07/11 -- 07/15:

It’s a short week, as I have been kind of sucked in by Turntable.fm and didn’t get to listen to many albums. Next week’s soundtrack is probably not going to be very long, either... :)

The (International) Noise Conspiracy, A New Morning... Changing Weather

The high point of the band’s career. More fully-realized and bombastic than their first album, and man, I have no idea what they were thinking with their third. But this is fun, energized, politically-motivated rock music, with some surprising musical flourishes along the way. It’s a great listen.

The (International) Noise Conspiracy, “Bigger Cages, Longer Chains”


Los Campesinos!, Hold On Now, Youngster.

I was really impressed by this album when it came out, and it still holds up. The relentless energy, the wall of sound, the sarcastic, often hilarious lyrics, the exuberant backing vocals, the whole package just clicked for me instantly. That they released a whole second album that was just as good mere months later is insane.

Los Campesinos!, “Death To Los Campesinos!”

Pixies, Come On, Pilgrim

Almost had a “titled with commas” theme going. The Pixies’ debut EP isn’t the record I listen to most often, I must say, but that’s not really a comment on its quality or anything. I am perhaps the lone listener who seems to go back to Bossanova most often. Why? I don’t know, really. But I like their whole catalog. I like that each record has a pretty unique feel and sound. Most bands try to evolve in their careers, but The Pixies really tried a lot of things in their time together. This messy explosion of an EP was just the tip of the iceberg.

Pixies, “Levitate Me”


Jean Grae, Cookies Or Comas mixtape

The first repeat appearance since I started doing this. How prestigious! Scroll down to last week for info on this one.

Jean Grae with Pharoahe Monch, “Killing ‘Em”

Yup.

--D