Various - Lost Notebooks Of Hank Williams: Just awesome.

Tragedy - Darker Days Ahead: I have trouble getting into the vocal delivery.

TS And Past Haunts - Gone And Goner: No substitute for a new Piebald album.

Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball: Unashamedly his.

Sleigh Bells - Reign Of Terror: Band/concept continues to grow on me.

Sleigh Bells - RT

Silversun Pickups - Neck Of The Woods: Mildly disappointing.

The Shins - Port Of Morrow: Incredibly underwhelming.

Rockpile - Seconds Of Pleasure: Several singles worthy of repeat listens.

Matt Pryor - May Day: Would not be my first choice for where to start for his related albums.

Portugal. The Man - The Mountain In The Clouds: Perfect album for a live setting in a drug-induced state.

PJ Harvey - Let England Shake: Certainly good, but best of last year? I need more time.

Randy Newman - 12 Songs: Sometimes excellent execution trumps uniqueness.

Off! - Off!: More please!

of Montreal - Paralytic Stalks: Hissing Fauna continues to be the yardstick by which their albums measure up. Not close this time.

The Nighty Nite - Dimples: I miss The Paper Chase.

Nada Surf - The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy: Always enjoyable but mostly forgettable.

The Menzingers - On The Impossible Past: Yet another great album, almost like they can do no wrong.

Mars Volta - Noctourniquet: Borderline traditional.

Liverpool - Women & Work: Feels like a very grown-up album.