THE NATIONAL - Boxer

After a slowly discovering the amazing National album Alligator, I was very excited to hear that had a follow-up coming this year. I'm happy to say I was not disappointed when I finally heard it; in fact, I was blown away. Boxer takes what is best of Alligator, that being great lyrics, a tight sound that is catchy yet not annoying and an amazing progression from track to track. The whole album is great but some key tracks are "Fake Empire," "Slow Show," and "Start a War" if you are just looking for a bit of their sound.

JOHN COLTRANE - Coltrane's Sound

An often overlooked Coltrane album from his Atlantic years and released while he was on Impulse. This is most notable for an exceptional ballad "Central Park West," which shows Coltrane at his most lovely and lyrical. A varied record that any fans of his Giant Steps era will appreciate.

FRED FRITH - Speechless

It's everything I look for in music. Experimental, but drivingly melodic. Thoroughly exciting.

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT - Release the Stars

Rufus taps into my hidden desires of my ideal music. He knows things that I want to hear that even I didn't know I wanted to hear. Operatic, daring, funny, poignant... Release the Stars is yet another example of this man's ability to make a modern hybrid of explosive Wagnerian fireballs and porcelain pop caresses. My jaw is slack.