What are you Listening to?

These are the top 5 abums that I'm listening to at the moment.

What are yours?

(Hit the comment button at the bottom of this post!)

Arcade Fire – Funeral
The best album of 2005. It’s full of energy and innovative melodies with unusual instrumentation. Chaos and harmony simultaneously.

Black Mountain
Psychedelic rock from the 70’s with a modern feel.

Martha Wainwright
She comes from a musical family with outstanding credentials but she makes her own very personal heartfelt music.

I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness - Fear is on Our Side
Solid and interesting indie rock – heavily influenced by Joy Division and Talk Talk. Listen to this in the dark at your own peril.

My Morning Jacket – Z

The second best album of 2005. They’ve honed their songwriting skills to produce this stunning rock album.

I LOVE YOU BUT I'VE CHOSEN DARKNESS - Fear is on our side

Band: I LOVE YOU BUT I'VE CHOSEN DARKNESS
Album: Fear is on our side
Label: Secretly Canadian

For it to take a label that is primarily responsible for some of the best Americana and the number one album of 2005 all over, Antony and the Johnsons' 'I am a bird now', to release what could possibly described as the next best thing since Interpol's 'Turn on the Bright Lights' -- it could only be something you'll need to investigate for yourself.

ILYBICD invoke a later Talk Talk with a darker Ride circa their 'Nowhere' album; or 'Ferment' era Catherine Wheel hijacked by a gothier Morrissey. Or at the very least the once frontman of The Smiths sitting on the sidelines at an 80's prom night with his heartcarved sleeve in the name of heartbreak and heartache, before swallowing his pride to take turns slowdancing with Joy Division and the Cure.

With an earlier Britt Daniel (Spoon) produced EP to add to the allure, this is a much darker affair and maybe far better off for it. Atmospheric goth post-punk? Nostalgia or narcotics? Let me put it this way maybe. If the Donnie Darko soundtrack needed any more recent bands to add to the 80's filled soundtrack in an OC fashion, there would be plenty of songs on 'Fear is on our side' to choose from. Only thing is, that would most surely put them in the spotlight when if they would be destined to remain in the shadows just a little longer, they could produce an even better album with the next one. Only time (and trends) will tell.
~ Reviewer: Riaan (Canned Applause)

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KRIS KRISTOFFERSON - This Old Road

Artist: KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
Album: This Old Road
Label: New West

As played on Richard Haslop’s Roots to Fruits show (SAFM Wednesdays 11:00pm). Richard is of the opinion that this political album may be his best yet!

Prominently reviewed in March MOJO - **** 4 Star Review.

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OKKERVIL RIVER - Black Sheep Boy

Band: OKKERVIL RIVER
Album: Black Sheep Boy
Label: Jagjaguwar

Sometimes folky, sometimes alt.rock, sometimes orchestral (or all three at once) but always interesting. Their sound is "strongly founded on dark and profound lyrics". Some of these songs can make you care and cry at the same time. Thoughtful, melodic, laid back and somewhat country tinged with an evil streak that strikes just when you think you've got it all worked out. If you like Bright Eyes and Palace/ Bonnie "Prince" Billy/ Will Oldham you'll find this will fluff your nighty-night pillow. Introspective without being whiny.

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