Top Ten Albums 09-17-09

If I could, this list would just be all three Frank Turner albums. But I figured I should at least try to listen to other stuff. As such this list includes a bunch of new releases or pre-leases. Let's call this one "Acoustic British Super Fun Time"

1. "Sleep is for the Week" by Frank Turner
This week it's Sleep's turn at the top, the most raw his music, also the easiest to play at home, another reason for its place here.  Then again I have a certain weakness for retrospective acoustic music. Most every song could make my list of favorites, and when you scrobble 300 plays on last.fm in week (of my usual 1200-1500), you know they are good. Most played: "The Real Damage", "The Ballad of Me and My Friends", "Romantic Fatigue", "Once we Were Anarchists", "Fathers Day" and "A Decent Cup of Tea.
2. "New Leaves" by Owen
Another introspective singer-songwriter, this time from Chicago instead of London. He puts on a terrific live show as well. This is more orchestrated than his previous works, but still good. Though the first time I heard "Good Friends, Bad Habits" I accidentially opened a second window after 20 seconds, the background was AMAZING like that. Most played: "Good Friends, Bad Habits" and "A Trenchant Critique"
3. "La Roux" by La Roux
Hits that synthesizer spot right in the brain, you know the one, right above the base of the skull, the reptilian music center if you will. Another case of English showing us how it's done. The whole thing is catchy as hell. Most Played: "Bulletproof", "In For the Kill", "Tigerlilly", and "Colourless Colour"
4. "Three" by Joel Plaskett
Not really a fair fight, since this is three albums of 9 songs each. But the OCD involved in repeating titles and three throughout the album make this my new odds-on favorite for the Polaris Prize (since "artistic merit" the basis for the award) Think of it as electronic-country from Canada. A gift of sorts. Most played: "Pine, Pine, Pine", "Every Time You Leave", and "Deny, Deny, Deny"
5. "The Resistance" by Muse
Muse was once described as "your favorite band's favorite band" and with the thumping cadence and bopping lyrics you can see why. With this album they shed most all the slow stuff, and expanding the atmospheric spacey stuff. Genius. They even pull off a Queen impersonation and an explanation of psychological warfare during Veitnam. Most played: "Uprising", "United States of Eurasia (+Collateral Damage)", "MK Ultra"
6. "Dead FM" by Strike Anywhere
Another one of the political melodic hardcore bands I listen, those these guys are tad more radical than Rise Against. After all the band's symbol is the anti-fascist circle and their most recent album references the Nazi resistance Iron Front. Most played: "Sedition", "Two Thousand Voices", and "How To Pray"
7."Masters of the Burial" by Amy Millian
Really wished she would have worked on a new Stars album, but this will do for now...along with Torq solo stuff. Strangely enough the best song is a cover of a Death Cab song, just something about the combination of her voice and Ben's words. Most Played: "I Will Follow You Into The Dark", "Bruised Ghosts", and "Towers"
8. "Straylight Run" by Straylight Run
John Nolan is coming to town on my B-Day and then they are here in a few weeks, so I figured I'd brush off an old favorite Most Played: "Tool Sheds and Hot Tubs", "Your Name Here (Sunrise Highway), and "Existentialism on Prom Night"
9. "xx" by The XX
If Metric had a male/female singing duo like Stars it would sound like this. Good, but leaving a dry taste in your mouth. They just don't quite have the lyrical chops of either those bands. Most played: "Heart Skipped a Beat", "Crystallized", and "Shelter"
10. "Daisy" by Brand New
Same reasons as last week. Most played: "In A Jar", "Noro", and "Sink"