Jack White -- "Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy"

Jack White I have missed you so much. Like everyone (ever) I absolutely love Jack White. There is nothing the man can do wrong. However, when I read of the White Stripes break up, I did get worried that his career might slip a bit. Fortunately, the release of Blunderbuss has proved me wrong. This album is like hearing from a dear old friend. It has made me smile more than any other record this year. Bob Boilen's interview with Jack White hits on this notion precisely. Boilen discusses how this album is familiar sounding in the best way possible. I feel that 50 years from now people will look back on this record in the same way that people have looked upon early Dylan, Neil Young, and Lennon solo records. Some of you may think that this analogy is a bit of a stretch, but give it time... For me, Jack White has meant more to music than any other musician of the last 20 years.



Jack White: How I Made 'Blunderbuss'

Oberhofer -- "Gold"

If anyone remembers (doubt it), a few years back I posted about a young up and coming band named Oberhofer. At the time they had just a few singles released, but finally they have moved onto the big leauges, releaseing their first album, Time Capsules II, on Glassnote Records. While the album is not perfect, the record is filled with beautifully charming melodies. The one that has really stood out to me is actually the one that started it all for this band. Written in the lead singer's head at the age of 17, the song was written to his then girlfriend. In fact, most of the record are about young lust and love. Often times, songs of this nature are somewhat annoying and twee, but they really work on this record. There is something admirably charming about this whole album, especially this song. If you dig this, certainty to check out Time Capsules II, it won't dissapoint.

Oberhofer -- "Gold"

Dirty Projectors -- "Gun Has No Trigger"

Dirty Projectors, a wacky Brooklyn collective led by Dave Longstreth, have been one of my favorite bands for a few years now for many reasons. For one, the musicality is amazing. Secondly, they write great lyrics. Lastly, and most importantly, they look and create music in a completely new way to me. There is something about this band that is just so captivating and beautiful to me. They are certainly not a band that are an easy first listen, but I would highly suggest their 2009 release, Bitte Orca, which is a classic in my eyes. This newest single from their forthcoming album, Swing Low Magellan, might be my song of the year thus far. Again, it epitomizes exactly why I love this band. The lyrical imagery is just beautiful, the musicality and singing is out of this world, and lastly I haven't heard something like this maybe ever (well not since Bitte Orca). Based on this first single, "Gun Has No Trigger," I am picking Swing Low Magellen for my album of the year.... yeah, I know... it's a little preemptive, but HEY! a guy could dream you know?

15 Albums of the Year... thus far

Well, the year is already about a quarter over... and because I am a complete nerd and I love making lists.... here are my favorite 15 albums of the year (in no particular order)

- Andrew Bird -- Break It Yourself
- Chairlift -- Something
- Cloud Nothings -- Attack On Memory
- Damien Jurado -- Maraqopa
- Dr. Dog -- Be The Void
- Grimes -- Visions
- Hospitality -- Hospitality 
- John Talabot -- fIN
- Lambchop -- Mr. M
- Leonard Cohen -- Old Ideas
- The Men -- Open Your Heart
- Punch Brothers -- Who's Feeling Young Now?
- Sharon Van Etten -- Tramp
- The Shins -- Port of Morrow
- Spoek Mathambo -- Father Creeper