Somewhere In The City - Tobias Froberg

I was really looking forwards to this record. I heard ‘When The Night Turns Cold’ a while ago and loved it, however the rest of the album is just ‘alright’. (30 Words)

5/10

Highlights:
When The Night Turns Cold

Links:
Tobias Froberg’s Website

Bang Bang Rock & Roll - Art Brut

'We are going to be the band that writes the song/That makes Israel and Palestine get along.’

Genius pop-art punk. (21 Words)

8/10

Highlights:
Formed A Band
My Little Brother
Moving To L.A.

Links:
Art Brut's Website
Pitchfork's review of Bang Bang Rock & Roll

Rise - The Answer

When I first put this album on, I was so pleased by the fact that it smelt like a 1973 rock album. Then I reaslised that that’s all it was. (30 Words)

4/10

Highlights:
Under The Sky
Never Too Late

Links:
The Answer's Website

Crisis - Alexisonfire

Ah, Screamo....

This is what happens when your mum says that she 'quite likes My Chemical Romance' so you have to raise the stakes.

Pure comedy. Only it's serious. (29 Words)

2/10

Highlights:

Links:
Alexisonfire's Website

Howling Bells - Howling Bells

Classic indie-rock with a little bit of shoe-gazerishness added to the mix. Really understated and raw but with a lot of energy and a fantastic lead singer. (29 Words)

8/10

Highlights:
Low Happening
Broken Bones
The Night Is Young

Links:
Howling Bells' Website

Boys And Girls In America - The Hold Steady

I like this album. It’s like that child in school that tries really hard but always ends up with average marks: A for effort, C for achievement.

Solid and enjoyable. (30 Words)

6/10

Highlights:
Stuck Between Stations
Same Kooks
Massive Nights

Links:
The Hold Steady's Website
Pitchfork's review of Boys And Girls In America

The Beautiful Lie - Ed Harcourt

I usually try not to gush over albums or artists, but I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this.

Incredibly crafted songs performed brilliantly.
(23 Words)

9/10

Highlights:
Whirlwind In D Minor
I Am The Drug
Visit From The Dead Dog

Links:
Ed Harcourt's Website

Datarock - Datarock

Indie-punk-dance music that is an absolute joy to listen to. Lots of pop culture references built into oddly catchy leftfield tracks.

Datarock rock. And they're Norwegian. (28 Words)

7/10

Highlights:
Bulldoser
Computer Camp Love
Night Flight To Uranus

Links:
Datarock's Website
Pitchfork's review of Datarock

Gulag Orkestar - Beirut

Dusty, old-worldy, and different to most of the music I’ve been listening to lately. Gypsy-rocking goodness that reminds me of how TV presents the Balkans circa 1930. (29 Words)

7/10

Highlights:
Gulag Orkestar
Postcards From Italy

Links:
Beirut's Website
Pitfork's review of Gulag Orkestar

Robbers & Cowards - Cold War Kids

An energetic, spiky, indie-punk album that is as clever as it is accessible. Touted as one of the bands to watch in 2007, and with good reason.

8/10

Highlights:
We Used To Vacation
Hang Me Up To Dry
Robbers

Links:
Cold War Kids' Website
Pitchfork's review of Robbers & Cowards

Empire - Kasabian

The Suzi Quatro/glam sounding stuff is OK as a guilty pleasure, but everything here has been robbed wholesale from better bands of other eras.

John Squire should sue. (29 Words)

3/10

Highlights:
Empire

Links:
Kasabian's Website

Standing In The Way Of Control - Gossip

An album where the band are much better than the singer. Karaoke vocals from a girl who can sing loudly if not well.

It’s just not very good. (28 Words)

2/10

Highlights:
Standing In The Way Of Control (Le Tigre Remix)

Links:
Gossip's Website
Pitchfork's review of Standing In The Way Of Control

Someone To Drive You Home - The Long Blondes

An intelligent anthology of songs with a dirty, jaded late 50s/early 60's glamour to it. This is an album that oozes sex appeal but still keeps some rough edges. (30 Words)

9/10

Highlights:
Lust At The Movies
Once And Never Again
Weekend Without Makeup

Links:
The Long Blondes' Website
Pitchfork's review of Someone To Drive You Home

Cripple Crow - Devendra Banhart

Twenty-two quirky, irksome but totally entertaining tracks that will stick in your head. An album that you will either love or hate because of its irreverence.

I love it. (30 Words).

7/10

Highlights:
Long Haired Child
Chinese Children

Links:
Devendra Banhart's Website
Pitchfork's review of Cripple Crow

II - Espers

Haunting melodies and incredibly well crafted musical pieces make you respect if not enjoy this album. I respected it unfortunately.

Well made but no joy to it. (27 Words)

4/10

Highlights:
Moon Occults The Sun

Links:
Espers' Website
Pitchfork's review of II

Cansei De Ser Sexy - CSS

Fantastic album by an awesome band. The lead singer is called Lovefoxxx. Do I need to say any more?

Electro-indie-punk for people who like to have fun. (29 Words)

8/10

Highlights:
Patins
Let's Make Love (And Listen To Death From Above)
Music Is My Hot Hot Sex

Links:
CSS' Website
Pitchfork's review of Cansei De Ser Sexy

Brightblack Morning Light - Brightblack Morning Light

Background music for diner parties, coffee tables and comedowns.

Technically proficient and musically interesting, the band has a lot of talent, but ultimately the album leaves you uninspired. (28 Words)

5/10

Highlights:
Everybody Daylight

Links:
Brightblack Morning Light's Website
Pitchfork's review of Brightblack Morning Light

Destroyer's Rubies - Destroyer

Destroyer’s Rubies is really accessible art rock for the masses that can be both sophisticated and throwaway at the same time.

Anti-pop done very well. And definitely not metal. (30 Words)

7/10

Highlights:
Your Blood
Watercolours Into The Ocean

Links:
Destroyer's Website
Pitchfork's review of Destroyer's Rubies

Yours To Keep - Albert Hammond Jr

I think that The Strokes are OK. I think Albert Hammond Jr. is much, much better on his own. This is a fantastic indie-pop album. All killer, no filler. (29 Words)

8/10

Highlights:
Bright Young Thing
101
Everybody Gets A Star

Links:
Albert Hammond Jr's MySpace Page
Pitchfork's review of Yours To Keep