beirut

with a heavy cultural patina in eastern europe, france and otherwise abroad beirut encapsulates something remarkable in two equally strong back to back albums. syrupy gypsy lyrics backed with a cacophony of strings, accordion, horns and Zach Condon's trumpet sound like what i can only imagine paris feels like.

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for a sample you can check out live performances on KEXP:


And 2 songs off of the "song of the day" podcast:

animal collective

if they might be giants and some martians had a campfire sing-along this is what it might sound like. it might be art, it might be pop but either way its really good.

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bright eyes - cassadaga

omaha’s connor oberst's latest attempt is pleasently confused, perhaps almost spiritual in an ecclectic-crystal-swinging kinda way with a gloss of indie-pop over muddy depths. not surprisingly inspired (in part or whole?) by the town of cassadaga florida.

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ted leo and the pharmacists - shake the sheets

uncompromisingly pop and politically savvy. the bar stool politics and philosophy are crafted into a insidiously hook filled tightly produced sound. lots and lots of talent and caffeine involved in this album.

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blue scholars - the long march

this dynamic seattle duo fights top-40-hip-hop-mediocrity with super human rhymes and a utility belt full of beats. A free download of their remix of "Inkwell" with the Modest Mouse track "Float On" can be found here (isn't that nice of them...)
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the hold steady - boys and girls in america

Bruce Springsteen isn't dead. But if he were Craig Finn (lead vocals/lyrics) would be his unfashionable, anachronistic reincarnation. This power-chord infused yet cognizant album is well worth getting into despite (or because of) its essence as the kind of music you can picture the teenage protagonists cranking up in the 6x9's in their Dodge POS and driving down Lake Washington Blvd.

junior boys - so this is goodbye

ok - its not my usual fare but i have to say this album is captivating. It's hard to describe the precise, lamenting, rhythmic pop that is almost disco - but without being icky... but i guess i just did.

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roots - game theory

heard this today, fantastic. if you don't think there is good hip-hop out there you listen to the radio too much and mtv is not a good source for "new" music. this should cure you.
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sufjan stevens - songs for christmas

a very good album even for those of us that are not big christmas music fans. sufjan has put out a self-made cd for the last few years for friends and family. this release allows us in to his circle of trust, a good place to be.
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*g