After a 2 month hiatus, I'm back. I discovered that people actually read this thing. Wow. Cool. I'll try harder to stay on top if it...I'm listening to an album in my new albums list by Adele called 19. It was described to me as Amy Winehouse without the personal issues. I think Adele leans a bit more to the pop side of things, but the description is reasonably apt.Right now, Right as Rain, one of

I've watched with great sadness while Amy Winehouse seems to destroy her life, but have only listened to her music in passing.  Just enough to know that she is an exceptionally talented person.  With my free iTunes downloads from my trusty Visa card I decided to give Back to Black and shot and see what all the hype is about.First, this album could have been made sometime in the 60s in Motown or on

I believe this is the debut album by Polar Bear.  Regardless, it is a superb example of one might call experimental rock or more likely avant garde jazz.  eMusic tags it as alternative, but just about everything eMusic offers can be tagged alternative.  I digress...If you are new to these genres, quite frankly most people are, then this is a pretty nice introduction.  Definitely outside, but also

Acid House Kings is not a name one would associate with a twee band, but they are about as twee as it gets.  Mondays Are Like Tuesdays And Tuesdays Are Like Wednesdays is one of this month's downloads and is really quite a nice album very much in the Belle & Sebastian, Kings of Convenience, Monkey Swallows the Universe mold.  I am a big fan of twee, so I'm pretty happy with this download.  The

What to do with Balmorhea's Process?  Quite a nice album stuck somewhere between new age and classical.  The form is very much that of modern, classical music, but the instrumentation will definitely keep it off the KANU airwaves.  Some of the tracks definitely have the sound of a small, classical ensemble like a string quartet.  But, others use environmental sounds and instrumentation more common

What to do with White Shoes & the Couples Company's self-titled debut - twee pop from the only Indonesian band in my collection.  Sounds much like The Aluminum Group, but even twee-er if that's even possible.  Much of this album is a bit too sweet for me, but it is well executed and a fun listen.  I have to say that it gets played quite a bit and my favorite song from the album has made it onto

I have an older Brett Dennen album that I've listened to a bit, but it never struck me as an outstanding album.  Thus, I was quite surprised to see rave reviews of Hope for the Hopeless.  I downloaded it on a whim when I had some extra eMusic downloads at the end of the month and now it's hard to get it off the iPod.  This is a very nice singer-songwriter album in the style of Josh Rouse, which

While perusing eMusic's list of best albums so far this year I ran across Esperanza in the jazz list along with an album by Bennie Maupin and a new album from Marco Benevento. (More on the latter album sometime later.) I was not familiar at all with Esperanza Spalding and discovered that she is a vocalist/bassist from South America. Certainly the influences of latin culture are all over her music

I read several nice reviews of The Submarines and decided to give Create a New State! a try. In summary, excellent dreamy folk-pop that is more pop than folk. Wonderful vocals with nice instrumental work. I really like the album even though it doesn't seem to make it on the iPod that often. I think I'm going to try and correct that. My favorite tracks are Brighter Discontent and Clouds. However,

New Lambchop album, OH (ohio), just hit the streets. Very good news indeed. More on it when I've had a chance to listen - I downloaded it from eMusic without listening to a single track...

Just downloaded this yesterday based on a review, comparison to Amy Winehouse and listening to a brief snippet online. If you like sounds like Joan as Police Woman, Leslie Feist, and the current wave of incredible female vocalists, add Adele to your list. What an amazing voice.

Downloads (so far) this month from eMusic and iTunes:Adele - 19The Born Again Floozies - Street MusicMarco Benevento - Invisible BabyThe Week That Was - The Week That Was

In Rainbows is the album that Radiohead made available from their website for whatever you wanted pay for it. I avoided all the hype around that whole thing for a long time until I saw the album available on eMusic. In a moment of weakness, I gave the samples a listen and immediately downloaded the entire album. It is, in my opinion, a masterpiece of popular music. Forget the free download and

Imagine having an album sit lost in your music collection since 2004 and accidentally finding it to discover a beautiful classical classical album. I've got about 45G of music on the Mac, plus about 3000 CDs that I've not had a chance to rip. It's easy for things to get lots. Really easy. I don't remember where I got this copy of Flatlands, but it's been a wonderful surprise. The MP3 tags associated

If you're like me and can't get enough Broken Social Scene, Something for All of Us... by Brendan Canning will be a real treat. Very much in the Broken Social Scene style, but with a bit more edge throughout. I was a bit put off by the opening title track, Something For All Of Us, the first time I listened to the album. Pretty straight up gloomy sounding rock-n-roll. Not quite shoe-gaze, but in

Bill Frisell (along with Pat Metheny and Jon McLaughlin) is among my favorite guitarists. Is sound is unique, which is tough to do on an electric guitar. The man is a musical chameleon - he can play any style he can here from straight ahead jazz to country. Bill Frisell is a collaboration with two of his most frequent sidemen - Ron Carter on bass and Paul Motian on drums. Given the lineup, the

I first learned of Marla Hansen from one of the many sampler CDs that I listen to. I believe it was a Paste discovery, but I'm not completely sure. Wedding Day is more an EP than a full LP with only 6 tracks, but they are all pretty decent songs. It took me awhile, but I finally figured out that the primary accompanying instrument is a banjo, played very slowly. I though it might be a nylon string

When you get to sit on an airplane for 9.5 hours with just an iPod for entertainment, you end up reaching towards music that you don't play that often.  My personal experience with this last week was finding Joni Mitchell's Blue on the iPod.Blue is often referred to as Joni Mitchell's classic, all-time-greatest album. Personally, I'd throw in Don Juan's Reckless Daughter as well, but that may be

This is my first exposure to The Duhks, but I recall listening years ago and being turned off. I have no idea why, I just didn't hear what I wanted to hear. Migrations, however is a nice album that presents what I would call old time music. There is a bit of bluegrass in there as well, but this is definitely not a bluegrass album.Ol' Cook Pot is a classic old time tune done in a traditional style,

I love jazz and it makes me sad at times that the music industry provides virtually no means to become familiar with the genre. It's tough to discover music initially and tough to keep up with what's currently happening. If you want an excellent introduction to vocal jazz with a bit of a pop feel, the Barclay Martin Ensemble is your group. If you just love jazz and your tastes stretch beyond Miles

I discovered Ingrid Michaelson awhile back and have consistently had a difficult time keeping her work out of my playlists. Girls and Boys is most definitely a masterpiece in the singer/songwriter genre. Wonderful, smart lyrics, great performances, and wonderful recording. It really doesn't get much better than this. I guess one of the tunes, The Way I Am, was on an Old Navy commercial. I wasn't

echolocations (formerly inRadio) is no more. I've subscribed to echolocations for several years and have found it to be a great source of indie music that is farther outside the mainstream than what I learn about through Paste and the review websites I frequent. Thankfully Pitchfork and Metacritic are still around and seem to be thriving. I guess I'll be on the lookout for a new sampler CD service

I spent part of my evening last night listening to Tortoise and Bonny Prince Billy's collaboration called The Brave And The Bold. Excellent collaboration on the experimental side of rock and jazz. Highly recommended if you like this kind of stuff. Not a typical Tortoise album in my mind, but excellent none-the-less. The album is worth getting just for the opening track, Cravo E Canela, a cover

Wow. I don't run into new things very often that make me this happy. The Midnight Organ Fight is a rare treat and I definitely agree with Pitchfork's 8.1 rating, although I think I would have gone even a bit higher. I was unfamiliar with Frightened Rabbit prior to hearing this album and I'll definitely be on the lookout for more of their work. I suppose this work falls in the alt-folk or folk-rock

The Weepies are a folk/pop at that is rather new to me. Imagine people sitting around swaying, singing, and making goo-goo eyes at each other wearing tie dye and loafers. The music they would be listening to in 1970 might be Peter, Paul and Mary or Simon and Garfunkel. In 2008, the music they would be listening to would be The Weepies. By the way, I mean that in a very positive way - I really like

What a wonderful day it is when the eMusic monthly download count resets to 90. Here are some of today's downloads:Ashleigh Flynn - ChokecherryBirdie - Some DustyJoan as Police Woman - To SurviveMatt Pond PA - Green FuryMystery Jets - ZootimeShearwater - RookThe Instruments - Dark SmalandI am particularly excited about the new Joan as Police Woman and Shearwater. Joan as Police Woman's last album

I downloaded Alopecia by Why? based on a quick listen to one track and a couple of online reviews. I was ready to write that a blew this one, but a second listen is proving that this is a pretty good album. I think experimental rock might be the best classification for it, but it ranges from spoken word to straight up indie rock. Song of the Sad Assassin tends to be my favorite song on the album, but

I first heard Kris Delmhorst at a Westside Folk concert several years ago after her first album went big on the folk/singer songwriter circuit. She was one of those artists that I was pretty certain we would never be able to get back to Lawrence for such a small show. Kris just had everything working and was at the beginning of something big.Shotgun Singer is viewed by some as a departure from traditional

Crooked Fingers has been a favorite of mine since Dignity and Shame from which the title track is among my favorite songs of all time. I discovered a new Crooked Fingers album on eMusic and put in on the wish list without even a listen. When I did get a chance to sample the tracks I downloaded it immediately. It's a rather short album at 8 tracks, but an excellent album none-the-less. Oddly enough,

Super Furry Animals are turning into one of my favorite bands, playing eclectic pop music that includes everything from Beach Boys chords, flugelhorns, and those jangly bell things to bass lines straight from the rock music piped into my 9th grade shop class.  The one common them is it's all very good.My first and still favorite Super Furries album is Hey Venus.  I realize this is Super Furry

I'm a pretty huge fan of The Mountain Goats and recently saw eMusic added All Hail West Texas.  I just gave a listen to the snippets on eMusic and I think I'm going to pass on this one.  Definitely a Mountain Goats album, but the tracks I listened to were a bit too low-fi for me.  I'm not that much into production pyrotechnics, but I do like a clean recording when it's available.  If

Matt Pond PA is a band I paid quite a bit of attention to a few years back, but stopped listening to.  I saw that eMusic posted a new album, Green Fury, and gave a listen to the preview.  Looks like this is definitely work checking out when my monthly download allowance renews in July.  Suddenly it seems there are quite a few things to download.  Joan as Police Woman has a

I'm a pretty huge fan of The Mountain Goats and recently saw eMusic added All Hail West Texas. I just gave a listen to the snippets on eMusic and I think I'm going to pass on this one. Definitely a Mountain Goats album, but the tracks I listened to were a bit too low-fi for me. I'm not that much into production pyrotechnics, but I do like a clean recording when it's available. If you're into the

Matt Pond PA is a band I paid quite a bit of attention to a few years back, but stopped listening to. I saw that eMusic posted a new album, Green Fury, and gave a listen to the preview. Looks like this is definitely work checking out when my monthly download allowance renews in July. Suddenly it seems there are quite a few things to download. Joan as Police Woman has a new release. Heartless Bastards,

I just downloaded honeyhoney's EP, Loose Boots, from eMusic. Excellent, eclectic, and quite varied. Just what I like. I see this group making strong contributions to the alt-folk genre beyond this EP in the very near future. The opening track, Little Toy Gun, is the strongest in my opinion, but the other 4 are not far behind.A word of warning. The lyrics are a bit explicit, so don't put this in the

I haven't had much time to write, but I do have some new music on the iPod that is making me happy:Brad Laner - Neighbor SingingThe Weepies - Say I Am YouThe Ruby Suns - The Ruby SunsSlaraffenland - Private CinemaMy Morning Jacket - ZThe Dodos - VisiterI promise I'll write something about these and other additionsl when I have a bit more time...

Today I listened quite a bit to Bon Iver's Forever Ago. Bon Iver is new to me. I've seen several reviews and some mentions on discussion boards, but Forever Ago is my first album by the group. Overall, I'm very pleased with the album and will definitely be listening to it more. It's a very quiet album, consistent with my understanding of the group. Almost ambient sounds with nice chords and movement.

New in the CD player today is The Sunlandic Twins by Of Montreal. I discovered these guys reading reviews on Stylus. This and insound are becoming my two favorite places to get reviews. I read Pitchfork as well, but those guys are a bit too, uh, important for me. Yeah, that's the word. Important. Anyway, I digress...The Sunlandic Twins is a really nice, somewhat outside pop album. It's not dissonant

New albums in the CD player this week include Open Season by British Sea Power and Lost and Safe by The Books.I've never owned any British Sea Power before and decided to pick this album up. I believe it is their latest. Very nice work, but not substantially different than much of the power pop that I'm hearing these days. I don't mean anything bad by that - there's some damn fine indy pop being made

The best pop band you've never heard of has to be The Push Stars. Simple, guitar oriented pop/rock that will definitely make you smile. In a perfect world, The Push Stars would be on the radio all the time. My favorite of their albums is After the Party although I can vouch for Opening Time as well. Haven't heard the new one yet. Anyway, some great songs on After the Party. Cadillac and Minnesota

Seats available for Erika Luckett in our house concert series. Erika is a wonderful singer/songwriter with influences from folk, blues and latin jazz. She has played Lawrence at least twice before, but never as a scheduled concert. This will be a real treat. To reserve a ticket, visit the Folk on Mass website or zap me some email. If you like latin jazz or folk, this is your kind of concert.

Yes, I have been absent for a long time. Damn job gets in the way at times. Anyway, I had the opportunity to hear Louise Taylor live at a house concert last night. One of the best shows I have seen in several years. Louise is classified as a folk singer and I guess that's as close as anything. However, she has lots of blues elements in her work. She's also picked up finger-picked guitar since

In heavy rotation:The Decemberists - Castaways and CutoutsDogs Die in Hot Cars - Please Describe YourselfMiles Davis - Birth of the CoolPatricia Barber - NightclubThe Album Leaf - In A Safe PlaceAmerican Music Club - Love Songs for PatriotsInterpol - AnticsVelvet Teen - Elysium and The Great Beast February / Comasynthesis

This album sat on my Must But list for several weeks and I just couldn't make the call to buy it. Don't really know why. It's a very quiet album, mostly instrumental, but that usually doesn't slow me down. I finally pushed the buy button today. Excellent choice!!This is a very quiet, contemplative album that will get no airplay anywhere. What a shame. It's apparently done by a classical pianist and

I picked this up a day or so ago and don't know what to think of it. It's very much a pop album and could get some serious airtime on a top 40 pop station. Nothing wrong with that. I really like several bands that play retro pop kinds of things. The Aluminum Group comes to mind pretty quickly as does Lambchop and Marshal Crenshaw. I listened to the full album yesterday after the purchase, last night

File sharing is the local radio of the next generation. A radical thought? I would argue that it might be the only hope music has other than live performance...No one will argue with me that local radio is pretty much dead outside the public band of your FM dial. There are exceptions, but try to find a local radio station that does its own programming. If you buy that assertion, then I'll also

Today's purchases:The Autumns - The AutumnsTrashcan Sinatras - WeightliftingInterpol - AnticsSo far so good. More on each of these groups later. Weightlifting really hit the spot today for some reason. I also wanted to pick up The Junior Boys, but didn't find them on iTunes. Time for an order from insound.com. Also noticed another album by The Shins last night, but it seemed to be an older release.

The Ella Fitzgerald songbook albums are a collection of performances where she sings the songs of a particular songwriter of her day. I believe there are 12 of them and they hit Eillington, Mercer, Porter, and several other writers. Many of the songs were done in one or two takes in the studio, yet they define how a piece should be performed. The Best of the Songbooks is a sampler of the albums and

It's January 1 and I'm already behind in my music listening. Over 100 CDs on the "buy" list right now and I've been ignoring Jazz for far too long. Last year was a good music year for me with the discovery of several new artists that I've really enjoyed.It was also a frustrating year buying music. Just got back tonight from the local Border's where I looked a 5 or 6 CDs that were on my "buy" list.

I ran across The Decemberists though one of the several sample/review sites that I watch. Mostly likely, the Salon Wednesday Morning Downloads or their indie sampler that I believe is now a members only think. I digress...Castaways and Cutouts was released in 2003, but I list it among my favorites of 2004 because I discovered it last month. I love this album. It has an interesting feel to it that leans

Lately I have been purchasing a ton of alternative or indie music. I'm not sure really what to call it. Groups like Lambchop and The Aluminum Group that have a kind of weird retro Burt Bacharach thing going. Also Josh Rouse's wonderful set of original songs done in a 70's style very well. (Nothing even approaching Disco, which should remain dead at all costs.) Also indie rock artists like The

Whoops. Damn near forgot to mention Pitchfork earlier when I mentioned sources for music info. These guys are a bit pretentious, but they're not preaching gospel, just offering opinions...

Just ran across a very good site for reviews and general information called stylus.com. I particularly like that their "Best of 2004" and "Worst of 2004" are the same list. Not the same old stuff. Very intelligent and not too snobby. Several things I've heard of and even more I haven't.I have been buying most of my music at iTunes over the last year or so, but have also found that insound.com is

Reaching back in the past, I was listening the other day to Bright Size Life, a Pat Metheny album that dates before the emergence of The Pat Metheny Group. I really enjoy PMG, but I still think this might be Metheny's best recorded work. The guitar work is excellent as always, but Jaco on bass and Moses on drums really add a nice touch. If you can stop listening to Metheny's guitar work, Jaco is making

This is my first exposure to The Be Good Tanya's, a trio of women who play an interested derivative of what the folkies would call old-time music. This is very traditional, country-style music with a twist that is very difficult to put your finger on. 99% country with 1% alternative thrown in. Regardless, this is an excellent album that you will enjoy whether you caught the O Brother wave of old-time