Bloc Party - Two More Years
:: While not a drastic departure from Silent Alarm, this is only required for fans that otherwise cannot stand another day without owning the complete Bloc Party collection.

Edith Frost - It’s A Game
:: I’ve been in love with Edith Frost ever since I heard “Cars And Parties” (like a month ago) from her record entitled “Wonder Wonder” released in 2001 on Drag City and I have the feeling that “It’s A Game” is a grower.

Ennio Morricone - Crime And Dissonance
:: It can’t get any stranger than this, but I found myself listening to this one completely through from start to finish just to see what was next.

Amanda Rogers - Something Borrowed, Something Blue
:: No need to pigeon-hole people who do it to themselves, but for an EP centered around female vocals and a piano, a little change up couldn’t hurt though the last couple of tracks seem to standout from the rest.

Bearsuit - Team Ping Pong
:: This must be the week of incredibly scattered songs on records where not a single track seems to representative of an overall sound and while not a negative comment at all it makes it difficult to remember where one album stops and another one starts.

The Light Footwork - One State Two State
:: If I was still in 7th grade and loved emo rock-y tunes I would hope to one day sing in a band like this, but no.

Film School - Film School
:: Unbalanced record that lacks a cohesive thread to connect the dots, but maybe that’s part of the schtick that I don’t seem to get.

Explosions In The Sky - The Rescue
:: This started off very interesting, got really boring and then got really interesting again.

Death From Above 1979 - Romance Bloody Romance
:: I didn’t get their last record and I don’t get this one either.

Burt Bacharach - At This Time
:: No you’re not watching Ford slash Carter era porno on an equally old motel style RCA color television that progressively gets more “diverse” as the night grows longer.

Tangiers - The Family Myth
:: There’s something in the water in Toronto apparently that makes the residents put out some well crafted music and The Family Myth is no exception.

Uncut - Those Who Were Hung Hang Here
:: Another Toronto band with a very respectable 2005 2004 (confusing my Paper Bag releases) release?

Editors - The Back Room
:: Do we really need another Interpol? Joy Division? Chameleons? Interpol?

Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - #3
:: If Jonathan Richman and Stephen Merritt had a son they would name him Moses.

Sun Kil Moon - Tiny Cities
:: I like Mark Kozelek quite a bit and think this record needs a longer listen before comment, but all signs indicate that it’s a pretty good listen.

Bonnie Prince Billy - Summer In The Southeast
:: “I See A Darkness” seems to me to be the standout track on this record though I typically don’t prefer live records as proper releases.

The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
:: I’m willing to bet that “Godspel” is a radio hit with the mass media, but the rest of the record doesn’t seem very interesting.

Jens Lekman - Oh You’re So Silent Jens
:: What is with the Swedes and their incredible ability to write great English songs better than some who speak it as their first language?

Afterhours - Battle For Hyenas
:: The Italians may not be able to out out rock records in English as well as the Swedes can, but there are a couple of very listenable songs surrounded by walls of rock cliche.

Milemarker - Ominosity
:: This is the result of terrible songwriting followed by below average instrumentation cum vocals a la Fred Durst.

I was recommending these guys to a friend today and I realized that I had not given them sufficient cred. I think they’re great for many reasons. I’m not in love with all the songs. Some I could easily do without. But there enough stellar songs accross his records to put together a masterpiece. It’s probably an insult to the artist to suggest that I tear apart his art the way that he created it only to put it back together in a way in which I see better fit.

Anyway. One of my particularly favorite Antony & The Johnsons songs is Fistfull Of Love, from The Lake EP. Lyrically, it invokes some wicked imagery, but musically it makes you want to happy dance. There’s nothing wrong with that. As a matter of fact, I commend them on choosing such contrasting elements and feelings in one piece.

Gang Of Four - Return The Gift
:: Any fan of GoF needs to hear this immediately.

Sons And Daughters - The Repulsion Box
:: Not something that I would consider listening to everyday, though I can admire the talent and creativity that was required in making this record.

Moonlight Towers - Like You Were Never There
:: If this record came out right after Toad The West Sprocket disbanded, then we would be in business, but listen to the entire record since the softer songs towards the end are worthy of attention.

Story Of The Year - In The Wake Of Determination
:: Angry mobs of 7th grade members of the middle school band may have collaborated to write the lyrics to this record as it does not sound as if it was written by anyone with a certain minimum degree of song writing maturity and guitar prowess.

The Long Winters - Ultimatum EP
:: Don’t let the crits lead you to believe that since this record has some remote similarities to Coldplay’s efforts that you should label them as a wannabe and write them off as this EP will hold it’s own.

Altamont - The Monkees’ Uncle
:: We must be in the second wave of unlistenable irony metal, because I didn’t get the last one and will run effortlessly from this one.

65daysofstatic - One Time For All
:: I must be some sort of indie outsider considering this record would require large doses of ecstacy, neon twirlers, and lots of girls with nose and tit piercings to make this entertaining.

Ham1 - S/T
:: This is one of those records when hearing for the first time, I tell myself. “I’m going to have to listen to this one several times completely through before I can make a judgement on it since there’s a lot going on in it.”

Messer Chups - Crazy Price
:: Would be great for late night chic coffee bars that serve chocolate martinis and taps of mostly English ales, but for daily listening when you are alone, this is not the piece.

The Tah Dahs - Le Fun
:: There’s nothing groundbreaking by any means on this record, but for some strange reason I get the feeling it could be loads of fun for a late night crappy hour when the bars have all closed.

I was snooping around Amazon looking to pre-order Suitcase 2 and I stumbled upon the fact that The Electrifying Conclusion Tour DVD is available for pre-order.

Thanks to OneLouder for the link to Rogue Wave’s MySpace page. I can look past Ruport Murdoch being an evil bastard for just a moment after hearing the non-LP track on MySpace. Still can’t wait for their forthcoming release though I’ve listened to it many times.

We Are Scientists - Love And Squalor
:: Though I’m much more impressed when girls sing the oh-oh’s, don’t let the pedestrian nature of the first few songs keep you from listening to the better quality (but not great) songs towards the end of the record.

Rocky Votolato - Makers
:: Makes me feel like drinking cheap whiskey, smoking generic unfiltered cigarettes, and then topping it off with a plate of Scattered, Smothered, And Covered at The House.

Lichens - The Psychic Nature Of Being
:: If you’re interested in Robert Lowe’s work, I would recommend starting and stopping with the 90 Day Men.

The Ladies And Gentlemen - Small Sins
:: Damn those Canadian love children of Ben Gibbard and Ross Shapiro who are putting Seattle and Athens to shame.

Controller.Controller - X-Amounts
:: Don’t be turned off by the cheesy nature of using a period in a band’s name as it might prevent you from hearing a rather impressive release by these talented folks from Toronto.

Suspirios - Make You Wet
:: Kinda lo-fi hardcore, but not so much that your ears will bleed.

The Gris Gris - For The Season
:: Certain well respected people will disagree, but I just can’t seem to get into these guys though I try maing — I try.

V/A - Shake Some Action: A Collection of Powerpop, Mod & New Wave Rarities 1975-1986 (Vol. 1 - U.K.)
:: A great listen if you’re into making the Jagger-protruded-puffy-lip-look while dancing like Debbie Gibson wearing leg warmers and snapping your fingers simultaneously.

Degenerate Art Ensemble - The Bastress
:: “The punk rock of jazz” is such an accurate description that I couldn’t possibly add anything more pithy to say.

Bloc Party - Silent Alarm Remixed
:: If only the entire remix record could be as good as the disco version Banquet.

Alright. I’m just going to spit this out. The new Celebration record reminds me of Interpol because of how they use a bass guitar, not because of the Joy Division-y singing. Celebration is complex and deep, layered and dark, but tight and together. It’s really quite good and could easily be a late year list maker. There. I did it.

I have spent a great deal of time listening to this record recently. I think it’s fantastic for many reasons, but my love for “Be Careful What You Call Home” really centers around a handful of well crafted songs. As great as those songs are, I regretfully wish the rest of the record to be as good. There are certain songs that I could simply do without. As much as I would like to say that records portray some gloriously conceived theme, I can’t. Bee Thousand does though and anyone who says differently is insane — insane I tell you. Back to Paul Duncan — If one could take “You Look Like An Animal” and replicate it’s genius across the entire record, it would be a masterpiece in my opinion.

I have personal issues with Pandora that I am trying to get over. I can’t help it — it’s just the way that I am. I am all about discovering new music, but I’m not sure if I need an algorithm telling me what I might enjoy. I love technology and my iPod. There’s a certain joy and pleasure in discovering music through analog means that I can’t describe. The discovery phase is most of the work, but half of the pleasure. I guess it’s all about where you draw the line. Some people still refuse anything but vinyl.

It’s just too easy. There’s no work involved in discovering new music. In some ways, I don’t want to hear recommendations based upon a certain band. Who’s to say that I want to hear something that sounds just like what I already listen to? Pandora is a great service for people who want to discover new music, but don’t necessarily have the appetite that I have.

The Mona Reels - Meet The Mona Reels
:: The overall record seems a little unbalanced, but there are some really standout tracks that make this record a necessary listen.

The Duke Spirit - Cuts Across The Land
:: Don’t get me wrong, I like pieces and parts of this record the more I listen to the entire thing, but there are just certain vocal qualities that remind of someone that I don’t like that I just can’t put my finger.

Page France - Hello, Dear Wind
:: Is it just me or is there a recent explosion that has resulted in an army of bands that sound a great deal like The Decemberists?

Amandine - This Is Where Our Hearts Collide
:: Leave it to the Swedes to take a classic sound and make it better.

V/A - This Is Indie Rock - The Best Bands You’ve Never Heard - Volume 3
:: I’ve never been completely impressed by records with seemingly insulting titles and this one seems to be no different.

Paul Duncan - Be Careful What You Call Home
:: This is a very good record with some extremely special tracks, but be prepared to spend one complete hour listening to “You Look Like An Animal” on repeat because it’s fresh, so fresh.

The Boats - We Made It For You
:: “We Made It For You” was not made for general purpose listening —- it was meant to be played only when getting your freak on. (psstt: I need vocals in my music)

Celebration - Celebration
:: The forthcoming release on 4AD/XL is a must listen for a variety of reasons, but this could be a late-year-list-disrupter.

Hard-Fi - Stars Of CCTV
:: I might need to give it more time, but my initial reaction is not favorable for the first four tracks, but it begins to get better from there.

Heikki -2
:: I’ve found myself digging many Swedish bands as of late, and Heikki is no exception with their collaboration with the Concretes’ Maria Eriksson have put out a broad yet complete release in “2.”

Bob Pollard is a playa’. He’s been hustling records like a crack dealer on his Rockathon and Fading Captain Series imprints before it was cool to sport really tight jeans that are two inches too short with red high-top Chuck Taylors. Oh — and he’s probably one of the best American songwriters to ever live. He also has a book coming out soon. As if I didn’t have nearly everything GBV and Pollard have pimped over the years, I need to buy a book? Yeah, I have it on pre-order. What’s really interesting about this is that the book is written by Steven Soderbergh. What’s next? Will Julia Roberts guest on the next Circus Devils record?

Could she get any closer to sounding like Hootie & The Blowfish? She actually sounds like Shania Twain as well on a song or two. To think that she was on my beloved Matador at one point blows my mind. Not knowing anything about Somebody’s Miracle before I heard it, I was secretly hoping that this would be her return to rock. Instead, it’s the polar opposite of the magic created on Exile In Guyville. It’s probably on par with the intellectual output of Avril Lavigne but not as catchy. I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes a hit with the crossover country folks who think it’s novel to throw in electric guitar rock riffs with some country-fide lyrics making for one great state fair celebration.

Arab Strap - The Last Romance
:: Can someone give these guys a big hug because I don’t think they can get any angrier.

Ryan Adams & The Cathedrals - Jacksonville City Nights
:: I keep hoping that Ryan Adams will put out a record full of songs that are as good as “Come Pick Me Up” from Heartbreaker, but it appears that he’ll never come close.

Annie Hayden - The Enemy Of Love
:: Given the obvious talent that is Annie Hayden, I was hoping for something more interesting than what amounts to an Aimee Mann tribute.

Boards Of Canada - Campfire Headphase
:: Any kid and a keyboard could probably whip this out on a Saturday afternoon with a bottle of MD 20/20 and a pack of American Spirits.

Serena Maneesh - s/t
:: I’ve been rather bullish on music coming out of Northern Europe in the recent years, but this lacks the same creative elegance that I have come to expect from artists in the region.

Matt Pond PA - Several Arrows Later
:: Album Adult Alternative.

Emperor X - Central Hug/Friendarmy/Fractaldunes
:: “Shut Shut Up” is the catchiest bit of lo-fi splendor that I have heard in a long time, but unfortunately I can’t say the same for the rest of the album.

Elysian Fields - Bum Raps Love Taps
:: Those crazy stalker-like Cat Power fans will probably eat this up, but this record just leads me think that someone needs a guitar lesson.

Lightning Bolt - Hypermagic Mountain
:: Another record that will likely make it onto the hype-wagon in the indie circles that sounds like it was made by a bunch of self-mutilating 7th graders that just need a little love.

Go Go Go Airheart - Rats! Rats! Sing!
:: God, why do bands feel the need to put an exclamation point in their band names and record titles other than a need to attract attention to something that would otherwise go completely unnoticed and for good reason.

Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have It So Much Better

If you liked the last Franz Ferdinand record, you’ll like this one. I didn’t particularly like the last record, so I really like “You Could Have It Much Better.” There are a number of songs on this record that are suitable for a single. Poppy, catchy, disco hi-hat, repetitive jangly guitar sounds — it fits the formular well — but not such that it sounds absolutely manufactured. Things change up a slightly just to surprise the listener with Kinks style sensibilities. The songs that change the direction of the record from the art rock stereotype are the most interesting. The Franz Ferdinand slow jams are the ones with the most soul although the catchy radio friendly songs are worthy of listening as well.

Standout tracks:

Walk Away
You’re The Reason I’m Leaving
Eleanor Put Your Boots On

Devendra Banhart - Cripple Crow

I couldn’t stand Banhart’s last record for a variety of reasons. I went in listening to this record assuming that I would hate it like the last. I was delightfully surprised — almost grudgingly so. Not just with music, but keeping your mind open can pay off. In this case, it resulted in an overall great recording that really spans multiple styles. Am I hearing some VU in there somewhere? I thought the Spanish songs were a nice touch though some folks didn’t care for them.

Blood On The Wall - Awesomer
This one will be all the rage in the hip indie circles, meanwhile only half the songs are really “danceable,” while the other half should have been released as fans only b-side songs. Maybe I’m just not indie enough sometimes, but I just can’t get completely into this record for the several songs that seem to take it so off course that I’m left wondering who I am listening to.

Metric - Live It Out
Emily Haines must be Liz Phair’s illegitimate child (cause Liz is that old now, but still hot). I blogged about Metric recently after being taken by the title track to her forthcoming release “Live It Out.” It’s by no means a “perfect record,” but it has a quality that is unique to many others being released these days: it lacks quite the proportion of filler seemingly stuffed into every release. That’s not to say that there aren’t a few tracks that I don’t love, but generally speaking this record was a very enjoyable listen many times straight through before needing to skip tracks.