The Babies - The Babies (Shrimper, 2011)
The Babies are a collaboration between Vivian Girls singer/guitarist Cassie Ramone and Woods bassist Kevin Morby. This is their self-titled debut full length, and it is totally good. No real surprises here, as The Babies sounds like a perfect amalgamation of the two bands. These are pop punk songs with plenty of melody, but with a reverby, slightly outdoors-y feel to them. Both crisp and raw and filled with good jams, The Babies is quite the debut, especially for a side-project.
Cloud Nothings - Cloud Nothings (Carpark, 2011)
More pop punk, this time from Cleveland's Cloud Nothings. This self-titled debut is fairly diverse, rhythmically, and is zany the whole way through. If there's one thing to hate about Cloud Nothings, its the borderline annoying vocals, but I sort of like them. The songs are catchy as hell, but they have somewhat complicated structures (which, if you know me, you know that's how I usually like things). Also, the drums are busy, and there is some nice, interesting guitar playing going on here. Cloud Nothings is another pleasant surprise from 2011.
Zonoscope - Cut Copy (Modular, 2011)
I didn't absolutely love Cut Copy's 2008 LP, In Ghost Colours, but I did like it just fine. The group finally returns in 2011 with Zonoscope, and I have the same sentiments. What Zonoscope has over In Ghost Colours is a more consistent sound and feel, and probably a higher number of songs that I like. What it's lacking is standout jams like "Hearts on Fire" and "Strangers in the Wind." It's alright, Zonoscope is still a very good synth pop record with more peaks than the last and virtually no valleys to speak of.
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