Buy New or Used through amazon
OR @ eMusic1. St. Vincent – Actor [4AD]
A sublime blend of John Cale, Bowie and the edginess of TV on the Radio. Annie Clark sure plays a mean guitar.
Buy New or Used through amazon OR @ eMusic2. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest [Warp]
Finally an album to rival Department of Eagles’ “In Ear Park”. Far more listenable and satisfying than Animal Collective’s release from this year.
Name Your Link OR @ eMusic3. Built To Spill – There Is No Enemy [Warner Brothers]
Hard to ever be disappointed by these beardos. A matured sound but still has plenty of stuff for me to geek out over.
Buy New or Used through amazon4. Fruit Bats – The Ruminant Band [Sub Pop]
They’ve switched gears from power-pop to something more My Morning Jackety/Bandy/Byrdsy leaning and for the better.
Buy New or Used through amazon5. Wilco – (The Album) [Nonesuch]
I could have done without the duet with Feist. As a whole it’s another one hit out of the park. When will they stumble?
Buy through amazon OR @ eMusic6. The Soundtrack of Our Lives – Communion [Yep Roc]
A very ambitious, double concept album that doesn’t quite deliver on the “concept” but has plenty of nuggets to nod your head back and forth to.
Buy through amazon OR @ eMusic7. The Feelies – Crazy Rhythms/The Good Earth [Bar/None]
New Jersey’s finest get the respect they deserve with these essential reissues. “Crazy Rhythms” makes an excellent substitute for a missed cup of coffee, or three.
Buy New or Used through amazon8. Big Star – Keep an Eye on the Sky [Rhino]
Three slices of heaven. The last disc of the live show is just an interesting curio.
Buy from Rhino9. Chris Bell – I Am The Cosmos (Deluxe) [Rhino Handmade]
More in the “heaven” department. An already perfect album made all the more perfect.
Name Your Link OR @ eMusic10. Cass McCombs – Catacombs [Domino]
A late entry from this singer-songwriter with a sweet and mysterious voice that haunts me. M Ward watch out, McCombs is on your tail.
Ken Beck, Cranford, NJ
Ben Keck!