Kevin Bronson on October 23rd, 2008

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The Dears’ wonderful new album, “Missiles,” takes on some weighty topics yet never gets maudlin or preachy. The Montreal outfit’s single “Money Babies” doesn’t sag under the weight of its seriousness, either, although there are moments, in the striking video [download it here], you think it might. [Live: Oct. 30, Key Club]

What to say about the Eagles of Death Metal’s “Wannabe in L.A.”? “Dude! Spelling out your band name as the the Hollywood sign! Genius! Homies in Cathedral City will love that!” The song’s key lyric, in my mind, is “Along the way / I had to sell my soul.” [Live: Nov. 3, Jimmy Kimmel’s show]

Way back in January, in seemingly happier times, the Whigs released their album “Mission Control.” It’s still one of my favorites of 2008, and the first time I heard “Like a Vibration,” I told a friend, “That there is the leadoff song on my best-of-the-year CD.” The performance video is nothing too special, but the song … well, it’s darned near gotten me a speeding ticket or two. [Live: Oct. 28, Palladium, with the Kooks; Oct. 29 the Kimmel show]