I always forget which people I tell to get which CD. So, I'll just post my new music here and everyone can read. It should be noted that this music is only new to me. A number of these albums are not brand new.

cd1: The Mysterious Production of Eggs by Andrew Bird (an '05 cd). (Thanks to Jenny for turning me onto this fella's music) The way that I have decided to sum up this cd is a musical version of a Wes Anderson movie. The music is light and flows wonderfully, yet the lyrics are filled with anxiety. This is especially demonstrated in the song Measuring Cups. Highly suggested to people who like Radiohead or slower indie rock. He's also got a new one out this year called Armchair Apocrypha, which is also good, but not as much so in my opinion as Mysterious Production.

cd2: The Flying Club Cup by Beirut. This is the first Beirut CD I've heard, and I'm really addicted to this cd. It intentionally sounds all 1920's... mixed with modern folk-interpretation music. Not in recording quality (that's very nice), but rather in the instruments chosen. The lineup includes (but is not limited to) a very pronounced accordion, heavy percussion, a number of stringed instruments (clearly I'm no music major) and possibly even a Tuba, but I'll have to ask my classically trained brother on that. Highly recommended for people who like The Decemberists.

cd3: Gypsy Punks Underground World Strike by Gogol Bordello (2005 I'm behind the times on this one). Another mix of folk and modern music. This time, as the title suggests, Gypsy sounding music and Punk (with a little dub for good measure). The singer's voice sounds like Tom Waits or, according to my brother, that insult comic dog. So, prepare because his voice certainly not for everyone.

cd4: Favourite Worst Nightmare by The Arctic Monkeys. I've been a fan of the Arctic Monkeys for a while as I'm a bit of a sucker for indie from the UK. I really dig the singer's voice. He will stream out a line of words with various pitch variations, and then drop a word or two with such great force that you can't ignore it. I also like how sometimes he can let all vocal force trail off at the end of a line, so that it can blend into a guitar solo or something similar, leaving you hanging. Of course the music is guitar heavy with some drums to keep the beat and its poppy as hell. If you like fast-paced poppy indie sounding music go for it!

cd5: The Good the Bad and the Queen self-titled. This band sounds like... either everything or nothing. It's got influences from across the board. It's got band members from across the board (The Clash, The Verve, Gorillaz [and Blur], and one member of Fela Kuti's band). Punk, pop, and Jazz, and I can't really peg which song is influenced by which previous band, highly eclectic. If I were to relate it to any one band it'd probably Electric Light Orchestra (I know, that comes out of nowhere). Check with real music critics if you want to really read what they're about musically. I'll just say it's really fun, but I wouldn't expect much radio play so go buy the CD.

cd6: We were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank by Modest Mouse. I've had this for a bit, but I haven't had a chance to go through the entire cd until last week. I kinda want to say "more of the same," but if you ask me that's exactly what I want from Modest Mouse. Their music is instantly distinguishable from anyone else, and yet the tend to put something a little unique into each of their songs. There seem to be less of the minor annoyances I find in a couple other cds, namely songs that are endlessly repetitious; "dance hall" from Good News comes directly to mind. I'll just hope that they keep it up. I'm not sure how they stayed out of the popular mainstream (they did get pretty close with float on), but I hope it continues. I love their philosophically injected lyrics and the drastic rhythmic changes that can occur in the course of just one song (parting of the sensory is a good example). Fire it up is definitely one of Modest Mouse's best. A rock song with such a slow beat has never given off so much energy. This one is probably not their most "accessible" albums. If you've never purchased a Modest Mouse cd I'd go ahead and check out "Good News for People who Like Bad News."


Oh shit, I've got a bunch math due tomorrow at 9. I'm out. More to come!
-Andy