MP3 Weekender: Ghosty, The Dials and Maps and Atlases

I can't rave enough about the following three bands coming to town this weekend, at various venues and times. Undecided about what to go see? Take a listen and judge for yourself!

GHOSTY (MySpace)

(credit: Jennifer Brothers)

Sounds Like: All the best heartfelt, jangly indie-pop of the '80s, '90s and now geeking out together. Think Go-Betweens, R.E.M., etc. (AZ) Playing With: Witch's Hat, The Hibernauts Where/When: The Bluebird, Saturday, July 12 MP3: Ghosty, "A Good Customer"

THE DIALS (MySpace)

(credit: Jim Newberry)

Sounds Like: "[New album] Amoeba Amore takes the band's trademark sound — girl-group sugar on top of dirty garage spice — and layers on tighter thumps and speedy riffs. Add to that buzzes, pops and bouncy hiccuping, and the results feel like the band took only the best parts out of pop music history ('60s harmonizing vocals, '70s blaring guitars, '80s new wave synth licks) and squished them all together." (link) -- Jaime Lees Playing With: Quief Quota, That's My Daughter Where/When: Way Out Club, Saturday, July 12

MAPS AND ATLASES (MySpace)

Sounds Like: "But the band's latest EP, You and Me and the Mountain, finds it wisely spotlighting textured vocal harmonies, soulful melodies and focused arrangements. While Mountain retains the band's math-rockiness and challenging arrangements, the new material features catchy, well-developed songs which set the band apart." (link) -- Shae Moseley Playing With: mewithoutYOU Where/When: Off Broadway, Sunday, July 13 -- early! Show starts at 7:30 p.m.

-- Annie Zaleski