What CD do you currently love.

October 18, 2005 2:38 PM

What CD are you currently in love with?

It need not be a new release. I'm really interested in a CD that you've recently discovered and now wonder how you ever lived without it.

posted by captainscared to media & arts (146 comments total)

Page France - Hello Dear Wind
Neil Young - Harvest
posted by Marquis at 2:40 PM on October 18, 2005

anything by Michael Jackson!!
posted by airnxtz at 2:41 PM on October 18, 2005

The Ditty Bops are excellent. Also, can't live without my Xanadu soundtrack. Party all over the world, ah ah ah.
posted by roue at 2:43 PM on October 18, 2005

Stars - Set Yourself on Fire. Seriously, I have listened to this once a day since I got it, it is so frigging good.
posted by dflemingdotorg at 2:45 PM on October 18, 2005

I'll go first.
I came across Tumi and the Volume's album "At the Bassline" through a south-african friend. Their sound is a blend of hip-hop, instrumental and soul.

I like them for their powerful and original sound. What draws me back again and again though is the complexity of Tumi's lyrics.
You can listen to them here.
posted by FissionChips at 2:48 PM on October 18, 2005

Notorious BIG vs Frank Sinatra mixtape
posted by mhuckaba at 2:48 PM on October 18, 2005

Vashti Bunyan: "Lookaftering"
posted by soundofsuburbia at 2:49 PM on October 18, 2005

Wilco -- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
posted by misterbrandt at 2:51 PM on October 18, 2005

The Futureheads, self-titled. First guitar album that I've fallen in love with in a long time.
posted by lbergstr at 2:51 PM on October 18, 2005

I'm currently cycling back through Blacklisted and Canadian Amp by Neko Case and Burn to Shine by Ben Harper. They're not newly bought, but I'm newly obsessing. And I keep getting Leonard Cohen songs stuck in my head, so given my general pattern, that's probably next.
posted by occhiblu at 2:53 PM on October 18, 2005

>The Splendid Master Gnawa Musicians of Morocco with Randy Weston.
posted by philfromhavelock at 2:53 PM on October 18, 2005

Most Secret Method - "Get Lovely"
posted by veronitron at 2:54 PM on October 18, 2005

Éthiopiques 8: Swinging Addis (1969-74)
posted by Utilitaritron at 2:56 PM on October 18, 2005

Wire - Pink Flag & Chairs Missing
Got reintroduced to it a few months ago after not liking it on first listen years ago. It's a staple now.
posted by atom128 at 2:57 PM on October 18, 2005

Auf Der Maur by Auf Der Maur. She's formerly from Hole and Smashing Pumpkins... both being bands I despise, but her solo release sounds nothing like either... and is AMAZING! We're talking a white hot rockout session that sounds like a clash between Black Sabbath, Heart, The Cure and a little bit of Stevie Nicks thrown in just for the heck of it.
posted by RoseovSharon at 2:58 PM on October 18, 2005

Minesweeper Suite by DJ/Rupture. Sort of mashup of world, dub, rap, and sick jungle riddims.
posted by annihilist at 3:01 PM on October 18, 2005

Stevie Wonder's "Secret Life of Plants" recently rocked my world for months.
posted by jgee at 3:01 PM on October 18, 2005

Hollertronix - Never Scared

Excellent mash-up CD, I had it on constant rotation in my car for weeks and my friends loved it. 'Elongated sections of southern crunk, throwback old-school jams (read: early 1980s, not early 1990s), new wave, smooth dancehall, and Baltimore and Miami-based ghetto house all sit easily next to one another.'

You'll most likely have to download it though, since it was only printed for a short time.
posted by driveler at 3:02 PM on October 18, 2005

Jump - "Between the Dim and the Dark"
Streetlight Manifesto - "Everything Goes Numb"
posted by hopeless romantique at 3:03 PM on October 18, 2005

Smashing Pumpkins - Gish
Manic Street Preachers - The Holy Bible
McLusky - The difference between me and you is that I'm not on fire.
posted by evil holiday magic at 3:04 PM on October 18, 2005

I've been listening to three albums lately that push very similar buttons in terms of their style and moods.

Colleen - The Golden Morning Breaks
Fennesz - Endless Summer
and Julian Fane - Special Forces

All three. Very mellow. Kind of expirimental but very listenable. It's like wearing headphones while floating in warm water. Paired with the right book and beverage, it's bliss.
posted by rfordh at 3:04 PM on October 18, 2005

Feels by Animal Collective
posted by rabbitsnake at 3:05 PM on October 18, 2005

Puccini, La Bohème.
Live recording, Teatro alla Scala, Milano, Mar 22, 1979. Conducted by Carlos Kleiber with Luciano Pavarotti, Ileana Cotrubas, Piero Cappuccilli
posted by matteo at 3:05 PM on October 18, 2005

The Mountain Goats, The Sunset Tree.

I seriously can't stop listening to this.
posted by MsMolly at 3:07 PM on October 18, 2005

One for the chart set.. Kanye West's new album. I'm not the hip-hop type, but Jon Brion has done such a great production job.
posted by wackybrit at 3:09 PM on October 18, 2005

The Smooth Sounds of Josh Rouse (by Josh Rouse, duh). It's actually a live DVD, but I have the music on a CD that seems to live in my car. Great stuff - too bad he moved to Spain...no, really.
posted by noahv at 3:10 PM on October 18, 2005

The National's Alligator, because they kicked Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's ass live.

Before that a big 2nd to The Sunset Tree, which will go down for certain as my album of the year, and is already jostling for a spot in the top five of the 2000's.
posted by togdon at 3:16 PM on October 18, 2005

The Essential Electric Light Orchestra. Seriously. I cannot stop listening to it.
posted by scody at 3:17 PM on October 18, 2005

Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life
James Brown: The 50th Anniversary Collection
Anna Nalick: Wreck of the Day
posted by mewithoutyou at 3:17 PM on October 18, 2005

Motorcase of Generosity by Cake - for about the billionth time.
posted by scarabic at 3:18 PM on October 18, 2005

Rogue Wave's new one (psss. it ain't out yet but you can hear chunks of it here.).

Amazing. If you like melancholy pop / great indie songwriting ala Shins and Grandaddy then this may do the trick.
posted by glenwood at 3:18 PM on October 18, 2005

Wolf Parade - Apologies to the Queen Mary
Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

and also the Page France album (wierd, huh?)
posted by cyphill at 3:20 PM on October 18, 2005

I'm going to say Minus the Bear's Highly Refined Pirates.

At least that's what I keep sticking back into the car player.
posted by sevenless at 3:20 PM on October 18, 2005

The Soft Machine- Vols. 1 & 2: Why the hell did I wait so long to pick this up?
Tokyo Jihen-Kyoiku: Shiina Ringo's new band. Fantastic.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 3:20 PM on October 18, 2005

Aberfeldy - Young Forever
posted by Boo! at 3:21 PM on October 18, 2005

fiona apple - extraordinary machine
posted by jdroth at 3:21 PM on October 18, 2005

Joanna Newsom 'cause she played here in Wellington last night.

And a mix by Modest Mouse that a friend gave me.
posted by holloway at 3:22 PM on October 18, 2005

Elliott Sharp's The Velocity of Hue
posted by hototogisu at 3:22 PM on October 18, 2005

Antony and the Johnsons - I am a bird now
posted by leecifer at 3:24 PM on October 18, 2005

Andrew Bird and the Mysterious Production of Eggs.
posted by boo_radley at 3:26 PM on October 18, 2005

The Unicorns - Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?
Black Mountain - Black Mountain
posted by agropyron at 3:29 PM on October 18, 2005

Galaxie 500 : Today
posted by The Jesse Helms at 3:32 PM on October 18, 2005

Olivia Tremor Control - Black Foliage Animation Music
Olivia Tremor Control - Dusk at Cubist Castle
John Vanderslice - Pixel Revolt
The Lucksmiths - Warmer Corners

Ditto on NMH (!), Antony, Wilco, Mountain Goats, and Stars.
posted by ludwig_van at 3:33 PM on October 18, 2005

Second Fiona Apple's "Extraordinary Machine" but, for the love of god, find the leaked Jon Brion recordings, not the godawful Sony release. I had never really listened to Apple before the "Extraordinary Machine" controversy, but holy cow. It will change your life.
posted by rafter at 3:33 PM on October 18, 2005

Beach Boys - Pet Sounds, Smiley Smiley, Wild Honey
Béla Fleck - The Bluegrass Sessions
posted by I Love Tacos at 3:34 PM on October 18, 2005

"Insatiable" by the Stickmen.
posted by Eothele at 3:37 PM on October 18, 2005

Rachel Tift - Best Of.
posted by Wolfdog at 3:41 PM on October 18, 2005 [1 favorite]

Darkbuster - 22 Songs You'll Never Want To Hear Again
posted by zerolives at 3:43 PM on October 18, 2005

Anything that's got Kelly Hogan singing on it.
posted by eilatan at 3:46 PM on October 18, 2005

Jesse Cook - Montreal
posted by googlebombed at 3:51 PM on October 18, 2005

Ratatat by Ratatat.
And, the Hedwig and the Angry Inch soundtrack.
posted by gorillawarfare at 3:53 PM on October 18, 2005

Nate Unplugged by Nate Alhgren.

I found this album through a long distance friend.

It's a collection of mp3s produced by a (then) undergrad at MIT.

It costs nothing, so there isn't any excuse not to go check it out!
posted by adamwolf at 3:56 PM on October 18, 2005

Verve EP
posted by trinarian at 3:56 PM on October 18, 2005

Fiery Furnaces - Gallowsbird's Bark
posted by Hlewagast at 3:58 PM on October 18, 2005

I've been watching too much MTV J, so I have Trina's Don't Trip in my head at all times.

But the last CD I was very addicted to was A Grand Don't Come For Free by The Streets.
posted by VulcanMike at 3:59 PM on October 18, 2005

Dead Can Dance - SpiritChaser (saw them live in Oakland last month, and they blew me away. Amazing)

Shpongle - Nothing Lasts ... But Nothing Is Lost (simply magnificent psychedelic dubby world trancey chilled fun stuff)
posted by 5MeoCMP at 4:00 PM on October 18, 2005

Rilo Kiley "More Adventurous", and Ryan Adams and the Cardinals "Jacksonville City Nights".
posted by padraigin at 4:02 PM on October 18, 2005

I love them all, except for those by Steely Dan.
posted by mookieproof at 4:14 PM on October 18, 2005

I'll second Fennesz's Endless Summer. It's like a having benevolent bees in your ears. If you're not a fan of experimental noise then perhaps it's not for you - but you really ought to check it out anyway.

But if I had to chose 1 CD out of my entire collection as my "desert island disk", it would have to be "Court and Spark" by Joni Mitchell. I've listened to it for 16 years and it still amazes me. Lush orchestration, incredible vocals, imaginative and poetic lyrics, beautiful tunes... it's a masterpiece. All killer no filler, as they say.
posted by ajp at 4:14 PM on October 18, 2005

Hmm... perhaps my Joni recommendation doesn't really count as "recently discovered" :-) But I stand by it :-P
posted by ajp at 4:15 PM on October 18, 2005

Kanye "Late Registration"
Twista "The Day After"
My Morning Jacket "Z"
Sigur Ros "Takk"
Paul Wall "The People's Champ"
posted by First Post at 4:17 PM on October 18, 2005

Deltron 3030
posted by johngoren at 4:20 PM on October 18, 2005

my special album of the moment is Illinois by Sufjan Stevens.
posted by macinchik at 4:22 PM on October 18, 2005

Human Wheels - John Mellencamp
In Between Dreams - Jack Johnson
Flutterby - Butterfly Boucher
Fly or Die - N*E*R*D
From the Choirgirl Hotel - Tori Amos
- a very interesting mix on full shuffle...
posted by blackkar at 4:22 PM on October 18, 2005

Cake - Comfort Eagle
Diana Krall - Love Scenes
posted by blue_beetle at 4:24 PM on October 18, 2005

I remember thinking a few days ago "how did I ever get along without Funeral by Arcade Fire?" (yes, I came to the party late; I saw them live last weekend, and as much as I didn't feel like liking them, they fucking rocked, and I've been listening to the CD ever since)

3 months ago it was Demon Days by the Gorillaz (warning, Flash, in case you're a stick in the mud)

6 months ago it was Thunder Lightning Strike by The Go! Team (playing this sunday in SF, by the way, with Smoosh).

And I second anything by N*E*R*D
posted by mabelstreet at 4:31 PM on October 18, 2005

I'm with Hlewagast, almost. Mine would be Fiery Furnaces, Blueberry Boat. That record is the best to come out of the 21st century thus far.
posted by TonyRobots at 4:31 PM on October 18, 2005

Sigur Ross Takk
Architecture in Helsinki In Case we die.
Andrew Bird The Mysterious Production of Eggs

Are all of us folk who are in love with more than one album cheating?
posted by sien at 4:35 PM on October 18, 2005

the Joggers "With a Cape and a Cane"
Chad VanGalen "Infiniheart"

Those are the two, right now, and they seem to compliment each other well.
posted by underer at 4:36 PM on October 18, 2005

Stankonia and Speakerboxxx/The Love Below by Outkast are the CDs that convinced me the hip-hop still has places to go. Been listening to them over and over for years now.
posted by Slimemonster at 4:42 PM on October 18, 2005

Second Fiona Apple's "Extraordinary Machine" but, for the love of god, find the leaked Jon Brion recordings, not the godawful Sony release. I had never really listened to Apple before the "Extraordinary Machine" controversy, but holy cow. It will change your life.

Totally. I think the original is probably the best album of the year. Sony's official version is quite possibly the worst.
posted by wackybrit at 4:43 PM on October 18, 2005

Bjork: Medulla
and
A stock "Best of Motown" CD
posted by Jon-o at 4:43 PM on October 18, 2005

Foetus - Love

Seriously, a great album. Jim Thirwell's output, now that he's actually learned how to produce an album, has become phenomenal.
posted by vernondalhart at 4:44 PM on October 18, 2005

The Dirty Projectors [self-titled]
Edan, Beauty and the Beat
Neil Young, Trans [constantly in rotation for what, 4 or 5 years now?]
The Ebb and Flow, Time to Echolocate
Brian Eno, Another Green World
Sientific American, Simulated D.I.Y.
Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Who Is This America?
Bablicon, The Orange Tapered Moon
Dolly Mixture [no albums currently in print, but songs can be found on various web sites]
Faust, IV
Salvatore, Tempo
MF Doom, MM...Food & Metal Fingers Presents...

seconds on the Galaxie 500, NMH and Olivia.
posted by ijoshua at 4:47 PM on October 18, 2005

The Avalanches - Since I Left You
The Cinematic Orchestra - Motion
Herbert - Bodily Functions
posted by aubilenon at 4:49 PM on October 18, 2005

Adding to the Fiona love...although, I like the cd release. Then again, I haven't heard the leaked version. I keep wondering if so many people like it better in part because they heard it first? But I suppose I should just download it already and hear for myself.

Other recent love interests:
-Illinois, Sufjan Stevens
-The Woods, Sleater-Kinney
posted by jetskiaccidents at 4:51 PM on October 18, 2005

Cowboy Junkies -- Black Eyed Man
Eva Cassidy -- Songbird

The love affair with Margo Timmins and Eva Cassidy continues...
posted by NucleophilicAttack at 5:01 PM on October 18, 2005

Right now, it's Demon Days by Gorillaz and With Teeth from Nine Inch Nails. I spend so much time listening and re-listening to each album I enjoy that I'm always several months behind the "cool kids" and their new releases.
posted by Plutor at 5:03 PM on October 18, 2005

Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon. It's just... wow.
posted by Lotto at 5:04 PM on October 18, 2005

Phish - Billy Breathes
Guster - Keep it Together
posted by megatherium at 5:05 PM on October 18, 2005

Ohhh - my car has Goldfrapp's Black Cherry. I could listen to Strict Machine about a million times on repeat. Also, I seem to keep going back to old Prince albums (mostly Purple Rain) and REM (Automatic for the People). They are the first two CDs I grab for a roadtrip.
posted by blackkar at 5:10 PM on October 18, 2005

Iron & Wine: Endless Numbered Days - I have been spinning it for almost a year now, at least a couple of times a week. I still love it every time.
posted by crapples at 5:11 PM on October 18, 2005

I've been listening to the leaked Fiona for about a year. I bought the CD when it was released. I love them both equally.
posted by jdroth at 5:19 PM on October 18, 2005

Mike Seed: Songs For The Wintering Show Troupe
Jens Lekman: When I Said I Wanted to Be Your Dog
Iron and Wine: Our Endless Numbered Days
The Skygreen Leopards: Life and Love in Sparrow's Meadow

And Paul Duncan's record Be Careful What You Call Home is due out November 8, but Oil in the Fields assures that it will be an important record to me.
posted by melissa may at 5:25 PM on October 18, 2005

Una Volta by Devotchka.
It's kind of like Gypsy meets Ranchero in Indie Hipster Bar, but modern and not all Putumayo-style we-play-it-at-CostPlus world-musicky.
posted by exceptinsects at 5:27 PM on October 18, 2005

2nds
Wolf Parade - Apologies to the Queen Mary
there are parts of this album that are holy-shit-fantastic. most of the rest of won't change your life, no matter what anyone says.
Edan - Beauty and the Beat
there are 2 sides to every hip hop album, the production and the rap. edan can do both with unique style, and he knows who he owes and he pays them back in spades.

3rds (or 4ths)
The Mountain Goats - The Sunset Tree
album of 2005. I got hooked on the sounds of the songs first, Darnielle's voice reedy over such sweet pop tunes. then I listened to the lyrics. wow.
Iron & Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days
see also the Creek Drank the Cradle

If there's one album I couldn't live without, it would be
Streethawk: A Seduction by Destroyer
I'm not sure I trust myself to say anything convincing about this album. you should just hear it.

Albums of 2005 that just. won't. stop.
Z by My Morning Jacket.
Jim James voice is transcendent. the band breaks out of the alt-psych-country mold on this album and delivers something more whole and universal this time around.
The Mouse & The Mask by DangerDoom
head-nodding beats from Danger Mouse, the usual dense, funny bullshit from Doom, and the added bonus of AdultSwim characters chatting in the background. [We need food.]
Thunder, Lightning, Strike by The Go! Team
the go! team makes music with a thrilling abandon you don't see much of anymore. whether it's aging pop stars or the meticulous look of the current MTV genres, much music is too planned, too crisp, and too lacking in heart. thunder, lightning, strike makes up for every bit of heart not found elsewhere. handclaps and schoolyard chants are an added bonus.
Free the Bees by The Bees or A Band of Bees
also see their debut album Sunshine Hit Me. they're a bit down the family tree from the Beatles and the Super Furry Animals and The Beta Band, but the gene pool is strong as ever.
The Sunlandic Twins by Of Montreal


Other albums worth mentioning:
The Transfiguration of Vincent by M. Ward.
if you have a porch, use it. preferably during sunset.
Blue Screen Life by Pinback
many will dismiss this out of hand as being too emo. they might be right. however, they can't deny that rob crow is a musical genius.


when I think of how music has shaped my life recently, these are (some of) the albums that come to mind. all it takes is one, though.
posted by carsonb at 5:29 PM on October 18, 2005

Casa by Jaques Morelenbaum (cello), Paula Morelenbaum (vocals), and Ryuichi Sakamoto (piano). Sublime versions of Jobim classics.
posted by lukemeister at 5:32 PM on October 18, 2005

Like MsMolly, I can't stop listening to the Mountain Goats, Sunset Tree.
posted by jdl at 5:33 PM on October 18, 2005

Leela James, Fionna Apple, Gorillaz - 05 releases.
posted by poodlemouthe at 5:45 PM on October 18, 2005

Sigur Ros, Takk
Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
posted by sugarfish at 6:04 PM on October 18, 2005

"Audioslave" by Audioslave (the first album, pretty much all I listened to over the summer. It's insanely good, except for the parts where Tom Morello just sucks so badly he's practically a black hole - when he's good, he's really good, but he needs someone to tell him when he sucks, so he can just stop)

"Salt Rain" by Susheela Raman (Indian, bluesy, rocky, just delicious)

"Arabesque Tlata 3" by Various Artists (loads of good modern Arabic music and the CD is criminally cheap)

"Cowboy Bebop Boxed Set" by Yoko Kanno and The Seatbelts (Yes, it's soundtrack music, but unusually good soundtrack music. Fun, energetic, interesting, soulful jazz and some very competent more basic rock as well, I like it a lot)
posted by biscotti at 6:04 PM on October 18, 2005

A Million Stories by Sara Ayers - creepy, lush, beautiful.
posted by chocolatepeanutbuttercup at 6:12 PM on October 18, 2005

Death Cab For Cutie - "Plans". Really good stuff.
posted by toastchee at 6:31 PM on October 18, 2005

Whoa, Cyphill already beat me to the exact two albums I had in mind! Great minds and all that.
posted by trox at 6:34 PM on October 18, 2005

Ani Difranco - So Much Shouting, So Much Laughter. I've had it for what seems like a couple of years, but suddenly I can't get enough of it. It and I are in the same mood, I think.

Metric - Old World Underground. Apparently rock music is still managing not to suck. Good for it.

Venetian Snares - Rossz Csillag Allat Szuletett. Devastatingly good.

Ratatat - self titled. Ditto.
posted by poweredbybeard at 6:44 PM on October 18, 2005

The New Pornographers - Electric Version Not as good as their other albums but still amazing.
Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene The pretension makes me whince. But it sounds soooooo good.
Go CanCon!
posted by thecjm at 7:00 PM on October 18, 2005

I Oughtta Give You A Shot In The Head For Making Me Live In This Dump - Shivaree
posted by signal at 7:00 PM on October 18, 2005

I've been listening to bands featuring the singing of Al Burian - Hellbender "Footprint of the American Chicken", MileMarker's "Frigid Forms Sell" as well as Challenger "Give People What They Want in Lethal Doses," who reminds me of Husker Du.

Oh, and the new Propaghandi album. On repeat. (!!!)
posted by Quartermass at 7:07 PM on October 18, 2005

mine are:
ANYTHING by The Shins (god they are the best thing to happen for me in a LONG time)
and The Decemberists -Picaresque (heard "The Mariner's Revenge Song" on a return trip from southern VA, late at night, on a small radio station in the middle of nowhere....as soon as i got home, bought the album. listen to it almost every day....BRILLIANT stuff)
posted by ShawnString at 7:23 PM on October 18, 2005

I guess I'll have to give Fiona another listen.

Pieces of April Soundtrack - Stephin Merritt (in his various forms) makes some mind bendingly beautiful music.

Recently I can't seem to get enough of In Case We Die (Architecture In Helsinki) and Twin Cinema (The New Pornographers). Listening too long to one song, indeed.
posted by crumbly at 7:37 PM on October 18, 2005

Josh Roseman -- Treats for the Nightwalker. Josh Roseman is an excellent jazz trombonist, and the CD incorporates a bit of funk, a bit of electronica, etc. Bought it off of iTunes and found out about it via a forum which I am a member of. Great stuff.
posted by rossination at 7:39 PM on October 18, 2005

Shostakovich: The Jazz Album
posted by easternblot at 7:56 PM on October 18, 2005

Charlemagne
posted by Kickstart70 at 8:00 PM on October 18, 2005

Sex Slaves, Bite Your Tongue
posted by ferociouskitty at 8:12 PM on October 18, 2005

Tinariwen, Amassakoul. I've never really gotten into African music before, but I love love love this CD - it's Tuareg nomads with old electric guitars.
posted by mygothlaundry at 8:42 PM on October 18, 2005

anything Ella Fitzgerald.
posted by brandz at 8:43 PM on October 18, 2005

There are two that I can't believe that I've never heard of before just a couple of weeks:

1) Elbow - Leaders of The Free World

2) Lemon Jelly '64-'95

Holy crap are these albums the best!!!!
posted by Botunda at 9:00 PM on October 18, 2005

Haven't hear mention of these recent releases yet...my favorite loud stuff so far this year.

High on Fire - Blessed Black Wings. I'm not a huge metal fan, but these guys are hard as heck and seem to crossover with a lot of Metal fence-sitters like me.

The Ponys - Celebration Castle. I like it better than last years debut. It bobs and weaves between early CBGBs along the lines of Richard Hell and Televison, Early-80's post-punk like Cure and Joy Division and 60s Garage.

The Ex - Singles. Period. Never caught up with these guys until now. This comp shows starts as boot-to-the-head punk, and develops all the way to Kurt Weillish theatrics and Industrial throb. Then it ends with the cheerful pogo of "Keep on Hoppin'"
posted by bendybendy at 9:36 PM on October 18, 2005

The Congos - Heart of the Congos (Discs 1 and 2)
Lee Scratch Perry - Arkology (Discs 2 and 3)
At the Gates - Slaughter of the Soul
posted by hellbient at 9:38 PM on October 18, 2005

I second mygothlaundry's recommendation of the Tinariwen album. I'm usually not much of a blues fan, but Amassakoul is awesome.
posted by lukemeister at 10:01 PM on October 18, 2005

hellbient-
Arkology is a desert island disc for me. One of the best box sets, evah.
posted by bendybendy at 10:10 PM on October 18, 2005

Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Television - Marquee Moon
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

...and anything by Elliott Smith.
posted by lorbus at 10:11 PM on October 18, 2005

Silent Alarm Remixed - Bloc Party
Agreed on Dangerdoom, Kanye, and Morning Jacket
However my current obsession would have to be The Magic Numbers. I have had the album on repeat since Saturday. I can't say enough good things about them. Without question my favorite album of the year (so far)
posted by Restlessavenger at 10:14 PM on October 18, 2005

Matisyahu- Live At Stubbs
Lotus- Nomad
posted by furiousxgeorge at 10:17 PM on October 18, 2005

second carsonb on streethawk. so so good.
posted by cloeburner at 10:53 PM on October 18, 2005

If it has to be just one....

The Trinity Session, Cowboy Junkies

Haunting. Beyond mournful.

Best appreciated on long, hot, sleepless night with slow fan and anything on the rocks.
posted by marsha56 at 10:58 PM on October 18, 2005

I get to the end thinking no-one had mentioned the Magic Numbers - and there they are just a few comments above...anyway a fantastic album. I've been playing the first two tracks over and over...
posted by meech at 11:13 PM on October 18, 2005

Ambulance LTD, LP (which is an LP), was a fairly recent discovery of mine, released last year. Very mellow, maybe too feel-good for some folks. I love it late at night.

Extraordinary Machine is a can't-live-without, definitely, and I concur that the Brion version is superior, song by song. That whole "I kept working until I had the album I wanted" line is PR.

I'll also give props for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah; I haven't seen them live. I also like Alligator but I wouldn't put it in "essential".

I'm still in love with the Kills' No Wow, for the punky garage rock fans.

And a late discovery, certainly, is the Magnetic Fields' 69 Love Songs.
posted by dhartung at 11:35 PM on October 18, 2005

dada - How to be Found
posted by cactus at 11:45 PM on October 18, 2005

I keep finding new layers and sounds in Boards of Canada's new LP, The Campfire Headphase, no matter how many times I listen. A lot mellower and peaceful than their previous two - fans of Fennesz will probably find much to like here.

Another nod to Oh, Inverted World and Chutes Too Narrow by The Shins, i've been enjoying them hugely.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 12:44 AM on October 19, 2005

Jeff Buckley - Grace and the super mega-deluxe crazy loony version of Live at Sin E.
posted by shmegegge at 12:59 AM on October 19, 2005

The Earlies - These Were The Earlies
Richard Hawley - Coles Corner
Sugar - File Under Easy Listening
Nickel Creek - Why Must The Fire Die?
posted by TheDonF at 1:06 AM on October 19, 2005

M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas and Lost Ghosts
Iron & Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days

Has anyone tallied the votes? Fiona Apple seems to be winning...
posted by hifimofo at 1:29 AM on October 19, 2005

Books - The Lemon of Pink
Akron/Family - Akron/Family

...and basically everything by Tom Waits in the past few weeks. Both of the former two are kind of smallish folk/pop/experimental outfits that are soothing and interesting at once.
posted by invitapriore at 1:53 AM on October 19, 2005

For some reason I went back to the first Self album, Subliminal Plastic Motives, this week.

Time travelling back 10 years. If you know self and have been listening to the more recent stuff, bootlegs and whatnot, I recommend going back to the beginning.
posted by dogwalker at 2:16 AM on October 19, 2005

Nine Horses - Snow Borne Sorrow
posted by Substrata at 2:38 AM on October 19, 2005

Animal Collective - Feels

Ice Cream Creatures - Everything I Touch Turns Into More Touches

LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem
posted by Espoo2 at 4:37 AM on October 19, 2005

The Blow - Poor Aim: Love Songs EP
posted by palegirl at 6:06 AM on October 19, 2005

Gang of Four, Entertainment!

I've heard about this album for years, but never had a chance to get to know it. The straw that broke the camel's back was Franz Ferdinand -- they sounded like they were totally ripping someone off, and the name that kept popping up was Gang of Four. So I listened to Entertainment! and wondered what my life would have been had I discovered this album when I was 13 instead of 33.

Sigur Ros, Takk ...

I asked a friend of mine familiar with Sigur Ros where to start with their music, and he loves the new album so much, he told me to work backward -- start with Takk ..., then () and finally Aegetis Byrjun.
posted by NemesisVex at 6:10 AM on October 19, 2005

Disillusion - Back to the Times of Splendor
Opeth - Ghost Reveries
Insomnium - The Day It All Went Down

I've been jamming to what I refer to as 'Prog Death' for quite awhile now, and these are among the best that I've found.
posted by Ikazuchi at 6:20 AM on October 19, 2005

Low, The Great Destroyer. I love the guitar sounds. I love the way the voices blend. I love the song structure. I love the lyrical content. I love the drums. I love the emotional up-and-down of the album. I love the release of the final song.

I never really thought much of Low before this, but The Great Destroyer is sort of like someone reaching into my brain, finding all of the musical pleasure centers, and smearing them onto a CD.
posted by COBRA! at 7:04 AM on October 19, 2005

Modest Mouse
-Good News for People who Love Bad News.

Awesome album, distinctly Modest Mouse, yet the rock influences are readily apparent.
posted by lyam at 7:43 AM on October 19, 2005

Boston - Third Stage

I picked this up at a used-CD store a little bit ago because I recognized one song on it, and it quickly became something I listen to all the way through pretty regularly (it's on the short side, which helps).

Also:
Neil Young - Live Rust (some really good versions of songs I can't stand the original versions of, strangely enough)
posted by Godbert at 7:46 AM on October 19, 2005

Two mass market CD's that don't seem to have crossed the Atlantic (one in each direction).

James Blunt, Back to Bedam. Q magazine's Best new Artist and huge in the UK but I suspect little known outside of Europe. Played at low volume in the wrong mood, sounds like a cat being strangled, at the right time however each song opens up like a flower.

John Mayer, Heavier Things. Unknown in the UK, so I can enjoy what is probably considered naff in the US, but these are some of the finest songs I've ever heard.
posted by grahamwell at 8:08 AM on October 19, 2005

Tom Waits - Rain Dogs
posted by altolinguistic at 8:12 AM on October 19, 2005

Redneck Manifesto - I am Brazil
Deerhoof - The Runners Four
On!Air!Library!
posted by pepcorn at 8:19 AM on October 19, 2005

This is distressingly mainstream, but I am really enjoying the new Rolling Stones CD, A Bigger Bang.

Hanging head and slinking away in shame for not being cool enough for Ask MeFi.
posted by Jaie at 8:25 AM on October 19, 2005

Twin Cinema (The New Pornographers). Listening too long to one song, indeed.

Hell yes.
posted by ludwig_van at 8:51 AM on October 19, 2005

NOLA - from Down.
posted by punkrockrat at 10:16 AM on October 19, 2005

I've been listening to Anna Nalick's "Wreck of the Day" for two months, pretty much without ceasing. It's really earwormy, for pretty-girl-pop.

I've also been addicted to "No Mermaid," by Sinead Lohan, and "The Bridge" by Shaye, neither of which are really recent discoveries for me, but they're very good.

All of these assume you like girl pop-rock, of course.

And now *I'll* slink away for being not even remotely cool or cutting edge.
posted by angeline at 10:29 AM on October 19, 2005

seconding the animal collective - feels. it's fantastic.

also, joanna newsom's album (the milk-eyed mender) is pretty great.

some other things i've been listening to: wolf parade, phosphorescent, john vanderslice, and the iron and wine/calexico split.
posted by mayfly wake at 11:01 AM on October 19, 2005

I stopped listening to CDs years ago.

But as far as LPs, I've been addicted to Grant Green's super-funky "Green Is Beautiful", the self-titled album from the early 70s by Coke, and for some reason I can't stop listening to The Beach Boys "Pet Sounds".
posted by rocketman at 1:08 PM on October 19, 2005

Leela James
posted by poodlemouthe at 1:53 PM on October 19, 2005

Another vote for Extraordinary Machine (both versions). Also Fiona's last album "When the pawn..."
posted by Lanark at 2:30 PM on October 19, 2005

Right now, it's OK Go - Oh No. It's boppy and catchy and bright, and so far it's been the only thing to draw me out of a surly, humorless October funk.

But if you had asked me this question a month ago, I too would've answered The Mountain Goats - The Sunset Tree. Just an amazing album on all fronts.
posted by brookedel at 1:54 AM on October 20, 2005

Digression/degression by Astronoise
posted by Joseph Gurl at 8:40 AM on October 28, 2005