Shearwater - The Golden Archipelago

Shearwater has been a buzz band for a couple of years now (though they have been around for a decade now), and I can honestly say that I did not understand any of the hype that surrounded them.

[Tangent]
Two things:
1. When I speak about "hype" and "buzz", I am not referring to accolades that are bestowed by Alternative Press or Rolling Stone Magazines, MTV, or 100.5 KEE FM. I am talking about Pitchfork, in addition to any number of personal blogs that I frequent.
2. I have noticed that the bands that I often go out of my way to avoid, end up blowing me away and becoming some of my favorite and most treasured artists. I recognize and acknowledge this and I am actively working on rectifying the problem.

On their newest album, The Golden Archipelago, Shearwater has created an album full of swelling indie rock anthems, at times as quiet and tender as Antony and The Johnsons (whom I think Shearwater's vocalist Jonathan Meiburg sounds similar to). Not to be underestimated, these Austin, Texas natives have been around the block many times, either as Shearwater or with Okkervil River. They certainly know what they are doing.

Tracklisting:
1. Meridian
2. Black Eyes
3. Landscape At Speed
4. Hidden Lakes
5. Corridors
6. God Made Me
7. Runners Of The Sun
8. Castaways
9. An Insular Life
10. Uniforms
11. Missing Islands

Northern Portrait - Criminal Art Lovers

I think that as recently as 6 months ago, I would have written Northern Portrait off as boring. I probably wouldn't have given them more than a 2 track listen and then would have promptly deleted their album. It is because of my newfound love of The Smiths that I am able to appreciate Norther Portrait, as they sound a great deal alike. I can say nothing else about this album other than it is a fantastic pop album that gets better with each listen.

Tracklisting:
1. The Münchhausen in Me
2. When Goodness Falls
3. Crazy
4. The Operation Worked But The Patient Died
5. Criminal Art Lovers
6. LIfe Returns To Normal
7. Murder Weapon
8. What Happens Next?
9. That's When My Headaches Begin
10. New Favourite Moment

Bob Dylan - New Morning

I don't know how, but Bob Dylan's album New Morning has somehow eluded my attention for 25 years. It is without a doubt my new favorite Dylan record. It is cohesive and the songs sound like the inspiration for bands like Wilco and the like.

Tracklisting:
1. If Not For You
2. Day of the Locusts
3. Time Passes Slowly
4. Went To See The Gypsy
5. Winterlude
6. If Dogs Run Free
7. New Morning
8. Sign On The Window
9. One More Weekend
10. The Man In Me
11. Three Angels
12. Father of Night

Yukon Blonde - Yukon Blonde

You've never heard of Yukon Blonde, I'm sure. I am likewise certain that you've never heard of Alphababy, which was Yukon Blonde before they were called Yukon Blonde. I had never heard of them until last night, when I was making my rounds, visiting my usual blogs. Before, I proceed though, I have a confession: I am the type that will judge a band by their name and write them off. I used to be a whole lot worse, though. I suppose that it was due to Arctic Monkeys, and Arctic Monkey side-project The Last Shadow Puppets. It is possible for great bands to have terrible names. So, in the spirit of not being close-minded, I gave Yukon Blonde a listen; thankfully.

I read someone say that because of the rise of bands like Fleet Foxes and Midlake, the 60's-inspired sound of Yukon Blonde would merely get lost in the mix. To an extent, I can agree with this statement. They certainly will not be chart-toppers, but that doesn't make their self-titled debut any less amazing. It is the type of record that I can imagine listening to on a humid summer's day, driving to the lake with the windows down. Give it a chance and see if you aren't hooked by the soaring harmonies and driving rhythms.

Tracklisting:
1. Rather Be With You
2. Blood Cops
3. Kumiko Song
4. Wind Blows
5. Trivial Fires
6. Brides Song
7. Babies Don't Like Blue Anymore
8. 1000 Years