Hot Spring Music Acts

Spring is the season for "new." As we prepare for the coming warm weather and dust off the cobwebs that winter may have left behind, A-list artists of all genres prepare to release new albums and singles to compete for the top spot in the pre-summer spotlight. But instead of fueling the mainstream music industry's fire, why not check out some of these new acts that are sure to gain some momentum in their respective markets. Who knows, maybe you can be that "I'm the first person to know about these guys" guy if they hit it big, I won't tell.

Crescent Moon

Is In Big Trouble

Sounds Like: The old Gym Class Heroes

Album: "Crescent Moon Is In Big Trouble EP" (March 6, 2008)

What's The Deal?: I'm a sucker for hip-hop bands. Led by Alexi "Crescent Moon" Casselle, Crescent Moon Is In Big Trouble is an example of a wholly underrated Minnesota hip-hop scene. All the members of the band (minus Casselle) have been or are members of decade-old rap group Heiruspecs. Casselle's vocals are rough, raw and angry, yet he's able to spin stories through his rhymes so poetically that you can't help but think of Travis McCoy's material off of earlier "…For The Kids" cuts. While most of their debut EP features tracks of the mellower variety, "Hunting Season" comes at you through the speakers with tenacity, fire and hunger. "St. James Infirmary" is a great example of their storybook style, and sports a bluesy vibe to it as Casselle rhymes a tale of "old Joe McKennedy." Crescent Moon Is In Big Trouble is a rapper and a band and an example of how wonderfully the two can compliment each other. Seeing as they're basically a side project, I recommend to check them out as soon as possible - they're very impressive.

Check Out: "Hunting Season," "Broken Dishes"

Murdocks

Sounds Like: An Americanized version of the Arctic Monkeys

Album: "Roar EP" (April 1, 2008)

What's The Deal?: The first track on the "Roar EP," "Playhouse Down," came off as a complete shock to me. My first impression of the group after looking at the cover of their album and the promo picture was "ok, here's another indie-college band," but I was soon surprised to find out that Murdocks are pretty punk and they indeed rock. Their music comes off with the energy of Brit-rock group like Arctic Monkeys or Bloc Party, but it definitely has its roots in the garage rock/punk genre. Franklin Morris' vocals take a bit to get used to but once you do, it's all good fun.

Check Out: "Die Together," "Boy"

Switches

Sounds Like: Brit-pop on a glam-rock high

Album: "Lay Down The Law" (March 18, 2008)

What's The Deal?: As the only band on this list with a full-length album and a large record label behind them, Switches has a bit more going for them when it comes to songs with high production values and radio playability. That being said, these guys are great. High energy, catchy songs and hooks that call back to glam-rock days of Queen and David Bowie, but yet nail the upbeat pop-rock vibe of bands like The Hives or Jet. Lead singer Matty Bishop has a superb voice for the music he's singing over and he's very fun to listen to. From the Queen-esque "Drama Queen" to the stand-up-and-shout "Testify," Switches certainly has what it takes to entertain. From what I've heard, I expect these guys to have some mainstream success this year if Interscope markets them properly.

Contact Stephen Ortiz at Stephen.Ortiz@UConn.edu.