**** Snuggle Bear
*** Gentle Ben
** Smokey the Bear
* Bad News Bears

THE VELVET TEEN Out of the Fierce Parade
(Slowdance)
***1/2

The Velvet Teen's new record opens with a mystical slowness made up of pretty piano chords, a constant stream of crystalline bells, and luxurious harmonies featuring the heavenly tenor of their lead singer, Judah Nagler. Now, Judah is a bit of a child prodigy; his emotional voice is more supple than Jeff Buckley's, but has that same effortless, druggy quality that will give you eight hours of flying dreams if you listen to it before you go to bed. At the same time, Judah can make huge, open-mouthed screams that sound urgent while still maintaining an element of vibrato. He's totally phenomenal. The rest of the instruments--piano, guitar, bass, drums--can be both rocking and angelic, but inevitably revolve around the strength of Judah's voice and the band's perfect, sort of Brit-poppy, major-chord harmonies. (Or, they hearken back to OK Computer, without actually being gratuitous in referencing or overzealous in scope). This creates the unbearable, heartfelt, magical-sounding beauty that makes up Fierce Parade. No wonder the major labels are all up in The Velvet Teen's grill. JULIANNE SHEPHERD


JAGUAR WRIGHT
Denials Delusions and Decisions
(MCA/Okayplayer)
***

Even though Jaguar Wright, the toughass singer heard on many recordings by the Roots, sounds similar to Jill Scott and has strong-lady themes similar to Angie Stone or India.Arie, I don't like this record as much as those. It's soulful and empowered, but the melodies just don't kick enough. However, I believe she is going to be famous based entirely on the drama surrounding her Thank You list. Now, if you love reading the extended Thank Yous, you'll know that everybody thanks God, and everybody puts a dis or a front to some player, and also all Parents-in-Law who don't accept said soulful ladies into their families because of their badassiness. Jaguar's reads: "Norman Jr., I go straight to hell with you, you son of a bitch. I hope you rot to your nasty little core." Those are the words of a diva and a superstar. JS

LIFE WITHOUT BUILDINGS
Any Other City
(DC/Baltimore 2012)
***

Australia's intellectual cutie-popsters Life Without Buildings are very reminiscent of the Sugarcubes, but Sue Tompkins is such a charming lead singer, that somehow it's okay. She sings in an adorable, indecipherable chatter, repeating lyrics with no viable pentameter or pattern (a la Bjork in Sugarcubes days), and it's hard not to be bowled over by her cuteness. Example of lyrics: "If I lose ya if I lose ya if I lose ya--the huh the huh mm-mm! If I if I bbah-bah be be buh baby!" It's half-baby-cooing, half-talking, a rhythmic babble with scatted growls and guttural soprano that can even sound like old-school rapping. The guitars stay simple throughout, with melancholy, dynamic chords. Sue's vocals may annoy some, but Life Without Buildings makes really neat music. JS