This was the year I finished my conversion to digital music: I bought 6 CDs and downloaded 55 full albums from eMusic, iTunes, and the late, lamented Lala. AlbumsArcade Fire — The SuburbsSomewhat disappointing. Their debut Arcade Fire EP and full-length Funeral
were among the best releases of the mid-zeros, but the two followups
have been a bit dull, though well-intentioned and not without some highlights. I liked the new "Sprawl 2 (Mountains Beyond Mountains)" enough to play it at Laura's and Stephan's reception, but the rest of the album lacks the beautiful
eccentricity that they used to have in songs like "I'm Sleeping In A
Submarine" and "Crown Of Love"?
Autolux — Transit TransitBroken Social Scene — Forgiveness Rock RecordDevo — Something For EverybodyA nice return after two decades.
The New Pornographers — TogetherSoundpool — Mirrors In Your EyesSpoon — TransferenceVampire Weekend — White SkyThe Besnard Lakes — The Roaring NightBlonde Redhead — Penny SparkleStripped down to pretty surfaces. "Love or Prison" has worked itself into me.
Deerhunter — Halcyon DigestDepartment of Eagles — Archive 2003-2006Here We Go Magic — PigeonsA very listenable progression from their debut. Though nothing is as perfectly catchy as last year's "Fangela", it has a bunch of subtle, pretty songs.
Albums from earlier yearsDepeche Mode — Sounds of the Universe and Playing the AngelPortishead — ThirdSongsPortishead — "Chase the Tear" Black Rebel Motorcycle Club — "Bad Blood" The Chemical Brothers — "K+D+B" Songs from earlier yearsFranz Ferdinand — "Live Alone" | 