Hello again.  Let's share what cool new music has come out in the past two months!

Songs from each release listed can be heard here      
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   Architecture in Helsinki - Moment Bends

OK, wow.  What an incredible disappointment this is.  I know this band lost a lot of fans with their Tom Tom Club inspired Places Like This (2007), but I just fell in love with them even more.  They released the song "That Beep" in 2008, and I was convinced the next album would knock my socks off.  Well, it's finally here, and the bloody thing only has three good songs (one of them being "That Beep" again!).  I don't know what happened to them in the past three years, but that have lost their mojo.  This is bland synthpop.

     TV on The Radio - Nine Types of Light

Probably my favorite album of the year so far.  I usually find love songs corny, but these songs are so mature and grounded; even my heart was warmed.  Wonderful indie blues and soul.  The variety, the energy, the singing, performances, production, everything is top notch.

      Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part Two

Classic Beasties.  There is a little bit of every era on here.  If you love them, this will slot right alongside your favorite of theirs.  They still sound young and energetic, and I love the synth beats.  Their delivery is still very old school and formulaic, but if that has never bothered you, you should love this.

      Pontiacs - Cold Finger Girl

The latest Kenichi Asai project slipped under my radar last year.  Asai is a rock demon.  Aside from four great solo albums, he's fronted Jude, Blankey Jet City, Ajico, and Sherbets.  All amazing rock bands.  "Cold Finger Girl" is a song he wrote for Chiaki Kuriyama (Go Go Yubari from Kill Bill), who apparently is making music now, I guess.  Now we get the original songwriter's version of the song, along with some b-sides, such as a cover of The Clash's "Brand New Cadillac"

      Aperture Science Psychoacoustics Laboratory - Portal 2: Songs To Test By

Volume one of the Portal 2 Soundtrack, free to download from Valve.  Aside from "Science is Fun" this soundtrack is only good for background music and nostalgia for your favorite moments in the game.  Well done.  Fits the game perfectly; but its oppressive sterility is too depressing on its own.

      Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

Musically, the best Foo album since The Colour And The Shape (1997).  Lyrically, a complete embarrassment.  Grohl shouts every lyrical cliche in the book as if they are the most well crafted battle-cries ever.  "Rope" and "White Limo" are still killer tracks though.  It's awesome to hear this band rock again.  Too bad it was at such a great sacrifice.

      Maritime - Human Hearts

We, The Vehicles (2006) is one of the best indie pop albums ever.  Unfortunately, it's sounding like a fluke,  Human Hearts is very mediocre, just like the other two albums they have that aren't called We, The Vehicles.

      The Birthday -  なぜか今日は

This single is the band's first release since the departure of their incredible guitar player and his endless solos.  This song is a bit of cleaner, more modern style, as opposed as their usual classic rock sound.  It's a welcome departure, so the song is novel; but it doesn't quell any concerns I have about the forthcoming album, out next month.

      capsule - World of Fantasy

This album was supposed to come out in March, with the title Killer Wave.  Not the kind of title you want to throw around in Japan these days!  It was delayed until last week.  Capsule used to be a Shibuya-kei outfit (think Katamari Damacy kind of music), but ever since 2006, they've taken a jarring tilt into electro-disco.  I honestly have no idea why I listen to them anymore.  I guess old habits die hard.  This sounds like mixtape club music.  Not my scene at all, so I have no idea what the quality of these beats are; if they are phat, tight, fresh, I don't even know what I am saying anymore.  Gonna stop.