Tapes 'n' Tapes - Outside: Same band, more meh.

Sufjan Stevens - Age Of Adz: I'm sure I will grow to love new Sufjan, but right now I miss old Sufjan.

Sleigh Bells - Treats: More engaging than some contemporaries but not enough to hold my attention despite a few great tracks.

River City Extension - ...And The Unmistakable Man: The best indie/folk/pop/rock/whatever you're not listening to.

The Riot Before - Rebellion: Yet another example of how much really good punk there is.

Portal. The Man - American Ghetto: Subversively enjoyable.

Off With Their Heads - In Desolation: Australia is very lucky to see these guys with Against Me!.

Of Montreal - False Priest: Lacking in charisma.

None More Black - Icons: Disappointing.

Nightmares For A Week - A Flood Tomorrow: Excellent EP reminiscent of Get Up Kids just after Something before Wire.

New Pornographers - Together: Solid album but I wish it was a little more energetic.

The National - High Violet: Keep waiting for that penultimate album to really grab me.

Menzingers - Chamberlain Waits: More catchy-without-being-poppy punk from what is an increasingly consistent band.

Make Do And Mend - End Measured Mile; What hard rock could, and should have been. #notNickelback

Hostage Calm - Hostage Calm: Not sure what type of band they want to be, but this wasn't it.

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach: Just not my cup of tea.

Fresh and Onlys - Play It Strange: Shoegazey with potential.

Fake Problems - Real Ghosts Caught On Tape: Great Songs Caught On CD.

Drake - Thank Me Later: Good but overhyped blend R&B and rap without coddling one for the other.

Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest: Perfect soundtrack to a blizzard.