Although most people reading this probably think that Snow Patrol is a brand-new band, the Ireland-born, Scotland-based quartet has quietly been making great music since 1998, when they released their critically acclaimed but commercially ignored (in the U.S., anyway) indie-pop debut, Songs For Polar Bears. In 2001 they followed up with the equally wonderful When It's All Over We Still Have To Clear Up, which solidified and boosted their underground fanbase but unfortunately did little to provide that big breakthrough that eludes so many U.K. bands trying to make it in America.

Read the full interview on Yahoo Music.

Ambrosia Parsley has a quirky ritual. Every Thursday, she takes a stack of daily newspapers to her favorite restaurant for a little bloody mary and huevos rancheros. She finds an interesting story and she writes it up to perform on a segment called "Ambrosia Sings the News" on Air America Network. Shivaree recently scored a record deal with Zoe records and her effort Who's Got Trouble is causing people to take notice. Quentin Tarantino used "Goodnight Moon" in the closing credits of Kill Bill v.2.

Read the full article on Shivaree at Paste Music and check back next week for a review on her latest release Who's Got Trouble?

One of Britian's hottest rock acts Kasabian is set to take America by storm with the stateside release of their eponymous debut next week and a slew of tour dates. Kasabian, who lifted their name from the Manson's family's getaway driver, feed into a more classic sound reminiscent of the Rolling Stones or perhaps the Stone Roses.

Read more on Kasabian at Rolling Stone and find out when they will be in a city near you.

On my list of 10 tens albums for 2004, The Killers are a modern alternative to the alternative with 80's sensibilities. This Las Vegas quartet rocks the Brit Pop/Retro New Wave sound, and it's exactly what the industry's needed. Hot Fuss, is a fierce debut from a band that will bring back memories of Duran Duran and Pet Shop Boys while creating an edgier identity all their own.

Check out CNN's feature on The Killers.

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They're identical twin sisters, they're lesbians, they choose to live on opposite sides of Canada so they're able to work together without driving each other crazy, and their record label requested that they please write songs about "something other than love." Yeah, right. Considering the way these two adore writing love songs, it's easy to picture Tegan and Sara politely giving the finger to that request.

Read the full article at MSNBC now.

When everyone seems to be talking about a band, I usually feel a bit wary. Even yesterday as I was driving home, my local public alt-music station KEXP claimed that The Arcade Fire's debut CD was "one of the best albums of the year." Well, like I said, I usually feel wary. But in the case of The Arcade Fire, I can only say that I totally agree.

Read the full article at MSNBC.

Every morning, for about three weeks now, I've been getting in my car and cranking up "Me and Mia" for my commute to work. It's the first and best song off Ted Leo's new album Shake The Sheets, and by golly it's the only song I think I'll ever need ever again for my morning drive. It's coming close to replacing coffee.

Read the full article at MSNBC.
Download "Me and Mia" for free at Abercrombie Music.