Múm - Sing Along To Songs You Don't Know

A great album by a great Icelandic band. Released 21.08.2009 with songs about fish and breast milk–how can a person go wrong? You should listen to this album... or maybe you're, in fact, listening to it at this very moment and you don't even know it. Yes, it is that good. They put on a fantastic show at The Walker in late October. Mind you, I'm a bit biased. I once drove from Minneapolis to Lawrence, Kansas to see them play... Happy New Year, enjoy!

The Rural Alberta Advantage-"Hometowns"

I found 2009 to be a very disappointing year in music. I've been enjoying the end of the year lists and podcast, but continue to be less then impressed. So, I am going to declare The Rural Alberta Advantage's (RAA)debut "Hometowns" the best record of 2009.

Musicheads reviewed it with a comparison to Neutral Milk Hotel's brilliant album "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea." I quickly rushed out to buy it. Initially, I was lukewarm on the RAA, but it has really grown on me.

Try tracks: 6, 1, & 4 to start.

If you like it and live in the cities, I'm going to see the RAA on January 15th.

Alec Ounsworth: Mo Beauty

The Decemberist's lead singer does nothing for me, but the front man for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah totally does, and his new album "Mo Beauty" rocks. I don't think his vocal range is as great as it is with the band, but his style is definitely still there. For the most part the songs hang together well. There's a range of rocking alternative tracks and calmer, quieter ones.

Highlights for me include "When You've No Eyes", "Me and You, Watson", "Modern Girl (...with scissors)", and "Obscene Queen Bee #2".

Give it a listen.

The xx: xx

The xx offer an album with a lot of space. It's open and simple, with sultry female lead vocals and some (surely hipster) guy accompanying her. The duets really works for me. Start with VCR and Stars and Basic Space and Islands and really the whole album is solid. It's mostly electronic with industrial accents, some nice guitar, maybe hand clapping, and piano. This has been called the one of the greatest make out records of the decade. Not that I've tested it out or anything. Flint is has a dearth of appealing women. But *in theory* this album should be excellent for wooing. Report back in the comments.

Them Crooked Vultures

The final supergroup of the year is the most interesting. Them Crooked Vultures is Josh Homme from Queens of the Stones on guitar and vocals, drummer Dave Grohl of Nirvana fame, and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones on bass and keyboards. A one sentence review could be: Imagine a more prog-rock version of Led Zeppelin.

The best way to start is with #6 Scumbag Blues. You'll be transformed back to late 60's Cream and at the 1:08 mark the keyboard solo is best 18 seconds of music this year. Throughout the record the rhythm section is awesome; they are loud, imposing, booming, and almost make up for the boring songs. That is the problem; unfortunately, the album is just OK. The guys from Sound Opinions reviewed it well by saying that songs just aren't there. I agree. After 6, try 1, 5, and eventually 2 & 3.

3 out of 5 stars on Paul's iTunes

Felt – Felt 3: A Tribute To Rosie Perez

The Felt boys are back and this time your boy Aes Rock is the drummer.



Slug and Murs are back with another Felt project for the backpackers to get giddy about. This time with the tantalizing addition of Aesop Rock on production. An interesting choice for sure, Aesop certain brings a different flavor to Felt. And I have to admit that I like his production. But this album is way too long and too serious at points. To me, a Felt record should be fun and a bit silly. It should be an opportunity for Slug and Murs to let go, show off and rap about women they'll never get.

Don't get me wrong, this album is worth a listen. It's just not the best Felt record, but Slug and Murs are both too good to sleep on this. Highlights for me include Protagonists, Felt Chewed Up, Henrietta Longbottom, and She Sonnet.

Enjoy.