System & Station

"The Magnetic North," by System & Station, fromA Nation of Actors (Latest Flame Records):

The decade mark is a meaningful one for a band like System & Station, a group that has plugged away in relative obscurity despite owning a polished sound that deserves at least as much props as similar, more-lauded acts such as Foo Fighters or Sunny Day Real Estate. Steering its mighty ship through three home states — Idaho, Wisconsin and now Oregon — and four albums, the group is the kind that thrives on enthusiastic responses from small pockets of fans across the country. Kansas City is one such place. Here, S&S can count on massive groupie love from the similarly oriented Life and Times and its attentive following.