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Reviews 6
Soundoffs 53
News Articles 29
Band Edits + Tags 87
Album Edits 132

Album Ratings 639
Objectivity 67%

Last Active 01-10-23 11:58 am
Joined 04-30-01

Review Comments 752

Average Rating: 3.69
Rating Variance: 0.38
Objectivity Score: 67%
(Fairly Balanced)

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5.0 classic
Bon Iver For Emma, Forever Ago
Death Cab for Cutie Transatlanticism
On 'Transatlanticism', DCFC showcases a more mature sound than on their earlier works, while remaining true to their indie principles. If anything, the best word to describe this album would be 'cohesive'. Although the grandeur of the opening track, 'The New Year', contrasts sharply with the slow-paced and dramatic 'Transatlanticism', there is little, if any, feeling of discontinuity. Rather than relying on singles or catchy hooks, this album is best listened to as a whole. By the end of the album, Death Cab has taken you on a roller coaster ride of emotions and beautiful, moody songwriting. Highly Recommended
dredg El Cielo
Gang of Youths Go Farther in Lightness
Jimi Hendrix Experience Hendrix: The Best of Hendrix
Nickel Creek Nickel Creek
Rage Against the Machine Rage Against the Machine
Sufjan Stevens Illinois
What should I say about Illinois? Let's just say that I'm head over heels in love with this album. It's not about the indie rock cred, the press, or style points. It's about the quiet beauty underlying every song. This is an album about life, not just a state or a style of music. Although there are a lot of segues in this album, which has tended to receive some negative press, this isn't an album about instant gratification. Despite the 'soft' style of the music, this isn't meant for mere easy listening. Songs gradually reveal levels of complexity as the album plays, such as when Sufjan moves from the show tune style of 'Come on feel the Illinoise' to an absolutely spectacular chorus. Within the tapestry, there are some true golden threads; songs like 'Predatory Wasp of the Palisades', ' Casimir Pulaski Day', 'Chicago', and 'Jacksonville' are absolute masterpeices, both lyrically and musically. This is truly one of my favorite albums - not just of 2005, but ever. Open up your ears and hear the Illinoise.
Sufjan Stevens Michigan
Sufjan Stevens Carrie and Lowell
Sufjan has spent the past eleven years fleeing the stripped-back indie folk of 'To Be Alone with You' and
'Romulus' in favor of more dramatic arrangements. Carrie & Lowell represents a stunning return to form.
The National Boxer
Titus Andronicus The Monitor
Wolf Parade Apologies to the Queen Mary

4.5 superb
Air Talkie Walkie
Anais Mitchell Young Man in America
Andrew Bird The Mysterious Production Of Eggs
Arcade Fire Funeral
Arcade Fire The Suburbs
Arctic Monkeys Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti Before Today
Blanck Mass World Eater
Bon Iver Bon Iver, Bon Iver
Broken Social Scene You Forgot It in People
Broken Social Scene Forgiveness Rock Record
Casualties of Cool Casualties of Cool
Coldplay Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
Crippled Black Phoenix Ellengaest
Dave Matthews Band Crash
I grew up listening to Dave Matthews on the radio, but I only really appreciated the band until my Sophomore Year in high school. A developing drummer, I was sucked in by Carter Beauford's beautiful grooves, and was soon hooked on the fantastic music on this cd. From 'Two Step' to the spectacular #41, this album is all about one thing: pure music. Although I don't listen to DMB as much as I used to, this album remains a classic of the jam rock genre and a lesson in musicianship.
Dave Matthews Band Under The Table And Dreaming
Dc Talk Jesus Freak
Death Cab for Cutie The Photo Album
Deer Leap/The World Is A Beautiful Place... Are Here To Help You
Deerhunter Microcastle
Deerhunter Halcyon Digest
Destroyer Kaputt
DIIV Oshin
Dispatch Bang Bang
Dispatch Gut the Van
Elliott Smith Either/Or
Florence and the Machine Lungs
Frightened Rabbit The Midnight Organ Fight
Frightened Rabbit The Winter of Mixed Drinks
Fucked Up David Comes to Life
fun. Aim and Ignite
If you don't like it, listen to it again. Alternately, place 'Barlights' on repeat and dance around your house like a maniac.
Girls Father, Son, Holy Ghost
Grimes Art Angels
Guster Lost And Gone Forever
Incubus (USA-CA) Morning View
Incubus (USA-CA) S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
Iron And Wine Woman King
Janelle Monae The ArchAndroid
Jars Of Clay Jars Of Clay
Jason Isbell Southeastern
JD McPherson Let the Good Times Roll
Jens Lekman Oh You're So Silent Jens
"Oh You're So Silent Jens" is a strange album. It sounds like an old 70's music soundtrack, mixed with equal parts of European indie and folk, and coupled with Jens' rather Frank Sinatra-like baritone. It's also one of the best albums that came out last year. Songs like 'Black Cab', both 'Rocky Dennis Farewell' Songs, 'Maple Leaves', and 'Sweet Summer's Night on Hammer Hill' are musical and songwriting gems that are powerful from the first listen. Although the rest of the album isn't quite as poignant or immediately accessible, there are certainly no abject failures either -- all in all, this is a relatively cohesive and solid work. Pick this up immediately if you have a penchant for other similarly self-indulgent indie artists such as Sufjan Stevens. All in all, a great find, and a spectacular demonstration of old-school songwriting and positive musical pretentiousness.
Joanna Newsom Have One on Me
John Mayer Heavier Things
John Mayer Continuum
John Mayer's most mature work to date, Continuum blends both the pop sensibilities of Mayer's earlier work with the blues styling he recently displayed on the album Try!. Although the album lacks cohesion, the songwriting is fantastical, filled with excellent musicianship and laudable restraint. Check out 'Belief', 'Heart of Life','Vultures' and 'Stop this Train'
Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison
Kendrick Lamar To Pimp a Butterfly
Kishi Bashi Lighght
Lana Del Rey Norman Fucking Rockwell!
Led Zeppelin Best Of, Vol. 1: Early Days
Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IV
M. Ward Post-War
A crackling radio spits out snatches of Western tunes, accompanied by a cracked baritone. It's 'Post-War' by M. Ward, and it's an absolutely stunning album that feels both old and new at the same time. This isn't necessarily singer-songwriter folk; it heralds back to an older tradition (think Johnny Cash minus the country). In any case, it's superb. Check out 'Poison Cup' and 'Chinese Translation' especially.
Manchester Orchestra Mean Everything to Nothing
Matt Nathanson When Everything Meant Everything EP
Noah and the Whale The First Days of Spring
Oneohtrix Point Never R Plus Seven
Pete Yorn musicforthemorningafter
Pete Yorn's debut presented a fresh face to the tried and true alternative singer-songwriter genre. Adding a bit of country twang, a heavy emphasis on rhythmic music, and above all his gravelly lyrics and pop hooks, Yorn created a truly solid album. The only knack against this type of formula is that the music is a bit superficial -- and it is true that this is largely simple music. But it feels earnest, and doesn't resort to usual songwriting cliches. Additionally, the music quality is consistent, with there being few, if any, bad tracks. Highlights include 'Life on a Chain', 'Black', 'For Nancy', 'Closet', and the spectacular 'On Your Side'. Recommended for fans of pop rock and alternative music alike.
Pete Yorn Nightcrawler
When I first heard this album I absolutely hated it. So much in fact, that I didn't give it another chance in 4 months, and only then when I was completely in a state of musical boredom. I don't know what I missed the first time around, but this is a beautiful alternative pop album that ranks up there with Yorn's other work. 'Maybe I'm Right', 'The Man', 'Bandstand in the Sky,' and 'Undercover' are highly recommended.
PJ Harvey Let England Shake
Radical Face The Family Tree: The Branches
Radiohead The Bends
Radiohead In Rainbows
Rage Against the Machine The Battle of Los Angeles
Red Hot Chili Peppers Californication
Relient K Mmhmm
Rich Price Night Opens
Rise Against Siren Song of the Counter Culture
Run the Jewels Run the Jewels
Ryan Adams Love is Hell
Sarah Jarosz Song Up In Her Head
Sigur Ros Takk...
Snow Patrol Eyes Open
St. Vincent Strange Mercy
Sufjan Stevens Seven Swans
Sufjan Steven's Seven Swans is a rather quiet affair, lacking the sprawling arrangements, lengthy song titles, and interludes of his more famous 'states' albums. Sufjan's formula here is much simpler: banjo, acoustic guitar, and his signature hushed vocals. While the album tends to get slow by the end, there are some truly beautiful songs here, including the phenomenal 'The Dress Looks Nice On You', and perhaps Sufjan's best song 'To Be Alone With You'. Other songs such as 'Sister' show an experimental approach, using complicated vocal harmonies in what is a prelude to much of the material on Illinois. At the end of the day, however, this is a quiet album that lovers of Iron & Wine and mellow folk/indie would love.
Swans The Seer
The American Analog Set Know By Heart
The Decemberists The Crane Wife
Many associate major label debuts by indie bands as a formn of selling out. They don't want the uniqeness of the band dumbed down for the masses, or even worse, they don't want to lose the indie chic of being a dedicated fan of a relatively obscure band. But for the Decemberists, their move to a major label has actually improved their sound. Although the minstrel tinged voice has predictably become more mainstream, the Decemberists feature some of their best songwriting yet, and perhaps more importantly, begin to show a breadth lacking in their previous albums. In the three part track "The Island, Come and See, The Landlord's Daughter", the Decemberists surprisingly display a classic rock influence, while the vocal melody in "When the War Came" sounds eerily like a Led Zeppelin song. While there are some typical Decemberist's songs on here like "Yankee Bayonet", they begin to branch out on song's like "The Perfect Crime", and display surprising musical skill in the process. All in all, the Crane Wife is not a story of a band selling out, but of a band growing up.
The Decemberists The Hazards of Love
The Flaming Lips Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
The Hotelier Home, Like NoPlace Is There
The Knife Silent Shout
I don't normally like Electronic music. Although it's often shiny and brilliant on the surface, it usually disguises a shallow musical base that expires after about 3 listens. Fortunately, Sweden's The Knife have managed to break the mold by crafting a cohesive, fantastic album that sheds pop hooks for long lasting appeal. The synth tones here are simply beautiful, especially when contrasted with the apparent harshness of the vocals. Check out the first two songs and you'll be hooked.
The National Alligator
The National High Violet
The New Pornographers Twin Cinema
The Oh Hellos Through The Deep, Dark Valley
The Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream
The War On Drugs Lost in the Dream
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra Fuck Off Get Free We Pour Light on Everything
There Will Be Fireworks The Dark, Dark Bright
Torres Torres
TV on the Radio Dear Science
Typhoon (USA-OR) White Lighter
Quirky at first; brilliant after repeated listens.
Waxahatchee Cerulean Salt
Wilco The Whole Love
WU LYF Go Tell Fire to the Mountain
Yeasayer All Hour Cymbals
Youth Lagoon The Year of Hibernation

4.2 excellent
Josh Ritter The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter

4.0 excellent
Air France No Way Down
Alabama Shakes Sound & Color
Alex G Rocket
Alex G House Of Sugar
Alex Winston King Con
Anais Mitchell Hadestown
Andy Shauf The Bearer of Bad News
Angel Olsen Burn Your Fire for No Witness
Arcade Fire Neon Bible
Arcade Fire Reflektor
At the Drive-In Relationship of Command
Band of Horses Cease to Begin
Banks Goddess
Beach House Teen Dream
Bear Hands Burning Bush Supper Club
Bear Hands Distraction
Bear in Heaven Beast Rest Forth Mouth
Beck Odelay
Beck Sea Change
Beck Guero
Beirut Lon Gisland
Belle and Sebastian Dear Catastrophe Waitress
Ben Folds Rockin' The Suburbs
Ben Folds Five Whatever and Ever, Amen
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club B.R.M.C.
Blanck Mass Animated Violence Mild
Bloc Party Intimacy
Bombay Bicycle Club I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose
Bright Eyes I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
Broken Bells Broken Bells
Broken Social Scene Broken Social Scene
Broken Witt Rebels Howlin
Brontide Artery
Casper Hinterland
Caspian The Four Trees
CHVRCHES The Bones of What You Believe
Cloud Cult Love
Cloud Nothings Here and Nowhere Else
'I'm not part of me' is my favorite single of the year so far. But the rest of the album isn't nearly as memorable.
Coheed and Cambria From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness
Coldplay A Rush of Blood to the Head
Conor Oberst Conor Oberst
Cursive The Ugly Organ
Cymbals Eat Guitars Why There Are Mountains
Cynic Traced in Air
Danny Brown Old
Dave Matthews Band Before These Crowded Streets
David Gray White Ladder
Dc Talk Supernatural
Death Cab for Cutie The Open Door
Death Cab for Cutie Codes and Keys
Deerhunter Weird Era Cont.
Deerhunter Monomania
Deerhunter Fading Frontier
Dispatch Four-Day Trials
Do Make Say Think & Yet & Yet
Do Make Say Think You, You're a History in Rust
Do Make Say Think Other Truths
dredg Catch Without Arms
Duke Special Songs From The Deep Forest
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros Up From Below
Fang Island Fang Island
Father John Misty Fear Fun
Father John Misty I Love You, Honeybear
Fennesz Becs
Fever Ray Fever Ray
First Aid Kit The Lion's Roar
Fleet Foxes Helplessness Blues
Foxygen We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors...
Frightened Rabbit Pedestrian Verse
Frightened Rabbit Painting of a Panic Attack
Frou Frou Details
Fucked Up Glass Boys
Generationals Heza
Glen Phillips Winter Pays For Summer
Godspeed You! Black Emperor 'Asunder, Sweet and Other Distress'
Grizzly Bear Yellow House
At first listen, "Yellow House" is almost inaccessible. A dizzying maze of song structures and moods, it sounds as if Pink Floyd and My Morning Jacket combined and decided to go Indie. But if you can get past the initial audio barrage, you'll find a gem of an album filled with fantastic moments. The dazzlingly beautiful outro on 'Knife', the acoustic breakdown on 'On A Neck, On A Spit' and the climbing choruses on 'Lullabye' show that Grizzly Bear know exactly what they are doing. Highly recommended.
Grizzly Bear Veckatimest
Guster Keep It Together
Guster Goldfly
HAIM Days Are Gone
Hellogoodbye Would It Kill You?
Hey Champ Cold Dust Girl
Hiss Golden Messenger Terms of Surrender
Horse Feathers House With No Home
Incubus (USA-CA) Make Yourself
Incubus (USA-CA) Enjoy Incubus
Iron And Wine Our Endless Numbered Days
Islands Return To The Sea
Most bubble gum indie pop gets old after a few listens. Even though it's 'fun' in the beginning, it has little musical depth, and as a result, little staying power. Islands, the side project from the Unicorns, breaks this mold pretty well. Although the music is quintessentially 'happy', with calypso beats, high pitched humming, and bouncing rhythms, it's also sophisticating enough to remain interesting. Check out the beautiful 'Rough Gem' and you'll see what I mean.
Jack Johnson Brushfire Fairytales
Jack Johnson On and On
Jack Johnson In Between Dreams
Jamie xx In Colour
Japandroids Post-Nothing
Japandroids Celebration Rock
Jars Of Clay Much Afraid
Following up their classic self-titled album, Jars of Clay produced the melancholic 'Much Afraid'. Drastically changing their music, the album featured a much higher singing voice and depressing subject matter. This can be seen in the beautiful and haunting song 'Frail', as well as in 'Tea & Sympathy'. In many ways this is a more indie album than the previous, featuring interesting musical arrangements and subdued tones. Notable also is the lack of immediate pop hooks within the music. Nevertheless, the music remains highly moving and achieves a depth not existing in their first record. So although this album is not as immediately accessible as their debut, it compensates by adding surprising depth.
Jimmy Eat World Bleed American
Jimmy Eat World Futures
John Joseph Brill Pieces
John Mayer Room for Squares
John Mayer Trio Try!
Jon Hopkins Immunity
Jurassic 5 Quality Control
Jurassic 5 Power in Numbers
k-os Atlantis: Hymns For Disco
Keaton Henson Romantic Works
Kelly Clarkson Breakaway
Kevin Drew Darlings
King Creosote From Scotland With Love
KT Tunstall Eye To The Telescope
LAU Race The Loser
Laura Veirs Warp & Weft
Linkin Park Hybrid Theory
Lord Huron Lonesome Dreams
Lotus Plaza Spooky Action At A Distance
M. Ward Transfiguration of Vincent
Manchester Orchestra I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child
Matisyahu Shake Off the Dust...Arise
Metallica Master of Puppets
Metallica S&M
Metric Live It Out
Mew And the Glass Handed Kites
Mew makes rock music with grandeur. Soaring vocals, anthemic melodies, all done in a very non-cheesy way. Think back to the grand days of Queen and similar bands, add an indie twist and pop hooks, and you have Mew, who are simply making good rock music.
Mew No More Stories
MGMT Oracular Spectacular
Midlake The Trials of Van Occupanther
Midlake's music is instantly disorienting. Although other indie acts such as the Decemberists have freely adopted older musical styles, few have embraced these musical influences to the degree present on "The Trials of Van Occupanther." From the opening notes of Roscoe, the listener is transported back to 70's folk rock and perhaps even more confusingly, immersed in the lore of the late 19th century. Surprisingly, this odd approach is a stunning success. Each song feels handcrafted, and contrary to expectations, indie music, Steely Dan, and the Doobie Brothers work together in harmony. Highly recommended.
Monsters of Folk Monsters of Folk
Mountains Centralia
My Bloody Valentine Loveless
My Morning Jacket Z
Nada Surf The Weight Is a Gift
Neutral Milk Hotel In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds Abattoir Blues/The Lyre Of Orpheus
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds Let Love In
Nickel Creek This Side
Noah Gundersen Ledges
Of Monsters and Men My Head is an Animal
Office Q&A
Okkervil River The Stand Ins
Passion Pit Manners
Try listening to 'Little Secrets', 'Moth's Wings', and 'Sleepyhead' without cracking a smile.
Passion Pit Gossamer
Pete Yorn Day I Forgot
Phoenix (FRA) Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Pinback Summer in Abaddon
Punch Brothers Who's Feeling Young Now?
PUP PUP
Radiohead OK Computer
Rage Against the Machine Evil Empire
Real Estate Real Estate
Red Hot Chili Peppers Stadium Arcadium
This album really grows on you - after a brief listen I thought the first side was terrible, and would have given the complete album a 2.5. But after listening to it a lot more, I began to see a lot of things in tracks that before had only blended together - this is a solid album that any RHCP fan would love, given the patience. Of course there are a few tracks to bump (as on any double disc), but there is a lot of good material here that could merit the double album.
Regina Spektor Begin To Hope
Reigning Sound Shattered
Right Away, Great Captain! The Church of the Good Thief
Rise Against Revolutions per Minute
Rise Against The Sufferer and the Witness
Rival Consoles Articulation
Rodrigo y Gabriela Rodrigo y Gabriela
Rogue Wave Descended Like Vultures
Ryan Adams Cold Roses
Sanctus Real Fight The Tide
'Fight the Tide' is a perfect mainstream Christian rock album. In the vein of Switchfoot and other similar acts, Sanctus Real combines pop hooks with heavy guitars and rhythms to create memorable tunes. Although the album drags a bit in the middle, on the whole, this is a solid album from start to finish, with excellent tracks such as 'Everything About You','Alone','The Show','Message', and 'Deeds'. Highly recommended for anyone into Christian rock.
Savages Silence Yourself
Say Hi Numbers & Mumbles
Secret Machines Now Here is Nowhere
Secret Machines Ten Silver Drops
Shame (UK) Songs of Praise
Shovels and Rope O' Be Joyful
Silversun Pickups Carnavas
Silversun Pickups Pikul
Silversun Pickups Swoon
Snow Patrol Final Straw
Something Corporate North
Special Interest The Passion Of
Spoon Gimme Fiction
Strawberry Girls Italian Ghosts
Sufjan Stevens All Delighted People
Sufjan Stevens The Age of Adz
Sun Kil Moon Tiny Cities
If you don't listen to Modest Mouse, you'd have no chance guessing that every song on this album is a cover. But these aren't your typical covers - Sun Kil Moon changes not only the feel of the songs but the phrasing and structure as well, in the end leaving merely the lyrics intact. Some songs, especially 'Ocean Breathes Salty,' are stunners
Sun Kil Moon April
Sunset Rubdown Dragonslayer
Surfer Blood Astro Coast
Susanne Sundfor Ten Love Songs
Taking Back Sunday New Again
Tame Impala Innerspeaker
Taylor Swift 1989
Team Me Blind as Night
The Antlers Hospice
The Appleseed Cast Two Conversations
The Black Keys Brothers
The Brian Jonestown Massacre Revelation
The Dodos Visiter
The Dodos Carrier
The Format Interventions and Lullabies
The Honorary Title Anything Else But The Truth
The National Trouble Will Find Me
The Notwist The Devil, You + Me
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
The Postal Service Give Up
The Shins Chutes Too Narrow
The Smiths The Queen Is Dead
The Weakerthans Reunion Tour
The Weeknd House of Balloons
The World Is a Beautiful Place... Whenever, If Ever
The xx xx
This Will Destroy You Young Mountain
Tobias Jesso Jr. Goon
Todd Terje It's Album Time
Tokyo Police Club Elephant Shell
Tokyo Police Club Champ
Tove Lo Queen of the Clouds
Trophy Scars Never Born, Never Dead
Trophy Scars Holy Vacants
Turnover Peripheral Vision
Vampire Weekend Modern Vampires of the City
Volcano Choir Repave
Wilco Summerteeth
Wild Nothing Gemini
Wolf Parade Expo 86
Woods Bend Beyond
Yo La Tengo And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside...
Young Heretics We Are The Lost Loves
Yuck Yuck

3.5 great
65daysofstatic Wild Light
A.C. Newman The Slow Wonder
Alabama Shakes Boys & Girls
Amanda Palmer Theatre Is Evil
Anberlin Cities
Andy Stott Luxury Problems
Arctic Monkeys Favourite Worst Nightmare
As Tall As Lions You Can't Take It With You
Audioslave Revelations
Battles Mirrored
Beach House Bloom
Best Coast Crazy For You
Bloc Party A Weekend in the City
Blonde Redhead 23
Blue Man Group Audio
Boards of Canada The Campfire Headphase
Brand New Daisy
Burial Kindred
Califone Roots and Crowns
Camera Obscura Let's Get Out of This Country
This Scottish indie-op group sounds almost predictably like Belle & Sebastian with a female lead singer. But the focus here is more on pop polish than their Scottish indie brethren -- and they accomplish it admirably check out "Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken " and "Let's Get Out Of This Country "
Cat Power You Are Free
Chevelle Wonder What's Next
Clue to Kalo One Way, It's Every Way
Coldplay Parachutes
Coldplay X&Y
Conor Oberst Upside Down Mountain
Creed My Own Prison
Creed Human Clay
Death Cab for Cutie We Have the Facts and We're Voting Yes
Death Cab for Cutie Plans
Death From Above 1979 You're a Woman, I'm a Machine
Delorean Subiza
DIIV Is the Is Are
Dispatch Who Are We Living For?
Divine Fits A Thing Called Divine Fits
dredg Leitmotif
Eels Electro-Shock Blues
Explosions in the Sky The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place
Feist The Reminder
Field Music Tones of Town
Fiona Apple The Idler Wheel...
Fleet Foxes Sun Giant
Foals Holy Fire
Great Lake Swimmers Ongiara
Grizzly Bear Shields
Handsome Furs Plague Park
I don't even like Wolf Parade. But this side project with an equally strange name seems to be a little more straightforward, with plenty of musical gems. "What We Had" and "Handsome Furs Hate This City" in particular are fantastic.
Hellogoodbye Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs!
Highasakite Silent Treatment
Hiss Golden Messenger Lateness of Dancers
Howie Day Stop All The World Now
Howie Day Australia
James Blake James Blake
Jars Of Clay Who We Are Instead
Jets Overhead Bridges
Jimmy Buffett Banana Wind
Joe Gideon and the Shark Harum Scarum
A stripped-down affair that strikes a delicate balance between minimalism and grittiness. Spoken word rock done right.
Jose Gonzalez Veneer
Joseph Arthur Redemption's Son
Justin Timberlake The 20/20 Experience
Kings of Convenience Riot on an Empty Street
Klaxons Myths of the Near Future
Laura Veirs Saltbreakers
Local Natives Hummingbird
Lorde Pure Heroine
Good pop music. But hard to get past the lyrics. Class clowns, hairpins, riding buses and bikes, and teen poetry.
Low Roar 0
Lykke Li Youth Novels
Mae The Everglow
Manchester Orchestra Cope
Mates of State Re-Arrange Us
Matt and Kim Grand
Matt Pond PA Emblems
Medeski, Martin and Wood End of the World Party (Just in Case)
Metric Old World Underground, Where Are You Now
Metric Fantasies
Mother Mother O My Heart
Mount Eerie Clear Moon
Mutemath Mutemath
Mutemath are hard to figure out. On one hand the lead singer sounds like Sting, they imitate Coldplay pop hooks, and they have a decided tinge of the mainstream. On the other hand they are stunningly experimental and undefinable, using hip-hop rhythms, indie instrumentation, and an almost electronica undercurrent. The resulting record is uneven, but hints at future promise. Expect big things from this band in the future; in the meantime check out 'Chaos', 'Noticed', and 'Typical'
Neko Case Fox Confessor Brings The Flood
Now, Now Threads
of Montreal The Sunlandic Twins
OK Go Oh No
Fun party music, pure and simple. Ok Go's music isn't quite pop punk, not quite indie rock, and not quite pop either. But it's undeniable that this album has energy, and a lot of it. Although the album tends to fall into a slight cliche of formulas, without much variation, there are some great tracks scattered throughout: The first set of predictably clustered singles, 'Invincible, ' Do What You Want', and 'Here it Goes Again' are actually quite good, and later tracks such as 'No Sign of Life' and 'Crash the Party' keep the energy from dying. Recommended - for a shallow fix.
Okkervil River The Silver Gymnasium
Our Lady Peace Clumsy
Owen Pallett Heartland
Paramore Riot!
Perfume Genius Put Your Back N 2 It
Peter Bjorn and John Writer's Block
Polyenso One Big Particular Loop
Radiohead I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings
Ratatat LP3
Ray LaMontagne Till the Sun Turns Black
Wow. I hadn't even heard of this guy, and was surprised to find him at #2 on the iTunes charts. I don't know what I've been missing - this guy writes stellar, and I mean stellar, singer-songwriter folk. The musing, the emotion, the melodies -- the complete package is here. Listen to the opening track 'Be Here Now' and prepared to be blown away.
Real Estate Atlas
Refused The Shape Of Punk To Come
Relient K Five Score and Seven Years Ago
Ryan Adams 29
Saintseneca Dark Arc
Say Hi Impeccable Blahs
Scissor Sisters Scissor Sisters
Shearwater Palo Santo
Six Gallery Breakthroughs in Modern Art
Sleater-Kinney No Cities to Love
Snow Patrol A Hundred Million Suns
Something Corporate Leaving Through The Window
St. Vincent St. Vincent
Stars Set Yourself On Fire
Sting Mercury Falling
Switchfoot The Beautiful Letdown
Switchfoot Nothing is Sound
Switchfoot Oh! Gravity.
Tame Impala Lonerism
Team Me To The Treetops!
Teitur Poetry & Airplanes
The All-American Rejects Move Along
The Antlers Burst Apart
The Babies Our House on the Hill
The Changes Today is Tonight
The Cribs Ignore The Ignorant
The Decemberists Picaresque
The Drones I See Seaweed
'How to See Through Fog' is a tour de force. Unfortunately, some of the other songs aren't nearly as
memorable, largely because Gareth Liddiard's vocals can be...droning.
The Format Dog Problems
The first few tracks threw me off a little bit, as it wasn't what I was expecting at all. The Format's signature - driving pop beats and indie hooks seemed to be missing somewhat, and the album felt a little more experimental. Despite a few misses, however, this is a quality album with several spectacular songs, notably 'She Doesn't Get It','Oceans','Snails', and 'The Compromise'
The Gaslight Anthem The '59 Sound
The Go! Team Thunder, Lightning, Strike
The Lone Bellow The Lone Bellow
The Men Open Your Heart
The Men New Moon
The Menzingers On the Impossible Past
The Morning Benders Big Echo
The New Pornographers Challengers
The Oh Hellos Dear Wormwood
The Raconteurs Broken Boy Soldiers
The Radio Dept. Clinging to a Scheme
The Rocket Summer Of Men and Angels
Brings back memories of Something Corporate at their height.
The Shins Wincing the Night Away
The Strokes First Impressions of Earth
The Subways Young For Eternity
The Tallest Man on Earth Sometimes The Blues Is Just A Passing Bird
The Vines Highly Evolved
Throw Me The Statue Creaturesque
Titus Andronicus The Airing of Grievances
Travis The Man Who
Tweedy Sukierae
Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend
We Were Promised Jetpacks These Four Walls
White Rabbits It's Frightening
Wilco Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wild Beasts Two Dancers
Youth Lagoon Wondrous Bughouse

3.0 good
Amadou and Mariam Dimanche a Bamako
Anchor and Braille Felt
Felt is a pretty album. Unfortunately, it is often too pretty -- under the weight of Stephen Christian's cooing vocals, songs tend to dissolve into a warm and fuzzy mush. Best listened to in small doses.
Animal Collective Feels
Audioslave Out of Exile
Augustana All the Stars and Boulevards
Band of Horses Everything All the Time
Beck Modern Guilt
Although far better than the pedestrian 'Information', Beck's latest album isn't entirely consistent or even noteworthy. Fortunately, what it lacks as a whole is redeemed somewhat by the few excellent songs scattered among the tracklist such as 'Youthless', 'Profanity Prayers', 'Modern Love', and 'Gamma Ray'. Think Guero with fuzz.
Beirut The Rip Tide
blink-182 Blink-182
Bombay Bicycle Club So Long, See You Tomorrow
Bon Iver i,i
Brand New The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me
Bright Eyes The People's Key
Bush The Science of Things
Calexico and Iron and Wine In the Reins
Chevelle This Type Of Thinking (Could Do Us In)
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Cloud Nothings Attack on Memory
Cold War Kids Robbers and Cowards
Cursive Domestica
Cursive Mama, I'm Swollen
Dan Deacon Bromst
Dave Matthews Band Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King
Death Cab for Cutie Something About Airplanes
Death Cab for Cutie Narrow Stairs
Dzihan and Kamien Gran Riserva
Eels Blinking Lights & Other Revelations
Fall Out Boy From Under the Cork Tree
First Aid Kit Stay Gold
Foo Fighters One by One
Frightened Rabbit State Hospital
Fruit Bats Spelled in Bones
The first thing you'll notice about this indie band is that their lead singer appears to be the bastard step son of any member of the Beatles. If not for the modern music and structure, this album, especially 'Lives of Crime' could easily slip within a Beatles playlist unnoticed. That being said, however, this album is no ripoff - the Fruit Bats have their own distinctive sound that fits within the larger indie/pop/electronic genre. And some songs, include the aforementioned 'Lives of Crime' are simply outstanding. However, this formula seems to largely get old by the end of the album. Pick up one or two songs, or if you like the genre, the album as a whole is pretty solid.

Comparisons: Beatles, The Shins, Clue for Kalo
Future Islands Singles
Gallows (UK) Gallows
Guster Ganging Up on the Sun
I've always loved Guster. In fact, I can confidently say they are one of my favorite bands. So in anticipation, I waiting 3 long years for their latest release, 'Ganging Up on The Sun.' And I'm dissapointed. Guster sound has matured yes, and their songwriting skills are improving, but this lacks the drive and energy that made Guster well, fun to listen to. Guster has never been a generic alt-rock band, they've always had a special something, whether it be driving bongo beats, crazy lyrics, or just pure energy. This album is laid back and -- drab. Although it's a new step for Guster, I preferred the old Guster.
Incubus (USA-CA) A Crow Left of the Murder...
Jaga Jazzist What We Must
James Blunt Back To Bedlam
Jason Mraz Waiting For My Rocket To Come
Jem Finally Woken
Jet Get Born
Joseph Arthur Our Shadows Will Remain
Julian Casablancas Phrazes for the Young
K Sera Collisions and Near Misses
Kurt Vile Smoke Ring For My Halo
Laura Stevenson Wheel
Lemon Jelly '64-'95
Liars Sisterworld
Local Natives Gorilla Manor
'Wide Eyes' is exceptional -- the rest of the tracks are simultaneously pleasant and unmemorable.
Lovehammers Marty Casey and Lovehammers
Modest Mouse Good News for People Who Love Bad News
Mumford and Sons Babel
Muse Absolution
My Chemical Romance Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge
My Chemical Romance The Black Parade
My Morning Jacket Circuital
Nine Black Alps Everything Is
P.O.D. Satellite
Panic! at the Disco A Fever You Can't Sweat Out
Passion Pit Chunk of Change
Phoenix (FRA) United
Phoenix (FRA) Bankrupt!
Radiohead Hail to the Thief
Rage Against the Machine Renegades
Red Hot Chili Peppers By the Way
Reindeer Section Son of Evil Reindeer
Rilo Kiley More Adventurous
Rx Bandits Mandala
Ryan Adams Rock 'n' Roll
Ryan Adams Jacksonville City Nights
Ryan Adams Easy Tiger
If this album is anything, it's safe. Ryan publishes few of the cringe-worthy tracks that he has sometimes included in the past, but there is a real lack of the brilliance that shines through in his other albums. Songs like 'Two' and 'Halloweenhead' are great, but nothing to write home about.
Say Hi Oohs & Aahs
Sharon Van Etten Tramp
Sharon Van Etten Are We There
Shearwater Rook
Shout Out Louds Our Ill Wills
Sigur Ros Med Sud i Eyrum vid Spilum Endalaust
Sleigh Bells Treats
Stanton Moore Flyin' the Koop
Sublime Sublime
Surfer Blood Pythons
Tegan and Sara Heartthrob
The Album Leaf In A Safe Place
The Appleseed Cast Peregrine
The Boy Least Likely To Best Party Ever
The Brakes Give Blood
The Clientele God Save the Clientele
The Cribs New Fellas
The Decemberists The King Is Dead
The Decemberists What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World
The Dodos No Color
The Killers Hot Fuss
The Rakes Capture/Release
The Soviettes LP III
The Weepies Say I Am You
This album starts out on a beautiful note, with the stunning 'Take It From Me', and 'Gotta Have You'. The former's vocal hook is absolutely infectious, but not in a flashy modern pop way - it heralds to an older singer-songwriter style of writing. The album continues with the excellent 'World Spins Madly On', but eventually really slows down. It's not that the songwriting is bad on the latter half of the album, but it lacks the energy and interest that the beginning few songs held. Overall, this album would probably have been better as an EP.
Tokyo Police Club A Lesson in Crime
Tokyo Police Club Forcefield
Touche Amore Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me
tUnE-yArDs w h o k i l l
TV on the Radio Return to Cookie Mountain
Twin Shadow Confess
U2 All That You Can't Leave Behind
Under the Influence of Giants Under the Influence of Giants
Backed by incredibly catchy and dance-inflected singles such as "Mama's Room", Under the Influence of Giants seems to be trying to put the funk back into pop music. Their formula, (an eclectic mix of dance, electronica, indie, and pop) is refreshingly new, and is b acked by an undeniably strong groove and vocals. With that being said, however, the music isn't particularly sophisticated - although this stuff will get stuck in your head, it fades fast after a few listens, and is probably best suited for party music. Not to mention that along with the significant hits here, there are also a lot of faceless misses. Buy the singles.

Recommended: "In the Clouds," "Mama's Room," "Faces"
Why? Alopecia
Wolf Parade At Mount Zoomer
Although ostensibly 'Mount Zoomer' is a solid album, it's also an unremarkable one. Fans of Wolf Parade have become accustomed to hearing dashes of musical genius throughout everything Krug and Boeckner touch, whether it be the brilliant 'Queen Mary' or side projects such as Handsome Furs or Sunset Rubdown. 'Mount Zoomer' seems to largely be playing it safe, despite the excess of the 10 minute Kissing the Beehive and the typically obtuse song titles. Rather than pushing the envelope of every song, Zoomer plods along, fitting comfortably within the bounds of Wolf Parade's music rather than expanding it. The result is a few good songs and an altogether forgettable album.
Youth Group Skeleton Jar

2.5 average
3 Doors Down The Better Life
Anathallo Floating World
Anathallo can perhaps best be described as a bizarre mix of Dredg and Sufan Stevens, with the cohesion and songwriting talent of neither. Throwing a variety of musical styles into the pot in search of something that sticks, Anathallo seems to always be reaching for the perfect song, but always seems to fall short. The only remotely interesting tracks are the "Hanasakajiji" sequence, but even those lack enough to draw the listener back.
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti Worn Copy
Audioslave Audioslave
Beck The Information
"No complaints, but it's overrated, that's for sure," sings Beck on his latest album, The Information. And although I'm a huge Beck fan, this album has so far been a huge dissapointment to me, despite receiving relatively positive reviews... It's a mixture of Guero and Sea Change, without the style of either. Although there are some excellent tracks like 'Cellphone's Dead', most of them seem to drone on with little sense of energy. Although I need to listen more, right now this album feels very shallow.
Broken Social Scene Feel Good Lost
City and Colour Little Hell
Dave Matthews Band Busted Stuff
Dave Matthews Band Stand Up
Dave Matthews Band Everyday
Death Cab for Cutie Kintsugi
Deftones Deftones
Eisley The Valley
Forever the Sickest Kids Underdog Alma Mater
Gavin Castleton Home
Have Mercy (Indie) The Earth Pushed Back
Holy Other Held
Hop Along Get Disowned
HRVRD From the Bird's Cage
Iceage You're Nothing
Interpol Turn on the Bright Lights
Jars Of Clay If I Left The Zoo
Jeff Buckley Grace
I found this album to be a great dissapointment, given its reputation on Sputnik. Although there are a few spectacular songs like "Lover, You Should`ve Come Over," Jeff has more confidence in his voice than it deserves. He often whines, or drones, in an almost tuneless fashion, that destroys much of the beauty of his songs. Despite being pretty good musically, this album seems to be trying too hard.
Jimmy Eat World Stay on My Side Tonight
Kiss Kiss The Meek Shall Inherit What's Left
Linkin Park Meteora
Manchester Orchestra Simple Math
MGMT Congratulations
Midlake Antiphon
Minus the Bear Omni
Reveille Bleed the Sky
Sound Team Movie Monster
The Hold Steady Boys and Girls in America
The Killers Day & Age
The Knife Tomorrow, In a Year
If this album was comprised solely of 'Colouring of Pigeons', it would potentially vie for album of the year. Unfortunately, there are other songs on the album. Enough said.
The Magic Numbers The Magic Numbers
The Reign of Kindo This Is What Happens
This Good Robot The Light is Taking Me to Pieces
TTNG 13.0.0.0.0
We Are Scientists With Love and Squalor

2.0 poor
.hinge The Rise & Fall Of Living Great
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Howl
Dc Talk Nu Thang
Evanescence Fallen
Lady Gaga Born This Way
Sevendust Animosity

1.0 awful
Rufus Wainwright Want Two
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