Lullatone - Plays Pajama Pop Pour Vous

Artist: Lullatone

Album: Plays Pajama Pop Pour Vous

Label: Audio Dregs

Genre: Pajama Pop

As the name would suggest, lullatone is a guy and girl duo that specializes in creating lullaby-esque music. They blend lo-fi recordings with childish melodies, and lyrics about day dreaming and so on. For further comparison, visit this website. I'm not a big fan of the girls vocals, but I do think that it suites the music.

Download, Myspace, iTunes

Hawks - Live at Mt. Sinus

Artist: Hawks

Album: Live at Mount Sinus (4/28/08)

Genre: Thrashy-ass Post-Punk/Noise Rock

One of the better bands in the development and progression of the Atlanta music scene. The fervency and chaos that envelops their sound drives their music to be both incredibly energetic and aesthetically pleasing. Their record, Barnburner, is soon to be released on Josh Fauver's label, ArmyofBadLuck. 

Buy it. Go see these guys play. In either situation, you will not be disappointed.

Download, Myspace

Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto - Insen

Artist: Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto

Album: Insen

Label: Asphodel

Release Date: May 31, 2005

Genre: Solo Piano/Micro Ambient

Alva Noto, who is best known for his use of glitchy, syncopated squelching computer noises, processes the impressionistic piano playing of Ryuichi Sakamoto, a Japanese multi-award winning composer and musician. The duo's unique blend creates a soundscape of both solo piano and glitchy, micro electronic sounds. Recommended tracks: Logic Moon (3), and Moon (4).

Download, Amazon, iTunes

Since they have no myspace, here is a video someone made for their song.

Spokane - Little Hours

Artist: Spokane

Album: Little Hours

Label: Jagjaguwar

Release Date: August 8th, 2007

Genre: Folk/Post-Rock/Lo-Fi

Spokane's Little Hours has become one of my favorite albums of all time. Their sound is very earthy and somber yet incredibly tranquil. A spectacular work from the duo of Courtney Bowles and Rick Alverson, who have had past contributions to post rock group, Gregor Samsa.

Download, Buy, Myspace

PS: Welcome all ye first time visitors!

Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP

Artist: Bon Iver

Album: Blood Bank EP

Label: Jagjaguwar

Release Date: January 20, 2009

Genre: Folk/Alternative/Singer-Songwriter

After his major success with his debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago, Justin Vernon has recorded a short follow-up EP that gives his audience confidence to the progression of his songwriting. The Blood Bank EP is a small glimpse of Vernon's more blissful writing in contrast to his melancholy material from For Emma. 

Enjoy the leakage.

Download, For Emma, Forever Ago, Myspace

O.Lamm - Monolith

Artist: O.Lamm

Album: Monolith

Label: Audio Dregs

Release Date: January 2, 2007

Genre: Electronic

This CD is pure pleasure! O.Lamm uses quite a few samples and vocal snippits to create bizarre but childish melodies that both captivate and invigorate your senses. Recommended tracks: 2.Genius Boy 3.The Macguffin 5.Return of the Night Ghost

Download, Myspace, Amazon, iTunes

Frances - All the While

Artist: Frances

Album: All the While

Label: Gigantic

Release Date: October 14, 2008

Genre: Baroque/Chamber Pop

In the growing reincarnation of 60's psych pop, Brooklyn-based Frances contributes to this revival with their phenomenal debut album, All the While. With luscious strings and delicate, soaring woodwinds carrying you from one upbeat song to the next, it's easy to get lost in the extravagance of their sound. If you are looking for a feel-good album with a metropolitan flare to end the year with, you may want to give these guys a listen. 

Website, Myspace, Buy the album!