Vampire Hands

Though its 2006 four-song debut, At Wizard Island: Too Punk To Fuck, was an arresting collision of psychedelia and punk, Minneapolis’ Vampire Hands has been shifting more toward the former side of that spectrum over time, with excellent results. Its dual-drummer approach helps put some odd rhythmic hitches in the band's attack, adding a plaintive, loping feel to the atmospheric vocal harmonies and creepy calypsos. The new Hannah In The Mansion explores a mellow yet propulsive sound that echoes a more stripped-down and weird Fleet Foxes vibe while finding its own organically freaky dynamic. That dynamic will change again soon: Though he's not leaving the band per se, vocalist-drummer-keyboardist Colin Johnson is moving to Montana, and the rest of VH will continue as a trio.