There's something celestial about Haley Bonar, and it's not just the title of her new record. Big Star, out now on Afternoon Records, sounds at once fresh and familiar, yet somehow unreal in its beauty. In the span of a measure, Bonar's numinous voice can slip into a disarming whisper and then seemlessly soar. Big Star showcases her best songwriting to date, full of simple, sparkling melodies ("Queen of Everything," "Green Eyed Boy"), a Johnny Cash meets Bob Dylan road romp ("Highway 16"), and at least one perfect pop moment (the brilliant "Something Great"). 

She impressed Alan Sparhawk so much that he invited her to tour with Low and released ...The Size of Planets (Chairkicker's Union, 2003). The Minnesota Music Academy graced her with two awards in 2006 for Lure the Fox. And last year, she lent her voice to Andrew Bird's Armchair Apocrypha. However it's on Big Star that Bonar shines the brightest, earning accolades from Time Out New York and Music For Robots, among others. Oh, and she's 24 years old. Gonna be a big star, indeed.

Catch a charming short feature on Current TV about Big Star here. There are also some excellent slections from Bonar's in-studio performance at the Current, available here.

Ok, so this is normally a space where we highlight some of the awesome records we've had the privelege to bring you and say something like "Hey, they've got a new video you should check out!" or "Hey, they're going to be in Spin, so check it out on the news stand!' or "Hey, they're going to be on Letterman!" or "They'll be playing a bunch of dates, so check 'em out!" And Tokyo Police Club is definitely one of those bands.

Truth is, they've done all those things and that's just in the last two months! We would have let you know, but frankly w were too busy listening to their amazing debut full-length, Elephant Shell, now available on Saddle Creek. Fortunately, it seems like you've been pretty busy listening as well, seeing as the album is currently sitting pretty in the very top reaches of the CMJ chart and has been for the better part of the last month.

So here's what we'll catch up on. The boys are finishing up the first US leg of their tour, so unless you're in Omaha and are reading this on Friday May 23, you'll have to wait while they head out for a UK jaunt and return just in time for Fall festival season Stateside. The band will be playing the second annual version of the Monolith Festival at Red Rocks amphitheater. They were also featured/interviewed in Spin. and were on Letterman. and made a video. Fortunately for the internet, you can get all that at the tips of your fingers.

All caught up? Good, so are we. Now that we're all straight and had a good 30-minute break from Elephant Shell, what do you say you give it another spin? Yeah, we thought so. Feels good, don't it?

Who are the Diamond Hoo Ha Men? Moreover, what exactly is a "diamond hoo ha?" Ok, get your mind out of the gutter. Or perhaps leave it there. Little is known about Duke Diamond, Randy Hoo Ha and their compatriot Biff Hymen. What is their tie to the Supergrass single of a similar name? Why did they feel so connected to the band and its song as to make a video for it, given the unavailability of the actual members?

What we do know is this. Supergrass' six studio full-length, Diamond Hoo Ha hits US shores this June. The previously mentioned single is a dirty, raucous stomper sure to be penetrating your ear-holes all summer long. Will we learn more as to the real story behind the Diamond Hoo Ha Men when Supergrass tours with The Foo Fighters? Will their August appearance alongside Neil Young reveal any sort of truth? Only time (and rock 'n roll) will tell.

Diamond Hoo Ha goes for adds June 3 at college, non-comm and commercial specialty. Check out the video on YouTube here or go to the band's official page for some sort of information you can trust. Like Skully and Mulder said, the truth is out there... somewhere.