On a Roll

I've been on a bit of a roll with my latest music purchases. But since I don't have enough time to give full reviews of all the new stuff I like, I'll give some quick hits. In no particular order...

O+S by O+S--At first I thought this would be just another downtempo album for background music (like Zero 7), but the more I listen the more I like it. Some tracks really remind me of Air.

Outer South by Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band--A packed album that I'm enjoying more than the last couple of albums. Nothing new stylistically, but I think he's at the top of his game.

Oh Tall Tree in the Ear by Roman Candle--Went to the CD release show on graduation weekend and have been enjoying the album ever since. There are a handful of songs (A Heartbeat, Modern Radio, and Eden Was a Garden) that are guaranteed to get stuck in my head.

Artificial Fire by Eleni Mandell--Maybe my favorite album of the year so far. A wonderful singer songwriter whose songs have way more variety musically than most "singer songwriters". Lyrically, she kind of reminds me of Sarah Harmer (what ever happened to her?).

Clouded Staircase by Starling Electric--Last year I read a blog in which a music critic listened to no new music but went through his whole collection instead. At the end of the year, when he returned to new stuff, this was one of his favorite albums of the year. And I agree. Chris, you would like this album.

Fantasies by Metric--I might have to go back and get some of their back catalog. Fun rock that sounds a bit like Stars, but slightly heavier.

And all of this doesn't even include Hazards of Love by the Decemberists, which because I decided to by the lossless format from their website haven't got to play on my ipod yet!