Al Green's Lay It Down and future Word cover star Aimee Mann's new Smilers album both very, very good indeed. Tried a listen to some Fleet Foxes tracks, but they failed to spark me into giving the 3 digit code on the back of my card to anyone. Sure someone will have another point of view, though.

as I have just done that action for their purchase.
My recommendation continues to be the David Ford LP of late last year. I keep going back again and again to it.

Can't recall the name of the album she released two or three months ago but it hasn't been out of my car stereo all week. If you like Kate Rusby then check it out. If you don't then get out of my house this instant!

who did 'Go To Hell' on a Word CD? Had a great video of him being buried alive by a young lady, as I remember.

Great. Haven't stopped playing it since I got it. And the family don't mind either....

is bloody brilliant - much better than Bon Iver which was also 5 star rated.
Tony Joe White has a new album out called Deep Cuts (I think) - it hasnt been reviewed over here but features reworkings of some of his older songs - very swampy and great groove - his son pays turntables on a couple of tracks.

Ry Cooder - I Flathead is every bit as good as the review in Word.

The Indelicates have a little indie album called "American Demo" - been listening to it non-stop since it came out, worth investigating. Free tracks on their Myspace/Website etc...

I can second the David Ford recommendation, but I'd say start with his excellent first album, I Sincerely Apologise For All The Trouble I've Caused

And seek him out live, if you can.

I don't know how catholic your tastes are, but how about trying something different to the usual 'indie landfill'.

If you're up for a bit of calming ambient try Da Pacem by Arvo Part or Faure's Requiem. Classical music but very relaxing.

Jazz. Try Esbjorn Svensson Trio's Viaticum very accessible to the rock audience.

Mash-up. There's a whole album of mash-ups on the Go Home productions web site (Spliced Krispies).

all the recommendations, will have to start thinking up excuses for my GLW as to why I'm buying a lot of new cds!! Faure's Requiem is on of my favourite pieces! There's a new(ish) Miles Davis cd called "Miles In India" which is worth checking out! Will go check out the mash-ups now! Thanks!

The Bug. Their new album London Zoo is a cracker. You may want a fair bit of industrial-strength weed to accompany it though.

Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours. Australians remake New Order's Technique for the people carrier set to have a bop between school runs to. Marvellous.

And also:
White Denim
Endless Boogie
Martina Top Bird

I second the above. Fantastic album. Not been off repeat in the car for a week.

"Trespassers" by Chris Wood keeps getting jumpimg back on the"turntable" at our house. Also "Saltbreakers" another one from last year, by Laura Veirs is pretty damn good too.

I also want to hear "50 year old man" by The Fall but right now its so bloody expensive to buy on import overhere in Toronto.

...great album, rare that something so hyped by the music press wins me over but this did. Gorgeous harmonies and some haunting songs.

I am also very impressed by Paul Weller's new album '22 Dreams'; he might have gone in and out of fashion more than most people in rock but by any standards, this is a great album. Runs the gamut from soul to folk to jazz to psych to the avant-garde, and he pulls almost all of it off (not fussed on 'God' though).

In the jazz realm, I want to hear John McLaughlin's new one as it's had great reviews and will also doubtless give that 'Miles From India' one a go too as I really like those indo-jazz fusion projects (Shakti, Joe Harriott/John Mayer etc.).

the mash-up site. I love the Bolan and Nirvana tunes, and the "finger of fudge" mash up is hilarious!

If you haven't got a subscription you might wish to know that their album is the subs gift with the next issue.

Those of you without subscripts, advance requests to Heppo and the team, form an orderly queue.
Those with, were you attracted by the free cd or by the quality of the product? Be honest......
Declaration of interest: I would still be a monthly purchaser, not always with ease, were it not for Shelby does Dusty. So, yes, a bit of honest bribery does no harm.
P.S. Has Rock'n'Reel folded (again)? Used to be in WHSmith but is no longer. Mind you, the cover disc was increasingly extreme.

I'll back Fleet Foxes as well, but it’s the new Paul Weller album that I’d recommend. It's surprisingly good with some great tunes and an very mature assured feel, plus you get your moneys worth as it really withstands repeat plays.

The Vetiver covers album is worth a listen and I've also been enjoying Ry Cooder.

The White Denim album is on repeat at the moment (I was actually tempted out to see them last night) they're a great garage band tinged with prog rock - or Grog to their friends.

Fleet Foxes and on first listen I really like it, love the harmonies! Am working on the subscription. Horny As A Dandy is excellent!

I get to hear many new and unsigned acts on MySpace. Sarah was one I liked so much I ordered the CD direct from her, cutting out the middlemen and taxman.

www.myspace.com/sarahmenage

If you like Faure's Requiem, might be worth trying to catch this week's Building A Library which is Bach's F Major Mass. Wasn't expecting much as didn't know piece at all but have found what I have heard to be gorgeous-especially the few-voices-to-a-part style recordings.
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/bal/ until end of Fri I think.

I am expecting to shell out for the CD soonish

N

Give the new Vampire Weekend album a listen.

The Tony Joe White album is reviewed in this months Mojo and it is crap apparently. What do I know?
Agree about Vampire Weekend in a similar vein to Fountains of Wayne and The Shins. Must have boosted their sales somewhat as 4 of my friends/family have bought the disc after listening to my copy.

Also if you have a HMV near you they have got the MGMT cd for £6.00 in store not online.

Got a Pre-Release of his new album "The Hard Way". Very Good indeed.
Eef Barzelay-Lose Big is a brilliant album.I'd listen to him sing the Phonebook.

This is a podcast of mainly unsigned bands music. I haven't listened to it for a while, but it used to be blues/roots/folk/country based.....I suppose that's what Americana is....doh!

It's run by Karen Miller who is(was?)a researcher for BBC Radio. I know Bob Harris and Bryan Burnett speak highly of her.

Anyway, it's free music, so if that's the style you're looking for, go for it!

http://www.tapecircle.co.uk/spydaradio/index.cfm

Thea Gilmore's "Liejacker", so I guess it must be up to me. Superb.

From the vault I've been listening to "His California Album" by Bobby Blue Bland. Again highly recommended. (I admit it I was sent back there by the Mick Hucknall tribute ... I'm hanging my head as I type).

Another yes for Fleet Foxes. Their Sun Giant EP, 5 tracks not on the album, is well worth £3.98.

album is getting a lot of airplay since yesterday, so thanks for that one. Will check out Vampire Weekend and the podcast. Thanks!

But I'm so sceptical about these albums that get massively praised by all the music press that I've been reluctant to invest, even though the descriptions of it sound like exactly what I'd like.
The Last Shadow Puppets album was similarly hyped and I've been pretty underwhelmed by what I've heard of that. It's OK, but I really don't get the constant Scott Walker comparisons. (Actually, anything that's compared to SW gets my bullshit detector quivering. Don't get me started on the Divine Comedy!)

But reading the positive reports on the FFs here is encouraging...

a bit sceptical about the Fleet Foxes album as I have been burned so many times by great reviews of, what turned out to be, average albums. There also seems to be so many "must have" albums these days that it's hard to know which one to buy!

is a definite must have - I promise. I bought Bon Iver and Last Shadow Puppets and they are not must haves merely nice additions. Where is the Sun Giant EP only £3.98? It was £10.98 when I last checked on Amazon which is too much for an EP.

can currently be bought on Amazon for £1.78 plus £1.24 shipping from the USA.

Well enjoyed here, also listening to the October 2007 Jeff Tweedy solo show downloaded from here

http://www.owlandbear.com/wilco-archive/

Stay Positive by The Hold Steady is also well worth £7.99 from itunes.

links to that Wilco site! Didn't even know a site like that existed! Also got Paul Weller album which definitely gets better with every listen!

well, I've just ordered Fleet Foxes and Aimee Mann's latest thanks to this thread (I'm a big Aimee fan - I'd just forgottne her newie was out). Really looking forward to hearing them.

Will be following up other recommendations too but maybe after pay-day...!

Finally, finally my long awaited Amazon prize vouchers arrived and the first of my long plotted purchases arrived, including Pistola, by Willy deVille. An impulse buy, based on a good review and on my limited exposure of Spanish Steps and his mariachi Hey Joe. Into the car this morning and in it goes: first thoughts, bolstered by last nights acknowledgement of a shite hot rhythm section, Elvis C's, of Pete Thomas and Davey Faragher. First track has me thinking Dylan, second Dr John. Onward and echoes of the swampier end of John Hiatt or John Fogerty, or is it more Daniel Lanois filtered Dylan. Sounding a bit schizophrenic? Yes, but no, but sufficient character to stand up on its own merit. Suddenly Louise slips in, that song about a good time girl gone bad, known to me thru' Bonnie Raitts version, with John Prine undertones, before a slightly over-egged N'Awlins brass band, fronted by the bastard son of Hank Williams and Faraway eyes Jagger. This gets better and better. Superlative production and backing, Josh Sklar on guitars presumably son of Leland? True,there is a weaker moment in the strings and spanish guitar, spoken word of Stars that Speak, strangely, given Spanish Stroll was a trigger to my interest. Chuck in a little of Gary US Bonds, as produced by Bruce, a little more Lanois Dylan, or is it John Lee Hooker, and you get the picture. In retrospect possibly does career about the axles a wee bit, but enjoyably so. And he does what Keef never quite managed, with a similarly raddled chic so awesome to us old fellas, and so appalling to our wives, with a non mirth and wince inducing moustache.
Go for it!
STOP PRESS: Got round to the last track at lunchtime. O dear. Faux-native american claptrap, I fear, no offence to Native americans, and I suspect WdV may be one, looking at some of his other product advertised on th einner info. Never mind, plenty of folk can't do a last track, thinking Neil Youngs wierder efforts and RT's Psycho St. Stil a fab LP, maybe all the more because of it!

... seconds for the David Ford album 'Songs For the Road', as well as Shelby does Dusty – sublime. And, courtesy of Word freebie CDs, Epic45's 'May Your Heart Be The Map' is a must-hear for the English summer (as is 'The Lark Ascending', of course – much better than Vivaldi's 'Summer' from The Four Seasons).

I haven't heard the latest Tony Joe White but check out his back catalogue, particularly 'Rainy Night in Georgia', 'Crack The Back Window, Baby', 'I Want My Fleetwood Back' (a great driving song), and 'Steamy Windows'. Swamp rock suited for deep south humidity.

Tony Joe White album and am liking it in spite of the Mojo review! I have heard other versions of his songs, but never listened to the man himself! Have also dug out my Word cds and am in the process of putting them on my ipod!

Is playing in Shepherds Bush later this year.
The new T Bone Burnett album , Tooth and Claw, is well worth a listen.

"Exotic Creatures..." is brilliant. It's got wit, imagination, intelligence, panache, tunes, clever lyrics, great arrangements... it gets better and better every time I play it. I got the Fleet Foxes album but it strikes me as merely OK. Go for Sparks!

I was given the Fleet Foxes cd by Boo Hewerdine (ex-Bible)who lives here in Ely, and I was struck by the sonics, which reminded me of the recording of "Surrealistic Pillow" by the Jefferson Airplane, back in '68. It is not that album, but there are 40 year old echoes there. I like it a lot, Grace Slick-less. It's more Jorma Kaukonen and Paul Kanter and Marty Balin.

Sarah Menage's new cd is a treat: I agree Beany. Maybe because I was one of her photographers! The maturity of this second release is very impressive. Cathy Davey, Eliza Carthy, Ladytron. Field Music are in high rotation.

album is getting a lot of airplay! I thought it would be hard to top "As Is Now" but the new one just gets better and better!

"Evil Urges" is a very underrated album and has everything from southern rock to prince type funk. Beatiful singing as well. On the back of that I got "Z" and if anything it is even better. Saw them supporting Neil Young yesterday, they came on just as the sun came out - perfect.

The new Weller album is terrific his best since Stanley Road.

Elbow - what can you say ? Simply stunning.

Elbow today but haven't listened yet. Will check out 'Evil Urges', and the Weller album is great. Saw him live last night and the new songs sounded brilliant!

Day 3 of my new stash, and it was Sonny Landreth who got the ears today: new LP is of the throw a few celeb friends in the mix type, perhaps unusually for a lesser known artist, as, by and large, I think, he is, turning up in my collection mainly as a sidesman for crescent city types and louisiana swampers, seeking some lyrical slide addition. Anyhow, From the Reach it's called, calling on Dr John, Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Vince Gill, Jimmy Buffett and Robben Ford amongst others, but with none allowed to steal any show, no matter how hard they may try, as they are kept strictly in back-up roles, on backing vocal and 2nd guitar duties, on agreeable self penned bluesy choogles. Because Mr Landreth and band run a very tight ship, this brings the best out of the guests. Like on Dr Johns latest, Eric Clapton seems suddenly to have remembered he had once a reputation for being a bit of a player. And demonstrates why.
Well worth a listen. Think Slow Turning, John Hiatts superb LP with the Keltner, Lowe, Cooder line-up that so spectacularly slumped as Little Village. Decent songs and tueful Ryland-esque slide. Proper records are fast getting a reputation for their own label as good as the one for the distribution job they do for others.
BTW, another shout for Elbow. Didn't think I'd like them, but au contraire. Lovely Peter Gabriel-y vocals and a indie goes to canterbury prog sound.
Diappointed: not all my new buys were good-uns, the latest from one of my favourite female singers, Eleanor McEvoy, being dull and bland, with lack-lustre cover versions, failing, with ease, to be quirky, as no doubt intended. Shared song writing with Dave Rotheray, surprise, surprise, makes her sound like one of those Beautiful South anodyne chart-toppers, so memorable for a second or two. Hey ho....

...I know some love it but I really didn't get the Scott Walker comparisons either. Walker is one of my favourite vocalists whilst Alex Turner must be one of my least favourites so perhaps there's an instant bias there.

New Elbow album is great too, yeah.

to Sonny Landreth on his MySpace page and it's good stuff, still haven't listened to the Elbow album, finding it hard to shift Weller off of my cd player!

got very excited by them when a friend turned me on to their myspace a couple of weeks before the album came out - it's a very lovely sounding record indeed and beautifully executed but posesses that rare quality of getting more average the more one listens - the beach boys steals are a bit blatant for me and the more paul simon-esque lyrical leanings are just nowhere near as good as they fancy themselves..

BUT track 4 is sublime and worthy of the cover price all on it's own..

anyone see them on the little tour they just did over here? - tried to get into the brighton showw but was sold out - boohoo

everyone know that, as has been posted elsewhere, there's a site called Deezer (www.deezer.com) that allows one to listen to full albums. The music is streamed and the site has an agreement with Universal Music so seems fairly legit! Just listening to My Morning Jacket as I type. It seems to be a good way to check out albums before buying them, though not sure how many artists are on it.

reminded me to give a big shout out to the new Dr John album - much of his recent output has been mediocre so this was a nice change. A lot of crescent city sound which is what I always expect from him but rarely get. Also have to agree about track 4 of the Fleetfoxes - when I heard it I played it back about 5 times. Very haunting.

track 2 of the Fleetfoxes album, keep playing it. At the moment I'm alternating between that album and the Weller one. My Morning Jacket's 'Evil Urges' is also worth a listen.

If you visit this site you can download an entire 3 hour set they played last month in Tennessee:

Bonnaroo Set ( hope this is OK legal guys :-) )

Including a rather wonderful cover of "Across 110th Street".

I am really starting to love this band.

Give a listen to Neil Cowley Trio's new album. Loud Louder Stop. It's a wonderful mix of funk, jazz and rock.My favourite album of the year so far.
Also try the new Motorpsycho album - Little Lucid Moments. Was a band name ever more misleading?

my copy of 'In Ghost Colours' this morning, and it's excellent! Can hear the New Order influence, and some Heaven 17! Thanks to everyone for their help in making me completely broke, but happy!!

Very good album but hardly original. It has been bugging me all week and I knew I heard it before. It was back in 2000. That time it was called "Enjoy the Sunshine" by the Cosmic Rough Riders and they were scottish.

memories! I bought that album when it came out, but hardly listened to it. Maybe it's time to dust it down and relive my city dwelling bachelor days!!