Midtown Dickens

Mixing charm with sometimes heady subject matter, Midtown Dickens is the type of band that draws you in with its illusion of simplicity then blows you away with deft lyricism.

The duo of Kym Register and Catherine Edgerton released a stellar album "Oh Yell" in 2007. With a follow-up promised for the fall of 2008, new fans can check out the guitar/banjo duo tackle a wide range of emotion.


Megafaun

Combining elements of Appalachian folk with tape manipulation and ambient noise, Megafaun emerges from the niche of traditional folk with joy for the craft and a creative spirit that defies the limits of genre classification.

2007's "Bury the Square" is the type of record with intricacies that are fleshed out with repeated listens, but the immediate reaction to the harmonies is undeniable.
The beautiful three-part harmonies from brothers Brad and Phil Cook, along with drummer Joe Westerlund, float high above the sometimes frantic instrumentation, percolating their way up through the chaos to bring it all back together... before splitting off in seemingly disparate, but always meticulously arranged directions.


Red Collar

Red Collar embodies all that rock 'n' roll is supposed to be. The working man never sounded so passionate as on the band's 2007 "Hands Up" EP, which comes at you fast and leaves you with a gap-toothed smile.

A long overdue debut LP is expected in the fall of 2008 from this Durham four-piece, which made a name for itself with a frantic live show that inevitably inspires passionate, fist-pumping sing-a-longs from the fans who have seen these guys and gals countless times over the past year. Every show is an experience all its own, each time different and better than the last.


Schooner

Combining various strands of '90's indie rock, Schooner is a powerful force propelled by frontman Reid Johnson's deft lyrics and classic slacker drawl. The lines of influence easily lead back to bands like Pavement or Guided By Voices, but Schooner stands on its own with a signature sound of Johnson and sister Catherine harmonizing to gorgeous results.

The band is three records deep and despite large-scale line-up changes over the past year continues to impress Triangle crowds with songs that are both fast paced and drenched in reverberating emotion.


Embarrassing Fruits

Every once in a while, a band comes around that reminds you of how much fun rock 'n' roll used to be, before the world collectively developed a fear of loud amplifiers. On Embarrassing Fruits debut EP, "The First Time," the group proves that it's the sort of band to provide a much-needed shot in the arm. -- Jamie Williams