If you've learned anything at all from reading this blog is that I'm crazy for UK indie band the Maccabees and as I'm sure you're aware, they're coming to New York in a few weeks. They're making two quick stops in the US and will then announce more US tour dates.

London boys, the Maccabees are now coming to America with a brand new bag-o-tricks from their soon-to-be-released sophomore album Wall of Arms and will be making a fleeting visit to NYC on June 20th at Music Hall of Williamsburg (with Miike Snow) and at Mercury Lounge on June 22nd 9pm (more US dates TBA).

The Maccabees are Orlando Weeks (vox and guitar), Hugo White (guitar), Felix White (backing vocals/guitar), Rupert Jarvis (bass) and Sam Doyle (drums), who released their second album Wall of Arms in the UK to rave reviews, blasting the myth of the "difficult second album" out of the water. Wall of Arms is "the meticulously evolved sound of a band aiming to bid to breathe life into British indie" (Observer Music Monthly). It is not just the critics who are hailing the album a triumph, Wall of Arms entered the UK album charts at number 13.

Not so much a departure from their first album (which they made when most of the band were still teenagers) but a natural progression and more mature sound from a band who are still only in their early 20's, clearly poised to become chief contenders and craftsmen in the indie-pop-rock arena for 2008.

"I'm proud of the first record," says Orlando, the bands lead man and guitarist "we were so young when we made it - we were still working out who we were - However, this time around, the band decided to leave London for Brighton to write Wall of Arms, whilst the world watched the demise and downfall of George W. Bush in the lead up to the US Presidential Election and inauguration." They then entered the studio with producer Marcus Dravs (Bjork, Coldplay, Arcade Fire) back in Liverpool and London, then moved to Paris to finish off what is now a fine specimen of a sophomore album.

The Maccabees are definitely ones to keep on your radar as they set their sights to the US this year. Be sure to catch them -- if you can -- live in New York City this month, for this is definitely a band you won't regret discovering.

Make sure to check out their official site, their MySpace, and this video of the band playing Love You Better live to get you prepped for the New York shows. Get tickets for Music Hall of Williamsburg and Mercury Lounge while they last!!