Cadence and the Wolf: Strong Minds, Strong Thighs

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At first listen and first glance, Cadence and the Wolf's new album could have come from the peak of the 90s grunge era...and then you notice that next to the combat boots on the album cover are a pair of Uggs. The six-year-old quartet were formerly known as Half Demon Dolls, and if you've ever wondered what it might sound like if Ani DiFranco fronted Pearl Jam, Strong Minds, Strong Thighs might be as close to an answer as you're likely to get. The band are celebrating the album's release on Friday at the Amsterdam Bar and Hall.

Niki Becker: Reactor

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Niki Becker is back with her Reactor release. It’s a twangy, folky, and broodingly eclectic mix of stories, with catchy guitar parts and Becker’s distinctive voice. Her vocals on “The Reminder” are like dew on the grass. The words seem to hang on her lips for a moment before the next lyric arrives. Becker and her band celebrated the release at the Eagles Club on Saturday. If you missed it, they'll be taking over the 331 Club every Tuesday in August.

Reina del Cid: The Cooling

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Reina del Cid’s “Sweet Annie” single off The Cooling release is as much a folk anthem as a folk anthem can be. The highs are speaker-blasting moments and the lows give the listener a much-needed break before bringing you back to Reina belting “Oh sweet Annie” over guitar solos and splashy drum fills. You can catch the singer-songwriter and her band at the Stone Arch Bridge Festival.

Black Sam Malone: Let's Dance at the Mouth of the Pit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=96&v=DLytux9c4WU

Garage rockers Black Sam Malone are ready to drop a three-track cassette on Sunday at the Triple Rock. The single “Black” features the angsty fuzzed-out guitar and pounding drum work the genre is known for, but the trio has a few psychedelic tricks up their sleeves. Let’s Dance at the Mouth of the Pit will be available Sunday.

Aaron Bolton is a senior at the University of Minnesota. Currently he is a co-host on Radio K’s Off The Record and is the music reporter at Radio K. He hopes to continue a career in music journalism.