In an attempt to catch up on my posting of "New Tuesday" I am going to try truncating my usual format. This would have been super convenient if I hadn't just typed this whole thing up and then had my computer lock up right as I was going to post it. Damn it. So now you're going to get an even lamer version, because I don't really want to write it all up again.

Snow Patrol, "Eyes Open" - The first time I heard Snow Patrol was when a hostel owner in the small town of Down Hill in Northern Ireland played "Run" for me. The next day I tracked down a CD store and purchased Final Straw. While I haven't given much time to the new album yet, I feel like it has the potential to grow on me to be as good if not better than Final Straw. I really enjoy the track "Chasing Cars," a track that could fit perfectly onto Final Straw.

The Stills, "WIthout Feathers" - I've not given much time to Canada's the Stills, however whenever a track from "Logic Will Break Your Heart" cycles through on my iTunes Shuffle, I always dig it. I've heard a lot of people were disappointed with this CD as it lost its originality and doesn't sound much like the Stills of old. I listened to clips though and liked what I heard alot. I guess I'll just have to listen to both discs a lot before I see the Stills at Intonation and make up my mind then.

Jolie Holland, "Springtime Can Kill You" - This folk singer takes a big step forward with this new album, which seems a little more polished and beautiful than her last. She's got such a beautiful antique sounding voice that makes you feel like you are listening to someone from another generation, only better.

Grandaddy, "Just Like the Fambly Cat" - I bought "The Sophtware Slump" for WAY too much money when I was living in Ireland on the suggestion of my friends who saw them open for Coldplay. I was not really into it. Then, last year, someone played me "The Final Push to the Sum" from their "Sumday" album, and I really loved it. In all, though, I've not really invested much time into Grandaddy. That is a pity, because I feel like this new one, which will sadly be the bands last, is one that I could easily come to love.

Pony Up!, "Make Love to the Judges With Your Eyes" - This indie pop band is from Montreal Canada, so I'm already half way in love with them there. They've got some great catchy songs. I especially like their song "The Truth about Cats and Dogs (Is That They Die)," and not just because the name is amazing.

The Eighteenth Day of May, "The Eighteenth Day of May" is some pretty groovy contemporary Brit Folk that doesn't loose that "traditional folk" feel. And if you like that you should check out Fairport Convention, "The Fairport Companion" which is also out today, as they are the quintessential Brit Folk group.

The Black Heart Procession, "The Spell" - This group has been around since 1997, and one review claims this album could be the background music to Edgar Allen Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" so...dark and gloomy. The album features the drummer from Modest Mouse and bass and violin from two of the Album Leaf guys, as well as the bands two co-founders. (Check it out Steven!)

Gnarles Barkley, "St. Elsewhere" - The roomie says this group, a collaboration of producer Danger Mouse and rapper Cee-Lo, is the biggest hype out there now, and she's right... they even joked about the fervor over his single on Best Week Ever. The single, "Crazy" is the first UK single on the top of the UK charts for 8 consecutive weeks in a row since 1994 and the first single ever to reach number one soley from download sales. It is catchy, but catchy in that kind of a way that after the first time you hear it you are already kind of on the brink of being burnt out on it, just because it gets stuck in your head. I might have to see him at Lollapalooza just to see if he lives up to the hype.

Art Brut, "Bang Bang Rock & Roll" - Art Brut translates to Raw Art, or "art created outside of the boundaries of official culture." It is a good moniker for this band, whose Brit poetry rock many have likened to The Kinks meets the Streets meets the Futureheads, with the humor of Tenacious D. For me this is definitely not for every occassion, but it is interesting enough.

The Sound the Hare Heard - A compilation CD of well-known and emerging singer-songwriters, including previously unreleased tracks from Sufjan Stevens, Colin Meloy and Imaad Wassif.

Kimya Dawson, "Remember That I Love You" - I blame her myspace page for locking up my computer. She doesn't get a review.

Other Bands - Red Hot Chili Peppers, Paul Simon, Neil Young.