Half Gone 2005?

[tentoze]

I've listened to more new stuff so far this year than any other, and very little of it has really has really slapped me very hard. Having said that, I would throw in:

1) Something from Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production Of Eggs, mebbe The Naming of Things. This a very, very good album.

2) Something from Okkervil River's Black Sheep Boy, mebbe In A Radio Song. Another very, very good album.

3) My latest favorite song- Patience from Micah P. Hinson & The Gospel Of Progress. This one will go way high on my year end favorites. It is outstanding (Thanx again JD).

There, now stop yr whining.

[Davey]

There, now stop yr whining. You're starting to sound like me!

Thanks for the pity slap, that does sound kind of whiney, huh? I've yet to hear the new Okkervil, but that Andrew Bird is right up there for me too. Is it you that was badmouthing the new Sufjan Stevens? Album of the year if you believe the critics. Near universal acclaim. If it was you, what didn't work? Do you have the now collectable Superman cover? Wish I'd scored a copy before they had to change it. They're already going for good money.

[nobody]

I haven't picked up too much this year, compared to past years, but I have a few that I am really liking...

Raveonettes - Pretty in Black
Big change from their past releases, so it could upset some fans. Much more open and spacious with many new influences. Lots of retro touches.

The National - Aligator
More retro 80s-ish post punky stuff. Better done than any others I've heard this year so far.

White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
Another one to upset the fans...big changes here. They still pull out a couple rockers, but this is much more somber than past releases. Heavy on piano and other flourishes.

Populous - Que for Love
Mellow electronica from Morr Music label. Relaxing soundscapes.

Masha Qrella - Unresolved Remained
More from Morr Music. Sounds a bit like Notwist with a chick singing and a little less meloncholy. This and the Populous go well together.

I've also really liked the new Telepopmisik, the new Hold Steady, The Engineers, MIA and some others. Wow...no hop hop or R&B on there. Odd for me, usually have at least a couple that pop through to me each year, although I do really like the new Lyrics Born, but it is a remix album, so that's up to you if it counts.

Oh yeah...forgot about the new Common, Be. Produced mostly by Kanye West, so if you're not tired of his style, the whole thing's really, really good. Fans of either artist should dig this.

[Davey]

The National - Aligator
More retro 80s-ish post punky stuff. Better done than any others I've heard this year so far.

Yeah, the National is way up there for me too. Never really associated them with post-punk except for a loose connection to Joy Division. Much more like Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen and all their followers, like a couple other favorites of mine in the Tindersticks and Flaming Stars. Even hit on some Springsteen angst too. But they do move out of that mold and dabble in Joy-drenched alt-country sometimes, so I can't really call you wrong

Nice stuff, that's for sure.

[tentoze]

Thanks for the pity slap, that does sound kind of whiney, huh? I've yet to hear the new Okkervil, but that Andrew Bird is right up there for me too. Is it you that was badmouthing the new Sufjan Stevens? Album of the year if you believe the critics. Near universal acclaim. If it was you, what didn't work? Do you have the now collectable Superman cover? Wish I'd scored a copy before they had to change it. They're already going for good money.

Re: Sufyawn- At something like 77 minutes, it's at least a 1/2 hour too long, with a lot of totally worthless noodling and little snippets that irritated the ****e outta me. For about the first 30 minutes, it isn't too bad. Then it seriously loses wherever it started going at the beginning. And the sappy religious overtones (I really don't care if he goes to bible class or not) get tedious for me after about a minute or two. I never made it past about the one hour mark without ripping it outta the player. I left my copy of it (yes, the Superman cover) in FL with Unklebob and never want to see it, much less hear it, again. I'm done with him permanently.

[Dusty Chalk]

I'll second that Electrelane, Axes -- definitely a favourite.

I'd also have to put something from Black Mountain on there, if I was you. (But I'm not, so don't.)

I also really like Supersystem(formerly El Guapo)'s Always Never Again.

I don't know what else.

[Stone]

Okkervil River, Sleater-Kinney, Andrew Bird, Of Montreal, MIA