BAND CRUSH: CMJ EDITION

The top ten ways to rock out at this week's Music Marathon.

Like the first day of high school, making it through CMJ Music Marathon can be tricky. With hundreds of bands, tons of venues, and way too many showcases to keep track of, figuring out who to catch is as hard as finding your first period chemistry class. To help you out, we’ve pored over the schedule to figure out the top ten acts to catch this week—think of it as our super-sized version of Band Crush. Just make sure you’re not caught without a pass…

Washed Out
If songs were Polaroid pictures, then Washed Out would be the equivalent of finding a shoebox full of faded pictures from an ‘80s beachside disco. Ernest Greene, who heads up this one-man band, makes the rare trek up from Georgia for a night of ethereal dance songs. Just because CMJ doesn't officially kick-off until tomorrow doesn't mean you shouldn't get a head-start.

Sisters
No, Sisters is not made up sisters. Hell, the band isn’t even made up of brothers. But you won’t care once the Brooklyn duo starts playing its sugary punk confections. Just don’t leave the earplugs at home—for two people, they make a lot of noise.

Best Coast
Bethany Cosentino brings her hazy West Coast-inspired pop songs to the East Coast. Will they suddenly become icy, electronic tunes? Fingers crossed that the answer is “no”.

Dum Dum Girls
The last time L.A.’s Dum Dum Girls played in New York City, the band was immediately signed to SubPop Records. We have no idea how brainchild Dee Dee can top that, but we’re certainly not missing her two CMJ showcases.

Surfer Blood
Take Vampire Weekend and put them on the beach, instead of in the basement of Butler Library, and you’d get Surfer Blood. The West Palm Beach band wins the award for most shows during CMJ, so you should have plenty of chances to ask them about their MySpace tagline, “Condoleezza Rice, secretary of weed.”

Cymbals Eat Guitars
Just when you think you’ve figured out Cymbals Eat Guitars, they surprise you with a gentle guitar riff or a deep-bellied moan. Just don’t be shocked if you see them taking the Staten Island ferry back home after a gig.

Tim Williams
With our iPods full of noise rock, chill wave, and lo-fi, simple, straightforward indie rock is refreshing. Especially when it’s as good as the songs off of Tim Williams’ new album, Careful Love, which comes out tomorrow.

Little Girls
If someone bottled up Joy Division’s essence, stored it for thirty years, and finally released it in 2009, it would sound something like this Toronto four-piece. And no, that’s not Mike Sniper (aka Blank Dogs) behind the mic.

The Love Language
Last time you went to a lo-fi show, you got stuck in the Wavves’ moshpit. This time? You’re going for something a bit more low-key, but just as catchy, with the staticky ‘60s pop from Chapel Hill, North Carolina’s Stuart McLamb.

Jeff the Brotherhood
Yes, this Nashville duo (who are actually brothers, although neither is called Jeff) make really loud, really fast music. But it’s also really catchy. Just try to get through one of their sets without stomping your foot and pumping your fist.
REBECCA WILLA DAVIS



This story was published on October 19, 2009.