I know, I know...

I haven't been around in... months? Yeah, I miss this joint, but I've been busy, and the last year has just kicked my ass up and down the street.

There have been so many bands discovered, my mind on overload right now, and I can only think of a handful, so forget about a rundown. I'm no good with that stuff anyway. So I'm gonna be lazy and mention just a few I've discovered for myself...

The Jakes - "Garands At Normandie" They are by no means unknowns, but they were unknown to me until recently.

Owl City - "Saltwater Room" Again, not new, but new to me

Starfucker - "Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second" Dig the animation.

The Vox Merger - "Reasons" These guys are brand new to me, but I bet Scribes has heard of them. Hip Hop is sorely unrepresented in my list, but I haven't been hearing much new stuff that's worth mentioning.

Adam Faucett is a must-hear http://www.thesixtyone.com/adamfaucett/songs/new/

I'm digging this band (well guy, since it's really just him), The Oxygen Ponies: http://www.thesixtyone.com/oxpo/ He could work on his singing, but the music is there.

Deyansa http://www.thesixtyone.com/deyansa/ I really appreciate the stripped down music and straight message. This is Good, pure music.

Yerkish http://www.thesixtyone.com/Yerkish/songs/new/ I'm thinking Tool meets The Mars Volta. To those who can appreciate those two bands, nothing more needs to be said. Listen to "When Glaciers..." and tell me if I'm offbase.

Guilty pleasure --> The Royalty - "Chinese Fire Drill" Hey, it's a catchy tune.

And I just can't get tired of The Gutter Twins. This isn't new, but man, I dig those guys. I can't get Soulsavers, MGMT, Mystery Jets or Laura Marling out of my system, either, come to think of it.

Oh, and I can't forget our good friend Robin Danar. Do yourself a favor and buy a copy of Robin's "Altered States", and support your local MOGGER. http://www.emusic.com/artist/Robin-Danar-MP3-Download/11958095.html

And to finish... Ol' Bessie isn't a new discovery by any means, but this fits somewhat with the year I'm having... and Bessie Smith is still badass, 71 years after her untimely death.

If you've read this far, well, thanks! I hope you enjoyed my finds as much as I do. Maybe I've turned you on to something new.