SASQUATCH! Music: The Hold Steady - Stuck Between Stations

Awesome chorus.

The band didn't release their first album until 2004, however they run with that ‘90s rock sound -- not too far off from the rooftop duet in Empire Records -- but with other more classic influences like The Band.

The lyrics involve a lot of storytelling; one band member cited The Mountain Goats, who we just reviewed, as an influence.

They have a surprising number of song placements in other media: you can hear The Hold Steady while playing the video games Tony Hawk's Project 8 and MLB 2K8 as well as NBC’s Friday Night Lights.

Here is their tour schedule as well as a tribute to the late, great Les Paul, both from their website.

SASQUATCH! Music: No Age

I'm usually drawn to guitar/drummer combos -- Two Gallants and The White Stripes are staples in my collection -- and so I appreciate the simplicity of No Age.

But I'm not sure they are pulling it off. I’m always against bands using anything prerecorded while performing, kind of defeats the point in my opinion, and it looks like the drummer is triggering some recordings behind his kit.

It also sounds like they might be taking themselves a little too serious with the whole “censorship” issue, which doesn’t sound like censorship at all. But I’m not in this for the politics so that’s easily forgettable.

They have a decent sound, although they seem to error on the side of noise, which can be less interesting.

Sub Pop profile here.

SASQUATCH! Music: The Mountain Goats

It's the loud, almost shouting lyrics that make the songs really stand out. He's not singing to be pretty, he's making sure you are listening. It's a real cutting, but almost ballad-y style. I dig it.

Most of his early stuff, which runs wild on Pandora, has a lo-fi and stripped down sound. The discography spans 18 years and includes 17 discs. There's a film detailing their latest happenings that shares the same title as their recent album, The Life of the World To Come.

Screenings and their limited tour dates are on the website.

SASQUATCH! Music: Massive Attack - Pray For Rain

Massive Attack is a trio turned duo that originated from a British DJ collective. The group collaborates on production with dozens of featured musicians and singers. They are often cited as the original 'trip hop' sound.

Although DJs to the core, the sound is broad and has the same wide appeal that The Beta Band puts out.

You can checkout the Massive Attack blog and also their spot on The Oklahoma Daily's new music Tuesday.

SASQUATCH! Music: Mumford and Sons - Little Lion Man

Mumford & Sons have been around since 2007, but are getting non-British pub on the back of this hit, including a chance to play the edited version on Letterman last week.

The driving banjoish sound really makes this song, achieved with something they refer to as a “Banjolin” -- they even have a song named after it -- however the banjolins I’ve found don’t seem to be set in a guitar body like the one shown in the video.

SASQUATCH! Music: Pavement - Spit on a Stranger

Special 1999 edition, complete with non-retro light ropes. The band broke up shortly after this performance; Stephen Malkmus played their last show with a pair of handcuffs attached to his mic stand. Sasquatch is among the short list of festivals the band will play as part of their 2010 reunion.

Tour schedule via Matador Records.

Getting it started