What's spinning now (May Edition - Part 1)

Last Month Revisited

Bat For Lashes - Two Suns

Solid album - more even than her last effort, but for several tracks that I initially liked, my interest is already waning. The major exception is the closing track The Big Sleep - great song. (7/10)

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Beware

I don't think I want Will Oldham to be happy - I preferred when his albums were filled with songs like I See A Darkness and Death To Everyone, and lyrics like Black, you are my enemy / And I can not get close to thee / A life is ruled by enmity / And I can't weaken that. This album never caught my interest and I quickly moved on. (4/10)

Buraka Som Sistema - Black Diamond

A bit too uneven to be great but has some very good, energetic tracks that make you want to dance. Sound of Kuduro (with M.I.A. and several others) is the clear standout - one of the better dance tracks I've heard in years. I can't sit still when I hear it. And, I've decided that Portuguese is an awesome language. (6/10)

Death Cab For Cutie - The Open Door (EP)

If you like Death Cab, get it. No surprises here - good stuff. (7/10)

The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love

This is the live act I really want to see this year. Shara Warden (My Brightest Diamond) and Becy Stark (Lavender Diamond) will be with them on the tour and they'll play the album from end to end before going into their older stuff.  This is not their best album, but the idea of a concept album makes it that much more interesting. (6/10)

Depeche Mode - Sounds Of The Universe

This is the live act I will see this year. I have Mode tix for their August show. I'm not crazy about the new album so I'll have to hope they play a lot of older material. (5/10)

Grizzly Bear - Yellow House

This is the good album, but I think I like their new album Veckatimest , that just came out, better. (If anyone knows how to pronounce Veckatimest, let me know.) (6/10)

Lavender Diamond - Imagine Our Love

This is one of those albums that I like but probably won't listen to very often. Beautiful voice, and slow songs that tend to put me to sleep. Each song is good by itself, but as a whole the album is a bit much of the same. My favorite track: Side Of The Lord. (6/10)

Martina Topley-Bird - Quixotic

If you like Martina's work with Tricky you'll probably like this. A bit safer and not as experimental. Best track: Anything. (7/10

PJ Harvey & John Parish

If you like simple, catchy melodies to sing along to, this is not for you. Polly Jean wails, roars and grunts her way into seldom chartered territory. And it's beautiful. But it's an acquired taste. So, if you hate it, don't say I didn't warn you. Strongest (and surprisingly accessible) track: April (8/10)

Sara Lov - The Young Eyes (EP)

Five tracks and they are all good. (7/10)

Theresa Andersson - Hummingbird, Go!

I feel like I just got this album, April must have flown by. Worth getting for the catchy Na Na Na, the brilliant Locusts Are Gossiping, and the tear-inducing Swedish-language Innan Du Går (Before You Leave). Many of the other tracks still feel anonymous to me, so perhaps I'm rating this too early. (6/10)

Ok, lots of new, good stuff this month, but right now I'm heading back out to enjoy the sunny weather. Spent much of the morning by the pool and went in to get out of the sun for a while. In the meantime, here's a teaser of what's to come: Ane Brun, Anni Rossi, Camera Obscura, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Doves, Grizzly Bear, Hanne Hukkelberg, Ida Maria, Royksopp, St. Vincent, Telepathe, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.