Fountains of Wayne – Sky Full of Holes
Fountains of Wayne have been crafting hummable power-pop based on life’s mundane details for about 15 years now. Their ability to tell a story in song using simple minutiae rivals Paul McCartney. This album is a little more mature than its predecessors. There is more depth and meaning behind those details. It also happens to be their most consistent album in over a decade.
Girls – Father, Son, Holy Ghost
Girls continue their bedroom symphonies with this album. They sound like two kids who listened to a bunch of singer/songwriter, surf-rock, and emo while complaining about girls in high school. It should be terrible, but their songcraft is so strong and their emotions are so relatable. We can all remember when boy/girl things seemed like the most important thing in the world.
The Head and the Heart – The Head and the Heart
It’s hard to describe this band’s sound and do it justice. Is it indie rock, folk, alt-country, or classic rock? I don’t know what genre bucket I would put it in, but I know it’s amazing. Different organic instruments layer in and out of songs at the exact right time, along with sound effects. Every song on the album feels like a well-worn classic. It as if from the first moment you hear this music, you’ve known it your whole life, right down to the rhythms, melodies, and lyrics. It’s my favorite record of the year.
Lyyke Li – Wounded Rhymes
This is danceable indie-pop at its best. Lykke Li’s accent gives her voice an otherworldly vibe that is intensified with reverb. The electric noises blend seamlessly with the traditional instruments into a pleasant and uniform pastiche. Lyyke Li lyrically uses metaphors an American or British band wouldn’t consider. All in all, Wounded Rhymes is a great package.
Maritime – Human Hearts
Maritime’s mid-tempo indie-pop, with its half-sung, half-spoken vocals, doesn’t grab you immediately. But once it gets a hold of you it doesn’t let go.
Miles Davis Quintet - Live in Europe 1967 – Best of the Bootleg Series Vol. 1
Davis' second quintet is considered one of the greatest jazz combos of all time. This is a set of live recordings when they were at one of their many creative peaks. They were also playing incredibly tight. Live in Europe 1967 is a must listen for jazz fans.
Honorable Mentions:
- Cage the Elephant – Thank You Happy Birthday
- Feist – Metals
- Low – C’mon
- My Morning Jacket – Circuital
- The Book of Mormon Original Cast Recording
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