Yes, I Got Your E-mail. Now Leave Me Alone. Part 1.

I do (eventually) get around to most of what you recommend.  I generally try not to publicly disparage you unless you really provoke or annoy me.  Which most of you do.

In any case... here are your feeble well-intentioned efforts to expand my already prodigious musical vocabulary, and the details on how you all have failed me yet again.

• The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You (2009).  Al actually sent this to me to listen to, which is good because I probably wouldn’t have bought it on my own. Oddly enough, he chose this week to get all over me about listening to it as well.  Normally I run screaming from this brand of light pop, but I have to say it’s decent.  It’s very nice, light, and introspective, although I rarely sit down to listen to music on the porch rocker with my corncob pipe to watch lightning bugs.  Nothing against that; I just don’t do it that often.  But this is decent and well worth a listen.
  
  CD Placement rating:  CD Rack.
  
  
• Adam Ezra Group - View from the Root (2008). Brian (via John S.) recommended this one, as a light powerpop album in the vein of Alanis Morrissette.  As I listened to the opening track (“Vision”), I was more struck by a cross between the Dave Matthews Band and the Goo Goo Dolls, with the vocals reminiscent of the lead singer of the O.C. Supertones.  Now, it is true that I’d like to like both Dave Matthews and the Goo Goo Dolls, but they both lack some indefinable something that ultimately sours me on both.  Not here.  Adam and the band play in that folk-rock vein that can very easily verge into the self-indulgent; they have a bit more substance than that and manage to stay on the correct side of the ledger throughout, even when they veer to the brink (like in “Basement Song”).  Ultimately there’s less Goo Goo’s and more Dave Matthews, but the more authentic lyric quality and meticulously produced sound is ultimately undeniable.  Now don’t turn into Train, guys.  
  
  CD Placement rating:  Portable CD Case.
  
  
• A Band of Bees - Free the Bees (2004).  Andrew likes to recommend bands whose names start from A-L so he doesn't have to scroll too far down to see his name.  This strategy plays off here in spades.  A Band of Bees took a time warp directly from the 60's, and have refused to adapt past that musical technique, style, and production.  Even the vocals make you think this is from 40-50 years ago.  It's a pleasant listen, just not really my thing these days.
  CD Placement rating:  If you still listen to The Beach Boys or Herman's Hermits, this will be a Portable CD Case or Car CD Changer pick for you.  For me, it's nice, but ends up in Sell-back Pile 1.
  
  
• Miklós Rózsa - Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (Soundtrack) (1982). Another Brian recommendation, who keeps trying to expand my musical vocabulary with soundtracks, and it must be working because I keep picking these things up.  First impression:  it’s orchestral.  (Thanks, I’ll be here all week.  Please try the roast beef, and tip your server generously.)  It's very good, but I lack the musical vocabulary in this genre to explain exactly why.
  CD Placement rating:  Portable CD Case.
  
  
• Killing Joke - What's THIS for...! (1981, re-mastered/re-issued 2005). The mysterious uzine and its unidentifiable author posted a response to a 2007 post in August 2010 (!), claiming I had wrongfully represented Killing Joke's best album as their first, despite the statute of limitations on that review having long since run out.  (Yes, these are the jokes.)  I went back to Killing Joke source/"expert" Mark, who immediately backed down from his 2007 statements with a "well, I haven’t listened to EVERYTHING they’ve done," thus hanging me out to dry.  So I now throw him under the bus in public.  (Well, this blog really only qualifies as "semi-private.")  Having listened to their sophomore follow-up, I find that it is really splitting hairs:  they're both great albums.  If I had to pick one, I'd probably give the edge to the first album over the second simply because the second doesn't have an equivalent to "Wardance" or "Complications."  But this one is musically more mature; in two or three years I could easily see reversing my opinion.  Or not.
  CD Placement rating:  Car CD Changer.
  
  
• Plunderphonics - Plunderphonics 69/96 (2001).  I had to pick this up off iTunes as I didn't want to plunk down the massive quid based on what I believed was a "blind" recommendation by Donna M.  Quite simply, this whole album (all 60 tracks) is absolutely nuts.  On the first disc it's sample after sample after sample -- the album starts with the final piano chord at the end of The Beatles' "A Day in the Life," and continues with Michael Jackson, Led Zeppelin, Public Enemy, Dolly Parton, and everywhere in between.  There's even a song that appears to be a career summary of The Doors. So it's all over the place with rock, rap, pop, etc., until the second half, which is spoken word and orchestral, which is also nuts, but different, and, much like this run-on sentence that seems like it will never end, in some ways you don't want the album to end either because you're not quite sure what's coming next.  I didn't know what to call this music, but allmusic.com calls it "Avant-Garde," which is another way of saying "you will love this or despise this."  Allmusic has a lot more prose, flowery language, and pointed descriptions of this album as well.  My take is "Me likee."
  CD Placement rating:  This is a Car CD Changer worthy play for me, but could be Pile of Death for you.  One word of warning:  these songs most definitely are not shuffle friendly; play them as an album, it is an experience.
  
  
• The Weakerthans - Reconstruction Site (2003).  Thanks to @gcn1 for this one.  Somehow all Canadian bands (from Sloan to The Tragically Hip to Glass Tiger) all share a common tonality – I can’t put my finger on it, but I knew The Weakerthans were Canadian before I read the liner notes.  (Okay, so the song “One Great City!” with the line “I hate Winnipeg” may have been a pretty obvious clue as well.)  Overall, it’s excellent Canadian indie/garage power pop touched with a twang of Uncle Tupelo, with the standout track “The Reasons” occupying my T rides on repeat for the entire month of November.  They’re fun, smart, self-depricating, and they rock.  Great car drive fare. 
  
  CD Placement rating:  CD Rack.  Go get “The Reasons” on iTunes, jackass.
  
  -Snilch

11 Songs I'm Playing Constantly These Days

In no particular order:

1. The Weakerthans – "The Reasons"
2. Scott Bishop – "The Start (Again)"
3. The Wrens – "Rest Your Head"
4. Ride – "Time of Her Time"
5. Ride - "Furthest Sense"
6. Idlewild – "Little Discourage"
7. All – "She’s My Ex"
8. The Shiela Divine – "Like a Criminal"
9. Manic Street Preachers – "Marlon J.D."
10. Bob Mould - "Paralyzed" (yes, still)
11. The Big Sleep - "Pinkies"

- Snilch

What I Got Out of Record Store Day 2010

Record Store Day, conceived in 2007 by a Bull Moose music employee in Maine, started as a full-fledged idea in 2008.  What started as an attempt to throw a life preserver to independent record stores has become an international event the third Saturday of every April.  Bands create releases exclusively for Record Store Day, primarily vinyl, both as giveaways and for sale.

I've been to the last two; after going in 2009 and getting shut out on some things, in 2010 I decided to get to the Newbury Comics in Norwood about a half an hour before the store opened.

I figured I'd be plenty early -- and I was wrong.  I was about 30th in line.  Yup, 28 guys and one woman ahead of me.  And by the time the doors opened, the line had doubled.


It got ugly quickly.  I grabbed the last Weezer freebie 7" just as an alpha nerd reached for it as well.  Said alpha nerd already had one in hand, but he STILL gave me the "Fireball +20 damage" look.  The geek tension was palpable.


Fortunately, no more shows of dorky one-upmanship occurred.  In the end, I got a lot of music between the freebies, samplers, and limited edition items.  (Confession:  I did have to hit the Needham store on the way home to pick up some items that were already gone in Norwood.  I have a problem.)


So how did it work out in the end?  Pretty well.  I've boiled down just the free compilation/sampler discs to 3 1/2 hours; I used two 7 hour flights to pare down the list to that point.  Not bad for zero dollars.


As for the rest, all are singles on vinyl from 2010 unless otherwise noted:

• Against Me! - "I Was a Teenage Anarchist."  I've waxed eloquently (and at some length) about Against Me!, and I'd quote myself and link to said reviews if I weren't feeling quite so lazy at the moment.  This is a great pop punk single.  It's not like I wouldn't have bought the album without hearing the single, but it's great to hear on vinyl.  And the "acoustic version" b-side is actually a re-recording, not just stripping out the bass, drums, and electric guitars.  Good stuff.
  
  
• Built to Spill  - "Water Sleepers."  This is actually worth the price of admission for the b-side, "Linus and Lucy (Live)," which is a cover of the "Peanuts" Schroeder song.  But the a-side is no slouch either -- sounds like it's a throwback to the Keep It Like a Secret or Perfect from Now On era.  Very spacey and slow, but in the classic BTS way.  A really cool little single.
  
  
• The Clash - At Shea Stadium.  I am about to commit many acts of heresy, so please prepare yourself accordingly.  1) I don't like The Clash.  2) I don't like the legendary album London Calling.  So why on earth would I pick up a vinyl single promoting a live album?  Simply, because it was the most visually arresting item there.  It's a picture disc and just looks damn cool.  Now some more heresy.  3) I think this version of "London Calling" is better than the one on London Calling.  And thus 4) At Shea Stadium is going to be a better album than London Calling.  I thank you in advance for your hate mail and comments.
  
  
• The Constellations - "Setback."  Scott and I listened to this at 45 rpm (it is a single, after all), and found it to be quite interesting, although the woman's voice was way out there.  At 33 rpm (correct speed), that dude and his lame sound really did nothing for me.  Adding Cee-Lo to side 2 wasn't enough of a life-saver. Speed it up, kids.
  
  
• Roky Erickson with Okkervil River - True Love Cast Out All Evil.  I was truly shocked to see this in the store.  Since seeing Roky Erickson's comeback in 2005 at Austin City Limits, I've picked up his compilation, but I did not know he was making new music.  This is a combination of home recordings from over the years and new Roky performances, is all over the place and wacky, and is absolutely terrific.  Car CD Changer material.
   
• Jay Farrar and Benjamin Gibbard - One Fast Move or I'm Gone (Music from Kerouac's Big Sur) (single).  Jay Farrar (Wilco, Son Volt, Gob Iron) writes the music with Jack Kerouac's words, and trades vocals with Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service).  It's really great sounding:  not surprising, it's alt country.  The two songs here definitely make me want to hear the whole album -- it's an ambitious project for sure, but they do a nice job paying it off.
  
  
• Fly Leaf - "Chasm"/Paper Tongues - "Trinity."  Fly Leaf's lead singer is a powerhouse.  This song is right in the way that most of today's music is wrong:  the vocal presentation is forceful, the lyrics are interesting, and the music has both power and tension.  Paper Tongues, on the other half of the split single, show what's wrong with most of today's new music:  the vocal presentation is soft, the lyrics are cliché, and the music is formulaic and generic; not bad, but not good either.
  
  
• Gogol Bordello - "We Comin' Rougher (Immigranada)."  A bit smoother than what I've previously heard from these guys (probably because it was produced by Rick Rubin), but with the same raw energy and wackiness you'd expect from gypsy punks.  Very impressive.  I will be checking out the full album (Trans-Continental Hustle) for sure.
  
  
• Kasabian - "Fire."  I was on the fence on this one (a bit dance-y for me), but it has a great riff and they really have something nice going on here.
  
  
• John Lennon - Singles Bag.  I picked this up as an afterthought, but the recaps of the event say this was the rarest piece out there.  The three A-sides (despite what Ken might tell you) are classic:  "Mother," "Imagine," and "Watching the Wheels."  The three B-sides are terrible.  I'm not that interested in the poster, the postcards, and custom adaptor hub, but collectors probably are.
  
  
• Modest Mouse - The Moon and Antarctica (2000, re-released in 2010).  One of my favorite albums, finally available on vinyl.  And it sounds great.  One of the best takeaways of the day.
  
  
• Nada Surf - If I Had a Hi-Fi (CD).  The primary reasons I made the second stop in Needham was for the Modest Mouse vinyl and for this CD.  It's a covers album (and I love covers) by Nada Surf (and I love Nada Surf).  Unfortunately, the covers are mostly of songs I'm not familiar with; the best covers are Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence" (which was one of the ones I did know), Arthur Russell's "Janine," and Kate Bush's "Love and Anger."  I guess I don't like the same groups these guys do; if I did I might like the album.  But it's all about me, and thus became Sell-back Pile 1 material. The packaging is very nice, though.   
  
  
• Rogue Wave - "Lake Michigan."    Of everything I got on Record Store Day, this was the best surprise.  Think of Sunny Day Real Estate crossed with Glen Echo.  Really excellent stuff.  Not the most revolutionary, but there is something really nice about the sound of these guys.  A check of this album is in order. 
  
  
• Weezer - "(If You're Wondering if I Want You to) I Want You to."  After wrestling Golem for this puppy (see above), I felt like my expectations were not met with this one right off the bat.  Besides an annoyingly long title for the A-side, I really did not like the song, which tends to be an issue.  However, it has grown on me, and thus the yellow vinyl stays. 

- Snilch

Putting The Whiskey Dregs Reviews into Perspective

I've been doing some reviews for The Whiskey Dregs... however, they don't use my super-special ratings systems that have become the industry standard.  Well, my standard, at least.

Here are links to my reviews and their corresponding CD Placement scores:

The Vaselines - Sex with an X:  Portable CD Case.

The Thermals - Personal Life:  Car CD Changer.

Superchunk - Majesty Shredding:  Portable CD Case.

- Snilch

I Am a Sucker for Re-Issues

The headline really needs no explaining.

• The Beatles - Rubber Soul (1965), The Beatles (a.k.a., "The White Album") (1968; both re-issued 2009).  Rubber Soul takes me back to grade school, playing Dungeons and Dragons and board games at Tom McBride's house.  It's a great album, even after all these years:  besides the classics "Nowhere Man," "Drive My Car, "Norwegian Wood," and "In My Life," there's the keyboard sound on "Think for Yourself," which is epic in itself.  I used to spin sister Carrie around to "Run for Your Life" when she was four... which in retrospect is pretty disturbing.  And as much as Sgt. Pepper's is credited as being a seminal album, Rubber Soul was truly The Beatles' transition album from complete pop to the deeper, more musically interesting experiments of Revolver and Sgt. Pepper's.  The White Album takes me back to childhood as well (we played a lot of Beatles, Blondie, and Abba at the McBride's); this double album follow-up to Sgt. Pepper's still feels like a lot of odds and ends all jumbled together, but it's epic.  As for the re-mastering itself:  it sounds like you're listening to the original vinyl.  And that's as high a compliment as I can give.
  Verdict:  Recommended if you don't have any/some Beatles albums on CD.  They are still the best.
  
  
• INXS - Kick (1987, re-issued 2002).  One of the soundtracks to Smith Middle 2nd floor my freshman year in college.  This re-issue sounds fine, although I really don't hear anything remarkable in the re-mastering.   The four songs they added are really not necessary.
  Verdict:  No need unless you don't own the album, or you are an INXS completist.
  
  
• Jawbox - For Your Own Special Sweetheart (1993, re-issued 2009).  This is the original recording of the album, re-mastered, and was new material for me coming in.  However, it turns out that at least "Savory" is a song I heard on the radio back in the day.  It's very solid, with a couple of above average tracks (like "Reel"); the songs are a bit "same-y" sounding after awhile.  But it's still quality stuff; think Sheila Divine (although not quite as good as them).
  Verdict:  On the border of the CD Rack/Portable CD Case territory.  The extra songs probably aren't worth buying the album again if you already have it.
  
  
• Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures (1979, re-issued 2007).  This is part of the series of re-issues of Joy Division material, featuring deluxe packaging and a live CD in addition to the original album.  From the opening of "Disorder," it's clear why Joy Division spawned so many copycats from the moment of their inception.  The re-mastering really cleans up the recording as well.  It's a great album, although I think I don't appreciate as much now as I probably will with more listens.
  Verdict:  Portable CD Case.  Worth it for the re-mastering, I'd guess.  The live bonus album is nice but not spectacular, and thus is really only for completists.
  
  
• Pylon - Chomp More (1983, re-issued 2009).  After Gyrate's re-issue, Chomp's re-issue was only a matter of time; I really hope they re-release their 1990 finale Chain as well, but I think the band has turned their back on that album.  Summary:  there's no R.E.M., or an Athens scene (with the notable exception of the B-52's) without Pylon; they're not famous because they were constantly at the wrong place at the wrong time in their career.  This re-issue is spectacular and you should own it.  Absolutely worth it for anyone; how did they leave some of these songs (like "Spider," "Gyrate," or the Pylon Mix of "Yo-Yo") off the compilation Hits?  GO OUT AND GET THIS NOW.
  Verdict:  It's okay.
  
  
• Sun Dial - Other Way Out (1990, re-issued 2006).  (PV) at the once-defunct- but-recently-revived [uzine] online zine turned me on to these guys; they're the best psychedelic rock group you've never heard of.  Mojo went as far to call this album "The greatest unheard psychedelic album ever."  And if Mojo and I are on the same page... well, that actually means little to nothing.  This re-issue (which expands the 2003 re-issue with eight additional tracks) is excellent as it's really an album you never want to see end.  So this one works well.
  Verdict:  I'm throwing it (and Pylon) back into the car.  They're both great.
  
  
• U2 - The Unforgettable Fire (1984, re-issued 2009).  Others can wax poetic about The Unforgettable Fire; I will not.  In my opinion, it's the worst pre-Rattle and Hum album (i.e., 1988) they released: I doubt many will argue it was outshone by both its predecessor (War) and successor (The Joshua Tree).  What it does have is the best song U2 ever recorded:  "Pride (In the Name of Love)."  The re-mastering definitely helps put the shine back on this album and reveal the quality that is there.  The bonus disc contains the entire excellent Wide Awake in America EP (including the classic live version of "Bad"), as well the single version of "Pride" and its three b-sides ("Boomerang I," "Boomerang II," and a longer version of "4th of July.")  This may be a case where the bonus disc is better than the actual album. 
  Verdict:  Despite all I've said above, U2 from 1980-1992 were one of my favorite bands, and thus this album (while flawed) is still excellent and a cut above the rest.  A must if you are a U2 diehard, and even if you're not, the bonus disc makes the whole album worth it.  An American-obsessed album by an American-obsessed band on the verge of becoming global superstars.
  
  
• Uncle Tupelo - Anodyne (1993, re-issued 2003).  My kind of alt-country.  This is a great re-mastering of a tremendous album -- Uncle Tupelo's last before Jay Farrar founded Son Volt and Jeff Tweedy countered with Wilco.  If there was acrimony between the two (and I've read that there was), it doesn't come through on the album.  I hate country as a rule, but you can't argue with this album.  It's great.
  Verdict:  Probably worth picking up for the five bonus tracks for the diehards.  If you don't own it, you really should.
  
  
• Yes - Close to the Edge (1972, re-issued 2003).  One of my all-time favorites.  I still remember playing this on vinyl:  one song on Side 1, two on Side 2.  It works because "Close to the Edge" is the best 20-minute song I've ever heard; "And You and I" is in the top five for 10-minute songs; and "Siberian Khatru" is no slouch either.  All in all a great album.  When you consider that in 1972 Yes released this album and the album Fragile, which many critics see as the two best albums of their career... well, that's a good year.  It's actually shocking that Close to the Edge charted at #3 on the Billboard chart, while the much more poppy and easily consumable Fragile (with the single "Roundabout," no less) only made it to #4.  I love their cover of "America" (one of the bonus tracks), although the other bonus tracks are nothing to write home about.
  Verdict:  I love Yes.  There, I said it.  You happy now?

 - Snilch   

New Music Roundup, Part 2

"This first line is either going to say 'I hate LeBron' or 'I love LeBron'" is what I put in as a placeholder before last Thursday.  (Context:  I am a Cleveland native and lifelong Cavs fan.)

Then the one-hour special was announced, and I changed it to:  "This first line is either going to say 'I hate LeBron' or 'What an ass.  But at least LeBron made the right move.'"

As the reality of the farce approaches (I am writing this at 3PM on Thursday; I will not change it regardless of his decision tonight), I am struck by one thought:  I really don't care anymore.  This whole thing is an ego-massaging exercise by someone who has been coddled all his life.  If he signs with the Cavs, he saves some face, but he has irrevocably changed the perception of him as a human being and an athlete.  Does he not understand what a "team" is?  This is as self-centered and vacuous as it gets.

It's 3:20 and I have music to listen to.  As you read this, the moment has undoubtedly passed.  I hope I had the intestinal fortitude to not watch it play out.  But I will not re-write this either way.


On to the music:

• American Music Club - The Golden Age (2008).  I've heard only great things about Mark Eitzel and American Music Club; 1991's Everclear (featuring the epic "Rise") did nothing to dispel this notion.  Their ninth full-length album (and second since reuniting in 2004) features original members Eitzel and guitarist Vudi plus a brand new rhythm section.  The music is sparse; think a stripped-down Hybrasil.  But it's really good low- to mid-tempo pop, well executed, intelligent, and earnest.
  CD Placement rating:  Portable CD Case.
  
  
• Built to Spill - There is No Enemy (2009).  Based on this and 2006's You in Reverse, BTS has settled into a comfortable groove of sonically heavier, solidly built albums.  They're sludgy and dirgey, but worth wading through.  However, would I go back to these two albums or something like Ancient Melodies of the Future, which had three great songs and seven fair to good ones?  I'm really not sure.  The fact that I can't recall the last two albums until I play them is probably not good either.  My guess is the next album will be bought based on a good review.
  CD Placement rating:  This is a tough one.  CD Rack album gets into the Portable CD Case so I can make a better determination of where it fits into the cosmos.
  
  
• Doves - Kingdom of Rust (2009).  This sounds a lot like 2002's The Last Broadcast.  Don't get me wrong; I like that album.  I don't need two of the same, however.
  CD Placement rating:  Sell-back Pile 1.  Hopefully Andrew and Eric Lax will speak to me after this.
  
  
• King's X - XV (2008).  As the title suggests, this is their 15th album, which seems insane; I don't own anything past 1991 from them.  Having seen them live with Scott and Dale, I was open to giving these guys a shot; reviews were good, so I did.  XV:  it's heavy, it's consistent, and it's good.  No real surprises here, but no duds either.  Great album by a very underrated band.
  CD Placement rating:  Portable CD Case.
  
  
• Scanners - Submarine (2010).  It's taken this band four years, but they've finally come up with a follow-up to 2006's promising debut Violence is Golden.  This is surprisingly much more restrained than their debut, sounding much more like a mix of Silversun Pickups, Love of Diagrams, and Architecture in Helsinki.  And at times, even a little ABBA.  Don't get excited, as this album does not quite measure up to any of those references.  I'd like to see them go for it a bit more; honestly, it's a bit more boring than I had expected.  It's still very decent alternative pop and very listenable. 
  CD Placement rating:  CD Rack. 

 - Snilch

New Music Roundup, Part 1

We're skipping the preamble today.

• Against Me! - White Crosses (2010).   The promise of 2007's New Wave is fulfilled in this album.  The "new punks" have slightly refined and smoother the rougher edges of their abrasive sound, but not at the expense of their energy or lyrical vitrol.  "I Was a Teenage Anarchist" is a great single, and the rest of the album is solid to great.  This is a band in their prime, making great music; that's tough to find those these days.  Check them out if you haven't gotten too old to deal with pop punk. 
  CD Placement rating:  Car CD Changer.
  
  
• Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Beat the Devil's Tattoo (2010).  BRMC had a brilliant first two albums; their 5th album (a lot like their fourth, Baby 81) has moments of brilliance (like "Conscience Killer," "Shadow's Keeper") which break the mold, but mostly sounds exactly like the first two albums.  (My guess is uber-fans Moira and Kevin will disagree with me here.)  I'm more likely to return to the highlights as opposed to the album.  But it stays in my collection for the time being (i.e., prior to the next culling).
  CD Placement rating:  CD Rack.
  
  
• The Cribs - Ignore the Ignorant (2009).  I declared these brothers "to be approaching alternative rock at its logical extension" after 2007's brilliant Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever.  And that was before they added Johnny Marr of The Smiths!  On paper:  a recipe for something sublime, perhaps even transcendent.  In reality:  a step back.  It's a more pop-friendly approach, but lacks the bite and edge of their previous recordings.  It's really pretty bland overall, actually.  Maybe going back to a simpler approach might help.  Hopefully they realize Maar is Dave Navarro to their Red Hot Chili Peppers:  an excellent guitarist, but adding him to the mix does not make the band better.
  CD Placement rating:  CD Rack.  Sad, really.
  
  
• Charlotte Gainsbourg -- IRM (2009).  After 2006's startling 5:55, Gainsbourg returns with help from Beck for her follow-up.  I'm not a Beck fan, but his collaboration with Gainsbourg is solid and the production is excellent.  This is a great album, as striking as 5:55 in many ways, although it lacks a true single.  Let's compare her to Cat Power:  You Are Free was a classic, but her follow-up (or follow-ups, for that matter) don't hold a candle to the original.  Gainsbourg has followed one great album with another.  Very impressive quiet, whispered pop.
  CD Placement rating:  Car CD Changer.
  
  
• Jesu - Opiate Sun (2009).  Paul H. convinced me to pick up 2006's Conqueror, and I'm pretty sure he recommended this as well.  This picks up where Conqueror left off.  Just great stuff, especially considering it's a genre ("heavy dirge") I'm really not into.  For fun, here are words allmusic uses to describe Jesu:  "Bleak," "Angst-Ridden," "Sad," "Suffocating," "Volatile," "Brooding," "Cerebral," "Visceral," "Wintry," "Gloomy," "Intense," "Somber," "Fierce," "Reflective," and "Unsettling."  How awesome is that!  (Is it bad that this music makes me smile?  What happened to all the small animals that used to live around here?)
  CD Placement rating:  Car CD Changer.
   
  
• Kill Hannah - Wake Up the Sleepers (2009).  One of my ongoing guilty pleasures, these guys are a cross between New Order and VHS or Beta; I'd describe them as "glam pop with splashes of dance and goth."  I wouldn't describe this album as brilliant, but it's musically solid, with some albeit lyrically cliche moments.  (Aside:  I still can't believe that's a guy singing.)  However, as with all Kill Hannah, I keep coming back for the brilliant moments they always tease me with.  Oddly, it's their "ballad" on this album ("Why I Have My Grandma's Sad Eyes") that's my favorite -- and this is stylistically, lyrically, and musically off target with everything else they've done.  Speaking as someone who is extremely suspicious of the whole "ballad" phenomenon that appeared in the mid- to late-80's, this is a first.  Not only that, but it's a synth ballad, which is like finding out your scurvy has a case of polio.  But I cannot deny it.  "New York City Speed"  and "Tokyo (Dance in the Dust)" (more typically my speed) would be hits in some other era.
  CD Placement rating:  Portable CD Case.

- Snilch