I didn't mean I was leaving because I don't know the music, I meant that I might leave because i'm most likely the youngest person here.

Don't leave because you're the youngest person here! That's not a good reason.

Speaking of new CDs. "The Mars Volta: Deloused in the Comatorium" is a rather good album. "The Widow" is my favorite song from it.

I just picked up Sparkle in the Finish by The Ike Reilly Assassination and Haughty Melodic by Mike Doughty. Both discs are amazing. I think I've played them both back to back about 20 times in the last day or so.

I really like Beck's "Guero" cd. I wasn't crazy about the cd before it, of which I can't even recall the title.

Out Hud's "Let Us Never Speak of It Again" took awhile to grow on me. It's a nice night-time record to chill by. Alternative/electronica can be fun and it is here.

I was never a Weezer geezer but I do like the "Blue" and "Green" albums. So whatever the bashing of "Make Believe" is about, get over it. Big deal if they added strings and made public-friendly songs and lyrics. Pitchfork Media- get over yourself, please!

Also liked the newest from Architecture in Helsinki "In Case We Die", Los Super Seven's "Heard It on the X" and Louis XIV's "The Best Little Secrets Are Kept".

I enjoyed most of the songs on Springsteen's latest release. There's a couple moments where he sounds like he's trying to cop Jimmy Buffett's going-for-the-country-audience mindset. I don't care for a twangy sounding Boss. Leave that sound for John Prine who does it the best.

Other cd's I enjoyed: "Midnight California" from Dave Gleason's Wasted Days (great alternative country in the Gram Parsons tradition); The Blue Van "The Art of Rolling" excellent garage rock from Denmark; and Heavy Trash's s/t, a Jon Spencer project, recommended if you like Southern Culture on the Skids or a funky warped alternative version of Black Oak Arkansas.

Favorite compilations so far this spring- "Wild Sazanami Beat" vol. 1 & 2. Mostly Japanese punk and surf instrumental bands. The vocals are sometimes English, sometimes Japanese, sometimes mixed in the same song. These are killer discs, real energetic fun tunes. The all-girl Thee 50's Highteens do a hip cover of "Loco-motion" and The Youngman Psycho Blues version of "My Generation" is the definitive version in my book. Not all covers here, mostly originals, not a bad track on either volume. Double Crown Records site is selling these cheap (for a Japanese import). Forget those top 40 "Now!" comps, "Wild Sazanami Beat" contains 100% genuine music by real talent!

Would you recommend the Louis XIV disc, Rogue? I've heard quite a bit from it and I'm torn on whether or not I want to buy it. Some of the songs made me feel like the singer was trying really hard to immitate Bon Scott.

Indie- I'd heard the Bon Scott/Mick Jagger comparisons before I bought the Louis XIV. I could hear traces of the Trashmen, early Black Crowes and T Rex as well. But the humor and tongue-in- cheek attitude is their own, and that's what grabbed my attention most. I can see where it might seem repetitious when heard as a whole, but I still recommend it.

If The White Stripes "Get Behind Me Satan" was the same ol' same ol' guitar driven bluesy-punk rock mix, some fans & critics would complain that the band needs to change. Now, some fans & critics are complaining because there is a variety to the new album. But change is good here, the Whites prove they can genre-bend and do it really well. I love the folky "Little Ghost" and the weird though funny "I'm Lonely" as well as the Rita Hayworth inspired "White Moon" and "Take Take Take".

Imagine finding a '70s double lp album, similiar to a cross between Neil Young and Pure Prairie League but with a modern day alternative attitude. That describes Ryan Adams "Cold Roses" double cd, to me, anyway. Less pop, less brash than his more recent releases, more reflective, but not as bittersweet as his first solo album. Okay, maybe pop in that Neil Young "Harvest" way but that's a good kind of pop! I like Adams' changes, I hope he and The White Stripes can be entered in that Enduring Bands thread someday.

"3" by the Stereotypes is a fun party cd, fun indie rock, nice songs that should be all over the FM dial.

Spoon's "Gimme Fiction" is alternative rock heaven. Here's a cd that just gets better with each song and with each spin. An essential in '05.

Not as gloomy as I expected, the 2 cd set from The Eels, "Blinking Lights" shows Mr. Everett at his best- so far. Nice place to start if you haven't heard The Eels.

Any Stereolab fans here? What an amazing band! "Oscillons From the Anti Sun" is a collection of their eps, a 2 cd set. The box also includes a dvd, which is way cool (excuse my gushing). For a 3 disc set, it's reasonably priced and it's essential!

Various artists cd of the month- "Party Keller Vol 1 -- Funk, Boogie, Reggae, & Hip Hop Compiled by Florian Keller". Only one reggae tune but much funk, hip hop and boogie. These songs are so much fun, so light hearted but so amazing that I can't wait til Vol.2 comes out. My compliments to the complier.

Also enjoyed "The Forgotten Arm" from Aimee Mann (a concept album, again) and "Celebration Castle" from the Ponys, wherein a hard punk rocking band changes styles and now sounds like, um, the Cure.

Yes, I've previewed Get Behind Me and it's much different than their previous albums. In fact, their single, Blue Orchid's wonderful, but I don't seem to like the new album much.

I've heard a few Louis XIV songs and I'm torn over whether to get my earplugs or run away. I really don't like them at all.

The White Stripes certainly should be in the Enduring Bands topic eventually. They're good enough to deserve that.

Any Bjork fans? I'm wondering whether I should buy Medulla or not. From what I've heard off of it, it sounds just plain weird, but I'd like some second-opinions.

I bought the 2 Bright Eyes (Conor Oberst) CDs which were released at the same time. Digital Ash in a Digital Urn and I'm Wide Awake It's Morning. Everyone seems to prefer the second but I'm pretty much a completeist. Also Itunes has a free download of "When the President Talks to God" which he performed on Jay Leno a month or so ago.

Just bought the new album by Róisin Murphy (yes, her of Moloko fame), and also the new Kate Aumonier one. I have just ordered the new one by Beth Boucher, too, which looks incredible. If she's anything like her sister, it should be a really good listen.

Unfortunately, Róisin was better as a part of Moloko, but the Kate Aumonier album is worth the money. Even though it is an import right now.

Been awhile since I posted here.

2006 has some great cds already.

The new Strokes cd, "First Impressions of Earth", has some different sounds to it than previous albums. Nice to see them expierement with their music, it's those different songs which I enjoyed best here.

BR549's "Dog Days" is a cool country album. The boys explore blues, cajun and country-swing and become almost alt/country in the process. I don't know if this is playing on country radio but it should.

So far in '06, my top two favorite releases are "Rabbit Fur Coat" by Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins, and "The Life Pursuit" from Belle & Sebastian. Ms Lewis is a vocalist from Rilo Kiley. Her first solo album has an excellent alt/country-Dusty Springfield feel to it (I really love her song, "Rise Up With Fists"). B&S retain their quality songwriting and the new record is probably my favorite from their catalog.

I'm eagerly awiting the much-hyped Arctic Monkeys album in the mail as well as the new Neko Case, Matisyahu, and Isobel Campbell/Mark Lanegan albums in early March.

Did anyone else compile a favorite albums of '05 list? It was another great year for music. Here's my top 30:


1. "Get Behind Me, Satan" -White Stripes
2. "Woman King" -Iron & Wine
3. "Everything's Ok" -Al Green
4. "Samuari Struck" -The Surf Coasters
5. "Gimme Fiction" -Spoon
6. "Baby" -Detroit Cobras
7. "Apollo Sunshine" -Apollo Sunshine
8. "Z" -My Morning Jacket
9. "Cold Roses" -Ryan Adams
10. "Nolita" -Keren Ann
11. "The Magic Numbers" -The Magic Numbers
12. "In the Reins" -Iron & Wine/Calexico
13. "Hit the Floor" -Breakestra
14. "Superwolf" -Bonnie "Prince" Billy & Matt Sweeny
15. "Exploration" -Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion
16. "Freaks with the Savage Beat" -The Hexxers
17. "Okemah & the Melody of Riot" -Son Volt
18. "21st Century Séance" -Green Pajamas
19. "Oceans Apart" -Go Betweens
20. "Tie Your Noose" -BBQ
21. "Tearing Up the Album Chart" -Go-Kart Mozart
22. "At Carnegie Hall" -Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane
23. "Warmer Corners" -The Lucksmiths
24. "29" -Ryan Adams
25. "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard" -Paul McCartney
26. "Master of Disaster" -John Hiatt
27. "Kaleidoscope Sounds" -Space Agency
28. "The Cosmic Game" -Thievery Corporation
29. "King of Missouri" -Anton Barbeau with Bevis Frond
30. "Thunder, Lightning, Strike" -The Go! Team

I always love reading Rogue's lists! I don't feel like such the misfit toy when I read his lists and realize that I have heard of over 75% of the music he's talking about. I've head one song from the new B&S and I love it. Problem is, I don't know the title. It's the one about a laundromat.

I'm eagerly awaiting the new Rhett Miller CD which comes out on Tuesday. Rhett is the lead singer for the Old 97's and one of the best songwriters out today. He's also one of the most literate people I've heard in a long time.

Last year, I really enjoyed "Haughty Melodic" by former Soul Coughing frontman Mike Doughty and "Sparkle in the Finish" and "Junkie Faithful" by The Ike Reilly Assassination. Reilly's music is kind of raw, lyric wise, but it's great to listen to. He's up there with Ted Leo on my list.

Couple of weeks ago bought
"Turn it Around" 4 Strings,
Pet Shop Boys Discography:The Singles Collection,
"Parachutes" Coldplay - the one with "Yellow" on it, love "Yellow"
"Playing the Angel" Depeche Mode, love the single "Precious"
"Who'll Stop the Rain" Girl Overboard -found the CD at Cash Converters- had to get it to replace mine, it was stolen years ago.

Yep, Rogue, that's it. Thank you so much, it was driving me nuts!

I have the Rhett Miller CD on order, so as soon as it gets here, I'll have a full review ready to go. I loved "The Instigator" and I've heard several songs from the new one, they sound good. I should have it by weeks end.

Not really a cd, but a cool group if you wanna check em out... The jammxkids made a sweet dvd called cant dance dont want 2 you can check out the clip on www.jammxkids.com If yall know of em pretty awesome group. Im gonna get the dvd to learn some breakdancin

I don't really buy CDs much anymore but there's one disc I've been wanting and am unable to find. It's the CD Single of Texas In Demand Pt. 1. Shar is my favorite female singer and I'm dying for this cd!!

I haven't made a CD purchase in so long thanks to being able to download singles however I did buy a new cd player for my son, who is six and he is such a big Green Day fan that I finally broke down and bought American Idiot for him.

I struggled for a long time about making this purchase as it has a warning label that it may offend some. Since nearly every song from this disc gets airplay I doubt there is much that he hasn't heard already. He knows quite a few bad words already, thanks to some older classmates and television so I can't say I have to protect him from that. He also understands that while this language is used quite often by the general public it's not to be used by him. I feel that he knows the difference between "artistic license" and bad manners and where to draw the line. I hope that I didn't make a mistake.....

That being said, I really do enjoy this cd myself and am glad to finally have it.

Adding two more favorites to the best of '06 so far.

Neko Case's "Fox Confessor Brings The Flood" is easily one of her best albums. She's moved on from alt-country to a more indie music sound. I've read debates over whether her songwriting is worthy of her gorgeous voice. Myself, it's her songs + her vocals that make her the top of the female indie game.

Isobel Campbell/Mark Lanegan's "Ballad Of The Broken Seas" is being compared to an indie version of Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazelwood (I think a better comparison is to Tom Waits & Crystal Gayle, though this album is much much much better than the Waits/Gayle project). Isobel used to sing for Belle & Sebastian and Mark once lead the Screaming Trees. Some new songs, some covers, I like the take on Hank Williams "Ramblin' Man" and the duet on Isobel's original, "(Do You Wanna) Come Walk with Me?". Hope they have a follow-up album.

Picked up the new Flaming Lips album, "At War with the Mystics". It's not as immediately classic as their previous recording but it's still a very good cd. This is one that will sound better with repeated listenings.

The Slackers new album, "Peculiar", is another in a great series of ska/rocksteady releases from the band. The new one is more political lyric-wise but there are still party and romance themes spread throughout.

Here's a good new cd I found: "The Best Party Ever" by The Boy Least Likely To. Bouncy power-pop & indie pop. Reminds me of a combination of Badly Drawn Boy and Belle & Sebastian.

My favorite electronica album of the year so far: I Am Robot And Proud's "The Electricity In Your House Wants To Sing". Fantastic multi-dimensional melodies- very, very catch tunes.

Disappointing cd: "Nine Times That Same Song" from Love Is All. The music is enticing but the vocals are in deep need of a controlled singer and a good producer.

Oh my goodness, I fibbed a bit. I promised a full review of "The Believer" by Rhett Miller and I never posted it. I absolutely love it. It took a few listens, but it's a truly wonderful CD. Miller's duet with Rachael Yamagats, "Fireflies" is one of the best things I've heard. It's very moving and sweet. Miller proves that he is one of the most literate, well-versed song writers in rock today over and over on this CD.

Rogue, this one is right up your alley.

Thanks for the recommendation, Indie. I've added the Rhett Miller cd to my want list. And I do like Rachel Yamagata, so that should make it even more worthwhile.

I've heard a lot of great new music this year. I compiled a list last month of my favorite albums of '06 so far:


1. Margot & the Nuclear So & So's... The Dust of Retreat
2. Gentleman Caller...Until We are Missing
3. Murder By Death...In Bocca al Lupo
4. Nightmares on Wax...In a Space Outta Sound
5. Gnarls Barkley...St.Elsewhere
6. Camera Obscura...Let's Get Out of This Country
7. The Kooks...Inside In Inside Out
8. Neil Young...Living With War
9. Bruce Springsteen...We Shall Overcome:The Seeger Sessions
10. Oh No!Oh My!...Oh No!Oh My!
11. Bruce and Son...Surf & Sun
12. Bell Rays...Have A Little Faith
13. The Raconteurs...Broken Boy Soldiers
14. Rachel Stevens...Come and Get It
15. The Black Keys...Chulahoma EP
16. Demolition Doll Rods...There Is a Difference
17. Mink Jaguar...Mink Jaguar
18. Candi Staton...His Hands
19. Benga...Newstep
20. Mudhoney...Under a Billion Suns
21. Belle & Sebastian...The Life Pusuit
22. Sonic Youth...Rather Ripped
23. Hazey Janes...Hotel Radio
24. Jenny Lewis...Rabbit Fur Coat
25. Quasi...When the Going Gets Dark
26. Tube Stone...Aligretosurfati
27. Regina Spektor...Begin To Hope
28. Cansei de Ser Sexy...Cansei de Ser Sexy
29. The Storys...The Storys
30. Twilight Singers...Powder Burns

Now the list is outdated as I need to figure in Johnny Cash's "American Recordings V", Le Volume Courbe's "I Killed My Best Friend", Juana Molina's "Son" as well as new albums from Lily Allen, The Feeling, Razorlight and the brand new Linda Ronstadt/Ann Savoy cd .

btw Indie- I picked up the new Rhett Miller and am realling enjoying it. Much thanks for the recommendation.

The cds i've got recently are;
Gnarls Barkley - St Elsewhere
Hard Fi - Stars of CCTV
Paolo Nutini - These Streets
Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway
I'm sure there are others i just can't think of them right now

I'm thinking of getting the Gnarls Barkley C.D., but I'm going to wait for the second single to come out and I'll see if I like that, too. CD buying has been slow for me this year, but there's a lot of stuff I'm going to get.

CDs I have bought this year:
Prince - 3121
Pink - I'm Not Dead
Maria Taylor - 11:11
Feist - Open Season (Remixes)
Alanis Morissette - The Collection

CDs I'm going to buy once they come out or when I get a chance to:
Peaches - Impeach My Bush
Now It's Overhead - Dark Light Daybreak
Bright Eyes - Noise Floor
Cursive - Happy Hollow
Orenda Fink - Invisible Ones
Azure Ray - Hold On Love
Prince - Musicology

Ones I'm looking forward to that have no set release date:
No Doubt - Untitled
Gwen Stefani - Untitled
The Faint - Untitled
Feist - Untitled
Bright Eyes - Untitled