Everyone knows that I love the shoegaze and also have a deep appreciation for power pop, and I expect I’m not the only one. So it’s little surprise that I’ve fallen head over heels for Waiting For The Time To Be Right, the second album from Rhode Island’s The Brother Kite.

As much as I appreciate the aforementioned styles, I can get more than a little frustrated with current practitioners as they’re frequently too faithful and respectful of the classics of the genre and seem perfectly happy to rehash that what’s gone before. But by filling the sonic cathedrals of shoegazing with the teenage symphonies to God of pop classicism, The Brother Kite have made a record that rises far, far above those respective pigeonholes. Imagine the sound of looking across a verdant English countryside into a blazing California sunset. Epic in scale and bolstered by waves of organ and chiming guitars, Patrick Boutwell’s vocals soar on wings of reverb and harmony but maintain a raspy edge that gives the record a distinct sense of plaintiveness and yearning.

Rare is the album that is as deep as it is hooky, but Waiting For The Time To Be Right simply really is and with every listen, I love it more and more. It’s a bit tragic that I only got this record at the very end of last year because it would have gotten some year-end accolades for certain. But as it is, it gets my highest recommendation – you don’t necessarily have to like shoegaze or power pop, just great music.

They’re currently on tour around the midwest – definitely see them if you get the opportunity, you will have my eternal envy.

MP3: The Brother Kite – “I’m Not The Only One”
MySpace: The Brother Kite

Chart talks to the boys from Wheat about their return from the brink of extinction and the crafting of their new record Everyday I Said A Prayer For Kathy And Made A One Inch Square, due out March 6. And if you (like me) ordered the That’s Exactly What I Wanted…Exactly That mini-album expecting it to arrive around the December 15 release date, note that it was delayed due to a manufacturing issue but will hopefully be arriving soon. Really soon.

Identity Theory asks questions of Anna-Lynne Williams of Trespassers William. Williams has also been working on some solo material under the name of Lotte and hopes to have a record released sometime this Spring.

Billboard talks to Explosions In The Sky about Friday Night Lights and new album All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone, out February 20. They’re at the Opera House on March 24.

Bright Eyes will preview material from their new album Cassadaga at the Opera House on February 27 well before the record’s April 10 release date. Pitchfork has full tour dates and an update on all things Oberst.

The new album from The National is due out in May of this year. Happy birthday to me!

Good news – Last Light, the new album from Matt Pond PA is due out this Spring. Bad news – guitarist Brian Pearl has left the band, giving up music in favour of a lifestyle where you can actually make some money or something. Wuss.

For The Records points out that The Pipettes have been added to the list of bands performing at Canadian Music Week, though specific dates and venues are still forthcoming. And since they’re on this continent in early March, I’d hazard that a SxSW appearance is also in the offing. There’s some other interesting stuff appearing in the CMW list but I’ll refrain from getting too into it until the actual schedule is released.

The Post-Intelligencer finds out why My Morning Jacket loves Seattle.

The Guardian talks to James Mercer while declaring The Shins one of ten bands it expects to break out big in 2007. They also declare the sun to be hot and water to be wet. Billboard rounds up the band’s promotional activities over the next little while, including the first leg of their US tour.

Drowned In Sound has also assembled a two–part feature on new faces to look out for in 2007.

The AV Club pays tribute to my favourite Elvis Costello album, King Of America.