WaterCoolerGossip

Out of all of the recommended shows for this week, none could be a better value than the all Barsuk line-up of The Long Winters, Menomena, and What Made Milwaukee Famous at Bowery Ballroom. This show is only $13 (adv. tix) for three bands, all worth seeing separately.

John Roderick of The Long Winters is very quick on his toes and his stage banter is half of the show. That is probably why he did a solo thing at Revenge of the Book Eaters. Anyway he was funny at Mercury; he will probably be funny at Bowery. Their new album is pretty good too.
Pushover (MP3)
Carparts (MP3)

Menomena is another Pacific Northwest band but these guys make pop melodies fueled by hip-hop drums. In recording those songs they sample their own drums, rearrange it, and then rerecord the sequence live. I love some funky drums and prefer a drummer actually playing them. Jerry Yeti says they will have the Wet and Rusting EP for sale since their new album will not be ready till 2007.
Sista Social Theme ... (MP3)

What Made Milwaukee Famous just released a remastered version of their album. The tracks with the dancier aspects of Spoon are quite fun. Being from Austin, obviously they are making a reference to beer rather than themselves in the band name. If that is not enough to get you to the show then I don't know what is.
IDecide (MP3)
Sweet Lady (MP3)

Also in addition to these MP3s, the Barsuk online store has more songs from bands that "put out" recently. If you have not heard this stuff you could make yourself a little mixtape. I would recommend checking out this new stuff: Viva Voice, John Vanderslice, Starlight Mints, Smoosh, Jim Noir, and Mates of State.