* [Phoenix](http://www.last.fm/music/Phoenix) -- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix ([Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00299HSTG?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00299HSTG)|[iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=315002203&s=143441))
* [Julian Plenti](http://www.last.fm/music/Julian+Plenti) -- Julian Plenti Is... Skyscraper ([Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002HJ70PU?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002HJ70PU)|[iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=323107841&s=143441))
* [Franz Ferdinand](http://www.last.fm/music/Franz+Ferdinand) -- iTunes Live: London Festival '09 EP ([iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=325551670&s=143441))
* [Kasabian](http://www.last.fm/music/Kasabian) -- iTunes Live: London Festival '09 EP ([iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=325788115&s=143441))
* [Oasis](http://www.last.fm/music/Oasis) -- iTunes Live: London Festival '09 EP ([iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=326924210&s=143441))
* [The Fratellis](http://www.last.fm/music/The+Fratellis) -- Live from London ([iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=252507832&s=143441))
* [Hard-Fi](http://www.last.fm/music/Hard-Fi) -- Once Upon a Time In the West ([Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00122DE9E?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00122DE9E)|[iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=263526826&s=143441)) & Stars of CCTV ([Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001230KSQ?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001230KSQ)|[iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=131189178&s=143441))
* [Metric](http://www.last.fm/music/Metric) -- Fantasies ([Metric](http://ilovemetric.com/store/)|[Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001W4LA3E?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001W4LA3E)|[iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=307592236&s=143441))
* [Kasabian](http://www.last.fm/music/Kasabian) -- West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum ([Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002B0OVWA?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002B0OVWA)|[iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=315279172&s=143441))
* [The Rifles](http://www.last.fm/music/The+Rifles) -- No Love Lost (You can't buy this in the US, you're money isn't good here.)
* [Jet](http://www.last.fm/music/Jet) -- Shaka Rock ([Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002L1BJHY?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002L1BJHY)|[iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=326079045&s=143441))
* [Ned's Atomic Dustbin](http://www.last.fm/music/Ned's%2520Atomic%2520Dustbin) -- Session ([Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002077GPS?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002077GPS)|[iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=309324862&s=143441))

Well, I guess I found the iTunes Live albums. Nothing really "new", but some great live sets. So, if you like live music check them out: Franz Ferdinand, Kasabian, Oasis, and The Fratellis. Yes, all brit-pop. It's how I roll.

Phoenix is just about as far down the fluffy indie rock road that I'm willing to go. But this album is very catchy and was worth the $5 (from AmazonMP3). You'll recognize it from the teevee commercial for [some Caddy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CasjUOwkdI&feature=player_embedded). If you're a pop music whore like me, you need this.

[Julian Plenti](http://julianplenti.com/) is the lead singer/guitarist, Paul Banks, from Interpol. If you like Interpol you will like this. It even starts out like an Interpol album with 'Only If You Run', which will lyrically stab you in the heart. Seriously, even if you're only into the first Interpol album, this is worth picking. There is crooning, there is straight up rock, there is something for you. Trust me.

Hard-Fi. How in the hell did I miss these guys? I'm not sure, but they're on my radar now and they should be on yours. They are brit-pop. They hint of some mixture of The Farm, Oasis, and and ton of other late 90's brit-pop bands. You know, everything that I love about music. It's good stuff.

I first heard Metic from their free iTunes single 'Combat Baby'. It was catchy, sickly sweet pop music with amazing female vocals. More of the same. If you buy from [the band](http://www.ilovemetric.com/), you get some extra acoustic Pink Floyd covers. Neat!

Oh, Kasabian... You really want to have that Oasis reputation. You want people to fear and respect you. Well, forget about that crap and keep making good music. You'll last longer that way. More ass kicking in your music, less in NME. I wish this had been a 'Deal of the Day' special, but there are some truly kick-ass tracks (Fast Fuse and Fire) to make it worth it.

_No Love Lost_ is the first album from The Rifles. You can't buy it. This is what's broken with music right now. How in this day and age is there music that you can't buy because of what country you live in? How can an industry literally tell you that your money is not good enough for them and they would rather not have it. This is insanity and I hope they rot for making it our reality. Oh, but if you could buy it you totally would because it's brit-pop and it's awesome.

Finally we have Ned's. If you don't remember Ned's you should revisit [God Fodder](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00138D032?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00138D032) because it's some of the best music 1991 had to offer. Yes, I'm well aware that [Nevermind](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V698DI?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000V698DI) was also released in '91. This release is them getting together and recording all their old songs. It's neat for true fans, but if that isn't you just stick to the original releases. They're far better in '91 than in 2008. I'm sure they same could be said for me though...

The first rule about not blogging is to not write about not blogging. So, on with the show.

Summer is only about half over (at least it was when I started writing this post), but I have enough new music to write about that I'm better off getting a post out now. But before I dive into the new I would like to quickly look back at spring and highlight what I'm still listening to and what I'm not. Don't worry, it's a short list consisting of [White Lies](http://www.last.fm/music/White+Lies) and [The Crystal Method](http://www.last.fm/music/The+Crystal+Method). These are the only two _albums_ from spring that I would listen to start to finish. The other albums have great tracks, but I've rated the good ones in iTunes so they show up in smart lists and the other tracks have faded in the dusty corners of my hard drive. Going even farther into the past two more bands have stayed in heavy rotation, [MGMT](http://www.last.fm/music/MGMT) and [Cut Copy](http://www.last.fm/music/Cut+Copy).

## June

* [Franz Ferdinand](http://www.last.fm/music/Franz+Ferdinand) -- Blood: Franz Ferdinand ([iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=317153535&s=143441)|[Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002B1KKUQ?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002B1KKUQ))
* [Moby](http://www.last.fm/music/Moby) -- Wait For Me ([iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=319150768&s=143441)|[Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002CGPI3O?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002CGPI3O))
* [Mos Def](http://www.last.fm/music/Mos+Def) -- The Ecstatic ([iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=316655991&s=143441)|[Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002B445ZY?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002B445ZY))
* [Paul Van Dyk](http://www.last.fm/music/Paul+van+Dyk) -- Volume ([iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=316055033&s=143441)|[Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002B3E3NO?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002B3E3NO))
* [Rancid](http://www.last.fm/music/Rancid) -- Let the Dominoes Fall ([iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=314917039&s=143441)|[Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BMWQPM?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002BMWQPM))

I'm not sure why, but June was an odd month, musically speaking. Moby, Paul Van Dyk and a remix album from Franz Ferdinand was balanced out with Mos Def and a worthy effort from Rancid.

I'll start with Rancid because I (and a lot of other people) have been waiting patiently and impatiently for them to come out with a follow-up to Indestructible -- a truly awesome album. It's _good_, but it doesn't have the coherency that the previous effort had. It sounds like a collection of tracks from their entire history. It annoyingly meanders around their various styles, but at least all the individual efforts are strong. The first single "Last One To Die" is probably my favorite track.

I blame this Paul Van Dyk album for introducing *both* Britney Speaks _and_ Justin Timberlake to my iTunes library. Sure, I could delete them, but them what would I have to complain about?

Moby. Not my thing. This album, that is. Not Moby in general. The track "Mistake" is the only one I've bothered to rate (★★★). Oh, and Mos Def? This album just never really intrigued me. Oh well.

A word on remix albums: they usually suck. The last full-on remix album that I can remember actually being _good_ is the first Bloc Party release, "Silent Alarm". "Blood" isn't bad, but too many of the mixes just drone on doing absolutely nothing, well, except for curing insomnia.

## July

* [Yeah Yeah Yeahs](http://www.last.fm/music/Yeah+Yeah+Yeahs) -- It's Blitz ([iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=306825814&s=143441)|[Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001V7MM5M?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001V7MM5M))
* [Paul Oakenfold](http://www.last.fm/music/Paul+Oakenfold) -- Perfecto Vegas ([iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=321499251&s=143441)|[Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002FN946G?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002FN946G))
* [Jamie T](http://www.last.fm/music/Jamie+T) -- Sticks 'N' Stones EP ([iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=319206240&s=143441)|[Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002CGLVEE?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002CGLVEE))

Kat listened to the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs on the last flight we were on and really liked it, so magically it appeared in the iTunes Library. There are some really catchy tracks on this album and it's certainly not like a lot of their previous stuff that I've had a chance to sample. Overall, a win.

Oakenfold. Vegas...really? Why do I buy these again?

Now, Sticks 'N' Stones is easily my most played track over the last few months. I can't stop listening to it. I will definitely buy his next release unheard.

It's a rainy Sunday, so I decided I would camp in front of the computer and demand new tunes from the intertubes. I wasn't especially impressed with what Amazon or iTunes had to recommend, so I went back to my adopted roots, britpop. When I want britpop news, for better or worse, I go to [NME](http://www.nme.com/).

NME told me that there is this thing called [The Download Festival](http://www.downloadfestival.com/), which looks _awesome_. Now, because I'm an old curmudgeon, I don't go to festivals. Festival line-ups are, however, great places to look for new tunes. My review process is simple:

1. Get name of band
1. Search for band in iTunes or at AmazonMP3
1. Listen to the 30 second samples
1. File under: Yes, No, or Maybe

Now, the festival site has a download section where you can download one track from each artist. While that's a cool gimmick, I'll stick with my process. Here are _my_ results (Remember, you will file music in _your own way_ and that's *okay*! This just happens to be my take.):

## Yes ##

While I would buy or have already purchased tunes from these bands, White Lies and Louis XIV were the ones that I immediately knew were for me.

* [White Lies](http://www.last.fm/music/White+Lies) ([Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001IA44UI?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B001IA44UI), [iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=293537514&s=143441))
* [The Duke Spirit](http://www.last.fm/music/The+Duke+Spirit) ([Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016OAUHW?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B0016OAUHW), [iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=272857395&s=143441))
* [Ghostland Observatory](http://www.last.fm/music/Ghostland+Observatory) ([Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00122OCRW?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00122OCRW), [iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=264698563&s=143441))
* [The Airborne Toxic Event](http://www.last.fm/music/The+Airborne+Toxic+Event) ([Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/The-Airborne-Toxic-Event/dp/B001D6HRLA/), [iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=285830440&s=143441))
* [Cut Copy](http://www.last.fm/music/Cut+Copy) ([Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017I7390?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B0017I7390), [iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=276328444&s=143441))
* [Louis XIV](http://www.last.fm/music/Louis+XIV) ([Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012QO46M?ie=UTF8&tag=pberrywebedit-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B0012QO46M), [iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=272029949&s=143441))

## No ##

* Yeasayer
* Mates of State
* Brand New
* Mutemath
* Rjd2
* Blitzen Trapper
* Alberta Cross
* Vedera
* The Parlor Mob
* Caribou

## Maybe ##

* [Datarock](http://www.last.fm/music/Datarock)
* [M83](http://www.last.fm/music/M83) (I still can't pull the trigger on these guys)
* [The Whigs](http://www.last.fm/music/The+Whigs)
* [Tapes 'n Tapes](http://www.last.fm/music/Tapes+%27n+Tapes) (latest release doesn't seem as strong as the previous release)
* [Elephone](http://www.last.fm/music/Elephone)
* [The Night Marchers](http://www.last.fm/music/The+Night+Marchers) (if I run out of Social D, these guys will be perfect)

Bands I May Need to Watch

I know I'm behind the times. In fact, I'm so aware of it I actually _do_ know what I'm missing. It's quasi-intentional. I can only listen to so much music at one time, which is typically one song at a time.

This makes buying a lot of new music at one time annoying. It creates yet another backlog in my life. I'm already behind in photo processing (tagging, editing, posting), book reading, and Netflixing. Also, those holes in the yard don't dig themselves. [Note to self: Think about paying dogs to dig holes. May need obscene amounts of supervision, be sure to do a full cost/benefit analysis first]

So here is a small list of bands that just didn't make the cut in 2008. Don't worry guys, it's not you, it's me.

* [MGMT](http://www.last.fm/music/MGMT)
* [Kings of Leon](http://www.last.fm/music/Kings+of+Leon)
* [Fleet Foxes](http://www.last.fm/music/Fleet+Foxes)
* [My Morning Jacket](http://www.last.fm/music/My+Morning+Jacket)
* [Spoon](http://www.last.fm/music/Spoon)
* [The National](http://www.last.fm/music/The+National)

As much as I would like to do a [jwz-esque 2008 music wrap-up](http://www.jwz.org/gruntle/music2007.html), I just don't have it in me. So, instead I've put together a list of what I'm looking forward to in 2009. I've done just a tiny bit of research on release dates and my release date extrapolations should be treated as the "worst kind of science" (even if the kids do love me).

## [Interpol](http://www.interpolnyc.com/) ##

Their last releases were July 2007, August 2005, and October 2002. So, hopefully later this year we'll see a new release from them. I've been happy with how their albums have progressed and have every expectation for their next release to be even better than Our Love to Admire.

## [The Hives](http://www.thehivesbroadcastingservice.com/) ##

It's doubtful that there will be a new release this year. They still seem to be touring animals and they appear to be closer to a 3 year release schedule (April 2000, July 2004, Oct 2007). That being said, I would love to hear a new release this year.

## [Rancid](http://www.rancidrancid.com/)

It was supposed to be out in the summer of '08. Then it was the fall of '08. Then it was '09. Now it's TBA.

## [Nine Inch Nails](http://www.nin.com/)

Trent Reznor is no longer bound by major label rules. I expect a number of releases. What will they be like? Who knows. Less like Ghosts I-IV I hope.

## [The Strokes](http://www.thestrokes.com/)

[Gigwise](http://www.gigwise.com/news/44382/the-strokes-to-meet-up-to-discuss-making-new-album) has some quotes that have a new release in 2009, so, you know...yay.

## [The Chemical Brothers](http://www.thechemicalbrothers.com/)

As far as I know there are no rumors of a 2009 release. It would still be nice to get a new Chemicals though.

## [Franz Ferdinand](http://www.franzferdinand.co.uk/)

It's already available for [pre-order](http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPreorder?id=298478808&s=143441) in iTunes.

## [We Are Scientists](http://www.wearescientists.com/)

According to their website, they started writing the new album in December. In an underwater cave. So, it should go quickly.

## [OK Go](http://www.okgo.net/)

They were recording tracks last October. Tick tock...

## [Underworld](http://www.underworldlive.com/home.html)

In my limited amount of searching I haven't found any news. But, hope abounds.

## [The Crystal Method](http://www.thecrystalmethod.com/)

I'm pretty sure I read something last year about there being a new album in the works.

## [Editors](http://www.editorsofficial.com/)

As I composed this list it suddenly became clear to me that I detest sites, even band sites, that auto-play music. What makes them think I'm not _already_ listening to music?

## [Arcade Fire](http://arcadefire.com/)

It looks like there will be a concert DVD from the Neon Bible tour. No news of new music though.

## [Leftfield](http://www.last.fm/music/Leftfield)

Yes, they've been "disbanded" since 2002. I don't care. I want more.

Now, this list is by no means exhaustive. I'm sure there are many bands that will release new albums in 2009 that I will be totally jazzed about. It may even be that because I'm not expecting them, they will be that much more delicious.