Eddy Current Suppression Ring "Rush to Relax"buy this
This album, or any I should say, will hit your turntable and will not be taken off for weeks. WEEKS! Why? It's infectious upon first listen. They don't cover up their songs/lyrics with heavy fuzzed out noise - everything is audible. The faithful strumming of the bass runs continuously, the pleasing ring of the guitar that sprinkles in at times and then drives it home, and the lyrics that sound poetic in the most chilled out way. And sometimes a little gushy in a very hot way... "I can't get over, the color of your skin / I wanna kiss you all over, don't know where to begin. "

Vivian Girlsbuy this
Straightforward all-girl catchy punk meets Beach Boys. What else is there to say? How bout this: It's broken at times, the recording is a little weird and takes growing, but once it does you can't hear it any other way. Songs about telepathic love, dig it. Start with the self-titled and pick up their 7"s. "Surfin Away" is my favorite, if you can find it!

Damien Jurado "Saint Bartlett"buy this
You just can’t open a door to that dark place. It’s somewhere down a dimly lit hallway, down an empty ally-way, it’s hidden somewhere that takes a long time to get to. This is that journey. These are the songs it seems Jurado has written as to not be afraid of what he’s been out in search of all along: happiness.

Phosphorescent "Here's To Taking It Easy"buy this
It’s that empty bottle next to an overflowing ashtray, a voice that’s difficult to determine is resonating from a distance or echoing through the darkness of your own thoughts. Like a bullet fired into the Texas night sky, slowing at it’s apex and turning to commence in it’s decline.

Hypnotic Brass Ensemblebuy this
Heralded as one of the best live shows in the world at the moment, the momentum gathering behind the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble is nothing short of staggering. Eight brothers, all the sons of Sun Ra trumpeteer and songwriter Phil Cohran, have all been playing since they were kids. Released on Damon Albarn's Honest Jon label, their new album is a stunning work of sound, structure, and musicianship. They are also the backing band on the Gorillaz new album "Plastic Beach."

Seven Fields of Aphelionsbuy this
Their debut album "Periphery" is one of the best ambient albums of recent memory. Minimalist new-agey piano rifts float atop a rich bed of warbly synths and pure white noise. Periphery manages to do the near impossible by making a full length ambient album that is actually not boring. Calming, sleepy, and hazy, it still rewards deep listening, as its motifs cycle and recycle thoughout the length of hte album. It sounds both ancient and new. For fans of Eno, Cluster, and all that junk.