I feel like I should have outgrown contemporary punk rock like this, and in most cases I have. But there is really something that separates Dirty Tactics from any band of the punk sub-genre that I've heard recently. Suburban, mall-loitering, teen topics sung by raspy, melodic, almost Cobain-ish vocals layered over high energy post-adolescent punk with hints of hardcore, ska, lo-fi pop, grunge, Celtic rock, and anything else that has likely influenced these gentleman over the past 10 years. "Train Song" even has that dark Murder City Devils/spooky organ embellishment that so many bands wanted to copy but never dared. Tempting to excuse, however very listenable.  

THE EARPS - GET A ROOM (Big Bender Records)

Off the top of my head, I would say The Earps are Arizona's answer to the Supersuckers. However, that is too easy and slightly without logic considering Eddie Spaghetti and his original outlaw punkers made their debut in Tucson over two decades ago before relocating to Seattle. But like the Supersuckers, The Earps have a knack of creating a world of their own filled with girls, booze, fast cars, and plenty of American cowboy rhetoric. I am not sure what Dwight Yoakem or Burt Reynolds would think about the ultra-metrosexual "Mancrush" (both of whom are objects of singer Hotwheel McGreggor's infatuation). Look past that and discover the band's brightest gem; talented Phoenix country/rock guitarist "Denver Dane", whose crossover-style licks really help bring these songs to deserving attention.

PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART - "SAY NO TO LOVE" single (Slumberland)
This new single by TPOBPAH is a great offering for those who felt the ten songs from their debut album was not enough or for those who might had missed the following EP released in 2009. This New York band benefits from applying the same Lush-like formula over the past 3 years yet can still be called "promising" by the gate keepers of the indie scene. The B-side, "Lost Saint", is the better song among the two...no surprise as most indie pop bands are bad in choosing their better pop songs as singles.