, Julia Jacklin, GIFT, The Linda Lindas. Row 2: Automatic, The Eaves, The National Parks, Ron Gallo, Love’n’Joy, Blitz Vega. Row 3: Bellows, Heart Racer, Oliver Marson, CVC, The Steens,…

The Luka State, courtesy Jim de Whalley. This week’s tracks may appear to be across the board but there’s a constant theme with these artists wearing their hearts on their sleeves. From supergroup Blitz Vega singing about mental health issues to The Luka State singing about homelessness and food…

Rose’s Pawn Shop, courtesy. This week was a journey into introspection: gratitude, love and beauty. Joan Osborne provides us with the beauty while The Sleeping Souls give us a close look at a relationship ending. The perfect counterpart is the release that Big Joanie provides. Rose’s Pawn Shop is…

Fujiya & Miyagi, courtesy. I was clearly in a cinematic mood this week. Unloved has the soundtrack of our lives, while Tim Sheinman has the perfect soundscape of a song. Tripping Jupiter literally created a film in its video with a story of a song. And of course, we…

Sports Team, courtesy. Stoner/skater rockers Eyedress, Virginia synth-dance pop band Heartracer, Aqua’s ’90s infectious bubblegum pop, the electrifying lads of London’s Sports Team, and hip-hop rhymes by SixSaidIt and Lil Eazzyy make up our favorite tracks of the week. Eyedress, “In The Dog House” – Manila-born, L.A.-based artist Eyedress is…

Editors, courtesy. New York Gypsy punks Gogol Bordello, industrial post-punk band Editors, The Greeting Committee’s catchy cover, ’90s nostalgia from Sunsleeper, Florida’s drenched-out and hypnotic Flipturn, and Alicia Blue’s haunting vocals make up our favorite tracks of the week. Sunsleeper, “Blemishes” — “Blemishes” brings back the ’90s alt-rock nostalgia,…