“My Lips Still Taste Of You”—Sylvie Simmons
Many artists have a way with words, but few can claim to be a successful music critic for decades before becoming a musician. However, this is the case with Sylvie Simmons on her lyrical debut album “Sylvie,” a release that blends jazz textures with Simmons’ smoky voice. “Sylvie” was released on Light in the Attic Records on Nov. 11.

“Until The Sun Explodes”—The Pains of Being Pure At Heart
The slow, glimmering beginning of “Until The Sun Explodes” does sound something like a sunrise would, and the talented Brooklyn group The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart are just the band to sit and watch it with. A masterfully blended wall of guitar and vocals make this song a piece of shoegaze perfection from a band with one foot firmly planted in the classic sounds of college radio indie and one planted on the arena rock stage. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart will be playing at the House of Blues on Nov. 15, supporting The New Pornographers. Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets are $28.

“Salmon Sundae”—Bike Cops
“Salmon Sundae” is the latest release from Bike Cops on Jurassic Pop Records, a cassette- and vinyl-only label that claims on their website to be “Central Indiana’s seventh best independent record label.” In recent years, Jurassic Pop has signed some of the United States’ best up-and-coming groups, and Bike Cops are no exception. “Salmon Sundae” melds the jangle of the Smiths with the early fuzz of Pink Floyd to tread gorgeously psych-y territory.

“There Must Be More To Life Than This”—Queen Feat. Michael Jackson
One of three previously unreleased tracks on “Forever,” the newest Queen greatest hits compilation, “There Must Be More To Life Than This” offers listeners the unique opportunity to hear two of pop music’s greatest voices duet. While Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson both sound spectacular, this song works best when approached as a novelty; it simply is not Queen’s best work, which may suggest why it has been in the vaults until now. Still, the chance to hear Freddie and MJ one more time makes this an essential listen.

“Careful You”—TV On The Radio
TV On The Radio have always been a difficult band to place musically, simultaneously embodying the best of electronic noise, soulful vocals and lo-fi indie throughout their nearly 10 year career. “Careful You” as a song perfectly fits into each of those genres, crafting a dreamy soundscape of keyboards, percussion and funky beats. “Careful You” is the first single off of the group’s newest album, “Seeds,” set for a Nov. 17 release on Virgin Records.

Retro Pick of the Week:
“Spanish Castle Magic”—The Jimi Hendrix Experience
The guttural opening of “Spanish Castle Magic” is otherworldly, channeling the brute force of Jimi Hendrix’s guitar playing with the thunderous drums of Mitch Mitchell into a concentrated 3-second blast of adrenaline. The third track off of The Experience’s “Axis: Bold As Love” record, this song’s frenzied energy and sloppy soloing make it a personal favorite. The balance achieved by using Mitchell’s drumming to temper the rambling of Hendrix’s riffs throughout the song is stunning.

Teddy Eisenberg is a third year programmer at WRUW-FM 91.1 Cleveland. He hosts The ’59 Sound, an exploration of rock music, every Thursday morning from 8-10 a.m. and co-hosts the variety talk show Max and Teddy in the Morning at Night (Sometimes) on Mondays from 5-6 p.m. The crackle of vinyl warms him on cold Cleveland nights.