What the CL Music Team is listening to on this fine Monday to rocket launch the work week. Click here to check out previous entries.

Scott – Howler, America Give Up (Rough Trade, 2012)
This young Minneapolis fuzz-rock outfit brings together influences as diverse as Guided by Voices, The Jesus & Mary Chain and Titus Andronicus to careen between depthy shoegaze and brash, catchy punk 'n' roll with irrepressible energy and hooks. Good new stuff.

Valerie – Foxy Shazam, The Church of Rock and Roll (2012)
I've heard this band is a bit eccentric to say the least, but never actually took a listen. That is, until last summer when they toured with Panic! At The Disco and had the chance to catch their live show. They took the stage clad in embellished coats and sequined outfits, accompanied by frontman Eric Nally's signature 'stache. The amount of energy this band exuded was unparalleled. Nally was on the floor one second and on the shoulders of guitarist Loren Turner the next. The spectacle definitely got the attention it desired as they promoted this month's release, The Church of Rock and Roll, which is marked by anthemic Queen-influenced rock numbers, humorously clever lyrics, thick guitar riffs and plenty of rockin' and rollin'. Video for "I Like It" and more picks after the jump.

This article appears in Feb 16-22, 2012.

Email Scott.

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...