Humbug / Arctic Monkeys

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"The album kicks off with the sinister ballads "My Propeller" and "Crying Lightning." Instead of asking girls to join them on the dance floor, the Monkeys bemoan the "twisted and deranged" mind games they play in the latter track. "Secret Door" is a brief respite from Humbug's thick gloom, and the four-piece evokes the sound of vintage David Bowie in the tune's soaring chorus. Clever lines are peppered throughout the rest of the disc: "What came first/ The chicken or the dickheads?" Turner ponders in "Pretty Visitors."

If earlier outings found the Sheffield collective channeling Franz Ferdinand, the Strokes and the Libertines, then Humbug owes its debt to earlier rock influences, like Black Sabbath, Morrissey and Nick Cave. The sped-up tempo from 2007’s Favourite Worst Nightmare has given way to a more deliberate beat and the new effort shows the band is ready to leave the raucous, lager-filled pubs and slow down. However, Humbug is still blessed with taut rhythms and guitar lines ("Potion Approaching"), as well as engaging story-telling ("Cornerstone"). Whether you call the Arctic Monkeys' evolving sound Britpop or Britprog, it's clear the album shows remarkable progress for the band." (from Prefixmag.com)

Before I say anything, many might start shouting off at this album with negative criticism and whatnot, but, I for one am opposed. This album may not be the same sound you've know them for, but it's so much more. They have grown up in a way that not many people like, but by making their music more meaningful, more... tasteful, more... complex and well thought out. Their influences on this album obviously are very distinct from the first two but once you get your ear fixed on it, you'll want bloody more. Instead of just jamming out with some good poppy lyrics the band takes you oh so deeper into the rabbit hole, giving you a piece of their mind, more than you could digest I might say. It is an incredibly good and mature sound for the band and just pops the question on your mind on what could they be doing next. Great job guys. Keep it coming.

You know what to do.

Tower Of Love / Jim Noir

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"On his debut album, Tower of Love, Jim Noir proves himself to be a first-class mix-and-match master, blending the cheesy drum machines and bubbling synths of indie electronic, the lo-fi guitars and adult-child vocals of indie pop, and the full-bodied and harmony-drenched arrangements of chamber pop into a swirling, soothing, and truly lovely Technicolor pop confection. Noir also proves himself to be an able student of great outsider pop of the '60s, '70s, and 2000s. There are echoes of British eccentrics like XTC, Kevin Ayers, and ELO to be found in the grooves of Tower. There is the pronounced influence of those renowned American nutters, the mid-'70s edition of the Beach Boys and their Love You album. There are comparisons to be made to the anything-goes spirit and sound of contemporary explorers like Super Furry Animals and the Beta Band. Best of all, if you happen to have never heard of any of those bands and just love a good melody played and sung sweetly by a likeable singer, you will love the record just as much as someone who can train-spot all the influences. There really isn't a weak song to be had, and the album flows past like a gentle stream winding its way through a summer meadow." (from Allmusic.com)

Jim Noir delivers an excellent, catchy, upbeat, happy, full of joy album, with great music, all composed by himself. He's a genius at his work and his music just shows it. You'll be happier if you listened to this album. :)

Chutes Too Narrow - The Shins

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"The production is clearly better (Phil Ek and a bigger budget will do that), and hence it sounds more contemporary than the first, which could have passed for a lost ’60s treasure with its hazy faraway recording. But on Chutes, Mercer’s voice is singing right next to you, and the change works wonders. The front-and-center feel lends the album a youthful, vulnerable fray, something absent from the precision of the band’s debut, and a dynamic addition to the current batch of songs, which vary from the quote-in-a-long-lost-love-letter variety to the weep-into-weak-coffee-and-chain-smoke kind." (from Dusted Magazine)

Such a happy, vibrant album. Excellent tunes, great feel. It's a must. It's The shins! Did you expect any less? (:

With Love & Squalor - We Are Scientist

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"This is the indie equivalent of power pop, an unreservedly good thing. We Are Scientists’ debut full-length album is full of post-punk of a particularly energetic and rambunctious sort. The classic three-piece line-up formation – vocals/guitar, bass and drums – and a not uncommon notion of what makes a tune catchy makes for workhorse stuff. Still, they can hold their heads up high and stand proudly alongside their more successful peers – the likes of Hot Hot Heat and Ambulance Ltd – by virtue of their decidedly spiky and rudely lively sound." (from nme.com)

We Are Scientists bring a sound of fresh air to the genre. When everyone else just plays the same tune, these boys just came to bring em down. do it.

On Letting Go - Circa Survive

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"While we are becoming a society afflicted with ADD, it is refreshing to see bands like Circa Survive that continue to give us music that hooks us early, but still values the prospect of rewarding us each time we come back. On Letting Go might not be the game-changer that Juturna was, but it is still an inviting exhibition by one of the scene’s most talented bands honing its skill sets. Pick this album up, and listen to it ten times before you make your judgment on it – if you do not find something new to love on each spin, you are not listening hard enough. All in all, when the record is finished, it sounds like Circa Survive picked just the right time to let go." (from absolutepunk.net)

Nothing reaches into the core of your soul than the lyrics and music of Circa Survive. I don't know, don't have words. They're simply the best. period.
Let it in your head. Peace.

Into the Blue Again / The Album Leaf

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"There’s something to be said for peace, serenity, and level-headedness in music. While oftentimes I’m looking for something to charge me up or at least get my head bobbing, a soothing soundscape can be the right prescription in times of tension and stress. Yet, there also needs to be an element compelling me to listen beyond those first couple relaxing minutes. The Album Leaf is a project (steered by mastermind Jimmy LaValle) that has repeatedly shown the ability to make such music, and while it may not draw them legions of devout fans, that just makes their efforts all the more noble." (from Tinymixtapes.com)

Although this album didn't receive the review I expected, it is still oh so awesome. Relaxing. Peaceful. Full of life. I just like it a lot. But you can tell me what you think later on when you've fallen in love with it.
Peace.

Menos El Oso / Minus the Bear

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"This release, like much of Minus the Bear's previous material, is nearly flawless. The band has tapped into such an original sound, with their layered, single-note guitar playing, driving drums, and superior bass lines, that not many can argue with them. Oh, and the vocals are pretty much flawless as well. This is a band that continues to completely impress, and has only gotten stronger with each release they have put out." ( from Rocknworld.com )

Minus The Bear don't just make exceptional, well played out music, they pour so much feeling into the song you just can't help but feel identified with one of them. This album is just full of beautiful music you won't stop listening to.
Enjoy.

Clandestino / Manu Chao

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"The first solo album released by the former frontman of Mano Negra, Clandestino is an enchanting trip through Latin-flavored worldbeat rock, reliant on a potpourri of musical styles from traditional Latin and salsa to dub to rock & roll to French pop to experimental rock to techno. Chao's voice tends to be a bit nasally, but the best songs ("Mentira," "Mama Call," and the silly novelty "Bongo Bong") here benefit from his infectious, freewheeling delivery which incorporates balladry, chorus vocals, rapping, and tossed-off spoken-word passages. Just about every track has odd sampled bits from what sound like pirate radio-station broadcasts (a possible link to the title). There are so many great ideas on this record that it's difficult to digest in one listen, but multiple plays reveal the great depth of Manu Chao's artistry. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide" (from msn.com)

This is some relaxing stuff. Seriously, it's a creative genius even though Manu Chao portrays more of a critic, like a demand, to goverment n stuff, he's a rebel through the music, and it suits him quite well. I love his music, and his ideas published in it.
You should give him a listen, I'll bet you won't regret it.

Zeitgeist / The Smashing Pumpkins

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"By that standard, Zeitgeist, performed entirely by Corgan and Chamberlin, is a Pumpkins record – and a good one. Lyrically, Zeitgeist is the least self-absorbed record Corgan has ever written, although not quite the electric newspaper some song titles suggest. There is more fear of frying than actual fight and social remedy in "Doomsday Clock" and "For God and Country," the latter sounding more like Corgan's pledge of allegiance to the Cure. The closest thing to victory over Dick Cheney is the promise in "Starz" – "We cannot die. . . . We are stars/We are" – which rocks better than it reads, with Robert Fripp-like snakes of guitar and a closing frenzy of staccato power chords and Chamberlin pummeling his cymbals into splinters.

The best thing about Zeitgeist is that Corgan is back to what he does best: hard-rock architecture. His wall-of-guitars overdubs are exhilarating in their details: the harmonized squeals in "7 Shades of Black"; the creeping buzz of "Tarantula"; the long, howling solo, sinking in echo, in "United States." The Pumpkins were never more exciting in the Nineties than when Corgan unleashed his inner Tony Iommi all over his inner Robert Smith. That is what happens on Zeitgeist, which makes it a strong new start for Corgan and Chamberlin, no matter what they call themselves. " (from Rolling Stone.com)

A comeback from any band probably won't sound this good. This album proves that one CAN go back to it's roots, displaying the power felt by previous top-chart Smashing Pumpkins records, even if it wasn't critically acclaimed.
I still like it, and you should to. They still continue to define a genre, with really good music in an unique way.
:)
You know what to do.

I Bet You Like Drugs Instead Of Sex / Rachael

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Have you ever felt you needed some breathing room? If you have, this EP is your breath of fresh air. Rachel brings fresh sounds to the scene, making you get pumped, or just mellowing out, relaxing to the groove. After hearing this I can't wait for the LP to come out, it's like, the music you love just got a taste of the present and it plays in perfect harmony. Rachel won't just make you feel you're "going up in smoke", it will leave you wanting for more. So stop, relax and give it a listen. Support the music.