The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love

Just posted the latest from the Portland crew, The Decemberists. I haven't yet had a chance to give The Hazards of Love a proper listen other than the single, The Rake's Song, which was released a few weeks ago. Always melodramatic, often pretentious; if you are a fan, The Hazards of Love will not likely disappoint. I picked this up for a mere $3.99 over at lala.com. Enjoy and report back with your findings.

Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend is the best new band of 2008, according to every hipster in 2007.  I would describe their music as the Soundtrack to a Wes Anderson about upper middle class college-age kids from out East on vacation and drinking in a tacky tiki bar, but I'm not a writer so I'll cite the people with these jobs. 

I dig tracks #1, #5, & #8 after the first listen. Since then everything has changed I like other songs just as well. Enjoy. 

Posted will listened to Barack Obama is great talk. 

Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog

Sam Beam apparently hasn't read the indie rock handbook. Rather than keep with his traditionally sparse sound, The Shepherd's Dog features lush production and a new direction for Iron & Wine. Fans of Iron & Wine's early recordings may not care for this new direction. But I think it's a sign of maturity and natural progression of an artist. Beam brings the same delicate vocals and well crafted lyrics but this time with something much more substantial to back it up. Enjoy.