Pitchfork

Tetchy Brooklyn frontman Brad Shanks howls (and plays guitar) as if his arm was just blown off, but the whole thing's less eccentric than your grandma's "I heart NY" tee, and that's perfectly fine. Songs like this may come a dime a dozen, but I'm a sucker for a deal, especially when anthemic, Sonic Youth-caliber riff shanking is involved. Add some early-Rapture rhythmic oomph (seriously) and a dash of savvy Strokes pathos ("Where has everybody gone?/ Have I done it all wrong?") and presto, you're one cannoli short of a Big Apple tour. Next gig for these guys: A celebrity in-taxi video advising passengers to buckle up, indie style!"