Mount Eerie - Wind's Poem (2009)

I'm going to start right off the bat by saying that this record is Phil Elverum's best work since 2001's The Glow Pt. 2. I know. Big words, right? This isn't a "Phil's getting back to his roots" sort of thing, the two records sound nothing alike. He just happened to make one of the best headphones records ever. Trust me on this one, if you play it through speakers, you'll miss little nuances and do a disservice to both yourself and the record. Back in 2009, Phil got REALLY into black metal and decided to make a black metal album of his very own. Don't worry, you're not going to get a Venom record here. It's got slow-moving, gradual synths and droned guitar tones while still retaining the vocals that long time listeners of The Microphones/Mount Eerie cherish so dearly.

Music nerd trivia: "Between Two Mysteries" includes elements of "Twin Peaks Theme" by Angelo Badalementi.

Music nerd trivia (cont.): A section of lyrics from the track "Stone's Ode" were taken from the Burzum song, "Dunkelheit" (Varg Vikernes is still an asshole, though.)

For fans of: The Microphones, Thanksgiving, Xasthur

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Pop Unknown - If Arsenic Fails, Try Algebra (2000)

While they might not have been the poster boys for the second wave emo movement or the Midwest sound it became synonymous with, Austin, TX's Pop Unknown put out a record on Deep Elm in 2000 that was a perfect representation of the genre. If you like your emo untainted by whining, this record is for you. If you look back on the time when burning CDs was cool and nobody had an iPod with a smile, then this record is definitely for you.

For fans of: Christie Front Drive, The Gloria Record, Sunny Day Real Estate, Boy's Life

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The Ethnographers - The Ethnographers (2009)

This is the eponymous debut record by Greenville, NC indie septet The Ethnographers, and before reading the rest of this, you should click on the link below and begin the download. No, really. I'm serious. Every second not listening to this album is a second that is seriously lacking in the aural wonder department. Go ahead, click it. I'll wait. Got it? Good. Now we can continue. Where was I? Oh yes... Well, by now you're probably thinking, "What the hell? What makes this record so great?" I'll tell you. This album takes the ingredients to regular old cookies and ends up baking you a giant delicious cake (See? The cake is NOT a lie). The record opens with "The Trouble with Sleeping," which actually opens the door to the record and leads the listener into the first gem in the collection, a song called "Fine and Dandelions," which, like Maritime's "Guns of Navarone," makes the listener feel a sudden need to get up and dance. The combined vocals of lead singers Megan Kennedy and Danielle Eiler, as well as those of keyboardist Sam Hollen compliment each other in a way that's not been seen since Kanye West caught a glimpse of his own face in a reflection. The next track, "The Marathon Runner," reveals another layer of the band, introducing guitar work akin to I Was a Cub Scout's first (and well, only) record. "Avec Moi" is a must for George A. Romero fans, or those who like upbeat and unsullied pop, or those who possess the ability to hear, really. "I Was Young Once" contains vocals that combine Heathers-style harmonies with a lot of balls behind them. "Looking Eyes, Holding Hearts" is a song that sounds like it floats on waves that have been caused by the thumps of a heartbeat, and is then followed by "Grandfather Said," which introduces the listener to the vocal stylings of guitarist Ian Collins, which blends with the other vocalists in an almost uncanny way. We've reached the point where I've decided to end this track by track synopsis because if you'd followed the directions at the beginning, you'd be hearing it for yourself now, wouldn't you? If per chance you're the kid that payed attention in class, but didn't follow directions, then now's your chance to catch up. Besides, who likes spoilers, anyway? For a band with seven members, nothing ever feels cluttered or unbalanced. Everyone in the band has a part that compliments the other six members, which is a rarity in itself, and now you, the listener have been given an opportunity to indulge in said rarity, and this is only the beginning! If this is the band's On Avery Island, I can't wait to hear what their In the Aeroplane Over the Sea will sound like.

For fans of: Stars, I Was a Cub Scout, Lowry

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Ida Maria - Fortress Round My Heart (2008)

This album just makes you want to move. Dance, jump, even shake, rattle and roll if you feel like it. Fortress Round My Heart is the debut release by Norwegian-born musician Ida Maria. This record has spawned six singles, including "Oh My God," "Keep Me Warm" (which was recently featured on the sappy medical show, you know the one...), and my personal favorite, "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked." With this and a Daytrotter session under her belt, Ida Maria's here with a fist, a snarl and a smile and she's not going anywhere anytime soon.

For fans of: Noisettes, Florence + the Machine, Kate Nash

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Dr. Dog - We All Belong (2007)

This album is an original journey that passes through the land of nostalgia a few times along the way. The fourth full-length release from Philadelphia indie psych outfit Dr. Dog, We All Belong includes the warm sound of records of the 1960s, the most obvious of which would most likely be Pet Sounds. Despite this, you'll find no evidence of plagiarism. In fact, quite the contrary. this record houses uniquely original melodies and songs, including "My Old Ways" and "Old News." This album is for fans of music, quite simply. Dig in.

For fans of: Fruit Bats, The Beatles, of Montreal, The Beach Boys

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Winterpills - Winterpills (2005)

The album cover says more than words do, but I'll write them anyway. The air around you will never sound as melancholy as when this record is playing. Soft guitar opens the door to the dulcet male/female vocals of Philip Price and Flora Reed on the album's opener, "A Benediction," and just keeps going onwards and upwards from there. The eponymous debut of this Northampton, MA band floats like a leaf on the wind, and yet manages to carry the weight of a world on its melodies. A few choice tracks one ought not to miss include (but are not limited to) "Pills for Sara," "Cranky," and "Laughing." I mean, come on, you gotta love something from Massachusetts that for once does not include the phrase, "wicked re-TAH-ted."

For fans of: Great Northern, The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers, The Rosebuds, The Wooden Birds

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I Was a Cub Scout - I Want You to Know That There Is Always Hope (2008)

Guitars? Check. Pleasant heartfelt vocals? Check. Delighful layers of synth? Check. Kickass drummer? Check. "I Want You to Know That There is Always Hope," the first and only release by William Bowerman and Todd Marriott under the name I Was a Cub Scout is the latest in the line of great musical collaboration in the past few years. The Postal Service did it with "Give Up," The Mountain Goats and Kaki King did it with "Black Pear Tree" and I Was a Cub Scout don't miss a beat with this record. In the same aspect of albums like "The Ugly Organ" or "Good News for People Who Love Bad News," the first few tracks seem to flow together seamlessly. The first song, "Save Your Wishes" (the single that got the band a lot of recognition on eyeToones) is a tale of too little too late, giving someone yourself, getting nothing in return and then having them want you after you've been hurt and they miss the attention. Marriott's feelings towards the song's subject are best displayed in the chorus, "Save your wishes 'cause they won't help you and keep your kisses, as they're unwanted." Gang vocals and drums galore flesh out the following track, "Echoes" and go straight into "Lucean." The fourth song, "Pink Squares," is probably the band's most well known song, both released as a single and having been made into a music video. Neil Young once said that it was better to burn out than to fade away, and while it was sad to see something so good end so soon, it comes as a relief that it ended before it had the chance to jump the shark.

For fans of: DARTZ!, Hot Club de Paris, Tellison

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The Wooden Birds - Magnolia (2009)

This album marks Andrew Kenny's return to Austin, TX after quite a bit of time spent in Brooklyn, and what a triumphant return it is. Kenny, most famous for his previous efforts as the centerpiece for The American Analog Set, applies his trademark mellow vocals and minimalist guitar to "Magnolia," the debut album from his latest project, The Wooden Birds. "False Alarm" and "Sugar" were the first two tracks to be uploaded to the band's MicePace page, and AmAnSet fans everywhere hit their heads on the ceiling while jumping for joy. Another fantastic addition to this project, is that of Leslie Sisson (of Aero Wave, Western keys and also a known AmAnSet collaborator) on guitar and vocals, most notably in the track "Seven Seventeen." This record has an unobtrusive yet astonishing power, something hard to do and even harder to find. Luckily, we've done the finding for you. Enjoy.

For fans of: The American Analog Set, Western Keys, Aero Wave, Matt Pond PA

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The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers - The Mother of Love Emulates the Shapes of Cynthia (2005)

I acquired this not too long after it was released and it is still one of my favorite records to this day. A splendid union of perfections and imperfections, "The Mother of Love Emulates the Shapes of Cynthia" houses astute and pensive lyrics that ride a highway of soft vocal melodies to a musical amalgamation of guitars both electric and acoustic, vibraphones, strings and even a drum machine here and there. The opening track, "The Eventual Intimate of So Much Nostalgia," is unassuming and calm at first, but by the time the listener knows what's going on, they're already down the rabbit hole and on to the next track, one of my personal favorites, "Concerning Lessons Learned by the Aliens." "Archaeopteryx" is a number filled with a fun amount of programmed elements, which leads into "Ammunition for a Bolt," a song delightfully reminiscent of The Faint's earlier work. "Above the Waves" contains one of my favorite lyrics, "We are the cavemen in the Garden of Eden. Frail, fucked up fossils - obsolete and useless. Now that we design our days, how will you stay above the waves?" If bands like Bright Eyes and Cursive are ingredients to the indie kid's starter kit, this album is for some of the more advanced pupils, but nevertheless remains a vital part of the record collection. And yes, their name IS a reference to The Big Lebowski, in case you were wondering.

For fans of: The Physics of Meaning, Belle and Sebastian, Eels, Now It's Overhead

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Eulogies - Here Anonymous (2009)

The sound of this band is really an amalgamation of sounds. The vocals of Peter Walker are a quilt woven together from the fabrics that make up the voices of Win Butler and Alec Ounsworth, most notably in the track "Eyes on the Prize". The bass lines of Tim Hutton take a cue from Julian Koster and Nicholas Harmer, while Chris Reynolds and Drew Phillips' drum and guitar tracks show simliarities with Jason McGerr and Chris Walla, respectively. It's a shame that Tim Hutton parted ways with the band during the recording of this album. Nikki Monninger of Silversun Pickups makes a guest appearance on the track "Two Can Play," an airy duet in which the vocals roll over the bass line and light drums as fog rolls over a highway. This record was co-produced by Hrishikesh Hirway of The One AM Radio, and if this is the end result of just the sophomore effort, I can't wait to see what the future holds.

For fans of: Arcade Fire, Death Cab for Cutie, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Earlimart

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Damon & Naomi - The Earth Is Blue (2005)

This record has been sitting in my collection for a while and until recently I'd forgotten why I bought it. This album is something that one takes off of work so they can drive 3 hours to the coast to jump in and swim around in. The opening track, "Beautiful Close Double" sets the mood and all of a sudden the listener is lying on their back, floating on the surface of this record to where its current takes them. One feels a wave of familiarity along with the refreshing cool of something new during the sixth track, a cover of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Come on in, the water's fine.

For fans of: Azure Ray, Lavender Diamond, Now It's Overhead

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