TOP PICK

Seven Psychopaths

(Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)

Irish playwright Martin McDonagh (In Bruges) delivers again with this film about an Irish screenwriter (Colin Farrell) who finds himself in a bit of trouble after his friend (Sam Rockwell) kidnaps the dog belonging to a local thug (Woody Harrelson).

Local Natives

Hummingbird

(Frenchkiss)

This L.A. act is known for its terrific vocal harmonies and it certainly delivers on that account on this beautifully crafted album that often has echoes of Jeff Buckley.

Tegan and Sara

Heartthrob

(Warner Bros.)

While this Canadian duo might sound a bit too poppy on their latest album, they still write songs that have a distinctly poetic quality to them.

Tomahawk

Oddfellows

(Ipecac)

This experimental side project headed up by Former Faith No More singer Mike Patton features gritty hard rock that recalls all those heavy bands that were on Touch N Go Records in the ‘80s.

This article appears in Jan 30 – Feb 5, 2013.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.