Got a couple of spins that are new to me:

Mastodon: Leviathon
Alright, for all those with even a slight interest in metal...RUN OUT AND BUY THIS. NOW. Probably the best all-around metal album since Master Of Puppets. Thrashing, 'Maiden-esque melodies, dirgy bits, mulitfaceted vocals (and a general avoidance of silly "Cookie Monster" vox), Neurosis-like atmospherics, mathy structures, killer drumming (Brann Dailor is a monster!).... it's all here. It's even got a loose concept theme going on (think Moby Dick). Excellent opener "Blood And Thunder" has already been nicked by Slosh for his year-end comp, so that still leaves "I Am Ahab," "Iron Tusk," "Seabeast," and "Megalodon" to use for my own upcoming Offend Yr. Parental Unit comp. Oh yes. And 13-minute epic "Hearts Alive" ownz. This album rules, I cannot stress that enough.

Madvillian: Madvillainy
I've had this on my list for a while, and wasn't dissappointed by it. Though it does seem kind of overhyped--definitely better than 95% of the hip-hop out there, but not a spot on Paul's Boutique, The Low End Theory, or It Takes A Nation... I like the Madlib production--jazzy vibes and dense, obscure samples abound. MF Doom's delivery and rapping are unique, kind of a laid-back drawl. Some ace lines dropped, and tracks like "America's Most Blunted" are absolutely hiliarious. A party album for sure, but the "bling and bitches" stuff isn't too prevalent. I'll have to listen to it a bit more.

Nice avatar BTW. ; P

NP: Songs:Ohia's "Farewell Transmission" (fourth time in a row)