Lenz - "Moody Michelle"

Bay area outfit Lenz, who channel thumping 1980s-era post-punk into self-described "ice-pop," have an 8-song LP set for release on Oakland's 1-2-3-4 Go! Records this winter. Lenz frontman Andy Jordan—who released one of very favorite cuts of 2012, "Land of The Dinosaurs," via his solo project Andy Human—has a serious knack for crisp hook-laden melodies, as evidenced by the new instantaneously repeatable single "Moody Michelle." Over a thunderous rumble of drums and a few glimmering guitar riffs, Jordan's steady vocals deliver a simplistic yet overwhelmingly infectious batch of lyrics. Using only a handful of words that are constantly repeated and continually and playfully rearranged, the track produces a sublimely hypnotic and almost meditative quality.

Buy the vinyl from 1-2-3-4 Go! Records.

Hoboken Pie-Slicing Punks: Personal & The Pizzas

"This isn't fucking muscle bound fake tan guido shit. This is the real New Jersey. Pizza eating, beer drinking, chain wielding guido shit." — 1-2-3-4 Go! Records

Allegedly Hoboken, New Jersey-based, Personal and The Pizzas are a band straight out of a comic book: Ramones and Stooges channeling punks with thick cartoonish accents and undeniably catchy superhero pop hooks. Take the anthemic horn-blasted "I Can Read," from its opening comedic monologue to the roaring guitar riffs and beaten-to-death chorus, the track sounds like it came off the soundtrack to an 80s B-movie about dyslexic alien punks that can only survive the earth's atmosphere by consuming armfuls of pizza. Just saying. The band's a blast and I highly recommend picking up a cassette or some wax from any of the classy labels that have put out the band's recordings, including 1-2-3-4 Go!, Burger Records, and Trouble In Mind. Now go buy yourself a slice!

Personal & The Pizzas - "I Don't Feel So Happy Now"

Personal & The Pizzas - "I Can Read"

Personal & The Pizzas - "I Want You"