Dave Heaton: July 2, 2006

There’s So Much Great Music Coming Out These Days

1. Lisa Germano – In the Maybe World (Young God)

   An underrated songwriter/performer releases her best work yet. Mesmerizing and truly unique.

2. The Like Young – Last Secrets (Polyvinyl)

   The pop/rock record of the year so far, as far as I’m concerned. You need this blaring out your car speakers this summer.

3. 7L & Esoteric – A New Dope (Babygrande)

   Previously on the straightlaced and purist side of things, with this album the Boston duo shoots for the stars and gets there, with a distinct style that’s equal parts space exploration and old-school block-party hip-hop.

4. The Handsome Family – Last Days of Wonder (Carrot Top)

   Country on the purist traditional side, I guess, but this album has such an evocative mood about it – that late night/early morning sort of quiet, peaceful yet eerie.

5. Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys – Turntable Matinee (Yep Roc)

   Another fairly retro group in style, but they’re so good at the country-swing meets early rock thing that they do, and this album might be their best.

6. Fiel Garvie – Caught Laughing (Words on Music)

   This consistently enchanting UK band offers another sad, beautiful, and magic collection of melodic dream-pop balladry.

7. Smoosh – Free to Stay (Barsuk)

   Such a fresh pop sound, a really delightful album.

8. Camera Obscura – Let’s Get Out of This Country (Merge)

   I can’t get over how strong this album’s songs and performances are; this Scottish pop group (with serious country and ‘50s girl group tendencies) has flown under people’s radars for too long, and I’m glad to see that this album might be changing that.

9. Track a Tiger – Woke Up Early the Day I Died (Future Appletree)

   Introspective, meditative, quiet/gentle sort of pop-rock that’s really vivid and moving.

10. People Under the Stairs – Stepfather (Basement)

    This hip-hop duo’s most ambitious, and best, album yet, showing you can look to the past and still be pushing music forward.