Blonde Redhead

"'In Particular' (one of the most accessible songs on Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons) is an understated beauty, marked by Amadeo Pace's gentle guitar flourishes and Makino's mournful keening. That song begins with the lines "Lying on my back/I heard music/Felt unsure and catastrophic/Had to tell myself it's only music/It blows my mind/But it's like that" -- not a bad way to describe the experience of listening to Blonde Redhead. "
Epitonic.com

Listen to "In Particular" from "Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons" or "Misery Is a Butterfly" from the most recent album of the same name. (Right click, save as.)

Chromeo - Needy Girl

When you first listen to Chromeo, it's hard not to wonder to yourself "is this a joke?" But even if it is or isn't, it's still the catchiest freaking synth-pop hip-hop dance club music I've heard in a while. It's obvious that Dave and Pee Thug are having a good time and don't take themselves too seriously.

Listen to "Needy Girl." (Right click, Save as)

Or, even better, watch the music video for "Needy Girl" here.

Sufjan Stevens - Casimir Pulaski Day

"The best travel writers skew their journeys into pointed narratives, writing the story of the landscape by seizing all the weird, awkward bits that make it distinct. On first listen, Sufjan Stevens' latest installment of state-based chamber-folk, Illinois, sounds dangerously similar to 2003's Michigan, all chirping vocals and copious orchestration. Both records inadvertently validate East Coast stereotypes of tough Midwestern values: This is earnest, hard-working music, morally rooted and technically precise... The excellent "Casimir Pulaski Day" (named after an Illinois state holiday honoring the polish-born victor of the Battle of Brandywine) is a heartbreaking story of late winter death, bravely sung over rich banjo."
Pitchforkmedia

Listen to "Casimir Pulaski Day"

Caribou - Pelican Narrows

Formerly known as Manitoba, Caribou's sound consists of the same (if not better) magical soundscapes created by only one person! By the way, I hear that the man behind the magic is a mathematical genius, which makes sense considering the amazing drumbeats and precision of each song. This song is an energetic example of Caribou's very unique sound. Check out Manitoba as well, you'll love it if you love this.

Listen to "Pelican Narrows."

Brian Eno - Needle In The Camel's Eye

An oldie but a goodie! My love for this song was renewed when I watched "Velvet Goldmine" recently. Oh how I love glam rock.

Listen to "Needle In The Camel's Eye."

Edan - I See Colours

So, Edan is really awesome because he does the production and writes the songs and he uses samples from great 60's psychadelic rock. His music is a tripped-out journey back in time, where you can smell his music and taste colors. I really like the artwork for this album. The song I am providing a link to is my current favorite on the album. "I See Colours" is one of the catchiest and uses really great samples. It is best listened to on headphones. Now here's what someone who actually gets paid to write about music thinks:
" On lead single 'I See Colours', Edan declares, 'Prince Paul already used this loop/ But I'ma keep it movin'/ And put you up on the scoop.' The lyric is a synopsis of Edan's new outlook. Yes, it's been done before, but not like this. The song is his epiphany over a 60s jangle and mushrooming Moog effects. Like a master mathematician who suddenly sees the pattern in the formula, Edan commences his solution."
Pitchforkmedia.com

Listen to "I See Colours."

Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc.

Yes. It's from that ipod commercial.

"As with the standouts from the debut album, the best tracks here strike a unique balance between slacker detachment and dance-floor bounce: 'Feel Good Inc.' swerves through an anxious bassline to a choice De La Soul drive-by... Like the Gorillaz's self-titled debut, Demon Days goes the way of most auteur projects, its oversize idea load making for a trip equal parts peak and valley. But also like the debut, Demon Days is better than it has any right to be, featuring singles stronger than anything released under the Blur banner since, you know, that 'Woo-hoo' song."
Pitchforkmedia.com

Listen to "Feel Good Inc." from the Gorillaz newest album, Demon Days.

Eels - Hey Man, Now You're Really Living

"Blinking Lights is a clear sign that Everett's fuel tank is not running dry; if anything, his momentum is only building... Generally, the more elements Everett piles on, the more interesting things get, such as the 'Mr. Blue Sky' orchestrics of 'Losing Streak', or the surf drum/spaghetti western collision of 'Old Shit/New Shit'."

Listen to "Hey Man, Now You're Really Living" from above album.

The Rosebuds - Back to Boston

"The Rosebuds are a hook-laden, energetic indie group from North Carolina plucked right out of Merge's backyard. Their debut long-player, The Rosebuds Make Out, is a strong and memorable record that sounds fresh on repeated listens."
Allmusic.com


Listen to "Back to Boston"