Hundred Visions
Last Cab From TunisFilling the void of LCD Soundsystem’s early retirement, Hundred Visions jumps into the fire with “Last Cab From Tunis,” a seductive strut of neo-disco and swaggering, bottom-heavy funk. Former Corto Maltese frontman Ben Maddox cuts more of a Harry Nilsson character than James Murphy, evinced on the flip side by the anthemic rock of “Red Tide” and “The Light That Starts the Day.” 
Adrian & the Sickness
Criminal Dog DaysAdrian & the Sickness always shoot to thrill. Here, the local power trio shreds on par with Adrian Conner’s side tribute project, Hell’s Belles, reiterated by the metallic riffage of B-side “Dog Days,” which boasts a Guitar Hero breakout worthy of the Sword. “Criminal” takes an entirely different route, a two-minute jaunt of spunky pop-punk with a SoCal streak.
The Angel Babies
Blew My Speakers (Espanola Recording Company)The Angel Babies is two bad seeds – Calida and Frankie Baby of the Dirty Hearts – with clear intentions: “Drugs Guns Hookers,” as promised by the better half of this 7-inch debut. That tune marries a dark, electro groove with sinister cocktail-napkin poetry while the title track wastes a promising low-rider beat (accordion, West Coast synths, and echo-heavy guitar) with a driveling chorus that just won’t quit.
Sands Hollow
“Watch Yourself” b/w “The River’s Edge” (Monofonus Press)Debut collaboration between Winston Chapman and Zachary Biggs, Sands Hollow is a peculiar project: a studio band working on cassettes. With arrangements and four-track experimentation reminiscent of Kontiki-era Cotton Mather, “Watch Yourself” offers excitable indie pop for hazy afternoons. Acoustic “The River’s Ridge” is more contemplative with backwards guitar, piano, a wash of strings, and fading harmonies. More please.
Follow That Bird
“Wooden Bones” b/w “Antlers” (Mt. Fuji)Casual Victim Pile gave Follow That Bird a proper national introduction. Following a solid one-sider for Monofonus Press, the local trio’s debut for Seattle’s Mt. Fuji keeps the momentum building on “Wooden Bones,” an aching gem of 1990s indie guitar rock that swells from a Krautrock intro with seasoned restraint and finesse. Guitarist Lauren Green’s elastic quiver remains the linchpin, especially in the angular noise-pop of B-side “Antlers.”
This article appears in 30th Anniversary.