Pick your format: Four new local releases, four different listening styles

Wed, Sep 10, 2014 (5:13 p.m.)

Vinyl Surrounded by Thieves, Surrounded by Thieves

Pick up the punk quartet’s limited-edition translucent blood-red record September 13 at a Double Down release party or online at squidhatrecords.com. We recommend: ferocious opener “Monster.”
Compact Disc The Badlands, Thorns & Roses

This folky foursome chose CD—which, sales say, remains our nation’s favorite listening format—for its five-song debut EP, available at cdbaby.com. We recommend: “Cobwebs,” featuring Sara Jean Worrell’s stirring, bluesy vocals.
Casette Crazy Chief, Chrome Werewolf

The hard-rockers worked with Seattle label Sands Vacation Records to release this limited-edition purple tape, available at Exile on Main Street and Cowtown Guitars. We recommend: the harmonica-heavy “She’s So Easy.”
Digital Rhyme N Rhythm, Growing Pains

It’s convenient for fans, it’s cheaper for bands (see: no pressing costs), and you can snag funky hip-hop crew RNR’s latest EP without leaving your house at rnr702.bandcamp.com. We recommend: bounce-in-your-seat cut “For the Win (FTW).”