Eau Claire's resident indie record label that never sleeps is preparing to unveil its newest release, the second full-length from Meridene (Sept. 28). This is coming less than two years after their debut You're Not Pretty, You're Worse, which was about a year after their debut EP and was marked by a drastic change in sound (and a shift in band members). The new album, titled Something Like Blood, has once again slightly changed the band lineup (Britta Hetzel is now on bass) and judging by the single, perhaps their sound once again.

The track is called Gone Baby Gone, and it doesn't seem to resemble the Ben Affleck-directed film of the same name (though I've yet to listen to it on loop while watch

ing). Meridene has been rightfully dubbed indie pop, and the single follows suit as another ridiculously catchy tune to add to their library. But while the track teases me to want to hear the whole darn record right now, I simultaneously get a feeling that the "indie" label is making them try harder to sound like The Shins or Death Cab, when I always pegged them as their own sound. Like a Marcy Playground, a unique and under-rated indie outfit, which you'd know if you ever listened to their self-titled album beyond the tiresome and overplayed single Sex & Candy.

But this just may be me preparing myself in case I'm not as blown away as their last record (I definitely was). You know what, I'll just stop and let you be the judge. The single is available via Amble Down and their MySpace and their new website and probably Facebook and Twitter and iPhone4 app and whatever else you damn kids are using these days.

Also take note of their upcoming Midwest tour and appearance at the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series (Aug. 12).