Listening Post

When guitarist Ben Curtis left one of my favorite unsung bands on earth -- the Secret Machines -- I was thoroughly confused, if for no other reason than the fact that he was leaving behind his brother, singer Brandon Curtis. But when he formed School of Seven Bells with, ironically, twin sisters Alejandra and Claudia Deheza -- and I heard the kind of music they were making -- all my concern was put to rest.

Now a duo, SVIIB make gloriously gorgeous dream-pop -- as evidenced by this song. Both it and the video for it are indescribably passionate, in the best possible way.

Here's I L U.

Listening Post

These guys are one the coolest bands on the planet. From their 2008 self-titled album, which seemed to go largely under-the-radar, here's the Secret Machines with the epileptic seizure-inducing video for Atomic Heels.