Each month we take a local at new music by locals, album by bands rolling through town, and anything we think that's cool.

Taylor Carson
Standing Alone
www.taylorcarson.com
Area show: May 9 at Best Cellars, May 10 at Whitlow’s
On his third album, “Standing Alone,” Arlington-based singer/songwriter Taylor Carson treads familiar musical terrain, but this time he’s walking alone. Featuring nothing but Carson’s vocals over guitar (or piano in the case of “Where We’ve Been”), the album reflects years of steady solo gigging around the area honing his craft. His songwriting is sharp, his voice polished and his guitar work is subtle but accomplished. Carson compares favorably to obvious influences like John Mayer, and peers like Matt Nathanson, Jason Mraz and Gavin DeGraw. Catch him on Friday, May 9th at Best Cellars in Clarendon for an acoustic show and wine tasting and on Saturday, May 10th at Whitlow’s on Wilson. Visit his website for details. — James Currie

Los Campesinos!
Hold On Now, Youngster . . .
www.loscampesinos.com
Area show: May 16 at the Black Cat
Every once in a while, an album comes along that just blows you away. The unadulterated energy of “Hold On Now, Youngster . . . “ is infectious. Out of Wales, this is the debut full-length album from the seven-piece Los Campesinos!, but fans will already be familiar with tracks such as “Don’t Tell Me To Do The Math(s)” and “You! Me! Dancing!” Broken Social Scene producer David Newfeld produced this album, which starts off fast and never stops. It’s a smart album, with fuzz, confident guitars, dueling lyricists, beautiful harmonies — and a glockenspiel. Highlights include “My Year in Lists” and “This Is How You Spell ‘Ha Ha Ha We Destroyed the Hopes and Dreams of a Generation of Faux-Romantics.’” Los Campesinos! straddle the line of genius and full-of-themselves silliness. They fall on the side of genius, and that’s why “Hold On Now, Youngster . . . “ is a must. Catch them at May 16 at the Black Cat. —  Robert Fulton

ilyÄIMY
Between Lover & Twilight
www.ilyaimy.com
Area shows: Multiple, including May 17 at College Perk
This 2007 release from Baltimore area band ilyAIMY (i love you And I Miss You)  is simply elegant stuff. Highlights such as “I Am the Wreckingball” are all about heart-felt music and love, and Heather Lloyd’s raw vocals melt together with an acoustic guitar. Tracks 9, 12 & 15 are live recordings from the New Deal Café in Greenbelt, Maryland. Give a listen yourself; you’ll be happy you did. Lots of upcoming local shows, including May 16 and 30 at Artomatic in DC, May 17 at College Perk in College Park and May 31 in Herndon. Visit their site for details. —   Therese Karlsson Buxfäldt

Jupiter One
Jupiter One
www.jupiterone.com
Area show: May 31 at the  Herndon Festival
Impressed. Indie rock goodness coming from New York. Sometimes punk, other times spacey, with shimmery loops echoing in the background. There’s some definite pop sensibility here, such as on the highlight, “Unglued.” An ‘80s synthesizer feel pops up often, but it still comes across as fresh. Worth a listen. Check them out May 31 at the Herndon Festival. — Robert Fulton

Nortec Collective Presents Bostich + Fussible
Tijuana Sound Machine
www.myspace.com/tijuanasoundmachine 
Nortec Collective took Latin electronica fans by storm in 2005 with their double Latin Grammy-nominated album “Tijuana Sessions, Vol. 3” and its incredibly happy poppy hit-song “Tijuana Makes Me Happy.” The two masterminds — Fussible (Pepe Mogt) and Bostich (Ramon Amezcua) — behind that hit song have broken from the collective, but still follow the band’s spirit. They blend seamlessly the norteño music from northern Mexico with techno — fusing together acoustic instruments like tubas, trumpets and norteño percussions with electronic ones like drum machines, vocoders and synthesizers. The lead single and title track, “Tijuana Sound Machine” makes great use of a jazzy horn, accordions and smooth vocoder vocals, and “The Clap” has a great clap-like sing-songy accordion beat, with a similar electronica keyboard beat following along. This is danceable techno music that can even appeal to fans of the traditional norteño music looking for an edgier futuristic version of their beloved genre. Hits the streets May 6. — Alfredo Flores

Peter Cooper
Mission Door
www.petercoopermusic.com
Area Show: May 25 at IOTA
A musical collection of stories about musicians, “Mission Door” is an album you’ll find yourself eagerly listening to. The stories and lessons, gleaned from Peter Cooper’s experience interviewing musicians as a journalist, are interesting to listen to at the very least, though they can at times be difficult to understand. The album’s slow and reflective lyrics go hand in hand with Cooper’s country sound and will have you nodding your head along instantly. Catch Cooper live on May 25 at IOTA. — Adaora Otiji

The Kooks
Konk
www.thekooks.co.uk
“Konk,” the follow up album to The Kooks’ 2006 debut “Inside In/Inside Out” has only raised the bar higher for the UK natives. If the English accent of lead singer Luke Pritchard doesn’t make you swoon then toe-tapping tracks like “Mr. Maker” and the opening song “See the Sun,” which will make you feel like you actually have the sun on your face, will make you fall for this album. — Adaora Otiji

Cloud Cult
Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes)
www.cloudcult.com
Cloud Cult has covered a wide spectrum of sounds in their eighth full-length album. The band snuck sounds on to the album, to their advantage.  Songs like “The Tornado Lessons” make you want to dip down and start kicking your legs like a Russian dancer. “May Your Heart Stay Strong,” is easily one of the best tracks, with lyrics that reflect a new level of maturity as songwriters and a catchy chimes rhythm. — Adaora Otiji

Lights
Lights
www.myspace.com/lightsmakemusic
Lights’ debut self-titled album will make your mind as disjointed as the band’s sound. Airy vocals make you want to lay your head down on a pillow of clouds, but after a while they tend to become a little annoying, as is the use of a wah-wah pedal in every song.  Vocals that are more a chanting of sounds than singing of words undermines some songs, if you can call them that, and you find yourself waiting for something to happen until you can’t deal with it anymore. Overall the disc is nice for background music if you just need random environmental noise. They’re good at that at least. — Adaora Otiji

****************ALSO AVAILABLE***************

The Brew
Back to the Woods
www.thebrew.biz
Area show: May 8 at DC9
New album from Massachusetts rockers, who continue to make a name for themselves with competent, accessible, pleasing pop/rock. The funk beats and occasional horns are nice touches, and the dreamy tracks break up the disc nicely. Hear for yourself at DC9 on May 8.

Lisa Cerbone
We Were All Together
www.lisacerbone.com
Float away with Lisa Cerbone’s barely there yet powerful vocals. Her fourth release, “We Were All Together,” is beautiful in its simplicity and well-crafted. 

The Dreamscapes Project
Pity in a Heartbeat
www.thedreamscapesproject.com
Area shows: Multiple, including May 22 at TT Reynolds
DC’s The Dreamscapes Project is alternative rock band with a touch of cello. The group bounces their mellow and acoustic sound around a lot, occasionally drifting into rock territory. Catch them at one of their many local shows this month (including May 9 at College Perk and May 22 at TT Reynolds). Visit their website for more show dates.

Hello Tokyo
Sell the Stars
www.hellotokyomusic.com
This Brooklyn-based power pop band is back, and better than ever. Lots of energy, but dreamy at the same time. If you missed their recent show at the Rock and Roll Hotel, don’t worry. Chances are they’ll be back.

Lucky Day
Rise and Fall
www.luckydayband.com
Area show: May 16 at IOTA
This space is becoming familiar territory for local outfit Lucky Day. The good sounds on this disc— the group’s sophomore effort — start with lead singer Victoria Patchen’s alluring vocals, and are carried by a solid backbeat. Just good, soaring, mature rock/pop, featuring textbook hooks, beautiful vocals and  steady musicianship. Check out their May 16 CD release show at IOTA Club & Cafe.

Matthew Ryan
Matthew Ryan vs. The Silver State
www.matthewryanonline.com
Area show: May 6 at IOTA
Think slow, country-rock steel and acoustic guitar and airy melodies. Matthew Ryan’s sound is that of a heartbroken country boy, as he sings softly in his raspy and slightly accented deep whisper. Catch him May 6 at IOTA Club & Cafe.

The Shimshaws
Ear To The Wire
www.theshimshaws.com
The Shimshaws, led by Brothers Todd and Scott McCombs, deliver a well-versed mix of hooky vocal harmonies, fast rockers, and slower ballads that take you on a refreshing journey from mellow “Acadia” and “Ordinary Days” down to the upbeat boardwalks of “Ocean City”. “All Over You” and “Another Life” have some ripping guitar solos that leave the listener wishing they were louder.  The haunting and piano-driven “Once Again” is a stand-out that demonstrates the band’s versatility, along with songs like “Cannonball” and “New Disguise.” “Never Fly” is a strong opener and introduction to the Shimshaws’ pop sensibilities, while “Closer” serves as a perfect ending to the collection of songs. The lyrics focus on a variety of topics ranging from nostalgia to religion’s impact on relationships. A well rounded album. — Carlito Sweigh

Was (Not Was)
Boo!
www.worldwidewas.com
Area show: May 6 at the Birchmere
In 1987, Was (Not Was) released the hit “Walk the Dinosaur.” Remember that? We do. Because of that awful song, we almost didn’t even bother taking the shrink wrap off “Boo!,” the band’s first new album in 20 years. Lucky for us we finally did because this disc couldn’t be further from what we expected. “Boo!” is a deft mix of Motown-inspired R&B and funk-infused jams. If P Funk knocked up the Supremes, this is what their offspring would sound like. Catch them at one of our fav music halls — The Birchmere in Alexandria — on May 6.