Not necessarily new but def worth a listen :)

Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever Ago
Thao- We Brave Bee Stings And All
MGMT- Oracular Spectacular
Foals- Antidotes
Lykke Li- Little bits
Outputmessage- Oneiros
The Dead Texan- The dead texan
Swayzak- Some other country
Yelle- pop-up
Mika- Life in cartoon motion
New Young Pony Club- Fantastic Playroom
Dri- Smoke rings
Metronomy- Pip Paine - Pay the £5000 You Owe
Bishop Allen- The broken string
Justice- Cross
M83- Saturday youth
Lindstrom- It's a Feedelity Affair
Honeycut- The day I turned to glass
Lemongrass- Pour L'amour
Nyles Lannon- Pressure
Electric President- S/T
ISAN- Plans drawn in pencil
Pinback- Autunm of the Seraphs
Ratatat- LP3
Crystal Castles- Crystal castles
Hammock- Maybe They Will Sing For Us Tomorrow
Death Cab for Cutie- Narrow Stairs
El Ten Eleven- El Ten Eleven & Every direction north
Sam Prekop- Who's your new professor
Motohiro Nakashima- And I went to sleep
Milosh- You make me feel & Meme
Bibio- Fi & Hand cranked
ATTN- Tour E.P.1 & Remixes and premixes
Walter Meego- Voyager
Family Force 5- Dance or Die E.P.

This past week I also took the time and money to get three of my favorite discographies that I previously had but lost somehow in the past year... RJD2, Quantic, and The Quantic Soul Orchestra

For a more accesable list with myspace links, please visit my blog at http://www.figure8designs.blogspot.com

Artist - Album


A Place to Bury Strangers - A Place to Bury Strangers

Aesop Rock - All Day: Nike+ Original Run
Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass

Alec Empire - The Golden Foretaste of Heaven

Alex Attias - Rose 12"

Alice Russell - Live-"What The Funk" night at Le Triptque, Paris, April 6 [DVD Rip]

Amon Tobin - Foley Room

Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam

Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra - Security

Aphex Twin [The Tuss] - Confederation Through EP

Apparat - Holdon 12"
Apparat - Walls

Arno - Jus de box

B12 - Practopia 12"
B12 - Slope 12"

Bajofondo - Mar Dulce

Balkan Beat Box - Nu Med

The Bees - Octopus

Beirut - Elephant Gun 7" [4AD]
Beirut - Lon Gisland EP
Beirut - Pompeii EP
Beirut - The Flying Club Cup

Björk - Volta

Blockhead - Uncle Tony's Coloring Book

Bola - Kroungrine

The Books - Playall

Bratsch - Plein du monde

Buckethead - Peppers Ghost

The Bug - Jah War feat. Flowden [ZEN12192-12"]

Busdriver - Kill Your Employer (Recreational Paranoia Is the Sport of Now) EP
Busdriver - RoadKillOvercoat

Calexico - Tool Box (Tour 2007)

Can [Damo Suzuki & Omar A. Rodriguez] - Please Heat This Eventually

Caribou - Andorra

Charles Mingus - Tijuana Moods

Chicago Underground Trio - Chronicle

!!! - Myth Takes
!!! - The Myth [Ltd. Ed. bonus]

the chrome cranks - Diabolical Boogie, CD1
the chrome cranks - Diabolical Boogie, CD2

The Cinematic Orchestra - Ma Fleur EP

Clinic - Funf

Robin Guthrie - After The Night Falls
Robin Guthrie - Before The Day Breaks

Console - Pan or Ama

The Damned - Damned, Damned, Damned (30th Anniversary Expanded Edition), CD2: Bonus Tracks

Daphne Oram - Oramics, 1959-77

De-Phazz - Days of Twang

The Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works

diplo & tripledouble - AEIOU, volume 2 - Making Music Your Own

The Dismemberment Plan - Cal Robbins Benefit - Night 1, April 27
The Dismemberment Plan - Cal Robbins Benefit - Night 2, April 28

The Drones - Spaceland Presents: The Drones in Spaceland November 15th, 2006

Dungen - Tio Bitar

The Durutti Column - Idiot Savants

Earthless - Rhythms from a Cosmic Sky

Einstürzende Neubauten - Alles Wieder Offen
Einstürzende Neubauten - Weil Weil Weil EP

Electrelane - Gideon Coe Session, Apr. 13
Electrelane - No Shouts, No Calls

Electronicat - Chez Toi

Ellen Allien - The Other Side - Berlin

Erik Truffaz - Arkhangelsk

ESG (Emerald Sapphire & Gold) - A South Bronx Story 2: The Rarities

Eugene Blacknell - You Can't Take Life for Granted

Explosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone
Explosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone [ltd. bonus]

The Fall - Abscent Reformation Post UK/USA (Narnack Bonus CD)
The Fall - Live-Bilston, Mar. 5: MES's 50th Bday
The Fall - Reformation Post TLC

Federico Aubele - Panamericana

The Fiery Furnaces - Widow City

Flanger - Nuclear Jazz (Templates & Midnight Sound)

Foetus - Vein

Fred Frith & Chris Cutler - THE STONE - Issue TWO: limited edition benefit

Fridge - The Sun

Joe Lally - Nothing Is Underrated

Githead - Art Pop

Gogol Bordello - Super Taranta!

Goran Bregovic - Karmen (with a Happy End)

Grizzly Bear - Friend

Group Doueh - Guitar Music from the Western Sahara

Gui Boratto - Chromophobia

Hardman - Pleasure Crimes

Hella - There's No 666 in Outer Space

High Priest - Born Identity

Interpol - Our Love to Admire

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Jukebox Explosion

Killing Joke - Inside Extremities: Mixes, Rehearsals & Live (CD1)

Kristin Hersh - In Shock EP
Kristin Hersh - Learn to Sing like a Star

LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends EP
LCD Soundsystem - North American Scum EP
LCD Soundsystem - Someone Great EP +1
LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver

Robert Plant - The Principle of Moments

Lemongrass - Filmothèque

Lez Zeppelin - Lez Zeppelin

Loren MazzaCane Connors - The Hymn of the North Star

Lusine - Podgelism

Lydia Lunch & Omar Rodriguez-Lopez - Omar Rodriguez-Lopez & Lydia Lunch EP

M.I.A. - Kala

Magik Markers - Boss

Manteca - Tremendo Boogaloo

Manu Chao - La Radiolina

Maxïmo Park - Books from Boxes EP
Maxïmo Park - Karaoke Plays EP
Maxïmo Park - Our Earthly Pleasures
Maxïmo Park - Our Velocity EP
Maxïmo Park - Studio Desmet, Amsterdam, Mar. 29 [3VOOR12]

Metallica - Live-Webley Stadium, July 8

Ministry - The Last Sucker

moabi - Moabi

Mordant Music - Carrion Squared
Mordant Music - The Tower - Parts VIII - XVIII

Von Südenfed - Tromatic Reflexxions

Nels Cline Singers - Draw Breath

Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - The Assassination of Jesse James

Grinderman - Grinderman

Nina Nastasia & Jim White - You Follow Me

Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero

The Nostalgia 77 Octet - Weapons of Jazz Destruction

OM - Pilgrimage

Omar Souleyman - Highway to Hassake: Folk & Pop Sounds of Syria

Great Lakes Myth Society - Compass Rose Bouquet

Otomo Yoshihide - Prisoner OST: A Film by Adachi Masao

Pelican - City of Echoes

Black Francis - Bluefinger

Pluramon - The Monstrous Surplus

The Ponys - Turn the Lights Out

Pram - The Moving Frontier

Praxis - Tennessee 2004

Prefuse 73 - Interregnums
Prefuse 73 - Preparations

Rabih Abou-Khalil - Songs for Sad Women

Reinhard Voigt - Charge Your Dreams 12"

Fripp & Eno - Beyond Even (1992-2006)

Robyn Hitchcock - I Often Dream of Trains (Revisited)

Rush - Snakes & Arrows

Sam Prekop - Photographs EP

Saul Williams - The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!

The Sea and Cake - Everybody

Secret Chiefs 3 - Balance of the 19/UBIK 7"
Secret Chiefs 3 - Circumambulation/Labyrinth of Light 7"
Secret Chiefs 3 - KulturVultur/Drive 7"
Secret Chiefs 3 - The Left Hand of Nothingness/Halloween 7"

September Collective - All the Birds Were Anarchists

Severed Heads - ComMerz 1995-2006

Shellac - Excellent Italian Greyhound

Six Organs of Admittance - Euro Tour CDR
Six Organs of Admittance - Shelter from the Ash

Sixtoo - Jackals and Vipers in Envy of Man

Thurston Moore - Trees Outside the Academy

Swod - Sekunden

Tied & Tickled Trio - Aelita

Tin Hat - The Sad Machinery of Spring

Tomahawk - Anonymous

Tunng - Good Arrows

UNKLE - War Stories

DJ Vadim - Like the Wind EP
DJ Vadim - The SoundCatcher

Various Artists - A Tribute to Rowland S. Howard, CD1
Various Artists - A Tribute to Rowland S. Howard, CD2
Various Artists - Achtung! German Grooves
Various Artists - Auf der Anderen Seite (The Edge of Heaven) OST
Various Artists - Belle et Fou compiled by Jazzanova
Various Artists - Black Snake Moan OST
Various Artists - Boogybytes Vol. 3 - Mixed by Modeselektor
Various Artists - Box of Dub 2-Dubstep & Future Dub
Various Artists - Box of Dub Dubstep & Future Dub
Various Artists - Buenos Aires - Paris: The Electronic Tango Anthology, CD1
Various Artists - Buenos Aires - Paris: The Electronic Tango Anthology, CD2
Various Artists - Carolina Funk
Various Artists - Crammed Discs Allstars: 20 Ways to Float Through Walls
Various Artists - Dipped in Wonders: Minimal - CD1
Various Artists - Dipped in Wonders: Minimal - CD2
Various Artists - Dipped in Wonders: Minimal - CD3
Various Artists - Dipped in Wonders: Minimal - CD4
Various Artists - Dipped in Wonders: Minimal - CD5
Various Artists - Dipped in Wonders: Minimal - CD6
Various Artists - Fabriclive 36 (FABRIC72)
Various Artists - Hellbound Honeys Vol. 1
Various Artists - I'll Be Black - The Orb vs Trojan, CD1
Various Artists - I'll Be Black - The Orb vs Trojan, CD2
Various Artists - Inland Empire OST
Various Artists - New York Latin Hustle!, CD1
Various Artists - New York Latin Hustle!, CD2
Various Artists - Original Music from the Films & Works of David Lynch
Various Artists - Si, Para Usted: The Funky Beats of Revolutionary Cuba

Venetian Snares - Sabbath Dubs 10" [KRISS666]

The White Stripes - Icky Thump

Wilco - Shake It Off EP
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

Wire - Read & Burn 03 EP

Yesterday's New Quintet - Yesterdays Universe

Young Marble Giants - Colossal Youth
Young Marble Giants - Singles & Salad Days

Zap Mama - Supermoon

This is the fourth year I've been doing my top 100 list. Three album limit per band. Astrisks (*) means album added this year. I think by next years list I will officially not be embarrassed by any of my picks.

100. Relationship of Command- At the Drive-In
99. Siamese Dream- The Smashing Pumpkins
98. Robbin the Hood- Sublime
97. Icky Mettle*- Archers of Loaf
96. Tortoise- Tortoise
95. The Rebels Not In- The Halo Benders
94. Fever to Tell- Yeah Yeah Yeahs
93. California- Mr. Bungle
92. In One Era Out The Other- The Movies
91. In Rainbows*- Radiohead

90. This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About- Modest Mouse
89. All Is Dream*- Mercury Rev
88. Face the Truth- Stephen Malkmus
87. Room on Fire- The Strokes
86. Buhloone MindState- De La Soul
85. Apologies to the Queen Mary- Wolf Parade
84. I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One*- Yo La Tengo
83. Whatever and Ever Amen- Ben Folds Five
82. Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone- The Walkmen
81. White Blood Cells- The White Stripes

80. Moon Safari- Air
79. Sung Tongs- Animal Collective
78. The Argument- Fugazi
77. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot- Wilco
76. The Hour Of The Bewilderbeast*- Badly Drawn Boy
75. Greetings From Michigan: The Great Lake State- Sufjan Stevens
74. Rubber Soul- The Beatles
73. Stephen Malkmus- Stephen Malkmus
72. Control- Pedro the Lion
71. De-Loused in the Comatorium- The Mars Volta

70. Odelay- Beck
69. Stands for Decibels*- The dBs
68. Teenager of the Year- Frank Black
67. This Night*- Destroyer
66. The Charm of the Highway Strip*- The Magnetic Fields
65. Hearts of Oak- Ted Leo and The Pharmacists
64. Wowee Zowee- Pavement
63. Guilt, Regret and Embarrassment- Treepeople
62. Who's Your New Professor- Sam Prekop
61. A Series of Sneaks- Spoon

60. High/Low- Nada Surf
59. A Ghost Is Born- Wilco
58. Songs of Leonard Cohen- Leonard Cohen
57. Starlite Walker- Silver Jews
56. Before and After Science- Brian Eno
55. I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness- I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness
54. The Soft Bulletin- The Flaming Lips
53. After the Gold Rush*- Neil Young
52. The Sunlandic Twins- of Montreal
51. Oui- The Sea and Cake

50. Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia- The Dandy Warhols
49. There's Nothing Wrong With Love- Built to Spill
48. London Calling- The Clash
47. Magical Mystery Tour- The Beatles
46. Fashion Nugget- Cake
45. Evil Empire- Rage Against the Machine
44. Pinkerton- Weezer
43. Sharpen Your Teeth- Ugly Casanova
42. Fear of Music- Talking Heads
41. It's a Wonderful Life- Sparklehorse

40. Vaya- At the Drive-In
39. God Don't Make No Junk- The Halo Benders
38. Instrument- Fugazi
37. Transient Random-Noise Bursts with Announcements- Stereolab
36. Phantom Power- Super Furry Animals
35. Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain- Pavement
34. Electric Warrior*- T. Rex
33. Elliott Smith- Elliott Smith
32. The Boy With the Arab Strap- Belle and Sebastian
31. Vs.- Mission of Burma

30. Return of the Rentals- The Rentals
29. American Water- Silver Jews
28. Frank Black- Frank Black
27. Doolittle- Pixies
26. Lonesome Crowded West- Modest Mouse
25. Remain in Light- Talking Heads
24. Sea Change- Beck
23. The Return of the Space Cowboy- Jamiroquai
22. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots- The Flaming Lips
21. OK Computer- Radiohead

20. The White Album- The Beatles
19. Girls Can Tell- Spoon
18. Keep It Like a Secret- Built to Spill
17. Weezer- Weezer
16. Daydream Nation- Sonic Youth
15. Bakesale- Sebadoh
14. Marquee Moon- Television
13. House Arrest*- Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
12. Crazy Rhythms- The Feelies
11. Here Come the Warm Jets- Brian Eno

10. Funeral- Arcade Fire
9. The Modern Lovers*- The Modern Lovers
8. Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons- Blonde Redhead
7. The Natural Bridge- Silver Jews
6. Perfect From Now On- Built to Spill
5. Is This It- The Strokes
4. Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?- The Unicorns
3. Good Morning Spider- Sparklehorse
2. Surfer Rosa- Pixies
1. Slanted and Enchanted- Pavement ... four years running!

Possibly a cop out of a journal post...I decided to resubmit my iTunes Music Store reviews into a last.fm journal. But, instead of just copying and pasting my reviews, I have decided to revisit them. How do I feel about these reviews since time has passed? Do I still feel the same way about the music? We shall find out. Here they are in chronological order.
_______

Mouse on Mars - Live 04
iTMS Rating ★★★★ / Revisited Rating ★★★★½
October 14, 2005
2 out of 2 listeners found this review helpful
Great discography addition
This album is great for Mouse on Mars aficionados and newcomers alike. It features tracks that showcase their unique, ever-evolving style. It is amazing to hear what they can do live, and they give interesting twists to familiar songs. This album takes me back to when I was fortunate enough to experience their talent live. This is a great album.
Revisited Review
The only album that has received a higher revisited review, Live 04 is phenomenal.
Some who know me might think I'm just biased towards MoM, on the contrary this album is just awesome! It's even better that some of their main albums. And, imho some tracks on this album are better than the original.

She Wants Revenge - She Wants Revenge
iTMS Rating ★★★★ / Revisited Rating ★★★★
December 16, 2005
8 out of 9 listeners found this review helpful
Well, the verdict is in
I just downloaded his album, was listening to it track by track, my wife walked past the office and it took her two seconds to say "that sounds like really sh***y '80's music". Well, that is coming from the woman who doesn't like Interpol.

As for the Interpol comparisons, it's apples to oranges. Interpol is a band and SWR is a duo. Musically, Interpol wins hands down.

As for capturing an era (that being Manchester in the late '80's) and a mood (dark and brooding) SWR are on par with all other '80's revivalists out today.

Overall, a good listen
Revisited Review
I still really like this album, and I come back to it on a regular basis.
I love the mood it evokes. I should have included Depeche Mode as a comparison, especially because of the masochistic subject matter

Hot Chip - Coming on Strong
iTMS Rating ★★★★★ / Revisited Rating ★★★★
December 30, 2005
9 out of 10 listeners found this review helpful
Since The Beta Band is no more, this will suffice
Coming on Strong is a great debut from this quirky, keyboard-driven synth-pop outfit.

This band reminds me of The Beta Band mostly because of the tongue-in-cheek double vocals that complement each other nicely. The Hot Chip vocal sound is this, one singer is dreamy and sort of ethereal, while the other is deep and grounded. The poppy synth sound is very reminiscent of their UK predecessors The Beta Band, without the meandering soundscapes that make one scratch their head. Hot Chip get strait to the point.

This debut album outshines what The Beta Band was doing during the early part of their career. Hot Chip has found their stride early. Keep up the good work.
Revisited Review
Still a great album, however after hearing later releases the unfinished, rushed quality of Coming on Strong is ever-apparent.
There are a few songs that I skip the majority of the time.

I really don't hear The Beta Band comparison anymore when I listen to Hot Chip. They've become one of my favorites on their own accord.

I was kind of harsh on The Beta Band here. I really don't feel that way about them. As you will see in a later review.


Elbow - Leaders of the Free World
iTMS Rating ★★★★ / Revisited Rating ★★★
January 3, 2006
1 out of 2 listeners found this review helpful
Top ten of '05 - No. 7
This is the spot (if not higher) that most people would put Coldplay's X and Y. I personally enjoy the compositions of Guy Garvey to those of Chris Martin. This Elbow album pulses with a rhythm of urban decay, and a world going to shit. But, ultimately there is a promise of redemption and renewal. Overall, a bit somber in a "Fix You" style, there is always hope.
Revisited Review
This album does have some beauties, but overall it has lost it's initial essence that I liked so much.


The Beta Band - The Best of the Beta Band
iTMS Rating ★★★★★ / Revisited Rating ★★★★½
January 6, 2006
4 out of 4 listeners found this review helpful.
Beta Band, you will be missed
The Beta Band had a stellar yet under-appreciated career, and this is a great send of for a great band.

Just as the iTunes review and nahtiek said, each Beta Band album should be listened to track by track to soak in the progression of sound for this short-lived band. However, this album is a precise primer for this unique band. All of the classics are here from the Three EP's, to their self-titled debut, to the breakthrough Hot Shots II and their most concise effort Heros to Zeros.

The live disk gives all of the tracks a personal and somewhat bittersweet mood. Each of the tracks on the live disk is an interesting variation to familiar songs.

The Best of the Beta Band is a great listen for veterans and newcomers alike.
Beta Band, you will be missed.
Revisited Review
Out of all of The Beta Band releases. This is the one that I come back to most often. It IS the quintessential Beta Band release and contains the perfect amount of each of the sounds throughout their career.


The Strokes - First Impressions of Earth
iTMS Rating ★★★★★ / Revisited Rating ★★★½
January 6, 2006
14 out of 21 listeners found this review helpful
To all The Strokes nay sayers
I hate the long-winded reviews, but I'm sick of the constant Strokes bashing. So for the people who are enjoying First Impressions of Earth this review is not for you. This review is for either the naive, immature, or for those who have no attention span what so ever.

With that disclaimer being said, here it goes.

I have been a Strokes fan since before day one. I read all the hype (good and bad) prior to Is This It. I didn't let the nay sayers get me down when they lamented about the band's "privileged" backstory. I didn't blow The Strokes off when I heard that daddy-dearest modeling-agency-mogul financed their debut, and I didn't lose interest when critics said they were just recycling the sound of a lost era.

I did however buy Is This It the day it was released and was instantly a die hard fan. I saw them at the Gypsy Tea Room in Dallas two weeks after their debut release, already knowing all the words and singing along with every song. I even paused along with the band after the first chorus of Hard to Explain while everybody else in the audience was still jumping in the air.

Listening to Is This It and seeing The Strokes for the first time changed my life, as did all subsequent times I bought one of their albums or have seen them in concert. The Strokes brought Rock and Roll back from the dead. They will be around for years to come making refreshing music and they will go down in history as innovators of this (or any other) musical generation.

First Impressions of Earth is a great album and a nice progression for an excellent band. Their signature sound is still their, but it has evolved. It is more intricate, more polished and it rocks harder than anything else they have released. All of The Strokes are at the top of their game on this release. JC's voice is clear, Fab has great drum flourishes on each track, Nikolai's always-pungent bass is at the forefront, and the dueling guitar licks by Albert and Nick are catchy as always.

Great album front to back.
Revisited Review
I have no clue why I defended this album so vigorously and pretentiously. This album (I just listened to it again) is not that good, slightly above mediocre.

This album starts out full of promise, but the second half, with the exception of Ize of the World falls way short of its expectations.

Overall, in retrospect, it's a let down.

Tortoise & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - The Brave And The Bold
iTMS Rating ★★★★★ / Revisited Rating ★★★★
February 3, 2006
3 out of 3 listeners found this review helpful
Bad mix and production...hardly
Tortoise are masters of their craft and of their individual instruments, as well as masters of mixing and post-production techniques. Every sound, every snare hit, guitar note and haunting background synth is undoubtedly intentional. And it lays a great backdrop for Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's very genuine and talented voice.

I bought this album for Tortoise and I was hesitant to listen to it for I am so fond of Tortoise's instrumental sound. But, Billy's voice is just another instrument in the mix, and what a great instrument all players on this album possess–this is a great addition to the respective part's discographies.
Revisited Review
This review is a rebuttal to another review (that has since been deleted) saying the album sounded like "oil drum rock". Whatever that means.
Unfortunately, the album hasn't stood the test of time for me. It's still good, but it pales in comparison to most other Tortoise endeavors.

Film School - Film School
iTMS Rating ★★★★★ / Revisited Rating ★★★½
February 17, 2006
1 out of 1 listeners found this review helpful
"Rock School" may be a more apt album name
Pupils of The Cure, Joy Division, Interpol, even a slight bit of Lo-Fi Steven Malkmus (Like You Know), these guys have done their homework. Each song is well orchestrated, whether they are rocking hard or break for a slow number. The tracks have a brooding dark undercurrent ala Interpol or The Cure, great mentors to learn from. Overall, a really good listen–A+.
Revisited Review
I still find this to be a good album and I stick with my comparisons. However, the album didn't really engage me as much upon re-listen. So, the rating dropped slightly.

lol to my metaphorical "Rock School" approach to this review.

Elefant - The Black Magic Show
iTMS Rating ★★★★★ / Revisited Rating ★★★★
February 19, 2006
6 out of 7 listeners found this review helpul
The epitome of Brit Pop and they aren't even British
Diego Garcia's voice has one of those accents that you can't really place, but it sounds so familiar to fans of British music. The Elefant sound, to me, is not unlike Coldplay or Elbow. However, Garcia's somewhat somber narratives don't make you feel sorry for him (like the way one feels sorry for Chris Martin when he pours his guts out).
Elefant's musicians are so upbeat with the delivery of their music that it seems it shouldn't mesh with the somber content. But it does, and it blends so wonderfully. That is what makes this album so unique.

Grandaddy - Just Like The Fambly Cat
iTMS Rating ★★★★★ / Revisited Rating ★★★★½
February 19, 2006
1 out of 2 listeners found this review helpful
Goodbye?
First off, I have to say Grandaddy you will be missed, but I don't think we've seen the last of Jason Lytle

Just Like the Fambly Cat is a great send-off for a great band. This album is a perfect culmination of the essence of what Grandaddy has done for the past 10+ years. It features brief, raucous, somewhat punk-inspired songs with more Sumday-esque ballads built up with layers upon layers of minimal keyboards, guitar tracks, mumbles and oohs and aahs.

Just Like the Fambly Cat is also an introspective work. Lytle focuses attention to the dissolution of the band. The band was going its separate ways as the album was coming to fruition. As a result it features work mostly done by Lytle and the drummer, Aaron Burtch. Theses elements, or lack thereof, don't detract from the work, but instead reiterate the fact that Lytle is an excellent talent.
Revisited Review
Don't think there is much more to say about this one.


The Sea and Cake - Everybody
iTMS Rating ★★★★ / Revisited Rating ★★★★
May 17, 2007
1 out of 1 listeners found this review helpful

Upon an initial listen of Everybody many The Sea and Cake fans may feel underwhelmed. For Prekop and crew, a band known for consistently trying new directions (both musically and with other non-musical side projects) don't really tread any new waters with this release. It's only upon subsequent listens that their intent comes to fruition.

Everybody isn't about reinvention or the progression of a craft, the way The Fawn or One Bedroom, to a lesser extent, did with electronics and production experimentation. Or, how earlier albums (The Sea and Cake, The Biz) portrayed a restrained angst and urgency while still seeming refined.

Instead, this album is about close review and refinement of the good and not so good (TSAC will never be "bad") of a career. With Everybody the aforementioned electronic and production experimentation is at a minimum. For two reasons really 1) TSAC wanted to make a strait-forward "Rock" album with few overdubs and 2) the (electronic) approach has not gone over well with some fans.

What they have done well with their career is to build a beautifully mellow and melodic brand of blissful, Jazz-influenced Rock that is unparalleled. That essence is what this album captures. Everybody's interplay between guitars, keys, and the rhythm section's, sneakily subtle yet powerful arrangements are refreshing as always. The second time lightning comes around, with the deceptively simple, one word chorus "everybody", and Sam Prekop's trademark whisper-like vocals, these concepts will be reiterated and the album will take hold.

It might be maturation. Or the fact that The Sea and Cake members have families and countless other side projects, or the fact that they just know what they do best. But, the culmination of these is what makes Everybody a little less than a stellar album that doesn't push the talent of these undoubtedly talented musicians enough. It is; however, enough to keep most Sea and Cake fans happy for a while. Just don't take four years next time!
Revisited Review
It's surprising that this album has actually grown on me. It hasn't changed in rating, but it just might soon enough. At first I was disappointed with this release, but I have been giving it more chances in rotation. I'm glad that I have been doing so.


_______

Well that was fun.
As for all the ★★★★★ iTMS ratings. Yeah, I'm guilty of it too, people tend to over-rate or under-rate stuff at the iTMS just to have their review get more exposure.

Seeing these reviews all-together it's funny to see how many releases are "a great addition to the artist's discography".
And what's up with my use of the word great? Used 16 times throughout. A thesaurus might have been helpful during the majority of these reviews.

Hope you enjoyed!
As always comments are welcome.

i took a poll at the show and most agreed: The Sea and Cake didn't have it tonight. it was nice to hear their new songs mixed up with older ones, but there wasn't much life from the band, with the always notable exception of drummer John McEntire's exceptional drum work and beat-keeping.

Sam Prekop did his level best to keep us interested, pulling what looked like an intentional backflop onstage during the third song. the only thing i saw was a white sneaker attached to a leg, whizzing through the air. i was unable to corroborate with anyone as to whether he fell or flopped, but the people around me were all quite intoxicated, my girlfriend included.

overall, it's always great to see a band you love, but the entire experience didn't quite have the "gusto" i was hoping to see from them.

for people who think the sea and cake make elevator music, i'm sure this review will be perfect fodder and further evidence of their claims, but i've never bought into that opinion.

they have been making music that is utterly distinctive and "theirs" for the better part of 14 years, and while they sometimes blur the line between jazz and rock and can create a somewhat misguided amalgam of the two, they've never made elevator music and never will. it may not be rock, but it ain't bland!

for anyone who attended the show, i'm really interested to hear what you thought. also, please inform me as to whether sam prekop actually fell down, or if he was doing his Jimi Hendrix onstage somersault impression.

Upon an initial listen of Everybody many The Sea and Cake fans may feel underwhelmed. For Prekop and crew, a band known for consistently trying new directions (both musically and with other non-musical side projects) don't really tread any new waters with this release. It's only upon subsequent listens that their intent comes to fruition.

Everybody isn't about reinvention or the progression of a craft, the way The Fawn or One Bedroom, to a lesser extent, did with electronics and production experimentation. Or, how earlier albums (The Sea and Cake, The Biz) portrayed a restrained angst and urgency while still seeming refined.

Instead, this album is about close review and refinement of the good and not so good (TSAC will never be "bad") of a career. With Everybody the aforementioned electronic and production experimentation is at a minimum. For two reasons really 1) TSAC wanted to make a strait-forward "Rock" album with few overdubs and 2) the (electronic) approach has not gone over well with some fans.

What they have done well with their career is to build a beautifully mellow and melodic brand of blissful, Jazz-influenced Rock that is unparalleled. That essence is what this album captures. Everybody's interplay between guitars, keys, and the rhythm section's, sneakily subtle yet powerful arrangements are refreshing as always. The second time lightning comes around, with the deceptively simple, one word chorus "everybody", and Sam Prekop's trademark whisper-like vocals, these concepts will be reiterated and the album will take hold.

It might be maturation. Or the fact that The Sea and Cake members have families and countless other side projects, or the fact that they just know what they do best. But, the culmination of these is what makes Everybody a little less than a stellar album that doesn't push the talent of these undoubtedly talented musicians enough. It is; however, enough to keep most Sea and Cake fans happy for a while. Just don't take four years next time!

~Brad a.k.a Post-Rocker
writing on behalf of Nialloleary and megatoad ;)

More of The Long Blondes: I've already explained why they are amazing. If you haven't started listening to them, you should really start!

Stereolab: Really beautiful music. My love of Stereolab grew 1000-fold this week and I promptly downloaded at least five or six of their albums. It's really hard to describe why their music is great, only that it is. I love the lyrics, love the syncopation and contextual synchronicity. It all sounds different and yet, strangely similar.

The Sea and Cake: Wonderful Chicago band. As per usual, I am years late but am glad that I have found some of their stuff in the first place. You can easily listen to the evolution of their music from one album to the next, and it's all great. They remind me of a more chill Broken Social Scene.

Sam Prekop: Prekop is a member of The Sea and Cake and although is music is similar, is still vastly different. Similar to Broken Social Scene as well. I especially hear cues of "Anthems...", "Pitter Patter..." and ""Passport Radio".

field music: I'm surprised by so many people here have never heard of them, much like The Long Blondes. In any case, it makes my love for them even greater since their pretty obscure in Chicago. I recommend the songs "17", "Tell Me Keep Me" and "If Only the Moon Were Up".

The Sea and CakeSam PrekopStereolabThe Long BlondesField Music

People are looking back at 2006 now to review what they enjoyed most from the past year, and rightly so. But I find it takes longer for music to sink in sometimes. About half of this list I hadn't even encountered until sometime in 2006 and some of these I liked a lot more at the end of 2005 than I do now. The point is that sometimes it's nice to review things after they've had more time to resonate and sink in. And sometimes it's good to see what is a passing pleasure and what is around to stay at least for the medium term.

Almost all my favorite records of 2006 so far (Yo La Tengo, Grizzly Bear, Feu Therese are among them) I've been listening to less than half a year. Compounding that with the fact that I'm sure to finalize a "proper" 2006 list in the middle of 2007 (much like with 2005) and that I've been listening to mostly older music recently (lots of jazz and avant-garde) means that I'd better stick to compiling a list of what I know rather than what's immediate. So, 2005 was a good year, eh?

Broken Social Scene - self-titled
Caribou - The Milk of Human Kindness
Songs Of Green Pheasant - self-titled
Animal Collective - Feels
Boards of Canada - The Campfire Headphase
Spoon - Gimme Fiction
Akron/Family - self-titled
The Books - Lost and Safe
Architecture in Helsinki - In Case We Die
Mount Eerie - No Flashlight
Animal Collective - Prospect Hummer
Four Tet - Everything Ecstatic
Lightning Bolt - Hypermagic Mountain
The Fiery Furnaces - EP
Sam Prekop - Who's Your New Professor
A Silver Mt. Zion - Horses in the Sky
Eluvium - Talk Amongst the Trees
Et Sans - Par noussss touss les trous de vos crânes!
Jason Collett - Idols of Exile
Kallikak Family - May 23rd, 2007
of Montreal - The Sunlandic Twins