Bishop Allen The Broken String (Dead Oceans)

So, the Brooklyn-based (man, it gets tiring typing that out every week) blog band Bishop Allen are a sort of east coast Voxtrot in that they've wet the pop-frenzied masses with a series of well-received EPs over the last couple of years. Instead of releasing an album full of highly anticipated new material, however, they've polished a bunch of old tracks (and previously only available live songs) and re-released them on this full length. That's not necessarily a bad thing: the band has adopted a beautiful new aesthetic design-wise, a look that compliments the sophistication they've worked to bring to their catchy pop ditties. One thing that sets them apart is their ability to write decent pop lyrics, while managing not to stray too far from the likable Mothersbaugh-ish vibe they seem to be going for. Fans of '80s Paul Simon (think "Me & Julio ... ") will be pleased if they've remained uninitiated until now. They're playing on the 27th at Emo's, you should buy your tickets now.

Bishop Allen MySpace
Bishop Allen MySpace
Bishop Allen on NPR's Soundcheck
Bishop Allen "Click Click Click Click" (mp3)

John Vanderslice Emerald City (Barsuk)

John Vanderslice is paranoid. He writes love songs that creep into darkness and mystery quickly, disarmingly. Written in the midst of an apparently harrowing experience with immigration officials surrounding his girlfriend's attempt to get a visa (she's a French national), Emerald City is typically Vanderslice: sad, hopeful, wavering. It was recorded, mostly live, at Tiny Telephone in San Francisco. The album was performed by David Broecker, Dave Douglas, Ian Bjornstad, Scott Solter, and JV. This, all embedded in a somewhat bizarre reference to Baghdad's "Green Zone". Part reaction to current events, part reflection on love and the difficulty surrounding its progress, Emerald is a gorgeous, brilliant effort.

John Vanderslice MySpace
John Vanderslice Official
John Vanderslice audio & video @ Barsuk

UNKLE War Stories (Surrender All)

James Lavelle and Richard File have been together as UNKLE for nearly thirteen years, and in that time, they've only released three albums. It's probably entirely appropriate, given the fact that they excel at re-organizing other people's work, and shine as artists in their own right when given the chance to acquire vocalists according to the sound they've designed -- a luxury most bands don't have. The mixture of trip-hop beats, traditional hip-hop and clear and abundant love of rock 'n' roll are apparent. All in all, it's typical UNKLE, and we totally went back and found Thom Yorke's "Rabbit In Your Headlights" to check and yes, it stands up.

UNKLE MySpace
UNKLE Official
UNKLE on Fuse TV

Against Me!: New Wave
Alamo Race Track: Black Cat John Brown
Billy Bob Thornton: Beautiful Door
Bishop Allen: The Broken String
Brian Setzer & The Nashvillains: Red Hot & Live!
Chet Atkins & Les Paul: Chester & Lester
Circus Devils: Sgt. Disco
Deadverse Massive, Vol. 1: Dalek Rarities 1999-2006
Dilettantes: 101 Tambourines
Doors: Live In Boston
The Eat: It's Not the Eat, It's the Humidity
Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton: What Is Free to a Good Home
Garbage: Absolute Garbage
Harvey Milk: My Love Is Higher Than Your Assessment of What My Love Could Be
Harvey MIlk: Pleaser
Jason Holstrom: The Thieves of Kailua
John Vanderslice: Emerald City
Johnny Cash: The Great Lost Performances
Juliette & the Licks: Four on the Floor
The Lonely H: Hair
Lovemakers: Misery Loves Company
Manic Street Preachers: Send Away the Tigers
MF Doom: MM..Food? (reissue with bonus DVD)
Mountain: Masters of War
Peter Himmelman: The Pigeons Couldn't Sleep
Portugal, the Man: Church Mouth
Prince: Planet Earth
Robbers On High Street: Grand Animals
Saturday Looks Good to Me: Cold Colors EP
Sebadoh: The Freed Man (remastered with bonus tracks)
Silverchair: Young Modern
Slayer: Christ Illusion (with bonus DVD)
Sum 41: Underclass Hero
Tegan & Sara: The Con
Talib Kweli: Ear Drum
The Thrills: Teenager (import)
Tiny Vipers: Hands Across The Void
Trey Anastasio: The Horseshoe Curve
UNKLE: War Stories
Various Artists: Babylon 5: The Lost Tales (soundtrack)
Various Arists: Friday Night Lights: Original Television Soundtrack
Various Artists: Monsters of Rock: Platinum Edition
Various Artists: The Simpsons Movie (soundtrack)
Waylon Jennings: The Essential Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings: Never Say Die: The Complete Final Concert
Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Is Is EP
Yusuf Islam: Yusuf's Cafe Session