Jens Lekman – Oh You’re So Silent Jens (Secretly Canadian)
Great, melancholic, heart-on-sleeve songwriting that recalls the best of Jonathan Richman, but clearly exists in its own universe. Ignore the haters who focus on his unlicensed sample of a song by The Left Banke and just listen.
The Gun Club -Miami (Sympathy for the Record Industry)
“Brother and Sister” and “Texas Serenade” are the best songs here and both make me sing along and give me chills up my spine simultaneously. It often gets less attention than their also terrific debut Fire of Love, but that’s too bad because this has better sound, more diversity and better songwriting.
Gilmore Girls (Tuesday, WB)
There won’t be any new episodes until January, so I’ve just been watching the previous seasons to get my fix. I just found the season 3 box set used at the Princeton Record Exchange for $9.99.
Voxtrot – Raised by Wolves EP (Cult Hero)
One of my favorite new bands, this one is a treat for anyone who’s a fan of The Smiths and Belle and Sebastian.
Simple Minds – New Gold Dream (A&M)
This album displays the influence of Roxy Music’s later records much like their earlier records were influenced by Bryan Ferry and company’s heavier and more experimental leanings. Nevertheless, this is a beautiful slice of pop sophistication with brilliant songwriting.
The OC (Thursday, Fox)
Just try saying “Chrismukkah Bar Mitzvah” 10 times in a row!
Serena Maneesh – Serena Maneesh(Honeymilk)
Amazing psych-rock from Norway. They’re playing here in January. I can’t wait! This record isn’t easy to find but you can get it HERE:”http://www.honeymilk.no/”.
Art Brut – Bang Bang Rock and Roll (Fierce Panda)
“I’ve seen her naked…TWICE!” has to be one of the best lines of the year.
The Fall – Shift Work (Fontana)
Initially, I didn’t like this 1991 release very much, but after going back to it recently, I’ve concluded that it’s one of their better ‘90s releases and the best of their 3 albums for Fontana. “Edinburgh Man” shows off main man Mark E. Smith in a surprisingly romantic and vulnerable light while “Idiot Joy Showland” shows him off in typical ranting form.
The Gun Club -Mother Juno (Sympathy for the Record Industry)
I’ve been on a big kick recently, so I thought that I would include another one of their records here. This one is a bit weird since it was produced by Robin Guthrie of Cocteau Twins, so it sounds like a cross between The Gun Club’s previous work and the ethereal pop of the producer’s main band, but with results like the gorgeous “Yellow Eyes” and the ethereal “Breaking Hands”, it definitely works.
