Now, I buy a lot of cds. It is what I consider Music Therapy and the answer to calming my nerves after a day of big firm life. Two minutes in a cd store is better for my state of mind than an hour on a couch. Heck, sex and playing my bass are the only things that make me happier. I buy cds like Imeldia Marcos bought shoes.. like frat boys buy beer, like.. well you get the point. My collection is somewhere over the 1000 mark. My collection is also rather diverse (though I admit to a fixation with "indie" rock and a general lack of appreciation for Jazz/R&B/female fronted bands). My point is that If I had to pick 10 cds that were released this year that really stand out in my collection, these would be my picks:

Luna- Romantica. We all know where I stand re: Luna, but truly this cd is on line with Penthouse for being "Best of Artist". Serious lazy afternoon, beer sipping music to listen to while pondering loves lost and loves yet to be had (or just to make love to... whatever...) Luna's been reenergized by the appearance of new bassist Britta Philips (perhaps even more so by her relationship with sexy front man Dean Wareham). Witty lyrics, melodic guitars and a persistent rhythm section put this cd at numero uno.

Calexico- Scraping... This cd does a decent job capturing the live excitement of Calexico. Picture a soundtrack to a movie set in the steamy desert (or to a Cormac McCarthy novel) Dark, tinged with loneliness and longing and the haunting brass of a mariachi band. If I had to sum up the sound of Calexico, I'd say it's a desert sunset with a bottle of tequila and not a soul in sight.. Music accented by the pedal steel, trumpets and a stand-up bass. Truly unique and truly exciting. Brought to us by the rhythm section of desert rockers Giant Sand (Joey Burns and John Covertino).

Interpol- Turn On the Bright Lights. I fought this purchase. I am tired of the idea of the "next band to save rock and roll". I think the Hives, Strokes and Vines, while a heck of a lot more interesting then most radio/corporate rock, are really not all that. Don't get me wrong, I find some of their stuff enjoyable and some even good, but not enough to deserve such a tag. So, when Interpol started getting the same tag, I hesitated. That is of course until I heard a song other than NYC (which I think is by far the weakest song on the album). I'm hooked. Great, throbbing bass. I mean throbbing in the most sensual way possible. Yeah, the singing is circa Joy Division, but in the most complimentary way possible. These guys have talent (and they are NY'rs) I look forward to catching them live. I went home one day and blared the bass line to Obstacle 2 in an attempt to learn and perfect it. This is music I can't sit down and listen to and is great for that jumpstart in the morning I need to drag myself to work.