Nick Drake-Tanworth-in-Arden

Tanworth-in-Arden is a collection of 18 solo acoustic songs recorded by Nick Drake at his home in 1967/68. The songs are traditional acoustic folk with a blues vein. Even though it is a poor recording, sounds like a home-cassette/bootleg it's still interesting to hear a young Nick Drake.

Stereo Total - Paris<>Berlin

Are they from France or Germany? I'm not really sure but they do make infectious pop music that I don't understand. Stereo Total's latest effort, Paris<>Berlin is more of the same sex-infused, euro-pop. Stereo Total will play the 7th Street Entry on September 1 with The Octopus Project. Enjoy.

Two in One Night!

One of the things that's always amused me is the state of Sam Coomes. Dude is a friggin' genius, yet he gets absolutely zero cred. Everyone wants to talk about his (ex) wife, Janet Weiss, cuz she's in Sleater-Kinney. Everyone wants to talk about the fact that he was in Heatmiser with Elliott Smith.

I've always preferred to think that Elliott Smith was in Heatmiser with Sam Coomes. Sam Coomes' drummer is also in another band, some "punk" outfit outta Portland.

I'm not even kidding. This is the guy behind The Donner Party, and the mastermind behind Quasi. Sheer pop genius, and who are the famous ones? The ones who don't deserve it.

Ah, the suffering of the preterite.

Anyway, back to this Quasi matter. If Sam Coomes had done nothing in his life besides record his work with The Donner Party, he'd already be one of my heroes. But then he went and recorded Featuring 'Birds'. Listen to those thunderous drums that open the album (okay, Janet, I guess you do deserve to be famous), listen to Sam pounding on his Rocksichord! Listen to the soaring, sickly sweet pop melodies! Listen to the bitter lyrics!

There's only one bad song on here, and it's the one written by Janet, "Tomorrow You'll Hide" (stick to drumming, girl, cuz you got that going on in spades).

You need the money
So you've got to play it dumb.
But if you play it long enough
It's just what you become.

Justice - †

Look, I'm not going to shit you - France is, by and large, a ghetto for popular music. Sure, you can point to "AIR" and maybe that Robert Miles guy (though I'm pretty sure he's half-Brit - he's got that sort of a thing emanating, bad teeth and his nose isn't big enough to be French), but AIR are basically weenies even though that first album had its moments.

Have you ever heard French hip-hop? Don't seek it out - it's so bad, it's seriously used in the soundtracks for "edgy" porn films that feature a dude with an accent and a mole on his ass.

Really, you gotta go back to the great Serge Gainsbourg before you find truly "great" music from our brothers in liberty. Dude may be off-the-charts homely, but he got all kinds of ass (Brigitte Bardot? Jane Birkin? Hello nurse!) and he laid down some off-the-wall shit. Have you heard the breaks on Histoire de Melody Nelson? Out. Of. Hand.

Anyway, all of this is a round-about way of saying how much I'm loving this new album from, yes, French rockers Justice. † (option "T" for all you Mac-heads) is pretty much a revelation. I don't know if these guys dig on the Jesus, and frankly, I don't care, because this is like Christ coming up from the dirt as some sort of flamethrower-sporting cyborg who happens to party with all the hott ladies. Seriously, I dare you to throw this on the ol' car stereo and not instantly be driving 10mph faster.

As far as highlights, the opener "Genesis" is okay, but it's when "Let there Be Light" takes off and works its magic, subtle as a punch in the face, that you know what you're up against. You know that moment in The Matrix when Keanu Reeves, our generation's most versatile actor, turns his head and says in his most solemn tone "I know kung-fu"? "Waters of Nazareth" is an approximation of what's going through his head at that moment.

This album isn't going to change your life, and it's probably going to be irrelevant in another two months. But right now, it fucking moves. Don't sleep on it.

Cross.zip

the guy that wrote that one song from the VW ads

as requested... mr. drake's three full studio albums.


five leaves left - '69


bryter layter - '70... includes John Cale and a bit of Richard Thompson.


pink moon - '72

The Thrills-Teenager

The Thrills=Irish Beach Boys-Bipolar Disorder

The Thrills are an Irish band that get their primary influence from the Beach Boys. This is not a bad thing. Van Dyke Parks wrote a few songs for them on their excellent last album.

This is album number 3.

Excellent driving, chilling, beach, lounging, party, boating music.

Mum-Go Go Smear The Poison Ivy

Mum=Sigur Ros + Woman Singer.

Enough Said.

Happy Wedding Tretter, this is my gift to you!

Interpol-Our Love To Admire

One of my favorite acts, especially live, do not dissapoint on their new album. This just leaked so I don't fully know the quality, but what I have heard I love.

Check out the first single Heinrich Maneuver.

Volta-Bjork

Why write a review when there are so many out there.

Games for May Tribute Concert

Here is my last Syd Barrett related post until more obscure Syd recordings are unearthed. For the 40th-anniversary of the Games For May at Queen Elizabeth Hall concert hall, Robyn Hitchcock, Graham Coxon, and heavy friends performed a Syd Barrett tribute concert. The set list included songs performed 40 years ago and other Barrett favorites. Robyn Hitchcock does a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of Syd and his music. The files were downloaded from the internet archives.

Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring

http://www.theirheartswerefullofspring.com/index.php

Today I bring to you a band I had never heard of, but quickly fell in love with.

Their Hearts Were Full of Spring hail from London and play, according to their MySpace Page, "Life affirming magical indie pop."

This album, These Are Our Songs, We Wrote Them For You, is a long lost debut album by the band when it was only 3 members. Currently on tour in London and working on a new album, the band now consists of over 6 members.

Their sound is very unique while still holding on to that britpop, indie twee sound that so many of us love.

Highlights: As Long As The Sun Shines, Fall Into These Arms and Stars.

Icky Thump - The White Stripes

Probably the most anticipated album of the early summer, if not the year, Icky Thump is not the return to the garage band roots of their earlier work, as some would hope. It caries some elements of their self titled debut, and De Stijl; but it also throws in the touch of experimentalism that made Get Behind Me Satan such a head scratcher.

The Detroit Duo's 6th studio album is a head scratcher and will divide many a fan. I find the album quite enjoyable. Not as great as Elephant, but really what could be? Jack White really stretches himself in his songwriting on this album. This album seems to be more a collection of small stories then other efforts. From the title track's bombastic recounting of a trip gone wrong south of the border, to Rag and Bone, a tale of gypsy like junk pickers.

Great hi-lites are 300 M.P.H. Torrential Outpour Blues, and the closer, Cause and Effect. Songs that I do not care for are St. Andrew (This Battle Is in the Air) and Conquest. The later I heard was a cover, but I can find no information beyond that.

I would be remissed if I did not mention Meg White's drumming. I can not say anything better then what was said here.

Well enjoy and let me know what you all think.

***This post updated while listening to the Cubs v. Braves***

PBW in the Hizzee!

Lately I've been on a mixtape craze. Don't know why, I just am. Kyle's mention of a Licensed to Ill cassette made me wax nostalgic for my old collection of cassingles, mixtapes, and assorted commercially released cassettes, long since buried deep in the landfill. Since tape decks are very nearly in the same historical heap as the 8-track player, it's hard to make a true mixtape, and hard to listen to any tape you might stumble across.

Which means we've gone digital. Totally fine with me, because it makes these things easier to copy, record and distribute. There's nothing like the muted distortion on a well-used cassette, and frankly, it's nothing that I truly miss.

With all that said, here's a mix of rare/unusual covers by Peanut Butter Wolf, the head of the nonpareil Stones Throw Records, called "Cover Me Badd". This beast is an appeal to the rare record dork in us all; watch as he throws down all kinds of wack cuts. Who records these? Who releases them? And why on earth does PB Wolf have copies of them?

Beastie Boys - The Mix Up

I'm a huge fan of the Beastie Boys. I have been ever since I ended up with a tape of License to Ill in my car one summer while in high school. I'm not sure where it came from, probably accquired while picking up Mr. Jackson in Baraboo or stolen from Kevin on one of his visits home from Minneapolis. None the less, that tape made many trips from Madison to Mauston and back worth the ride. Like many suburban white kids, it was my introduction to Hip-Hop. The B-Boys showed me that Hip-Hop could be fun and accessable to everyone.

Anyway, like most people, I'm surprised that the Beastie Boys have held on to their career for this long. I was sure that the six-year hiatious between Hello Nasty and To The 5 Boroughs would've killed any chance of another record. To The 5 Boroughs is not their best work, but it's got some good cuts. It cannot be denied that the Boys are old and don't have the spark that they used to. That's exactly why I'm so please that this new album is something completely different. Like the compilation, In Sounds from the Way Out, The Mix Up is an instrumental album. Deep funk grooves and tight drum breaks make this a fantastic album to just put on and drive around town on a hot summer day. If you like the instrumental tracks from Check Your Head and Ill Communication, then you'll like this.

Enjoy.

Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare

You can tell the Arctic Monkeys are British because they spell "favourite" with a "u." And everyone knows that British rock is always top.

Cheers.

Supergroups

Here are a few supergroup CD's for your retro listening pleasure. First we have Blind Faith -Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Rick Grech, and the great Steve Winwood. Next we have 4 Way Street (live album)-Crosby Still Nash and Young. Finally a collaboration between Brian Eno and John Cale, Wrong Way Up. Enjoy

SPOON Password

Hey Everyone.

The password for the Spoon album is

nodatta.blogspot.com

SPOON- Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

The amazing new SPOON album. For previous fans, it sounds like a mix of Gimme Fiction and Kill The Moonlight.

As a whole, the album works incredibly well. The songs all sound very different alone, but when listening in the correct order, they really seem to lead to the next.

This album will definitely grow on you and could easily be on the Top Ten of 2007 list come December.

Check out Cherry Bomb, Rhythm and Soul, Finer Feelings, and the whole fucking album!!

The Traveling Wilbury's

Supergroups have been something of an odd side note in popular music. A collection of stars playing music often for fun, and releasing a only handful of albums/songs. The first true supergroup was probably Cream, but some could argue it was The Million Dollar Quartet, a jam session with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins. The strange thing about Supergroups is that it there is always one guy with in the group that seems to be out of place. This is the case with the Traveling Wilbury's. Jeff Lynne though an accomplished musician and producer always seemed out of place in the Wilbury's.

The Traveling Wilbury's were a collection of some of the most important musicians in the 60's and 70's. Comprised of George Harrison (The Beatles); Bob Dylan; Jeff Lynne (ELO); Roy Orbison; and Tom Petty. They all originally got together to record a B Side for George Harrison. The song ended up being "Handle with Care." Their contributions eventually lead to the group to record a full album of original songs. Recording under pseudonyms (a ploy used by another supergroup) they released Traveling Wilbury's vol 1. With the death of Lefty Wilbury (Roy Orbison) vol 2 was never relased, though often thought of as Tom Petty's Full Moon Fever. A third an final volume was released in October of 1990. I have managed to gather from the internets, both official studio releases (vol 1 and vol 3) as well as a collection of outtakes, b-sides, and various performances which have been labeled as vol 2 and 4.

Musically the Traveling Wilbury's isn't that great. The albums are more about the musicians and the fun and joy they have playing music together. On many of the Dylan parts, one wonders if he is trying to sound like if he eats gravel and has lost the ability to enunciate any word in the English language. But he is puts all that he can in Crime/Cop drama of "Tweeter and the Monkeyman." The highlights are always those songs where the group is trading vocal lines, and vocal jabs, such as "Handle with Care," and "End of the Line."

If anyone has any interesting supergroups, I would love to have them posted to the iDisk.

***This post updated while listening to "Overkill" by Colin Hay"***

Coachella 2007 Videos

A little something different. These are some videos I took with my digital camera at Coachella this past weekend.

The first couple are of Jarvis Cocker. Please note I was extremely drunk at this point so the videos are pretty shitty. Fun though, cause Jarvis is great on stage.

The video of the green computer screen is from Bjork. The DJ would put different blocks on the screen, with each block making a different distinct noise. He would then move, twist, replace and generally fuck with them to make the beats. It was pretty amazing. I only wish I had taken a video when he had at least 10 blocks on the screen and was drawing lines between different ones.

The last few videos are from Rage Against The Machine. It truly was an amazing experience. They sounded like they should have, played the greatest hits, didn't preach too much and then rocked the place to the core. Screaming FUCK YOU I WON'T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME over and over was exactly how I hoped it would be. Ohhhh so much fun.

Enjoy. If you want to see some photos from the weekend, as well as from SXSW, check out

www.flickr.com/photos/cderekj

Elliott Smith - New Moon

To say Elliott Smith was an under appreciated artist until his untimely death in 2003, is a misnomer. Smith found marginal success with albums such as Figure 8, XO, and Either/Or. Most notably he found true recognition with Miss Misery, the Oscar nominated song from Good Will Hunting. His genius as a musician and a song writer had been widely acclaimed by many in the business. Smith life is truly a strange one. For an interesting read check out Smith's wiki page. Because I would much rather have you read something that can be edited by anyone, rather then my insane ramblings.

It was however his suicide on October 21st, 2003 that really brought him to my attention. His self vocalizing, dark haunting lyrics really hit me. Though I knew about him before his death, but it was the mystery around his death that made me listen to his music. The first album I got was the one finished after his death, From A Basement on A Hill. Probably not the album Elliott would have finished, but a good indication of his style. From that point on I made it my mission to get everything from Elliott that I could get my hands on.

Kill Rock Stars Records will be releasing New Moon. A collection of 24 songs recorded between 1994-1997, the most prolific in Smith's career, which saw the Kill Rock Star Elliott's Self Titled and Either/Or releases. Like many demo and out take albums this has some very familiar songs. However what is great about this is that the audio quality is much better then most of the demo albums floating out there. And the producers made the double album flow like a true Elliott Smith album.

If you are not an Elliott Smith fan, or do not know much about his music, New Moon is probably not the best place to start. For those of you know Elliott's music New Moon is a great listen and really brings his music full circle.

For my next post I will take a vote. Should I post:

1. Traveling Wilbury's - Vols. 1 through 4
   
2. Fountains of Wayne - Traffic and Weather
   
3. Eef Barzely - Bitter Honey
   
4. Ben Folds - 1990 Demos
   

Let me know in the comments and I will post the album in about a week or so, of course with my clever insight and choppy prose.

****This post updated while listening to Rain Delay Theatre on WGN Radio****

Icky Thump - White Stripes

Don't get excited boys, it is not the The White Stripes forthcoming album of the same name. It is just the single, and not a great copy of that. It is from some XM radio show, it has annoying intro and outro from some DJ with a fake, or seemingly fake British accent. If you want the a good quality single I suggest going to the iTunes Music Store (normally I would give you all the single but with the stupid DRM it was too much of a pain in the ass.)

It will give you a good idea of what the song is all about. In my humble opinion this song kicks all kinds of ass. It is a return to the pre 2005 Stripes. It is just Jack's circling guitar licks and and Meg literally thumping on the drums. The only thing I am not sure about is the lyrics. they fit the song, but towards the end there is a weird part about America or something. It doesn't make much sense to me.

So enjoy.

****This post updated while watching That 70's Show*****

Rufus Wainwright - Release the Stars

2007 is the year of the crappy album title. From Arcade Fire's Neon Bible to The Shins' Wincing the Night Away artists have had a lot of trouble coming up with a decent album title this year. Rufus Wainwright's 5th studio album is no exception. Release the Stars is a horrible name. It conjures up an image of Rufus shooting stars out of his genitals (which would have been a pretty cool album cover, though). Why? I don't know.

The album itself rises above the terrible name. Rufus is a master of blending a a lush operatic style with pure pop sensibilities. It is not quite as lush as the disappointing Want Two but not as pop as Poses or his self titled effort. The album produced Neil Tennant (of the Pet Shop Boys) and Marius De Vires, at times suffers from the layer upon layer effect, muddling the song into a mass of orchestral movements and lazy enunciation. And really parts of some songs are wholly unnecessary. (ie the part from Andrew Lloyd Weber's Phantom of the Opera.)

The biggest complaint of the album as a whole is Rufus' enunciation. I think lyrically Rufus is one of the best song writers out there, his songs have a sly wit which make you think, laugh and cry. Most notably on this album is, Between my Legs, which suffers from over production, is lyrically a master peice. If I casually listen to the album I am hard pressed to understand what the hell he is saying half the time. This album demands several listens. Each time you will pick up nuances each time.

It is nice to see Rufus return to the more pop of his earlier work. I think many Rufus fans were afraid that he might turn his back on pop entirely and try to make it big in the Met's revival of La Boheme. All in all a nice solid effort by "The Tit Man".

This post updated while listening to Icky Thump by the White Stripes and Release the Stars by Rufus Wainwright.

Wilco-Down at the Dust Bowl

Here is one for all the Wilco fans out there. A friend of a friend gave me a copy of Wilco-Down at the Dust Bowl. I can not find out anything about it on the net. Maybe one of you know more about it. It is mostly live recordings of familiar tunes.

THIRTEEN SENSES-Contact

Thirteen Senses follows in the suit of Coldplay and Travis. A British band that gets a bad rap in the states for sounding like the others.

The new Thirteen Senses is a lot of Coldplay, but they really branched out with their sound from their debut. Not so many radio friendly hooks and choruses, rather well thought out songs that really focus on the instruments and lyrics to pull the heart strings, not some cheesy video and a montage on Grey's Anatomy.

I actually did a little experiment with Thirteen Senses new album here at work. I gave it to 3 women and a gay man who hate most of what I like musically, but love soft singing cheese dick music like Gavin Degraw or James Blunt. They are a little mixed on the album. They love his voice, but will probably not be putting the disc back in the rotation any time soon.

Either way, check out CONTACT, FOLLOW ME and SPARK.

GOLDEN SMOG-Blood On The Tracks

I figure a few of you (ALL) would want this album. Havn't listened to it yet, but I was told that Jeff Tweedy was not involved with this album. Bowie's Starman is excellent.

TRAVIS-The Boy With No Name

Finally, a new Coldplay, wait, scratch that, TRAVIS album!! I think some of Travis is much better than Coldplay, but to each their own.

I am on my yearly Britpop phase right now, and am loving the new albums from The Rakes, Arctic Monkeys, Thirteen Senses and now Travis.

The new Travis is less like 12 Memories, and more like the radio friendly sound that got them some coverage here on this side of the pond with Invisible Band and The Man Who.

Wilco - "Hate It Here"

When you pre-order Wilco's new album, Sky Blue Sky, you get to download a video. It's basically Jeff, Nels, Mike, Glenn, and John performing the song "Hate It Here" in their practice space. No sign of Pat in this video, maybe he's the one behind the camera. Anyway, there is a version of the album that comes with a bonus DVD of the guys playing and talking about songs from the new album. I would gather that this is a taste of what the DVD will be like. I've posted the video for your viewing pleasure, check it out in glorious Quicktime (MPEG4, h.264 @ 627kbps). Enjoy.

Finally, somebody not going to rehab

I finally managed to procure a copy of Amy Winehouse’s newest, “Back to Black” and have uploaded it to the site.
I am told in certain circles that she is quite well known and was quite the child-prodigy, but her music is new to me.
If you haven’t heard her before, think Sara Vaughan or Macy Gray, only tiny, Jewish, anorexic and covered in tats.

The singles are “rehab” and “you know I’m no good”.

Elvis Costello - My Aim Is True

My iPod loves Elvis Costello, it always lands on his music when I shuffle songs. Maybe that's because I have more than 10 hours of Elvis Costello's music in my library mostly thanks to my brother. This album is a classic (1977) and a good introduction to his great story telling and pure rock n' roll style. I'll let some of the more hardcore Elvis fans like Kevin weigh in on the importance of this album. Enjoy.

Wandering Sons

A fellow Wisconsinite slid this on my desk the other day. Worth a listen--a bit bluesy and reminiscent of Elivs Costello (thanks, Kyle). They come around every now and again and their live shows are supposed to be worth the cover. Enjoy.

Bright Eyes-Cassadaga

Bright Eyes' new album, Cassadaga for your listening pleasure.

Again, no time to listen to it, but wanted to post for you this weekend.

For those who don't know them, they are led by Conor Oberst, who is a lively, well dressed, handsome man, and likes to sing about rainbows and ice cream.

The National-Boxer

One of my favorite bands as of late, The National, are fantastic on album, but not so hot live.

2005's Alligator was one of my favorite albums of that year, along with many of the all powerful bloggers. They have 3 previous albums on their first label, The National. Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers, and Cherry Tree.

I have not had a chance to listen yet, I wanted to post it as a little weekend present to you'all.

The first single is Fake Empire.

Plague Songs

Probably the weirdest "concept" album I have ever run across. And this is coming from someone who who knows the driving force behind Frankenstein The Rock Opera.

The concept is straight forward and interesting. It is a collection of 10 songs done by various artists each interperting one of the ten bibical plauges as described in the Old Testament book of Exodus. I am not going o pretend I know why or try to pointificate on the meaning of why. I will direct you to allmusic.com's telling.

What I will tell you is that there are 10 very peculiar songs, by pecurlar artists. Some of them you may know some of them not. It is something you can listen to when you need to have something to go along with the bible.

Also as a side note if you start this album right when the MGM lion roars in the beginning of Cecil B DeMille's The Ten Commandments you are in for a trip and a half.

This post updated while listening to Stranger's Almanac by Whiskeytown.

Pan's Labyrinth

Here is the score for Pan's Labyrinth, the latest film written and directed by Mexican film-maker Guillermo del Toro. Set in postwar repression during the fascist regime in Spain in 1944, a young girl named Ofelia, living with her pregnant mom and adoptive father (a tyrant), creates a dream world filled with fantastic fairy tale creatures. The composer, Javier Navarrete built the score around a simple lullaby tune. Navarette and the score was nominated for an Academy Award. The movie won Academy Awards for art direction, best cinematography, and best makeup. It also won numerous international awards. It is coming out on DVD May 15.

Voxtrot - Voxtrot

Found and posted at the request of Chris. I'll let him elaborate.

Donuts - J Dilla

You've probably read a lot about this album - how Jay Dee was in the hospital, dying, and putting this thing together in his bed, using whatever records his pals brought him while he laid there with a turntable and laptop.

Though it's just an instrumental hip-hop album, it's probably the saddest collection of songs I've ever heard. The quality is very, very high.

So enjoy these Donuts. They're very sweet.

Oh, and t3h hits: I've got ratings on "Stop!", "The Diff'rence", "Time: The Donuts of the Heart", "Two Can Win", "Don't Cry", "Thunder", "One for Ghost", "Bye.", and "The Last Donut of the Night", but remember that we've all got different taste (mine is pretty bad) and you might like some different cuts than me.

Word.

The return of GNR

Uploaded to the site is the album "Whenever it's Done", which in reality is the long-awaited – since 1993 in fact – album by Guns N' Roses "Chinese Democracy". No release date has been set yet, so enjoy this bootleg, because who knows when the actual album will come out.

-Jason

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists-Living With The Living

Ted Leo Rocks! His live shows Rock! Ted Leo brings the ock to Rock.

This is indie rock goodness. No strings attached rocking.

Rock this shit while rocking out.

Tracks to check out: Who Do You Love, Colleen, and La Costa Brava. But please don't stop there, keep rocking with the RX bandits.

Great Lake Swimmers-Ongiara

The first word that comes to mind when I think about Great Lake Swimers is mellow, also maybe haunting. Definitely for fans of Andrew Bird, Badly Drawn Boy, My Morning Jacket, Wilco.

Based out of Toronto, this indie-folk, roots music and alt country pop outfit (straight from their website), sings amazing tunes with lyrics to boot.

No specific tracks to check out, just give it a listen.

I URGE YOU ALL TO TRY IT. Let me know your thoughts and I can post the first 2 if you like.

Feist - The Reminder

You may recognize Leslie Feist as the female vocals on the last Kings of Convience album, Riot On An Empty Street. She is also a contributor to Canadian post-rock including Broken Social Scene and Apostle of Hustle. Sometimes delicate, sometimes boisterous, The Reminder is a fantastic album that shows of Leslie's many talents. My favorite tracks so far include My Man My Moon, Sea Lion Woman, Brandy Alexander, and How My Heart Behaves. Enjoy.

Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

It hadn't even made it into the scurvy hands of internet pirates when Wilco streamed their newest album, Sky Blue Sky, on their website this past Saturday evening. Of course, it didn't take long for files to start circulating after that. But maybe that was the point, beat the pirates at their own game and control the buzz. The stream is down now, but you can download a track from the album at wilcoworld.net. Lucky for you, I've posted the complete album for your previewing pleasure. It's a good album and I've got some opinions about it which I'll share another time. But for now, my favorite tracks include Either Way, Sky Blue Sky, Walken, and What Light. Give it a listen and share your opinions here. Enjoy.

Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

The latest offering from Isaac Brock and his Modest Mice with a little help from Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. Not as immediately striking as their previous albums but there are some great tunes on here including Dashboard, Missed the Boat, and Spitting Venom. Enjoy.

Son Volt - The Search

I'm not sure that you could rightfully call this band Son Volt since Jay Farrar is the only remaining original member. None the less, the biological father of Alternative Country has created another album to remind us all that the genre is not yet dead no matter how hard Jeff Tweedy tries to kill it. I haven't given this one much of a listen yet, but my earlier impression is that it is good, but not great. I really enjoyed their last album, Okemah and the Melody of Riot, and it took me a while to come around to it. So, I'll give this one a chance. Enjoy.

Pulp: Peel Sessions

I love Pulp.

I love Jarvis Cocker.

I hope you do too!!

Peel Sessions combines songs from all of the seminal Pulp releases, from 2004's highly underrated We Love Life, to the classics, This Is Hardcore, Different Class and His and Hers, all the way back to the early days of It, Freaks and Separations.

Jarvis is the lead singer of Pulp, and gives us his first solo album. It came out in November in the UK, should hit the states in March. Those lucky few going to Coachella will get a glimpse of this modern genious. Yeah, I said it. There is a secret song after a long pause on the final track, which was passed around the web a while back. It is called Cunts Are Still Running The World, and was written exactly one year after the big flop that was Live 8.

1983, Bitches!

I've got little else to say except that She's So Unusual came out in 1983, and if you were around then, you rocked out to it (because it was turbo-ubiquitous - even lil' ol' me in bumbletruck, Minnesota had it on cassette), and then probably engaged in what became two decades of backlash against Cyndi Lauper.

But go back in time, and take a listen with fresh ears. This album rocks out in a way that only a one-shot pop album can. Loaded with singles, and sporting remarkably light early-80s synth production (synthesizers have never sounded so great on a record as here, paired with Cyndi Lauper's strong, bouncy voice), this is a triumph. This release includes three live tracks that don't really add much, but there they are.

Anyway, enjoy the trip down memory lane if you were there. If you weren't, well, here is a hell of a time capsule.

Andrew Bird is Dr. Stringz

It is unfortunate that this is not on Armchair Apocrypha

Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition

A little throwback for all ya playa haters, well, thrown back to 2004.

Murs, a founding member of Living Legends out of California who claims to be "More Coldplay than Ice T", and 9th Wonder, a producer from Little Brother out of North Carolina, formed to make this instant classic. They continued to work together on 2006's excellent Murray's Revenge (on both Kyle and My best of the year lists)

Part of the whole indie or underground rap scene, the album is just plain excellent. The production taps into a little of everything, focusing on R&B, straight beats, and jiggling hooks. Murs lays down sick vocals and rhymes that are straight up ghetto but has all the emotion and relevance that this genre of hip hop is best known for.

A 45 minute film based off of this album was made by Murs and some friends and released late 2005 as a deluxe edition. Have not seen it but would love to. Anyone???

Apostle of Hustle-National Anthem of Nowhere

The new album from Broken Social Scene's Andrew Whiteman.

This is Ap0stle of Hustle's second disc, after 2004's Folkloric Feel.

A great sound similar to BSS, indie folk experimental or whatever the fuck you want to call it.

Another excellent album from our good neighbors to the north, Canada! Reminds me of a good joke...eh!

From their press release:
'National Anthem of Nowhere’ is for everyone who feels that they have no voice or can’t be heard. They hear this title and something stirs inside them. Then they hear this song and they feel that they “know” it. They meet strangers in nowhere places and will never forget those meetings. They wander out into the suburban, in-between zones and there they are welcomed.