It’s impossible not to compare this to Jason Heath’s recent album, solely because this one is so much better–unlike Heath, Lawrence’s slow and steady approach means he never wears out his welcome, and even the accordion he uses sounds like a genius addition instead of like kitchen sink excessiveness.

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While the coke-fiends out there might miss a bit of the trebly snap, the heightened fidelity actually highlights their most frenetic moments: the stereo is more pronounced, so you hear cool friction in the double-tracked vocals and more Thin Lizzy influence in songs such as “Run the Night.”

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Constantinople will claw and dig at your psyche while simultaneously dragging you through a cold, dead forest, over remnants of once vibrant tree branches until it finally eases its grip and you find yourself unwittingly sinking beneath the earth, under its spell.

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Kronos Quartet connect the severe to the serene with four sets of strings and a preternatural sense for ceremony and resonance. They will be performing several shows this month including work by Harry Partch, Frank Zappa and a commissioned piece by film composer Tom Newman called “It Got Dark.” This interview by Dan Collins.

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Black Joe Lewis is a Texas soul shouter who would have been at home on Sue in 1966 but finds himself instead on Lost Horizon with his band the Honeybears. He’s opened for Little Richard but his favorite rock ‘n’ roll band is Rocket From The Tombs and he loved Star Trek right up to the point J.J. Abrams got hold of it. This interview by Chris Ziegler.

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Handsome Furs are husband-and-wife team Dan Boeckner (also in Wolf Parade) and Alexei Perry and their new album Face Control blends classic rock riffs with a techno beat. They have been to many places you have never heard of. Alexei takes time out from a day at the beach to do this interview. This interview by Tom Child.

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The Sadies are Canada’s magnificent responding echo to California country and just finished a set of shows with Black Mountain. Their new album (featuring John Doe, one in a long line of Sadies collaborators also including Andre Williams, Robyn Hitchcock and Jon Langford) is out now on Yep Roc. This interview by Chris Ziegler.

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