Clams Casino - Instramental Mixtape 2

 Nic Newby likes this.  This album has an epic yet atmospherey feel, like I should be hanging over the front of a ship crossing the ocean.

Beat Connection - The Palace Garden

 Nic Newby likes this.  This is a great sunny weekend daytime energy-inspiring gettin'-chores-done album.  It's atmospheric and rhythmic at the same time, and the vocals are cheery but not too perky, if you know what I mean.

Madegg - Tempera

 Nic Newby likes this.  A lot of this album reminded me in so many good ways of Boards of Canada, who I miss dearly (they are dead, right?).  And despite my current locale, my favorite track title was "How Far Can This Boat Go out to Sea in Miles".

Gangrene - Vodka & Ayahuasca

 Nic Newby likes this.  About 2/3 of the songs made me feel like I had had either vodka or ayahuasca or both before listening, and the other 1/3 made me want to have it/them.  But all in all, a good power-up album.

Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls

 Nic Newby likes this.  There was a lot of soul in this music, not just in the vocals but in the rhythm and the music itself, and the production style chosen was really fitting.  Choose this album for times you want to hear the soul of Amy Winehouse but less pop and more mature.

Crystal Castles - (III)

 Nic Newby likes this.  It seems almost like a darker, twisteder t.A.T.u., who I love.  It's got a driving beat and ethereal vocals that make it fitting for almost any mood.

Ab-Soul - Control System

While listening I found myself asking "if this man's songs are all about having sex, money, and drugs, why is he so angry?"  Beyond the opening track, I couldn't get into it, sadly.  I tried, all the way up through the end, but it just wasn't my thing.

Heather French Henry - Ditchlore

Points for this being a local (Bloomington, that is) band. I like some of the Coldplay-y things they're doing.  However, the disparity in production quality between some of the songs makes the album overall a little difficult to take as a whole album.  Not that any one production style in the album is better than the other, it's just that it's discontinuous.  I'd like to hear their next album.

How To Dress Well - Total Loss

 Nic Newby likes this.  It's an emotional roller-coaster because the music itself is sappy but uplifting (and R&B in spots) but once you start really listening to the lyrics it makes you want to cry because you're like "yes, How To Dress Well, you get me."

Melody's Echo Chamber - Melody's Echo Chamber

 Nic Newby likes this.  For some reason I'm a sucker for someone singing in French.  Plus, the last song sounds like there are Asian kids.  Plus, there's a whole early-80's-movie-upbeat-but-still-melancholy-montage vibe about the whole thing.  Like maybe something out of Donnie Darko.

Perfume Genius - Put Your Back N 2 It

 Nic Newby likes this.  Naturally I assumed I was going to hear something new by Ice Cube.  Instead, it sounds like there's a lot of Counting Crows influence, especially "Colorblind".  In the very best ways, of course.  A very melancholy album overall.  Even the "uplifting" or "inspiring" sounding songs are pretty melancholic.  But it feels so good.