New VHS or BETA + Moving Units, Tigercity, and She Wants Revenge

Three years ago, you could call it a revival, but now nostalgic 80's-inspired dance rock is so predominant, it appears this new wave may last longer than the first. Several second albums from such revivalists are hitting the shelves this month. She Wants Revenge dropped This is Forever on October 9 and I am not convinced these guys are anything more than Depeche Mode knockoffs. I do however like what I've heard from this record - at least what's been played on Metropolis on KCRW. I did also like the track they did for Timbaland's solo record. Somehow, a new Moving Units record slipped under my nose. Entitled Hexes For Exes, the album bears a darker, more atmospheric sound to its garage-y predecessors. Looking at the band's MySpace, it looks as though they've become a quartet.

For my money, the catchiest thing out right now is coming from VHS or Beta. "Can't Believe a Single Word" is the first single from the band's new record, Bring on the Comets, and is another tune I discovered on "Metropolis." It seems as though I was one of the few who was high on VHS or Beta's last album - spare me the instrumentals and it was pretty solid - but hopefully this song's continued success proves me right.


On a similar tip, check out Brooklyn's Tigercity. Less 1980's and more yacht rock meets semi-ironic disco chic. If you're in the right mood, you might fall in love. If not, they'll probably drive you crazy. Not sure where I stand yet.