Original Illustration by Ryan Blomberg (ryanblomberg.wordpress.com)

As always, I’ve valiantly taken some time out of my work week to listen to a number of new CDs this week and let you know which are worth your time and which wouldn’t even be suitable to using as frisbees.

Full list, in descending order of awesomeness, below the fold:

REALLY AWESOME:

Artist Camera Obscura
Album: My Maudlin Career
Who the hell are they?: Theatrical Glasswegian crooners
Sounds like a combination of: Belle and Sebastian and Leslie Gore
For Example: French Navy
Recommended?: For staring out at a rainy window and dreaming about who you’ll marry.
Release Date: April 18

Artist St. Vincent
Album: Actor
Who the hell are they?: Stage name of one woman show Annie Clark.
Sounds like a combination of: Beth Orton and the 5th Dimension
For Example: The Strangers
Recommended?: Yes.
Release Date: May 5

Artist Stuart Murdoch
Album: God Help The Little Girl
Who the hell are they?: Soundtrack to a film that does not yet exist, penned by Belle and Sebastian frontman Murdoch
Sounds like a combination of: Petula Clark and Stephen Sondheim
For Example: Come Monday Night
Recommended?: Highly. It single handedly got me thought this rainy day.
Release Date: June 23

Artist Sunset Rubdown
Album: Dragonslayer
Who the hell are they?: Epically-minded side project of Wolf Parade (and Swan Lake) vocalist Spencer Krug.
Sounds like a combination of: David Bowie and Iron Butterfly
For Example: Idiot Heart
Recommended?: Yes. The only thing it’s missing is a 20 minute organ solo. And its version of “Paper Lace” is actually better than Swan Lake’s, which I didn’t think possible.
Release Date: June 23

Artist Department of Eagles
Album: In Ear Park
Who the hell are they?: Band comprised of three Grizzly Bear members that is not technically a Grizzly Bear side project. Discuss.
Sounds like a combination of: Grizzly Bear and The Lovin’ Spoonful.
For Example: No One Does It Like You (and its incredible video.)
Recommended?: For those who still find Grizzly Bear too inaccessible.
Release Date: Nov. 2008

Pretty Awesome:

Artist Birds of Avalon
Album: Uncanny Valley
Who the hell are they?: Hazy, psychedelic guitar shredders
Sounds like a combination of: Franz Ferdinand and a whole bottle of robatusin.
For Example: Your downtime is up
Recommended?: A stoned day at the beach
Release Date: June 23

Artist The Builders and the Butchers
Album: Salvation is a Deep Dark Well
Who the hell are they?: Portland based roots-ish rock
Sounds like a combination of: Blitzen Trapper and Tom Waits
For Example: Devil Town (3rd Track.)
Recommended?: Sure.
Release Date: June 30

Artist Bonfire Madigan
Album: Lady Saves EP
Who the hell are they?: Siren-voiced Cellist who should put out an EP that isn’t just remixes of one good track.
Sounds like a combination of: Bjork and a pagan campfire ritual
For Example: Lady Saves
Recommended?: For making out with a robot in the bed of a cherry picker while the city around you bursts into song and a bionic bear wearing a swan dress pierces your nipples.
Release Date: Press release didn’t say, but I assume soon.

Artist Cazwell
Album: Watch My Mouth
Who the hell are they?: Muscley gay rapper
Sounds like a combination of: Eminem and Johnny McGovern
For Example: I Seen Beyonce at Burger King
Recommended?: Yeah, sure. The singles are great but I dare you to listen to the whole thing straight through…
Release Date: June 30

Artist Cymbals Eat Guitar
Album: Why There Are Mountains
Who the hell are they?: Genre-hopping New York City buzz band
Sounds like a combination of: Mott The Hoople and Beulah
For Example: Wind Phoenix
Recommended?: Sure, but it doesn’t match the amount of hype I’ve heard about them.
Release Date: September 22nd

Artist Future of the Left
Album: Travels With Myself and Another
Who the hell are they?: Hard-rockin Cardiff trio
Sounds like a combination of: The Deftones and Queen
For Example: The Hope That House Built
Recommended?: For combining sousa marches and human sacrifices
Release Date: June 23

Not Awesome At All:

ArtistArt Brut
Album: Art Brut Vs. Satan
Who the hell are they?: Snarky British indie punks
Sounds like a combination of: Madness and Spinal Tap
For Example: Alcoholics Unanimous
Recommended?: For guys who even wear their black skinny ties to the grocery store.
Release Date: April 21

Artist Kate Earl
Album: Introducing Kate Earl EP
Who the hell are they?: Basically Lilly Allen
Sounds like a combination of: Lilly Allen and Lilly Allen
For Example: Melody
Recommended?: If you want Lilly Allen to play your birthday party or something but the deal wasn’t available.
Release Date: June 9

Artist Pete Yorn
Album: Back & Forth
Who the hell are they?: Low-key “Guy with guitar.”
Sounds like a combination of: James Blunt and James Taylor
For Example: Don’t Wanna Cry
Recommended?: Eh.
Release Date: June 23