The World Within Our Bedrooms (Rough Trade). Review by Julius C. Lacking.

Taking their name from Australian slang for something not good, The Chats are here to strike fear in the hearts of parents and guidance counselors across the globe.

It took Cheo a couple of years to get back into his usual Latin-flavored slinky tinkles after leaving his previous band, but we’re all glad to hear he’s back.

If a mermaid learned to play surf guitar, she could give Olivia Jean some exciting competition, at least for a little while.

Born Ruffians hail from the Great White North, and they have an innate ability to craft razor-sharp hooks out of the simplest of riffs.

They call it Hotlanta for a good reason, but I’m sure The Black Lips have enough bad attitude to have way more colorful names for their hometown.

M. Ward could get by on his smoky velvet voice alone, but he also happens to be a supreme connoisseur of what alert musicians call songcraft.

Beach House play with darkness to welcome a sold-out Orlando audience into their dreamworld. Jen Cray got swept up.

Bip-Hop Fest, featuring Taylor Deupree, Richard Chartier, Steve Roden, Tennis, si-{cut}.db, and Datach’i at Tonic in New York City, NY on October 9 and 10, 2001. Concert review by Nirav Soni.