What I’m Listening To At The Moment
Cat Power – The Greatest:
Folks in Atlanta know her as Chan Marshall, but Cat Power is the original indie husky-voiced siren in a niche now crowded with the likes of Norah Jones, Rachael Yamagata, Susie Suh, et al. It’s both depressing and uplifting at the same time, mainly because of her backing band, comprised of session players who are veterans of the Memphis soul scene of the 70s.

Belle And Sebastian – The Life Pursuit:
The new B&S record is kind of boring, to be honest. My favorite track is the recent UK single "Funny Little Frog" – it’s goofy, but it works.

KT Tunstall – Eye To The Telescope:
If Tori Amos or Fiona Apple were from Scotland, they’d be KT Tunstall – which is infinitely more fun and interesting than either Tori Amos or Fiona Apple. "Suddenly I See" is the standout track (and a huge hit in the UK).

Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am That’s What I’m Not
This record sold over 300,000 copies in its first week of sale last month in the UK, which would be like a band selling over 3 million CDs in one week here. Pretty impressive for a debut album from a Yorkshire indie rock band that sounds like every other indie rock band from that part of the world. I don’t really get what separates these guys from The Futureheads, The Music, Kasabian, Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs, and all the others, but if you like all those other bands, this one’s a decent listen as well. "I Bet That You Look Good On The Dance Floor" and "When The Sun Goes Down" are the best tracks. They’re also pictured in the current issue of Blender with bottles of Newcastle Brown Ale and cans of Boddington’s Pub Ale and Tetley’s English Ale, so at least they have good taste in beer.

Jenny Lewis With The Watson Twins – Rabbit Fur Coat:
The queen of the L.A. indie-electropop scene (lead singer of the fantastic Rilo Kiley and muse of The Postal Service) makes a country-gospel album. And it’s really good. This one’s a great record to fall asleep to, or maybe to stay in bed to on a rainy Sunday morning.

Q-Unit:
File this one under stupid in a good way. A mashup of Queen and 50 Cent by some dude in California. Check it out HERE if you’re brave enough to listen to tracks such as "Crazy Little Pimp Called Love" and "We Will Rock You In Da Club". The picture of 50 with a Freddie Mercury mustache photoshopped on him cracks me up.

The Corrs – Home:
I don’t care if it’s a man card offense, I love The Corrs (well, not the brother). This CD from Dundalk’s finest is a compilation from their mother’s songbook. It’s a mix of traditional Irish songs and a few more contemporary covers, and as always the production and Andrea’s voice are flawless. Other top 40 music groups should take a lesson – this is how a pop record is supposed to sound.

The Roy Owens Jr. – "Commercial Radio Ruined My Chances At Greatness":
Local darling Kelly Hogan guests with Andrew Quinn (of local indie label International Hits) and his Atlanta bar band. I have been listening to this track almost literally nonstop for more than a week now, and I’m still not sick of it. Check it out for yourself HERE.

Virgo Loves Cancer – "The Flowers":
Who says myspace is useless? Well, me, usually – but I love this track from the Cranford, New Jersey indie band. Hottie chick singer/bassist with breathy vocals? Yes, please. Listen to it at their myspace page HERE.

Lastly, if I haven’t already bugged you about it, you should check out Pandora. You enter in a band or two that you like, and it creates a playlist based on your suggestions, which you can further tweak by telling it whether or not you like a particular track that it has selected to play. I’ve created a couple different "stations", and it’s been a great way to hear bands and tracks that I hadn’t heard before. It’s way better than American commercial radio, that’s for sure. Props to Jay for cluing me in on it.
- posted by Liebs @ 1:34 PM