Monthly Crush: Ten Minute Turns

So my brother’s in a band called Ten Minute Turns (in the name of journalistic transparency, I figured that was important to share right at the top). And (I swear to you, I’m not blowing fraternal smoke up your collective butts) they’re pretty good (ask Matt or Rudi — they’ll both vouch). Their debut album Sad Animals was in my top 10 albums of 2006, brimming with creative, everything-often-including-the-kitchen-sink sounds and über-catchy hooks. New material from their sophomore album Leaving Robot City is beginning to surface (and not just here — new song “Decimal Days” will shortly appear on Japanese radio — domo arigato, mister roboto!), and it’s definitely worth your attention.

Robot City is more polished than Sad Animals (somebody bought a couple of fancy new keyboards, too), and while their giddy energy has been reined in a bit, their knack for explosive, soaring choruses is perfectly intact. There’s lots to like about Robot City, but the most striking track has to be “Aluminum Shine,” with its pounding tom-toms & handclaps rhythm, shimmering guitar solo, and big, unbelievably catchy & powerful chorus. I dare you not to hit repeat a couple of times after listening:

Download: Ten Minute Turns, “Aluminum Shine” (mp3)

Like what you hear? Leaving Robot City isn’t available digitally or on disc yet, but dig into Sad Animals and the Sleepy Cranes EP over at Amazon MP3.