Omaha, Nebraska, has undeniably birthed some of the decade's most popular indie-rock acts. But whereas Conor Oberst and Tim Kasher earn religious reverence from the indie cognoscenti, chances are most of you haven't heard of Landon Hedges. A former member of the Good Life and Desaparecidos, Hedges formed
Little Brazil in 2002, and the band has since become the heir to Guided By Voices' Midwestern throne, even without the benefit of a Saddle Creek logo. Little Brazil's new disc,
Tighten the Noose, features stellar production, colossal riffs and artful arrangements. In other words, if you're feeling unfulfilled by your last trip to Cursive's Happy Hollow, we suggest going international instead.
