and another mess of CDs waiting to get put away....

Mink DeVille - Cabretta
Talked about this in the "Overlooked Classics" post and wound up listening to it a few times. One of those albums that I usually can't get enough of with just one listen. The original vinyl sounds pretty fine on the first couple Mink albums, but I've been listening to the Ray Janos CD remaster from 1993 on CEMA and it sounds good too. Later in 1997, Raven took over the catalog and released a twofer version with the first two albums on one CD but I've no idea what that one sounds like and it's probably OOP now.

The Jesus Lizard - Goat
Listened more than once to this one and made a post about it last week.

Sue Garner & Rick Brown (and friends) - Still
A fave from 2000 that has stood up well for me over the last few years. Very diverse and eclectic mix of trip hop, indie pop/rock, avant-folk, Tortoise-like loopy electro-organica (Doug McCombs is one of the band members) and even a near a capella cover of John Lennon's "It's So Hard". Nice CD. Maybe too diverse and far reaching for its own good, but lots to like.

The Moonbabies - The Orange Billboard
Really nice album with lots of Beatles and Yo La Tengo and hints of ELO and My Bloody Valentine and lots more. Haven't heard many 2004 releases yet but this is my runaway favorite so far. The first album, June or Novas, is first rate as well and I gave it a listen too.

Neko Case - Blacklisted
What's to say? Neko embodies everything that is right with country music, at least for me. Great voice, great songs, and especially great backup on this one with Howe Gelb and the Calexico boys, along with Jon Ranhouse and Dallas Good and Kelly Hogan and Tom Ray.

Just picked up a couple at the library last night based on things people have said about them on Rave Recs...

The Call - Reconciled
Dave G just talked about this one in the "Overlooked Classics" thread and they happened to have it at my library so I snagged it. Only listened a little so far but sounds good. Maybe a bit dated in the synth stuff, but some rocking tunes, especially the opening Everywhere I Go and track 5, Oklahoma. Guess Jim Kerr and Peter Gabriel are singing background on that first one, although there's really no way you would know that without seeing the credits.

Strawbs - Hero and Heroine
I'm pretty sure the Ex Lion Tamer has talked about this one and some other people too, maybe Mr MidFi. I've started to check it out before, but wound up putting it back. Kind of figured by the description that it was one you would probably have to grow up with to really like. But last night I said wtf (not out loud of course, because it was the library) and decided to at least give it a listen. Haven't yet, but will.

And a few others like...

Laika - Wherever I Am...
Arto Lindsay - Invoke
Post-Millenium Release (Jar)
The Shins - Oh, Inverted World
Dismemberment Plan/Juno split EP (Juno rocks the house on this one)