Liner Notes

It’s all been said before in the past month or so and unless you’ve been living under a rock, I don’t have to repeat them here. Suffice it to say that it’s one of my favourite Radiohead albums. It’s got the tunes, it’s got the beats. What else do you need? Those wishing for a reprise of Ok Computer, give up (or grow up) already.

Oh man, you would not believe the trouble I had trying to get this. I was whining about how retarded the distribution rights are for Beirut and someone must have been listening because my good comrade sent a copy of it my way. From the chaotic Eastern European beauty that was the first album, wee Zach Condon has taken over the classic Jacques Brel’s Paris. The tunes are heartachingly gorgeous but never precious.

The troubadour from Sweden returns with more South American vibes. One can almost feel the warm sun on the skin with this album, even in the darkest and coldest of nights.

I have to admit: I’ve never been a big fan of The New Pornographers. Blame it on the wrong time/wrong place but they have always somehow rubbed off on me the wrong way. Until this album, that is. It was released late August but such is my deep bias that I only had the quota for them now (in emusic). I’m glad I checked them out in the end though; I love love love the first track already. Now to check out the rest of the album.

Another one of those wtf band names that I would have avoided if not for their infectious brand of power pop. Delve deeper though and you’d find an intelligent take on the world and all its complexities.