Suzanne Baran’s Top Ten — September 21

by Suzanne Baran
19 September 2008

Not just indie all the time…

1. Silver Jews – : Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea (Drag City)

   With such lines as “Romance is the douche of the bourgeoisie,” Berman is back in full force with the Jews’ sixth album. It delights me endlessly.

2. Calexico – Carried to Dust (Quarterstick Records)

   A more humble, folksy release worth picking up.

3. Shearwater – Rook (Matador)

   The frontman sounds surprisingly like Jeff Buckley, Sr. It’s uncanny and beautiful, touching, and the band’s lyrics are intellectually stimulating—all at once.

4. Foals – Antidote (Sup Pop)

   Pure fun, and Brit-bliss.

5. Presets- Apocalypso (Modular Recordings)

   Perfect workout music. “If I Know You” is magical.

6. A Place to Bury Strangers – A Place to Bury Strangers (Killer Pimp)

   This group’s versatile cry is majestic.

7. Metallica – Death Magnetic (E/M Ventures)

   I’ll always have a soft spot for these guys even though St. Anger was a wholly colossal disappointment. This release re-visits the band’s old-school riff days off Justice, but lyrically Mr. Hetfield misses the mark. He needs a wordsmith to complement the band’s strident sound and mind-blowing guitar work on “The Day That Never Comes.”

8. Walkmen – You & Me (Gigantic Music)

   Here’s a shinning example of brilliant songwriting. It’s truly inspired songwriting. Some of the tracks have made me cry, they’re so filled with romantic longing and yet celebratory at the same time. The Walkmen return to their classic form. It’s filled with intimacy and energy dating back to the greats – with some hint of Roy Orbison, too.

9. Radar Bros. – Auditorium (Merge Records)

   Simply powerful indie rock.

10. The Honeydrips – Here Comes the Future (Sincerely Yours)

    They can’t be pigeonholed. Hypnotic, catchy, and tough-to-come-quality by today’s standards. Try their website for samples.