CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Narrow Stairs

by: Death Cab for Cutie

Release Date May 13, 2008
I'm not a huge fan of Deathcab but got somewhat hooked on their single "soul meets body" which is a great song hardcore fan or not. I was disappointed listening to "Plans" to find out nothing on the rest of that album was as good as that single or remotely as upbeat. I just thought that it was decidely too melancholy for me. So it came as a sort a shock when i heard the opening songs "Bixby Canyon" and "I will posess your heart". "I will posess your heart" has no lyrics except a couple of lines that the singer repeats like a mantra and it's indulgently long for todays standards. It doesn't matter though because the magic is obvious. The first half of the album is flawless but the rest of the songs almost sound like b-sides in comparison ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Modern Guilt

by: Beck

Release Date July 08, 2008
how Beck would sound with Danger Mouse producing. I love (or seem to love) almost anything that Danger Mouse produces - his update on the general sound vibe of the '60's is something that never seems to get old for me (and he always seems to make his albums under 40 minutes or so).

Danger Mouse gets the first mention because Beck's sound is ALWAYS different. There's always something to get into your system upon the first listen or so, there's a good distorto-track ("Walls") with some good lyrics about ego destruction that could operate as the sequel to "Just A Thought" from "St. Elsewhere".

I like it because after "The Information" I dismissed "Guero" as being too light. This one got me to listen to the lyrics as well ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

The Odd Couple

by: Gnarls Barkley

Release Date March 21, 2008
So okay, this second effort is not as good as the first one, but solid none the less. Its like the girl who looks really hot at the club and then you get to see her on Wednesday out and about. Without the dark lights she may not look as good but still worth serious consideration. Take this album home and you'll see where I'm coming from.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

In Rainbows

by: Radiohead

Release Date January 01, 2008
This is one of those albums that can only be fully appreciated on vinyl. The sound quality is phenomenal!

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Consolers Of The Lonely

from: Warner Brothers

Release Date March 25, 2008
i love this music! this is truly a great night when i vibrate to this...oh that didn't sound good or did it ;)
anything i am doing this makes a great backdrop ;)
thank you raconteurs!
love, carol

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust

by: Sigur Ros

Release Date June 24, 2008
3 1/2

Starting off briskly, the majestic quartet's up-tempo pop dabblings seem to have not hindered the new album at all, which includes something for everyone. Though they revisit their trademark sonic buildups and offer humble acoustic contrast, a certain balance just does not seem to have been struck in the track sequencing, tapering off in the final stretch, and often sounding like a collection of quite good b-sides instead of their latest release.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Santogold

by: Santogold

Release Date April 29, 2008
What a different and awesome sound this album has, I rock out to it whenever I can.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Dummy

by: Portishead

Release Date October 17, 1994
"Trip-hop"? "Downtempo"? Although it is a dark record, between Beth Gibbons' tortured voice, Geoff Barrows' beats, scratches and samples, and Adrian Utleys' jazzy guitar: this album is pure sex.

Don't believe me? Try it.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Last Night

by: Moby

Release Date April 01, 2008
Nice mix of musical genres, light vocals, very musical and open-minded and uncentered. If you are looking for something just a little off the beaten path but not too obscure then this album will soot you just fine.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Portishead

by: Portishead

Release Date September 30, 1997
I can't think of an instance since Elvis Costello's brilliant This Year's Model that an artist or group so thoroughly obliterated the sophomore jinx in the face of high expectations as Portishead did on this one. And Portishead did so in the same way: by ratcheting up the intensity to a severe level just hinted at in their excellent, but comparatively tame debut.

By taking their distinctive, eerie sound to a new level, Portishead created a nightmarish, heart-wrenchingly emotional, yet catchy groove quite unlike anything before or since.