Like a honeymoon sprinkled with Pacific mist. Spacious and spontaneous, Rose City is an endlessly tuneful bouquet of beauty. - Alternative Press

Viva Voce are back with rose city, an album they wrote, arranged, and recorded themselves all in one furious month — choosing not to deliberate over every little thing but living purely in the moment musically and lyrically. Immersing themselves in sonic experimentation, it was truly spontaneous and cathartic. The result is an angular, immediate record that pulses with the palpable urgency of a band yearning for a return to the vagabond life of the working, touring musician — a mode in which Viva Voce is truly at home.

Lovely in sound, but chilling in mood - the dark side of the new quiet. - National Public Radio

Andrew Kenny’s songwriting remains mesmerizing and cut with a twisted sense of nostalgia. Magnolia is easy, earthy, and undoubtedly Southern, like the dusky buzz of summer cicadas. - The Austin Chronicle

Barsuk is pleased to announce that magnolia, the debut LP from The Wooden Birds, is available nationally today. The Wooden Birds is the latest project of Andrew Kenny, a native Texan who after nearly six years in Brooklyn, NY has returned to beautiful Austin, TX. He's best known as the singer/songwriter behind mellow indie favorites the American Analog Set. Full of guitar-top drumming and beautiful harmonies, and anchored by Kenny’s percolating, vibey bass, magnolia rolls by like a float down an ambient indie-rock river on a lazy summer day.

This limited-edition 12" vinyl features four reinterpretations of tracks from Mates of State's 2008 release, re-arrange us, with contributions from noted remixologists DJ Sega, Flosstradamus, The Mae Shi, and RAC. Packaged in a classic DJ white sleeve, this 12" EP is limited to 1000 copies worldwide.

Filled with smart and charismatic songs. - Under The Radar

Say Hi is Eric Elbogen, who wrote and recorded his new album at his home studio over the course of 2008. He used to live in Brooklyn, NY, but moved to our hometown (Seattle, WA) in December of '06, and we're very glad he did, since it gave us the chance to spend time with him and get to know him better. He's a charming, thoughtful guy, and we're all rather crazy about his new album, oohs & aahs.

Two good reasons to celebrate Tuesday, January 20: Inauguration Day for our new US President, and the release of David Bazan's new 7" single, american flags. Out since last November digitally, this is the first time these two songs have been available on vinyl. The 7" also comes with a single-use code to download hi-res MP3s. Be sure to order your copy soon, as this is a limited pressing and will be gone fast!

The new DVD from The Long Winters and DorsiaFilms, live at the showbox, is out now, and it's incredible. Recorded in Dolby 5.1 surround sound, and featuring bonus commentary by John Roderick and The Long Winters, and a preview of the forthcoming Long Winters documentary, the new DVD is a must-have for both fans of The Long Winters and fans of the rock 'n' roll spirit in general. Shot at the final show of an expansive North American tour, at the largest Seattle venue the band has ever played, live at the showbox captures the infectious enthusiasm of a group of road warriors celebrating a triumphant homecoming.

Even in those early days, Gibbard displays a brilliant intuitive sense of cadence and melody that sets him apart from the rest. There was an emotional drama boiling over the edge of each indelible hook and elongated vowel. The records lo-fi edge can’t distract form the incredible songwriting and melodic sense captured on Airplanes. It’s not difficult to hear the spark Death Cab had early on, and all to obvious why they caught fire just a few years later. - Paste

We now have Barsuk tote bags, made from durable cotton twill with reinforced handles. On sale for just $10!

Ra Ra Riot combine Arcade Fire's orchestral reveries with Vampire Weekend's pop sensibility for an album that's both effervescent and heartbreaking. - Rolling Stone

Formed in January 2006 in Syracuse, NY, Ra Ra Riot has quickly gained a devoted following. They have toured extensively in the US and abroad with artists such as Tokyo Police Club and Editors. NME honored them as one of the Top 5 and Top 10 bands at CMJ 2006 and SXSW 2007 respectively. Ra Ra Riot spent late 2007 in the studio with producer Ryan Hadlock (The Gossip, Blonde Redhead, Islands) recording their debut full-length, which is set for release on CD August 19, 2008, and on orange vinyl on September 2nd. The CD will be shipping sometime in the next few days, but the LP won't be ready until early September — however, if you pre-order the LP between now and release date (Sep. 2), you'll be given a single-use code to download the entire album as high-quality MP3 files, so you don't have to wait to hear the delicious tunes.

Lackthereof incorporates finely-tuned electro beats to boost lethargic vocals into harmonic climaxes. Your Anchor is most certainly worth a listen or 50. - Black Book

A rumbling collection of basement jams. - Under the Radar

Lackthereof is the solo project of Danny Seim (who also plays drums in Menomena). Your anchor was performed entirely by Danny, and was recorded and mixed in his basement in Portland. Barsuk is stoked to be releasing this collection of (not so very lo-fi) lo-fi gems, on CD (and via various digital music services) on July 22nd, and on beautiful white vinyl on September 2nd. The CD is shipping now, but the LP won't be ready until early September — however, if you pre-order the LP between now and release date (Sep. 2), you'll be given a single-use code to download the entire album as high-quality MP3 files, so you don't have to wait to hear the delicious tunes.

Mates of State gather their many charms — soaring vocals, luminous melody, hopeful sentiment — in an infectious pop ode to the inevitability of change. - Alternative Press

Mates of State has been described by critics as unabashed joy, honesty at its best, a two piece with balls, and a band that you must see live. It's difficult to place Mates of State in a genre as their song structures are unique, and often complex, yet contain the pop elements of catchy melodies and loads of harmony. Though a duo, they fill up audio space with monster, bass-heavy organ, creative drumming, and constant dueling vocals. Mates of State make thick, layered music that rewards attention, analysis, and repeated listens. It is simultaneously instantly enchanting, drawing you in at once with hooked stacked upon incredible, undeniable hook. Vinyl LP version now available, comes with single-use code to download the entire album as high-quality MP3 files!

Noir's beatific mood harks back to a kinder, pre-electronic age. Casiotone synths and subtle guitar fashion popsicle backdrops for whipped peaks of multi-tracked vocal harmony. - MOJO

From a Manchester bedroom to your stereo via outer space, we're overjoyed to introduce the new album from Jim Noir. He's named it after himself, but don't be fooled into thinking he's run out of ideas — Jim's eponymous second album is one of the most expansive pop records you'll hear this year. His music has always been a melee of different styles and influences, and this album sees him delving more into his electronic side and going further with melody and vocals than he’s ever gone before — there's even some lead falsetto.

What Made Milwaukee Famous may unashamedly wear their pop on their sleeves, but that new-wave sheen is stretched taut over a muscular frame of sweaty rock. Milwaukee’s energetic, forceful, and impassioned music feels immediately familiar. Michael Kingcaid’s laid-back vocals swoon and swagger in and out of the bands rolling melodies, and although sonically polished the music maintains just enough rough edges to keep things interesting.

Hooks up front, naked, awash in foamy waves, harmonies tight and coiled in tingly jangle. Lucky’s music kicks high. - Under The Radar

The new album from Nada Surf is filled with images of restlessness, longing and the elusiveness of love, yet the band counterbalances the lyrical bittersweetness with a musical buoyancy. Intimate songs become in-it-together anthems, thanks to the chiming guitars, propulsive rhythms, and the emotional candor in singer Matthew Caws' vocals. Turn up the volume, hit the repeat button, and your troubles, for a blissful three minutes or so, will disappear.

Past recordings of his own songs (occasionally made available online under the name "Martin Youth Auxiliary") have mostly been quickly-recorded lo-fi sketches unintended for widespread release, so field manual is the first time his own songs have been given the studio attention and thought-out approach to recording for which he's usually known.

We've decided to clear out the vaults: buy any poster from our shop at the regular price, and get 3 free promotional posters (randomly chosen from our poster archives). We have promo posters spanning all the way back to the early years, and we figure they'll look better on your walls than in a box in the warehouse.

Now you can drink your coffee, tea, or other beverage of choice in this classic white ceramic mug. Get yours today while supplies last!