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

Last Month Revisited

Ane Brun - Changing Of The Seasons
This is a more even album than her debut Spending Time With Morgan. Several great tracks and no real weak spots. I need to check out her interim albums - particularly A Temporary Dive. And, one more shoutout for the standalone slowed down cover of Big In Japan. Great interpretation. (8/10)

Anni Rossi - Rockwell
I didn't like it as much as I wanted to. She plays the viola and her singing reminds me of Regina Spektor. A good recipe, but something's missing. (5/10)

Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career
A bit too produced/polished for my taste, but still a strong effort. The brilliant track Away With Murder alone makes this worth getting. (7/10)

Cymbals Eat Guitars - Why There Are Mountains
Standard lo-fi indie rock. A couple of good songs, but that's about it. (4/10)

Doves - Kingdom Of Rust
Solid album overall. I can't improve on this description of the album, made by The Observer: "There's a dreamy, addictive sadness to proceedings, their customary gruff melancholy now inflated to match the panoramic setting." Impressive stuff. (7/10)

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest
Ok, so I've learned now that Veckatimest is an uninhabited island near Martha's Vineyard. Like their previous albums, it's a subtle and precise effort that will not immediately grab you, but rewards repeated listening. In fact, I've heard most of the songs over a dozen times (I mostly listen to my music on shuffle) over the past seven weeks and I feel like I'm still just beginning to know the album. (8/10)

Hanne Hukkelberg - Blood From A Stone
Hmm...I can't decide whether this album is bland or subtle. I really like her previous two albums (Little Things and Rykestrasse) but this one doesn't do it for me. If you're not familar with her work, pick up either of the first two. (5/10)

Ida Maria - Fortress Round My Heart
I really like this album. Ida Maria is a veritable package of energy, belting her heart out, and she's got the tunes to back it up. She's currently on a US tour, and unfortunately she's coming to Scottsdale on June 24 when I'm out of town. She will be performing at Martini Ranch which is only a block form my apartment. Bummer. Although, later this summer she will be touring with Glasvegas, so I may try to catch them both at the House of Blues in Vegas on July 31. (8/10)

Röyksopp - Junior
I've must say that electronica is normally not in my wheelhouse, but this album is so good it wins me over. Lots of catchy tunes. Lots of fun. (7/10)

St. Vincent - Actor
I feel like I should withhold judgment on this one - I like it so far, but haven't really gotten to know it yet. Here's a tentative rating - I will revisit it next month. (6-7/10)

Telepathe - Dance Mother
Several very good tracks but a bit too uneven overall. (6/10)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
I like a number of tracks here: Zero, Heads Will Roll, Runaway and a few others, but there are too many weak spots to make this a great album. (6/10)