Review: Os Mutantes - Os Mutantes:

Upon first listen if you're looking for some '60s psychadelic pop that was made, well, in the '60s, please do yourself a favor and check this band out. They're from Brazil and lack the gene that allows them to sing in English, but it's worth it. There are some songs that miss their mark, but on the whole it's a good album.

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Purchase for $8.19

Review: Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?:

Upon first listen this album is worth a good deal of the hype it's getting. And how could it not be? Sounding like someone put the Fiery Furnaces, Belle and Sebastian and Of Montreal into a blender, it would be an almost certain smash and it doesn't entirely dissapoint. Some of the tracks tend be get a little repetitive, but there's so much good about it that I can see it getting overlooked on future spins.

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Purchase for $10.49

Review: Piebald - Accidental Gentleman:

Upon first listen I've hated each of the last two Piebald records. A few listens later and I loved them both. But it took some time. Accidental Gentleman continues that trend in that I hate it upon first listen. Hopefully, they won't dissapoint and I'll love it a few listens from now.

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Purchase for $11.00

Review: Menomena - Friend And Foe:

Upon first listen the title is very fitting. This is a really, really good album, but ever so short of being a great album. Lots of good tracks (Friend) and a couple of mediocre ones (Foe).

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Purchase for $8.35

Review: Freddie Jackson - Greatest Hits:

Upon first listen I just couldn't get past the third track or so.

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Don't buy it

Review: Al Green - The Definitive Greatest Hits:

Upon first listen I enjoyed myself for the first few tracks, but after that it's hard to be energized by 21 consecutive tracks by Mr. Green. Still, if you're a fan, surely this would be on repeat.

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Purchase for $9.72

Review: Crowded House - Farewell To The World:

Upon first listen it's very solid arena-friendly pop. Some great songs, some OK songs and some sketchy songs all culminating with their only US hit Don't Dream It's Over.

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Purchase for $16.80

Review: Califone - Roots & Crowns:

Upon first listen his is a great follow-up to Heron King Blues which I thought was an OK album. This one sure would shake up my best of '06 list (if I ever devote the time to making one).

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Purchase for $11.25

Review: Various - Peanut Butter Wolf Presents Chrome Children:

Upon first listen there is some absolutely stunning music on this disc. Accompanied by some absolutely atrocious music. Still it's a nice selection from one of the few record labels actually pushing hip-hop forward.

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Purchase for $10.68

Review: Mos Def - True Magic:

Upon first listen I think it's time for Mos Def to hang up his rapping career.

Stream True Magic, Undeniable, U R The One and Thug Is A Drug

Purchase for $11.22

Review: Ghostface Killah - More Fish:

Upon first listen this may be the best rap album of '06, if it weren't for that pesky Fishscale album.

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Purchase for $7.88

Review: Chin Up Chin Up - This Harness Can't Ride Anything:

Upon first listen I really liked their debut but found myself struggling to finish this new disc.

Stream This Harness Can't Ride Anything and Virginia Don't Drown

Purchase for $10.38

Review: The Beatings - Holding On To Hand Grenades:

Upon first listen the post-punk stylings of this band do nothing for me. If you're looking for some good post-punk this year, check out Mission of Burma.

Stream Feel Good Ending and a few non-album specific tracks

Purchase for $12.25

Review: Various - Rocky Balboa, The Best of Rocky:

Upon first listen I must confess that I have never seen a Rocky movie from beginning to end. I'm familiar with the concept and seen bits and pieces of the previously released five installments, but never a complete one. That being said, this compilation gets me really excited to see not only the first five, but the new one. There's nothing like Theme from Rocky back-to-back with Eye of the Tiger to get you're heart racing.

Stream a couple of tracks off of the Rocky IV Soundtrack

Purchase for $13.29

Review: Dean Martin - Christmas with Dino:

Upon first listen if you've heard these songs once, you've heard them a thousand times. If you're a Dino fan, this is for you.

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Purchase for $10.88