Album Review: Tift Merritt - See You on the Moon

It's been a busy couple of years for Tift Merritt. Since releasing Another Country in 2008, she has put out a live album, held her own photography exhibition and taken up hosting a radio show for a public station in Texas. More recently, the Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter released her fourth album, See You on the Moon, on Fantasy Records on Tuesday.

Merritt opens See You on the Moon with "Mixtape," a song that drops the typical "alt-country" trappings in favor of a slinky electric guitar line, hand claps and sweeping string arrangements. The sing-songy chorus will undoubtedly stick with you for a while.

Free Energy electrifies Local 506 with power-pop

Tuesday night was hot and humid and things were no different inside Local 506. A large crowd packed in to see a trio of quirky pop bands, Free Energy, Jukebox the Ghost and Miniature Tigers.

Miniature Tigers kicked things off, rolling through a short set of songs from their new album Fortress, due out on July 27, as well as a few tunes from their debut album Tell It To the Volcano.

Highlights included the new song "Goldskull," which features a solid groove punctuated with samples and a wispy melody. The "classic" songs "Cannibal Queen" and "Dino Damage" got the crowd moving which their carefree vibe and infectious melodies.

Album Review: Cadillac Sky - Letters in the Deep

On their third album, Letters in the Deep, Cadillac Sky joined producer Dan Auerbach to create a hybrid of bluegrass, rock and blues with a broad appeal.

The album opens opens with tons of energy and tension. "Trapped Under the Ice" starts as a dark bluegrass blues, but finishes as a noisy rocker. The frantic tale of a lover’s interrogation in "3rd Degree" is an instant classic.

The energy picks up again with the fantastic "Hangman" and the punk-influenced and finger-knotting "Bathsheeba." The mix of driving rock beats and cleanly plucked strings is a wonderful combination.

The National announces fall tour, coming back to Raleigh

On the heels of releasing their brand new album High Violet, The National have just added a new leg of North American dates, extending their tour through October. The new dates will bring the band back to Raleigh, but a considerably bigger room this time.

The National will play Memorial Auditorium in downtown Raleigh on Monday, October 4. Canadian songwriter Owen Pallett will open the show. Tickets will go on sale Saturday, June 5 at 10 a.m. here. Additional details will follow soon.

Check out the music video for "Bloodbuzz Ohio" from High Violet after the break.

June line-up of Local Beer Local Band at Tir Na Nog

With June rolling in, it's time to bring you this month's line-up for WKNC's Local Beer Local Bands at Tir Na Nog. For those who don't know, the free concerts happens every Thursday night at Tir Na Nog in downtown Raleigh.

The Tomahawks, Monologue Bombs and Filthy Bird will kick off the month on June 3. The Tomahawks have been busy working on a full-length album which was being mixed at Chris Stamey's studio Modern Recording. Their EP Like a Horse On a Beach is available now for free here.

Check out the full June schedule below and get out and see some great local bands for a price you can't beat.