Frequent Spins (2008.4)

I was in what I'd call an extended music rut there for a while. Though I've been coming out of it of late, and although I am still not feeling totally inspired to write much about the recent releases I've enjoyed, I'm going to give it a whirl. So, here's what I've listened to and appreciated since I last wrote a Frequent Spins entry.

Centro-Matic - Dual Hawks
Recently saw these guys play the Middle East Upstairs, and as usual they failed to disappoint. Dual Hawks is a double-disc split release with their alter ego, South San Gabriel, and the SSG disc is solid as well, though I haven't spent all that much time with it yet.

Cloud Cult - Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes)
Clocking in at just 39 minutes, this album fails to capture the band's penchant for treading the fine line between epic and overdone, but it's still a really enjoyable effort from one of my new favorites.

The Low Lows - Shining Violence
A little reminiscent of the lo-fi sound of early My Morning Jacket here.

M83 - Saturdays = Youth
When a co-worker asked me to burn her a copy of this, it prompted me to give it another chance after I had inexplicably dismissed it prematurely. It turned out to be a smart move, as this one's been growing on me little by little ever since.

Mates of State - Re-Arrange Us
Another strong effort from the only twee pop band that really matters.

Matthew Ryan - Matthew Ryan Vs. The Silver State
Back in the days when I used to read comic books, I found it confusing when an issue would be referred to as a "Super Hero Team Up", yet it would be titled Hero #1 Vs. Hero #2. Were they teaming up or battling each other? Am I confused as to the meaning of the word versus? The same concept applies here. Matthew Ryan teams up with a band called The Silver State, but apparently they're both fans of the Golden Age of Marvel Comics.

Sun Kil Moon - April
The proper follow up to 2003's debut, Ghosts of the Great Highway, is further evidence of the genius of Mark Kozelek.

Also spin-worthy
The Apples in Stereo - Electronic Projects for Musicians
Eef Barzelay - Lose Big
The Black Keys - Attack & Release
Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
The Futureheads - This is Not the World
The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
R.E.M. - Accelerate
Shearwater - Rook
Spiritualized - Songs in A & E
Tindersticks - The Hungry Saw