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

Tarun Bhattacharya "SARGAM"

Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya hammers and plucks his shathathanthri veena thru a amazing set of ragas and folk melodies. Accompanied by Tabla and Shenai (double reed oboe) this is a beautiful recording

John Coltrane "A Love Supreme" lp

I forgot what an amazing record this was. I listened to it most of the weekend. It was easy to get lost in this and remember why it is one of jazz' greatest records.

The Decemberists "The Hazards of Love" 2xlp

Wow, The Hazards of Love is a beautiful, long and deranged song cycle, rock opera or what ever you want to call it but it may just be The Decemberists at their peak. 17 songs tell the tale of Margaret. Special guests abound.

The Black Keys "The Big Come Up" Limited clear vinyl LP

So I managed to get a copy of this on vinyl. I was pleased to get a clear copy. (you know online orders) and I absolutely love it. I first heard The Black Keys when I picked up a copy of the Chulahoma EP and thought it was the second coming. Then I picked up Attack and Release and was a little let down(damn that shine you put on this Danger Mouse). It seemed to clean up all the things that I love about The Black Keys. I mean the blues should sound dirty, maybe even a little harsh, it should have a little grease and grit. Perhaps even a little blood and sweat. I definitely don't want it to sound all clean and shiny or even new. So, needless to say I put this record on and thought this is how a record should sound. I know I am about 7 years late here but this is good enough to hold up. So come on everyone lets Do the Rump.

Fulton Lights self titled

I float alone in an ocean of droning. Lifted up in this swelling of sound. Somehow sad, beautiful and majestic. I find a quiet peace.

This limited edition of 150 is a 2 disc version including a 4 track bonus disc of unreleased material and remixes with mini artcards for the song titles. This is a sweet little package. Originally on Android Eats Records, find this special edition at Catbird Records before there gone.

Catbird Bliss

The other day while drifting the net I found Catbird records, a boutique indi label that puts out limited edition small run hand printed discs for a affordable price with the inclusion of a tip the artist option, and early orders generally get some sort of bonus goodie. Current "available" releases from Maestro Echoplex, Manishevitz, Fulton Lights, Moviola as well as Mathew Sawyer & The Ghosts.
As far as I am concerned, you should run out and buy all these records. Give your money to the little guy. Promote more indi art. Dont just download the songs. support it.

Blitzen Trapper "Furr"

This subpop release of exerimental folk rock is perhaps my favorite album of 2008. My favorite track has got to be the amazing Black River Killer with Furr a close second. In my opinion this is a exciting and brilliant record all the way thru.