Technical Difficulties

For some reason, my charger decided that it didn't want to work anymore. Being that I can't charge the battery on my computer, posts are going to be few and far between for a while. Trust me, I hate it just as much, if not more than you do.

I love how you spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on something and you can't even expect it to work for much more than a year.
Oh well, I don't suppose that complaining will get me anywhere. All it's doing is draining my battery.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Coldplay - Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends

I'm almost positive that not everyone has this album and am equally positive that you all should. This is a great album, start to finish. Coldplay is a band that never disappoints and, are one of the few bands that I can honestly say I feel they deserve every bit of fame they garner. Great album.

[Includes a few acoustic versions and bonus tracks]

Tracklisting:
1. Life In Technicolor
2. Cemeteries Of London
3. Lost!
4. 42
5. Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love
6. Yes
7. Viva La Vida
8. Violet Hill
9. Strawberry Swing
10. Death and All His Friends
11. Lost? (Acoustic)
12. Lovers In Japan (Acoustic)
13. The Escapist
14. Chinese Sleep Chant

The Killers - Sam's Town

Couldn't find a mediafire file and didn't feel like downloading it to just zip it back up and upload it to my mediafire account.

Tracklisting:
1. Sam's Town
2. Enterlude
3. When You Were Young
4. Bling (Confessions Of A King)
5. For Reasons Unknown
6. Read My Mind
7. Uncle Jonny
8. Bones
9. My List
10. This River Is Wild
11. Why Do I Keep Counting
12. Exitlude



The Killers also have a new album dropping on November 25th entitled Day & Age. The first single is called "Human" and I have that right here for you. It's pretty good.

Tracklisting:
1. Human



[I kind of hate the artwork for both of these albums - the girl on the Sam's Town cover looks suspiciously like a man and the band's guitarist who is portrayed on the "Human" Single artwork is one of the creepiest looking guys I've ever seen.]

A Skylit Drive - Wires...And The Concept Of Breathing

This makes my 7th post today, if that tells you anything about how bored I am.

I'm sure you wouldn't know it by checking my previous posts, but I still love "scene" bands, at least a little. There are certain albums that I will refuse to post, for no other reason than that I am friends with the bands, but I would be happy to post reviews for a couple of the albums. A Skylit Drive is not one of those bands. They are, however, in-friggin-credible. Blending Coheed-esque vocals with brutal metalcore and at times dance grooves, Wires...And The Concept Of Breathing is an album that I can't get enough of. For some reason, I can listen to this album on repeat [and when I travelled for work, I would do just that]. If you like The Devil Wears Prada, Coheed & Cambria, or any other GOOD "scene" bands then check these guys out.

Tracklisting:
1. In The Beginning There Was Void
2. Knights Of The Round
3. Wires And The Concept Of Breathing
4. City On The Edge Of Forever
5. Eris and Dysnomia
6. I'm Not A Thief, I'm A Treasure Hunter
7. My Disease
8. This Isn't The End
9. Sleepwalker
10. Pursuit Lets Wisdom Ride The Wind
11. Ex Machina
12. Balance
13. All It Takes For Your Dreams To Come True



[terrible artwork]

Longwave - Secrets Are Sinister

This is indie rock at its finest, incorporating the timeless quality of U2 with the edge of bands like Moving Units and Arctic Monkeys. They have an older quality as well, though; similar in some respects to bands of the early to mid 90's, like Sunny Day Real Estate and Our Lady Peace. This is a long-awaited release and, as it turns out, was very much worth the wait. I'll post their previous album There's A Fire soon, to be used as a frame of reference. Enjoy this great album a little less than a month early.

Tracklisting:
1. Sirens In The Deep Sea
2. No Direction
3. Satellites
4. The Devil And The Lair
5. Life Is Wrong
6. Eyes Like Headlights
7. I Don't Care
8. It's True
9. Shining Hours
10. Secrets Are Sinister

October Indie Mixtape

This is a mix that I made for my friend and boss Tiffany. I always keep all of the mixes that I make, at least for a little while, and this one is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I hope you like it as well.

Tracklisting:
1. Glue Girls - Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin [from the album "Pershing"]
2. Cath... - Death Cab For Cutie [from the album "Narrow Stairs"]
3. The Underdog - Spoon [from the album "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"]
4. American Names - Sebastien Grainger [from the album "American Names EP"]
5. Sunday - Bloc Party [from the album "A Weekend In The City"]
6. Inní Mér Syngur Vitleysingur - Sigur Rós [from the album "Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust"]
7. Get Better - Mates Of State [from the album Re-Arrange Us]
8. Is There A Ghost - Band Of Horses [from the album "Cease To Begin"]
9. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) - The Arcade Fire [from the album "Funeral"]
10. Dress Me Like A Clown - Margot & The Nuclear So and So's [from the album "The Dust Of Retreat"]
11. The Rabbit, The Bat, and The Reindeer - Dr. Dog [from the album "Fate"]
12. Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car - Iron & Wine [from the album "The Shepherd's Dog"]
13. Hospital Bed - Cold War Kids [from the album "Robbers & Cowards"]
14. Through The Nights These Days - Jason Collett [from the album "Here's To Being Here"]

October Indie Mixtape


[nothing says October like a nice, warm campfire]

13ghosts - The Strangest Colored Lights

I love when I stumble upon a band that I have never heard of, and they absolutely blow me away. 13ghosts is one such band, making use of the same type sound as Dr. Dog, but going in a more subdued direction. Almost as if Dr. Dog were singing funeral hymns and requiems. It's absolutely beautiful and I'm in awe of it. I had no intention of posting any more full albums today, but I couldn't help myself once I heard this album. Please, don't let the band name or anything else deter you from giving this album a chance. You may find yourself surprised and pleased, as did I.

Tracklisting:
1. The Lonely Death of Space Avenger
2. Soft Houses
3. Beyond The Door
4. Riverside
5. Bury Me
6. Faint Goat
7. King Of The Thieves
8. Go To Sleep
9. Soon When I'm Gone
10. Underground
11. Whip Poor Will
12. Photographs
13. Transmissions

Highlight Tracks: "Soft Houses", "Riverside", "Photographs"


The file had to be broken into two parts:
Part 1
Part 2

Eisley - Combinations

I first heard of Eisley probably 5 years ago when they were releasing their first EPs. Immediately I was impressed, but at the same time disappointed because I felt like the band had so much potential that wasn't being realized because they were too busy writing poppy songs about unicorns and such. I felt like the songs were good, but at the same time not real. They were in no way personal, which sometimes works, but more often than not, it doesn't. Even their full length was a disappointment to me, because it was still in that same vein. It was, for lack of a better word, cute. It was whipped cream. No substance.

Then, 2007 saw the release of Combinations, Eisley's second attempt at a full length, and the realization of their potential. It's possible that it was from spending so much time touring with Brand New [who finally hit their stride with The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me] or maybe it was a series of events that changed the outlook of Eisley's members. Whatever the cause, the outcome is a wonderful and mature record. Combinations is exactly what it needed to be and is very much worth your time.

Tracklisting:
1. Many Funerals
2. Invasion
3. Taking Control
4. Go Away
5. If I Could Be There For You
6. Come Clean
7. Ten Cent Blues
8. A Sight To Behold
9. Combinations
10. If You're Wondering

Shiny Toy Guns - Season Of Poison

Before I get into my review, I want to offer a disclaimer that this is a partial review. I haven't yet listened to the entire record: this is a review based on my initial reactions.

Shiny Toy Guns is a band that my friend Calvin told me about a couple of years back. Initially, I wasn't impressed, but they they grew to be one of my favorite bands for a while. Then they kind of fell off of the radar, and unless you caught their occasional bulletin on myspace, little was being said about the band until about 3 months ago when they announced the forthcoming release of Season Of Poison. Initially, I like what I hear. To say that this band has grown up [possibly due in part to the departure and replacement of Carah Faye] is a vast understatement. Where the band's first album was based in dance and rock, Season Of Poison at times sounds heavily influenced by U2, and then at other times has a harder edge than was ever seen in their previous material. I like what I hear, but I'm interested to see how people receive this album.

Tracklisting:
1. When Did This Storm Begin (Feat. Binary Finary)
2. Money For That
3. I Owe You A Love Song5. It Became A Lie On You
6. Ricochet!
7. Season Of Love
8. Poison
9. Blown Away
10. Turned To Real Life
11. Frozen Oceans

Nik Freitas - Sun Down

This is a record that I'm very excited about. Imagine if Fionn Regan wrote more cohesive songs that were recorded and produced by The Flaming Lips [without taking too many liberties], with Paul McCartney sitting in the corner and giving bits of advice from time to time. It's interesting and wonderful. And, bear in mind that I am saying this having never heard Mr. Freitas before. I can already tell that Sun Down is going to be one of my favorite albums of 2008. So good.

Tracklisting:
1. Sun Down
2. Oh My God
3. All The Way Down
4. What You Become
5. Sophie
6. Love Around
7. It Ain't Like That
8. See Me There
9. Comes To Me
10. Shhh

Tiger Lou - A Partial Print

I know next to nothing about Tiger Lou [or TGR LOU] but I do know that they have quite a unique sound, found somewhere between Hail To The Thief era Radiohead and the dark quality found on the majority of Thrice's Vheissu. I just happened upon these guys today and I have to say that my initial reaction is that of surprise. Not to mention that I'm thoroughly impressed. Very good.

Tracklisting:
1. The More You Give
2. The Less You Have To Carry
3. So Demure
4. Trust Falls
5. An Atlas Of Those Our Own
6. Odessa
7. Trails of Spit
8. Coalitions
9. Crushed By A Crowd
10. A Partial Print

The Cure - 4:13 Dream

All I can say is that it's about time that The Cure released a new album. And it's a good one. Real good. Imagine classic Cure but with an updated approach to songwriting.

In all fairness, though, it's The Cure. I shouldn't have to try and convince you to download this album.

Tracklisting:
1. Underneath The Stars
2. Only One
3. Reasons Why
4. Freakshow
5. Sirensong
6. Real Snow White
7. Hungry Ghost
8. Switch
9. Perfect Boy
10. This. Here and Now. With You
11. Sleep When I'm Dead
12. Scream
13. It's Over

Annuals - Be He Me

There is absolutely no way that I could accurately describe Annuals, or do them any sort of justice. They are the middle ground between folk, indie, pop, hardcore, and everything in between. I am only recently getting into them, but I am so glad that I have caught on to these indie darlings. The music shifts and changes as often as it possibly can, and the vocals leave nothing to be desired.

Download this immediately.

[Annuals recently released a new album entitled Such Fun. I will be posting it very soon.]

Tracklisting:
1. Brother
2. Dry Clothes
3. Complete and Completing
4. Carry Around
5. Chase You Off
6. Bleary Eyed
7. Fair
8. The Bull and The Goat
9. Mama
10. Ida, My
11. Father
12. Sway

Adele - 19

Oh, Adele. Thank you so much for existing. It's about time that someone started shaking up popular music, and I can think of no one better to do just that than Adele, with her soulful and jazz-influenced vocals and her vast amounts of class. The music is jazz through and through, moving and shifting the way that only jazz can. The vocals are a throwback to Ella Fitzgerald and the like. Add a touch of pop and a great amount of personality and poise and you have Adele. I honestly can not say enough good about this wonderful new artist. I am so glad to see a truly passionate and talented artist climb the charts and gain popularity.

Tracklisting:
1. Daydreams
2. Best For Last
3. Chasing Pavements
4. Cold Shoulder
5. Crazy For You
6. Melt My Heart To Stone
7. First Love
8. Right As Rain
9. Make You Feel My Love
10. My Same
11. Tired
12. Hometown Glory

Those Dancing Days - In Our Hero Space Suits

Those Dancing Days is a band that we will be hearing a great deal about very soon, I feel. Their infectious blend of indie and soul [sometimes teetering on the line of lo-fi] makes for the soundtrack for our own "dancing days". Really, it's the vocals that make this band so great, and to be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of polished vocals. I can't help but love the songs on this album though.

Now, I won't say that this is the best album I've ever heard or that it's even close competition. It's great, but it's a labor of love at times. The problem that I see with this record is that the songs don't grab you immediately. Each song is great, but you have to listen to about 20 seconds of mediocre at the beginning of each song. Once all of the instrumentation breaks in, though, you have some really great pop songs.

I anticipate that within the next year or so, we will see Those Dancing Days with major label backing, having hit their stride and releasing a widely accepted major label debut. Keep your eyes peeled.

Tracklisting:
1. Knights In Mountain Fox Jackets
2. Falling In Fail
3. I Know Where You Live
4. Run Run
5. Hitten
6. Actionman
7. Shuffle
8. Home Sweet Home
9. Duet Under Water
10. Kids
11. Those Dancing Days
12. Space Hero Suits

Highlight Tracks: "I Know Where You Live", "Hitten", "Home Sweet Home"

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Cardinology

I haven't had a chance to listen to Cardinology in its entirety, but from what I've heard, I'm sure I'm going to be impressed. I know that the previous statement makes it sound as though I were worried that the album wouldn't be any good, and that's because I was. Not that Easy Tiger or Follow The Lights were bad, but I feel like they could have been better.

See, I'm a huge Ryan Adams fan, and I have been for a few years now, so every time he releases a new album, I feel an obligation to go out and pick it up. However, the last few albums, I feel, have been increasingly devoid of substance. Where Heartbreaker was an album that I felt was written specifically for me, I feel like Easy Tiger was written from an obsolete vernacular [wildcat], if what he was singing about was even experienced by him at all. The songs are catchy, but lacking the substance that makes an album like Heartbreaker or Gold so amazing.

Make up your mind for yourself.

Tracklisting:
1. Born Into A Light
2. Go Easy
3. Fix It
4. Magick
5. Cobwebs
6. Let Us Down Easy
7. Crossed Out Name
8. Natural Ghost
9. Sink Ships
10. Evergreen
11. Like Yesterday
12. Stop

Math and Physics Club - Math and Physics Club

Here is the full length that I promised. It's much better than the EPs in my opinion, but I still love Movie Ending Romance and Weekends Away.

Tracklisting:
1. Darling, Please Come Home
2. I Know What I Want
3. April Showers
4. Holidays and Saturdays
5. La La La Lisa
6. Look At Us Now
7. You'll Miss Me
8. Cold As Minnesota
9. Such A Simple Plan
10. Last Dance

Kenneth Ishak - Silver Lightning From A Black Sky

I started writing a [very] short review for this album, and then I started listening to it and I was reminded of how good it is. It has a great indie and pop feel to it, but Ishak also incorporates elements of disco and glam, but without being gimmicky like the band Under The Influence Of Giants. Great record and incredible musicianship. What's great about this album, though, is how diverse the songs are, and how no two songs are the same. Most certainly worth your time.

Tracklisting:
1. Passionate
2. New Rising Sun
3. Tall Companion
4. Snakes In The Grass
5. Anytime Kid
6. Hell
7. Misfits In Love
8. SOS
9. Don't Touch My Brother
10. Bright Time
11. Highway Of Madness
12. Sword

The Features - Contrast

Previous to the beginning of this year, I had never heard of The Features. As it turns out, they have been around the block a few times, having already been on and kicked off of a major label. Evidently, they refused to do a cover of a Beatles song for a commercial [hmmm...integrity, not many people know what that means anymore...] and the label sent them packing. Since then, The Features have spent a good many years touring and releasing albums on their own dime. Really, you should thank Universal Records, because without label backing, the band has had to adopt a DIY work ethic and build their fanbase from the ground up. Hence me never hearing of them. That is, until I saw them play at The Dame in Lexington. The entire place was dancing and singing along. It is most certainly high on my list of favorite concerts, and in good company with Sigur Ros, mewithoutYou, and Josh Ritter. I'll post their newest full length soon, but as for now, I wanted to get you used to them with this amazing EP.

Tracklisting:
1. Contrast
2. Wooden Heart
3. I Will Wander
4. Commotion
5. Guillotine

Ben Folds - Way To Normal

If you've never heard of Ben Folds then I apologize that I didn't do more in the way of introducing you to him. Imagine if Elton John [and whomever it was that wrote his lyrics] were more tongue-in-cheek and goofy. And you know, I'd half expect that to turn most people away, but despite his lack of seriousness and his interesting way of wording, he still crafts amazing piano-pop songs. The one drawback [for me] is that Folds has an uncanny ability to make a sailor blush, which you'll have to forgive. Regardless, enjoy this newest one.

1. Hiroshima (B B B Benny Hit His Head)
2. Dr. Yang
3. The Frown Song
4. You Don't Know Me (feat. Regina Spektor)
5. Before Cologne
6. Cologne
7. Errant Dog
8. Free Coffee
9. B*tch Went Nuts
10. Brainwashed
11. Effington
12. Kylie From Connecticut

The Middle East - The Recordings of The Middle East

I know next to nothing about this band and for some reason can find no information about them online. I do, however, know that everything that I have heard by them is wonderful. Call it folk, call it indie, call it something in between. Regardless of how you want to categorize it, you'll always find it under "G" [for good]. Check it out.

Tracklisting:
1. The Darkest Side
2. Beleriand
3. Lonely
4. Blood
5. Fools Gold
6. Pig Food
7. The Fall Of Man
8. Tsietsi

Anathallo - Canopy Glow

I hadn't planned on posting anything else, but as per usual, I happened upon something I didn't expect to find. See, I had only heard rumors of a new Anathallo album. I didn't know that it was an upcoming release. Not only that, but I had no idea that they had signed with a label, shedding their DIY mentality. I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, but I'm very excited.

For the record: I fully expect that Kathryn will squeal with joy and that Devin will roll his eyes.

Tracklisting:
1. Noni's Field
2. Italo
3. Northern Lights
4. The River
5. Cafetorium
6. Sleeping Torpor
7. Lost Ring Finger
8. John J. Audubon
9. Bells
10. Tower Of Babel

Rapidshare

I want you all to know how lucky you are that I use Mediafire to host my files, and for those of you who don't know what Rapidshare is, I'll explain.

It is similar to Mediafire except for the fact that it is absolutely and completely terrible. Not only do you have to wait for up to 2 minutes for your link to appear, you are forced to wait for an hour between downloads or pay a subscription fee. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of illegally downloading files?

Forgive my rant, but I really hate Rapidshare and for some reason unbeknownst to me, everyone and their mom uses it.

Rapidshare, there is a nice warm spot reserved for you in hell.

Eddie Vedder - Into The Wild OST

I have never been Pearl Jam fan. I would even go so far as to say that I have always hated them. Then, I heard Eddie Vedder's cover of "All Along The Watchtower" for the film I'm Not There. Suffice it to say, I've heard about a thousand covers of that song, as everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Dave Matthews Band have left their mark on it, but never have I heard it covered half as well as this newest interpretation. That was the foot in the door. After that, I decided to give the Into The Wild OST a chance and have yet to regret it. It's organic and earthy and the best thing that Vedder has ever been a part of, in my humble opinion.

Tracklisting:
1. Setting Forth
2. No Ceiling
3. Far Behind
4. Rise
5. Long Nights
6. Tuolumne
7. Hard Sun
8. Society
9. The Wolf
10. End Of The Road
11. Guaranteed

Highlight Tracks: "Setting Forth", "Hard Sun", "Society"

Shiny Toy Guns - We Are Pilots

Shiny Toy Guns' We Are Pilots is a great album teetering on the line of rock and electronica. Don't get too attached to Carah Faye's vocals because she recently quit the band and was replaced by some unknown girl. I heard a new track from the forthcoming album Season Of Poison and I wasn't terribly impressed. Hopefully the rest of the album is better than the track I heard.

Tracklisting:
1. You Are The One
2. Le Disko
3. Starts With One
4. When They Came For Us
5. Don't Cry Out
6. Chemistry Of A Car Crash
7. Waiting
8. Rainy Monday
9. Jackie Will Save Me
10. Shaken
11. We Are Pilots

Sleeping At Last - Keep No Record

Late last week, while perusing the internet for new music, I happened upon Sleeping At Last. I had heard of the band before then, but it wasn't until then that I gave them a listen, and I found myself conflicted. I was overjoyed at finding the band, but at the same time I was frustrated at how long it took me to give them a chance. Imagine if Lovedrug wrote good songs that had the orchestral mentality of The Verve when they wrote "Bittersweet Symphony". Keep No Score is an album full of swelling strings over Radiohead inspired indie piano rock.

This is a phenomenal record and one that I cannot stop listening to. The songs are beautiful and moving in a way that music should be. If there is one record that I've posted so far that I would recommend to you; one that I think would be widely accepted and enjoyed, it's this one. Download it now!

Tracklisting:
1. Tension & Thrill
2. Careful Hands
3. Needle & Thread
4. Envelopes
5. Hold Still
6. Heaven Breaks
7. Levels Of Light
8. Quicksand
9. Umbrellas
10. Sing To Me
11. Dreamlife
12. Keep No Score

Highlight Tracks: "Tension & Thrill", "Needle & Thread", "Hold Still"

Joseph Arthur and The Lonely Astronauts - Temporary People

I can't say that I know a great deal about Joseph Arthur, nor his Lonely Astronauts, but I do know that I like what I hear. Reminiscent of Ryan Adams/Tom Petty/Bob Dylan type music, and it's refreshing. Refreshing because at present, we have a sudden influx of carbon copy bands whom are playing generic techno and dance music. It's always good to hear bands writing honest songs instead of trying to ride the popular wave. Eventually that wave crests and crashes, but the truly talented songwriters last beyond that. This band is far from temporary and certainly worth your time.

Tracklisting:
1. Temporary People
2. Faith
3. Say Goodbye
4. Dear Savior
5. Look Into The Sky
6. Sunrise Dolls
7. A Dream Is Longer Than The Night
8. Heart's A Soldier
9. Turn You On
10. Winter Blades
11. Drive
12. Good Friend

Margot & The Nuclear So and So's - Animal!

Here is an example of the difference between Major Label Mentality and Indie Label Mentality. Instead of allowing the band to release the album that they wanted, Epic Records demanded a more commercial sounding record and used a different combination of tracks than what Margot & Co. had chosen for the newest record. Instead of fighting it out, the band decided to release their version on vinyl. So here it is...

Tracklisting:
1. At The Carnival
2. O' What A Nightmare!
3. Hello Vagina
4. I Am A Lightning Rod
5. Love Song For A Schubas Bartender
6. Mariel's Brazen Overture
7. There's Talk Of Mine Shafts
8. A Children's Crusade On Acid
9. German Motor Car
10. Cold, Kind, and Lemon Eyes
11. My Baby (Shoots Her Mouth Off)
12. As Tall As Cliffs

Sebastien Grainger - American Names

While you've probably never heard the name Sebastien Grainger, I'm sure that at least some of you have heard of his former band Death From Above 1979. Not a terrible departure from DFA1979, you'll find that the differences are what makes Grainger's solo material far superior. While DFA1979 was made up of only bass, drums, and vocals, Grainger's solo work finds him making use of guitars, synths, handclaps, pianos, and a whole mess of background vocals. Soaring harmonies and Albert Hammond, Jr.-esque riffs drive the 4 songs found on this EP. Don't be misled though, the fact that these tracks are more accessible isn't what makes them superior to DFA1979, it's the fact that they are far more mature and more cohesive songs.

This is just a Digital EP - the full length will be released sometime this month. I'll see if I can't procure it early.

Tracklisting:
1. American Names
2. Ways To Come Home
3. Map Of The World
4. Epilogue

Faces On Film - The Troubles

Faces On Film is a band. One that I don't know much about. Long story short, I happened upon them by accident one day and liked them a considerable amount. The music is kind of repetitive, but it works, because whenever you think you might be getting tired of something, there's always a new instrument introduced that changes the song. Faces On Film reminds me of my friend Nathan Edwin with less of a lo-fi mentality and a room full of instruments. Good stuff though.

Tracklisting:
1. Friends WIth Both Arms3. Natalie's Numbers
4. The Troubles At Last
5. Famous Last Words
6. The Winner's Daughter
7. Surra
8. Archers
9. The Medical Mind
10. Indicator, Indicator

Highlight Tracks: "Friends With Both Arms", "Natalie's Numbers", "Famous Last Words"

Margot & The Nuclear So and So's - Not Animal

I hadn't planned on posting another album today, but when I discovered that the new Margot & The Nuclear So and So's album had leaked, I had no choice.

On Not Animal we see Margot and company picking up where they left off with The Dust Of Retreat, but improved somehow. It would seem that this is one of the few bands in history whom have created the perfect sophomore release - remaining true to the sound that their fans have come to know and love, but expanding it and making it something that it couldn't have previously been. As much as it saddens me, Margot is now on Epic Records, which means that they will be the next Modest Mouse, but to be honest, they are one of the few bands that I would say deserves it. Do yourself a favor and go see them live before they start playing giant venues. Rach and I saw them about a month ago near Cincinnati at The Southgate House and tickets were rather cheap.

Tracklisting:
1. A Children's Crusade on Acid
2. German Motor Car
3. Broad Ripple Is Burning
4. Holy Cow!
5. Cold, Kind, and Lemon Eyes
6. Hello, Vagina
7. As Tall As Cliffs
8. Real Naked Girls
9. Page Written On A Wall
10. The Shivers (I Got 'Em)
11. The Ocean (Is Bleeding Salt)
12. Hip Hip Hooray

Highlight Tracks: "German Motor Car", "Broad Ripple Is Burning", "As Tall As Cliffs"

Sigur Rós - ( )

When I started college, my taste in music were somewhat less refined than they are now. One evening, I found myself at the mall with a group of new found friends, and while I was perusing the shelves of CDs in FYE, I happened upon ( ) by Sigur Rós, a band that was until then unfamiliar to me. I bought it on a whim and when I returned to my dorm room, I carefully removed the disc and placed it in my stereo, only to find that the music contained within was the most beautiful and sorrowful collection of sounds I had ever heard. It took the classical approach of Beethoven and blended it with the post-rock feel of bands like Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Explosions In The Sky. The words were in a language I didn't know [not Icelandic but "Hopelandic", a made up language similar to scat], but somehow it were as if I knew exactly what was being said. Since ( ), the band has changed their sound considerably, shifting toward a more upbeat, less ethereal sound. Regardless, though, this is most certainly my favorite Sigur Rós album and will remain one of my favorites for a very long time.

Tracklisting:
1. Untitled 1
2. Untitled 2
3. Untitled 3
4. Untitled 4
5. Untitled 5
6. Untitled 6
7. Untitled 7
8. Untitled 8



Untitled 1 (Vaka)

Windmill - Puddle City Racing Lights

Wow. The best and only way that I can describe Windmill is to say that they sound exactly like if Daniel Smith sang for a piano-pop band that still retained quite a bit of an indie edge. It's one of the strangest things I've ever heard that completely works. If you're a fan of Danielson Famile and Ben Folds and would be interested in listening to the bastard child of the two, then give a listen.

Tracklisting:
1. Tokyo Moon
2. Boarding Lounges
3. Fluorescent Lights
4. Newsflash
5. Plastic Pre-Flight Seats
6. The Planning Stopped
7. Asthmatic
8. Fashion House
9. Plasticine Plugs
10. Tilting Trains
11. Fit
12. Replace Me

Highlight Tracks: "Fluorescent Lights", "Asthmatic", "Fashion House"

Andrew Bird - The Mysterious Production of Eggs

Andrew Bird is a folk/indie multi-instrumentalist originally from Chicago. Falling somewhere between Sufjan Stevens and The National, Bird has taken his proficiency at not only guitar and mandolin, but also violin and glockenspiel, and created a masterpiece in The Mysterious Production of Eggs. It's hard to not love his candor and sometimes tongue-in-cheek way of wording, which is also reflected in the music. Great album by a great musician.

Tracklisting:
1. /=/
2. Sovay
3. A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left
4. Fake Palindromes
5. Measuring Cups
6. Banking On A Myth
7. Masterfade
8. Opposite Day
9. Skin Is, My
10. The Naming Of Things
11. MX Missiles
12. /=/=/
13. Tables And Chairs
14. The Happy Birthday Song

Highlight Tracks: "Fake Palindromes", "Masterfade", "The Naming Of Things"