Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

It's amazing how consistently brilliant Animal Collective is. It took me quite some time to understand their greatness, but now they're probably my favorite modern band.

Merriweather Post Pavilion is phenomenal, probably not as much as Strawberry Jam was, but phenomenal nonetheless.

"My Girls" is probably an early Song of the Year favorite. "Summertime Clothes" is a strong track as well.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this album. You can stream it for free at Domino Records' Australian myspace page.

So Highly Recommended It Hurts To Smile

The Constantines - Kensington Heights

I didn't think much of The Constantines' previous two albums, though they were critically lauded. This release shows The Constantines a little more consistent and a little more polished. "Hard Feelings" is a classic opener for the album. "Time Can Be Overcome" is genuine, heart-felt. The whole album reminds me of what Bruce Springsteen would sound like if he was in his 20s right now. Good stuff, for sure.

Recommended

Friendly Fires - S/T

Ok, so this one was a huge surprise! I initially downloaded it from eMusic because I wanted something I was unfamiliar with and something with a bouncy, dance sound. I fired the album up and listened to "Jump In The Pool" which immediately hooked me. Then, I was let down for the next 9 songs, non of which sounded all that similar to the opener. However, with each listen I've come to actually determine how brilliant the album is. The great trifecta of "White Diamonds", "Strobe" and "On Board", the latter of which is equally as engaging as "Jump In The Pool", really gives the record a huge boost into the late half of the album. "Lovesick" and "Skeleton Boy" are fabulous.

Of course, now you're starting to see them pop up everywhere. To quote "On Board", 'everyone's climbing on board'!

Can't Recommend It Enough

Muse - Black Holes & Revelations

This album actually took 3 separate purchases to grow on me (i.e. bought it, listened to it once or twice, hated it, sold it; repeat previous; bought 3rd time, loved it). Songs like "Starlight", "Knights of Cydonia", "Map of the Problematique" and "Take A Bow" really hooked me. Those 4 are fabulous songs that I could listen to over and over.

Unfortunately, for me, there are many giant mis-steps on the album. "Invincible" is pretty much un-listenable for me. As is "Soldier's Poem" and "Hoodoo". "Assassin" is a little better.

And then there are the forgettable-but-not-terrible songs like "Exo-Politics" and "City of Delusion".

Ultimately, the 4 great songs are enough for me to keep the album around. Luckily, Muse has released a live album, H.A.A.R.P., that's super-great and has all their hits spanning their 4 studio albums. I find myself hitting that album (or Absolution) more often if I need my Muse fix.

Barely Recommended

Bob Dylan - Blonde On Blonde

After listening to Nashville Skyline, which left a sour taste in my mouth, I had to listen to Bob doing Bob good. So I plugged in Blonde On Blonde this morning, and while it isn't my favorite Bob Dylan record, it's a great ride to take.

"Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" is one of the more popular songs for obvious reasons, but it's also the only track on the album I don't particularly like. But that's okay because it's not long before we run into pure greatness with "Visions of Johanna" and "One Of Us Must Know" and the top track, "Stuck Inside Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again".

Recommended

Bob Dylan - Nashville Skyline

Not my favorite Dylan album, but every once in a while I'll pull it out just to make sure it's not growing on me.

The new version of "Girl From the North Country" is terrible (in my opinion) even with the guest vocals of Johnny Cash.

The album really doesn't get good til...well, it really doesn't get that good. "Lay, Lady, Lay" is so pretentious that it seems out of the ordinary for a Bob Dylan song. In fact, the whole album feels unnatural. It sounds like one of the albums that you make for fun, but never to release. I'm sure there are fans of the album, and while I respect their opinion, I have trouble getting behind this release.

Skip It

Bruce Springsteen - Nebraska

Sparse blogging the last day or so. I've taken some time away from music to catch up on some other things. But my music fast was broken with arguably (IMO) The Boss' best album, Nebraska. It's a stripped down, acoustic album that's reminiscent of early 70s Bob Dylan records. I love every single minute of it. And you will too.

Highly recommended