Decibully

For a decent period in the late '90s to early '00s, Polyvinyl Records was the place to be. With genre-defining works by Braid, Rainer Maria, American Football and Mates of State coming out practically every month, the label was on a hot streak — one that should have continued with the signing of Milwaukee's Decibully. The dreamy, alt-country-tinged indie-pop act (featuring two ex-members of the Promise Ring's final lineup) delivered two gorgeous albums, 2003's City of Festivals and 2005's Sing Out America!, that were completely lost in the indie-rock shuffle. The band's latest album, World Travels Fast, has been in label limbo for nearly two years; it finally received a vinyl-only release via Listening Party Records this past winter. Even with the delay, it still sounds fresh and vibrant and makes pretenders to the throne such as Portugal. The Man look bush-league in comparison.