Ya Heard? - Spinnerette, Razorlight, Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Ghetto Love / Spinnerette

Brody Dalle, she of The Distillers, has returned to the scene with a new band and a familiar sound. "Ghetto Love" is the title track of the band's first EP and I can't stop listening. Dalle has traded in the abrasiveness of her Distillers' vocals for a more restrained, yet still-menacing delivery. Just because she married Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme and had a child with him doesn't mean she's settled down. This chick still sounds like she wants to kick your ass. Hubby Homme's influence is felt all over the track. Big bottom bass and fuzzed out repetitive riffage are reminiscent of QOTSA's stellar self-titled. The guitar splatters are more latter-day Stone Age inspired than punk-minded. Bottom line: This song rocks in all the right ways. It will most definitely be making a splashy debut on next week's Mixtape.

Wire to Wire /Razorlight

Razorlight's latest release starts slow, all piano and earnest lyricism, before quickly building to a less-than-majestic payoff (these guys are not Coldplay) and just as soon as you find yourself embracing the song's attempt at anthemy, it goes right back to aping Toad The Wet Sprocket. Much like that band, the song fades away before you can find a way to wrap your arms around it. Not bad, just far from great.

Zero / Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Easily one of the most anticipated releases of 2009, YYY's next album, It's Blitz, will drop in April. The first single, "Zero," has just made its way online and is leaving fans and critics divided in its wake. It's not that different from past YYY tracks though. Nakedly expressive vocals from Karen O - check. Nick Zinner's rippin' guitar - check, sort of. Clubbin' beats and a remix-ready, synth-driven party vibe - WTF??? Ok, so it's a bit different. It's got spunk to spare and just might bust the band wide open. They're not going to threaten the Jonas Brothers' twee-pop deathgrip, but this song could find its way to mainstream radio. Despite the almost inevitable "true fan" backlash and ensuing degradation of quality that go hand-in-hand with a breakthrough of that magnitude, I secretly hope it happens. The Yeahs are good enough to avoid such clichéd outcomes and they deserve an audience as big as their sound. When Karen O says "get your leather on," you best listen.