May, My Music

Islands : Arms Way
I love when a band can make a gem of a debut album, replete with killer opener, instant classics & genre defy-age. I love it even more when two years later they do it again.

Wolf Parade : At Mount Zoomer
I've waited a few years for this followup and as much as I love it.... Imagine if you went to see the new Indiana Jones and it was only twenty minutes long. I mean, c'mon Indy.

The Accidental : There Were Wolves
A folk supergroup that manages to make a fairly cohesive recording maintaining their individualities but never overcoming their regular day job.

Destroyer : Trouble In Dreams
Destroyer's philosophy is "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Who am I to disagree?

Karate : 595
Surprisingly tight live set from mellow jazz-rock or mannered indie-jazz (whichever pisses off music snobs) trio who triumphantly faded away.

A Silver Mt. Zion : 13 Blues For Thirteen Moons
Another doozy from our neighbors to the north that begins to ease the pain of the complete disappearance of their forefathers Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

My Morning Jacket : Evil Urges
Kentucky jam band heroes lose their reverb pedals, buy a pair of shoes, and compose a schizo album free of 8 minute instrumental passages; and it worked!

State Bird : Mostly Ghostly
Racket in a haunted attic. You know how the Muppets had Muppet Babies. Well this is Akron/Family Babies. What's that? You don't listen to Akron/Family? For shame.

Man Man : Rabbit Habits
In the mood for a drum circle circus freakout? With porn mustaches worn proudly on upper lip, Man Man create their self-confessed "pop album" and this is as close as they'll ever get.

Scarlett Johansson : Anywhere I Lay My Head
I know I know. This looked like a train wreck to me too, but production by Dave Sitek (TV On The Radio) of this deep, sultry vocal style not heard since Nico and Scarlett's apparent affinity for Tom Waits carries this album and completely separates her from mindless comparisons like David Hasselhoff, Eddie Murphy & Lindsay Lohan. This is a very good album.

Wye Oak : If Children
Earnest folk rock that flirts with dreampop and on first listen ensures me that there's a lot more to be heard.

Death Cab For Cutie : Narrow Stairs
For their latest opus Ben Gibbard forgets how to sing and the guitars get even blander. For all future reference please see releases prior to major label signing.

Stars : In Our Bedroom After The War
Another Stars record. The equivalent to a sky piece of a puzzle. Uneventful but essential.