If settling down in a city were the same as settling down with a significant other, The Dead Trees would be on its third marriage. Having formed in Boston and then relocating to Portland, the band is now calling Los Angeles its home. However, if the good composure and charm of the band's latest single "World Gone Global" is any indication, Los Angeles is its best match yet. The song is the first single off The Dead Tree's recently-released sophomore album, entitled "WHATWAVE." The track carries the power pop appeal of Weezer with a touch of tropical jangle comparable to other LA bands like Fool's Gold. With a close connection with several members of The Strokes, The Dead Trees has had various opportunities to pick up some worldly flair. Shortly after releasing a debut EP, the band toured with Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. on two different occasions. The EP was followed by a full-length in 2008, and the band was invited to open for and perform as the backing band for Little Joy, which features Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti. When the time came to work on the second Dead Trees full-length, the band teamed up with producer Noah Georgeson, who is known for his work with Joanna Newsom and Devendra Banhart. The band will be celebrating the release of "WHATWAVE" with a European tour next month. -Karla Hernández
Funeral Party blends punk aesthetics infused with a nuevo Indie vibe that blows the doors off The Strokes, Killers, and Arcade Fire. This LA group breeds a new crop of the next generations distain for the mundane. Released on March 29th, The Golden Age of Knowhere expresses the angst of youth and gives off the same vibrant energy you experience attending their live performances. The defiance, competitive nature, and taunting in "New York City moves to the Sound of LA" says it all. Every track on this album has a strength to it that when tied together play as a cohesively tight album. The stand out tracks are "Finale", "NYC Moves 2 the sound of LA", and "Youth & Poverty", but even that breakdown isn't fair given the great effort from this band on the verge. Funeral Party opens for Panic! at the Disco at The Wiltern, June 21st.
