Portishead "Portishead" 2xlp

Well, this weekend, it came to my attention that perhaps I should listen to this, Portisheads second album again. So, I dug it out, laid it down, dropped the needle and immersed myself in the memory of its seductively pleasant dark groove. As always, its the ache in the voice of Beth Gibbons that grabs ahold and envelops me while the groove pounds its way into my brain. Delicious.

Elliott Smith "s/t" and "Either/Or" lp

Ok. here's the deal. Years ago a friend of mine (Lauren) suggested I check out Elliot Smith. So, I did and no sir, didn't like it. I just didn't get it. Fast forward here to 2009 and a friend of mine (Heather) suggested I check out Elliot Smith. She had listened to him alot when her brother passed. So, I did and it hit me full in the face, this is a beautiful album. Damaged? Yes. Beautiful? Absolutely. I have recently found out that I love the two records he made for Kill Rock Stars. ( Elliott Smith and Either/or) This is the wonderful thing about music. Our ears grow and change. I am glad mine did.

Michael Franti and Spearhead "All Rebel Rockers"

Michael Franti & Spearhead "All Rebel Rockers" is the perfect soundtrack for a beautiful spring day. His particular blend of Hip-Hop, Funk, Jazz and Folk with Reggae is particularly fitting and hey, the poetic lyrical content might just challenge you a little bit. Spread some peace and social justice. It is after all, a beautiful day.

Social Distortion "Social Distortion" lp

This is the classic Social D recording. On this third record, they finally settled into their classic sound, a blend of punk, blues, country and rockabilly that can really only be described as cowpunk or perhaps just gut level rock and roll. It is also their most well known recording. I was delighted to reminisce as I spent the weekend listening to this.

Cloud Cult is coming...

to The Blvd on May 7th. This kicks butt. Cloud Cult are perhaps my favorite "green band". Think organic farm , 100pc recycled, energy offsets from NativeEnergy.com as well as having planted nearly 1,000 trees. They live it. Their shows generaly feature back screen video and live paintings to be sold off at the end of the concert. Ooh yeah.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs "It's Blitz!"

Yeah, I like it.

Akron/Family "Akron/Family" lp

Beautiful freak-folk-psych-ameri-tripiness from the akron boys hiding inside a jam band. Gatefold double lp has different tracklist from cd.

side a

1. before and again

2. suchness

3. part of corey

4. dylan pt. 1

side b

1. italy

2. i'll be on the water

3. running, returning

side c

1. afford

2. interlude

3. sorrow boy

4. shoes

side d

1. positive vibration force

2. how do i know

3. franny/you're human

U2 "No Line on the Horizon" LP

Ok, Ok. I know. But, this is ( excluding Get on Your Boots) perhaps the best group of songs U2 has cobbled together in many years. It is my personal opinion that they have yet to achieve again what they did early on, with the holy trinity of Boy, October and War. Not quite the gut punch of their early work but I was pleasantly suprised with this record and found myself actually enjoying it.

Tobacco "F***ed Up Friends" LP

Fuzzier (if that is actually possible) and slightly darker than the last BMSR release. This is just Fec by himself mostly but still, this is all around a killer record.

Moviola "Dead Knowledge"

This is a tasty slab of Americana that drifts around a little style wise since everyone in the band writes. Most enjoyable.

Fleet Foxes "Fleet Foxes" lp

To my pleasant suprise, Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes lp from Sub Pop is actually a double gatefold that includes the gorgeous Sun Giant ep and comes with a code for a digital download of the album. This is currently the only way to get the Sun Giant ep on vinyl. I know they are media sweethearts at the moment but this record really is that good and the unique instrumentation is a bonus.

Joy Division "Unknown Pleasures" lp

Filled with dread and devastatingly powerful even in its sparse ambience this reissue of Joy Divisions iconic debut album still retains its amazing impact. The artwork has been replicated down to the textured cover and includes "This is the way" in the dead wax of Outside and "Step" in the dead wax of Inside just like the original european version. A fitting reference to "Atrocity Exhibition". This has been and remains my favorite Joy Division album