Earthmen and Strangers - self titled LP - I love when bands bridge the gap between punk and indie without losing or getting lost in any of the above genre's charm. These Arizona boys come off as a lost treasure on flying nun records whilst taking in some of its neighbor's (RADIO BIRDMAN and the SCIENTISTS) hook-driven pull. I'd almost put my imaginary house on it these boys rock the CLEAN and the VERLAINES every second day whilst blasting the WIPERS in between. Not a single duffer; every track becoming an instant new fad, sounding old in the warmest sort of way, a beautiful tonic to the worst Monday bluesI've ever had. Now I'm off to spread the word: We have found this year's best record. (SD)