This is a difficult one because I bought a shedload of CDs last month so I'm trying to remember which three were most recent, anyway here goes: Ratatat - Ratatat I had this MP3 lying round on my hard drive called 17 years for ages, but couldn't remeber who it was buy. It sounded vaguely like Felix Da Housecat doing a rock track. I finally found out that it was in fact a band called Ratatat, a collaboration between guitarist Mike Stroud and bedroom producer Evan Mast. Its only May and I think this could be album of the year already (still awaiting my copy of the new Lali Puna album). This is pure genius, intertwining baroque synth and guitar harmonies with no real seperation between harmony and rhythm, serious riffing that would put The Darkness to shame and it manages somehow to be hip-hop without actually being hip-hop. Does that make sense? probably not, anyway its great, check it out, it could be the start of a new genre "Baroque and Roll" anyone? The Rapture - Echoes I had been avoiding buying this for quite some time. I already had the brilliant DFA mix of "house of jealous lovers" on a Muzik magazine DFA compilation called "Dance to the Underground". I figured the rest of the album can't be as good as this track (especially considering it was a different mix to the one on the album) and it would probably be a purchase I would regret long after the whole disco-punk thing stopped being trendy, but I saw it on sale for 6 euro so I figured I had little to lose. The album doesn't ever really rise above "House of Jealous Lovers", but its still a pretty good record if not exactly original. The title of the album is aproppriate because you constantly here "echoes" of late 70s, early 80s bands in their sound such as Gang of 4, New Order, etc. Depeche Mode - Speak and Spell This is definitely an oldie! Its great though, despite the cheap synths it still sounds great today. It was made when Vince Clarke was still with the band and it shows, its very much an upbeat pop record comapred to later Depeche Mode. Smashing Pumpkins - The Aeroplane Flies High (Japanese 2 CD set) OK this makes 4 (5 if you count the fact that its a double album) and I didn't purchase it that recently either, but I thought I'd mention it because I'd love to know if anybody knows anything about it. It appears to be made up only of the B-Sides that featured in the original 5CD Aeroplane Flies High Box set, thus saving you a packet if you already have the first three albums and have no desire to pay for songs you already have in your collection. I picked it up in Camden when I was in London recently so its quite likely its not exactly kosher. However it doesn't appeat to be a bootleg, The artwork features virgin records logos and it has the catalogue number is VJCP 25200-1/2 so it seems genuine. The sound quality is spot on but I can't find any reference to it in various discographys. Its great if you are a smashing pumpkins fan and shows an unusual side to the band as it features a lot acoustic and electronic stuff rather than their trademark indie-metal, kind of like "Adore" I guess, but different even to that. Anyone know if this is a "genuine" release or not?

i got the walkmen's album when it came out, that was amazing, my favorite of the year so far. the still's album as well, that's ok and i got a promo of the ordinary boys new album, that was a big surprise, way better than i expected. look out for it

While i always like the pumpkins i can never say that i was overly enthusiastic about them. Duno why. I think i got bored with them Fightin talk i hear you say. probably. I must pick up the rapture album. Where did you find it at that crazy price. I bought the Walkmens album as well. And its not bad. "The rats" is pure class as is "Little house of savages" But some of the songs are pretty average and let the album down as a whole Who would you compare the stills two. I have heard a bit about them but i havent heard any of their music. I miss daytime phantom.

you could compare the stills to interpol. they're a bit lighter/popier, but definately worth checking out

Last album I bought was Modest Mouse's "Good News for People Who Love Bad News". My album of the year so far. It ain't released yet on this side of the pond they called the Atlantic (it's released over here on July 19th, I got me fair lady to pick it up for me when she was over in the States). Modest Mouse are - for me at least - one of the finest bands operating in the US at the moment. And, as per another discussion thread going on this site, they're a band I would definitely be prepared to travel to see. On that very front they have just announced a clutch of European dates (between June 22 and 28 they hit Berlin, Cologne, Glasgow, London & Manchester). But I'm all talk, no action cuz I won't be making the plunge to see them as I'm on holliers that same week (even so my jaunt to see Wilco in London in July is already enough of an indulgence, I could never reasonably expect to justify to myself (or anyone else for that bleedin’ matter) a trip to see the Modest Mouse lads). eoghan

Last three albums... 'Transcedental Blues' (Steve Earle) - Amazing record. His best. He finally got the perfect balance between roots and rock. And he didn't bother with running the final mix through a digital limiter. Good man. 'The Lonesome Touch' (Martin Hayes/Denis Cahill) - Probably the best Traditional Irish album ever released. Hayes is to the fiddle what Michaelangelo was to the paint brush. The only trad album I have ever heard that has a true sense of grandeur. And it's only fiddle/guitar. No bodhrans, bozoukis (can't spell that to save my life), squeeze boxes, nothing. Genius. 'Stumble Into Grace' (Emmylou Harris) - Liked it alot when I put it on but, after five plays, it started to grate. I don't get the Emmylou thing. She started out with Gram Parsons, whom I loathe, and then turned into the maiden aunt of Alt.Country. The missus hates it too and won't let me play it when she's at home. And one I sent back... 'A Grand Don't Come For Free' (The Streets). Utter rubbish. I got a free advance copy of this and handed it back after playing the first half once. How would I describe it ? Oh yeah ! 'SH*T BUT YOU KNOW IT'

Modest Mouse play Seattle a lot, they're from here. I've wanted to check them out but they're pretty popular in the indie scene so their shows sell out. Or maybe I've just been too lazy to go. I tend to think of them as Built to Spill wannabes, to be honest. But I haven't heard much by them, and I keep hearing how great they are live. Last three albums: Orange Goblin - Thieving From the House of God Only listened to it once so far, but I'm digging it. Just picked it up when I saw them play this week. They're a British stoner band, good stuff. And thanks to this site: Whipping Boy - Heartworm The Frank and Walters - Trains, Boats and Planes Luka Bloom - Riverside

Fantomas - Delerium Cordia, Wierdest thing I''ve ever heard yet Bob Dylan - Street Legal, what is there to be said, Outkast - SpeakerBoxx/The Love Below, A great CD for, well, listening to on the way out and while out,

I think it was actually Electric 6 :\ Anyone know if there is an electric eel shock album

David Byrne's Look Into The Eyeball...interesting, but a lot of his solo work just serves to shine a light on how amazing talking heads were.. Francoise Hardy - some collection or other, it's all in French...in the dictionary under 'breezy'. a picture of Ms Hardy.. Miles Davis - Round about Midnight....Miles kicks junk, teams up with Coltrane and his greatest quintet. Blissful..

last three... a cheap Nina Simone live album- some good recordings on it. The Liars- they were wrong so we drowned. the tracks that are actually songs rather than ambient noise are really good. There's a song called "if your a wizard why do you need glasses?", it begs the question: if you are so pedantic, why do you spell it "Y-O-U-R"? Belle and Sebastian: fold your hands child, you walk like a peasant.

Just bought a copy of the new Felix Da Housecat album "Devin Dazzle and the Neon Fever" on friday evening, its not even supposed to be released until today. Some poor virgin megastore employee is probably in serious trouble! It sounds pretty good but I haven't listened to it enough to give a definitive verdict on it. A lot of the distant icy cool on "Kittenz and thee Glitz" is gone, mainly because Miss Kittin and Melistar don't seem to feature this time round. This record sounds a bit more unrestrained, a bit more "punk". Standout track so far is "rocket ride", a collaboration with James Murphy from LCD soundsystem, its very funky and James Murphys vocals kind of sounds like how Jack White might sound if he was funkier and dropped the whole puritanical authenticity thing.

Os Mutantes - Os Mutantes Lone Pigeon - Concubine Rice Modest Mouse - Good news for poeple who love bad news

Last album bought , Love - Forever Changes , a very wierd album but the more I listen to it the more I think it's absolutely great !

I heard that smashing pumpkins aeroplane CD a year or two ago, one of my mates brought it back from holidays in Europe. I think it is bona fide, nice collection of tunes. I must say I love the smashing pumpkins, I know its not everyones cup of tea, I dont really like their last album as much, but I think Corgan is one of the best song writers ever, even if everyone says he is a pain in the ass. I have not been able to afford new Cds in ages. Unemployed student. Please send me some new Cds or unwanted HMV vouchers, for the love of God think of the poor deprived students!!

last 3: Charlatans - Up at the lake Mundy - Raining down arrows - very average Eels - Beautiful Freak

heroes to zeros - beta band remix album - brenda fassie* second contribution - shawn phillips* pata pata - miriam makeba* * 'revival' purchases

I bought On The Beach by Neil Young..... just buy it everyone. It's a stone-cold, no nonsense bugget of gold and should be in everyone's collection. Also bought Simple Kid. He's basically an Irish Beck, ain't he? Jury's out on this one. And a best of Tori Amos that I found in a Virgin sale and 4.99 and couldn't say no.

Incubus - morning view (rockin) Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts of the great highway (mellow) Durufles - Requiem (must be listened with polo neck and brandy in hand - spiffing music)

Eric, What did you make of the Sun Kil Moon album It took me a while but ive really gotten into it now. Tempted to catch them in the village on the 7th of June

Likewise Klootfan, took me a while to get used to it but really like it now. Stand out tracks are 'Du Koo Kim' and 'Gentle moon' - great stuff.I don't know if you will agree but I think some of the songs like 'carry me ohio' go on a little longer than needed. I'm a big Red house painters (same singer/song writer) fan and have seen them live before. Obviously their gigs verge on sending you to sleep, but lead man Mark Kozelek has an incredible voice live and is a great musician. I'd recommend checking him out.

My Last trois ceirnínís that i burned/permanently borrowed/bought were: Johnny Cash - American IV: When The Man Comes Around (legend). 30 Grandes De Bob Marley (s**te quality 2-discer from a spanish supermarket). Marvin - Stars (surprisingly together €3 ep from some gig). Well anyways this is a deadly site that i have just happened upon. Get up the boys!

I dont get the pumpkins although I can appreciate why some do. Give me the eponymous debut of the undertones any day! (I heard "eponymous debut" on an ad on the radio for an album once and promised myself that I would one day make myself sound clever, intelligent, learned and bright by using it... dont have a clue what it means, guessing it just means good, or great, or deadly or something positive. Answers on the back of a postcard.)

hmmmm... have to agree to that first post re: ratatat. them boys are on to something... as for me: Magnetic Fields: i. Stephen Merritt is a genius, and this album ranks among his best work. the man can take the happiest song and put the most awfully depressing lyrics over it, leaving you wandering around completely manic and unsure how you feel about anything. fantastic. REM: New Adventures in Hi Fi limited edition i actually already own two copies of this (bought one when i thought i lost the first) but this one came with a book, and it was used, and i'm a huge sucker for REM, and ok i'll stop making excuses. i bought this because it's pretty and because REM could sell me sour milk if they wanted to. I'd buy it, drink it, and ask for more. Loretta Lynn: Van Lear Rose ...because i love good country music and i'm (almost) never afraid to admit it. It took me a while to warm up to this...it's being hyped like crazy in the US because loretta's 70 and Jack White produced it. It's inferior to a lot of her work, but better than i initially thought...i actually got this for free bought would've bought it, eventually, anyway... that's my list... oh, and 'eponymous' isn't particularly positive...i THINK it's just a fancy word for "self-titled" don't let the fancy words fool ya, -h.

Beth Gibbons, Out of Season - Keeping the old portishead vibe going and, at the end of the day, isn't that what we all need. Seriously good album John Martyn, Solid Air - Just discovered John Martyn recently through a friend. Great mix of blues, jazz and folk on this album. Definitely worth a listen Berkley, Hope, Prayers and Bubble gum - Some excellent tunes on this album. Proof posetive that Irish boys can still rock

El Dude...Solid Air is a little beauty isn't it? John Martyn played here in Vicar Street recently..i didn't make it and heard that it wasn't a great gig. Not sure if he can capture the same atmosphere live as he has on an album like that. He was on Jools Holland recently too..missed that also (!) did anyone see it?

Oooh... let me think. The last three CDs... I buy them so often they all sort of meld into one huge collection in my head, so I'll just say three recent ones instead. U2- WAR I've only just started my collection of U2 music and I found this one in a sale at the record shop. I really like it :) Saw Doctors- Live In Galway This probably wasn't even that recent, but my memory sucks. It's a great album though, Oh, and I bought an REM album too. It was a compilation one, but it wasn't the blue one :) It's not as good as the blue one, either... but it's got some songs I didn't knowingly have before on it.

So what does Eponymous mean??

Working backwards: Strokes - Room on Fire Santana - Abraxas Best of Peter Greens Fleetwood Mac (the only fleetwood mac worth listening to in my opinion) And just before that if you're interested: double CD of Gomez - Liquid Skin and Bring It On Jeff Lang - can't remember name Next to buy: Eagles of Death Metal, Gomez, and some God Speed You...!

Karlito I agree. Mundy's first album=crap, Mundy's second albu=very excellent, Mundy's current album=in between. Good live though. Looks pretty good too...

I liked Gomez's first two albums. Anyone picked up the new Gomez album ? Just wondering if its worth picking up

"Karlito I agree. Mundy's first album=crap, Mundy's second albu=very excellent, Mundy's current album=in between. Good live though. Looks pretty good too..." I have to disagree. Mundy's first album=Great tunes, over the top production, Mundy's second album=not so great tunes and still over the top production, Mundy's third album=?, but I bet it's over produced

Rest - our friends no nothing about density - Lovely. The Republic of Loose - This is the tomb of the juice (or something to that effect) - smashing Wilco - A ghost is born - faaantastic.

Ehh, hang on, you have both got the wrong end of the stick 'Undertones' by The Undertones is not eponymous. It's just repetition. Nor is, calling an album 'Eponymous' by whatever bands wants to use that word. EG: Rem / The Alarm / Soulsytem / Brain Surgeons... The following is the correct use of Eponymous 'Who Killed The Zutons ?' by The Zutons Jeez, Binokular, are you trying to write the music version of 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves' ?

I like that title! (runs to copyright office before Jules has a chance to change his mind), nah I was just being silly. I obviously don't have the grammatical prowess to pull it off anyway. So if "undertones" isn't eponymous why do all the record companies/journos call em eponymous? Is this just another case of someone making a mistake about 20 years ago in the NME and everyone copying it for the next 20? :D Edit: looks like you changed yer mind already, spoilsport

Last three albums bought were: Republic Of Loose 'This Is The Tomb Of The Juice' Jesse Malin 'The Heat' Roesy 'Only Love Is Real'

Gar, what's the roesy album like? don't have any of his albums but I've seen him play support a few times. Is the album worth a listen?

I the live Rosey album a while back and i enjoy it quite a lot. Im waiting to read a reivew of the new one before picking it up Gar, what did you make of jesse's new album. Some really catchy tunes on it, altough it didnt hit me as quick as the first album did. Did you catch him in the village lately. Quality gig.

Yeah was at the Village gig, it was third time I got to see him live. I do agree that his first album is far superior, although I have to give The Heat another good listen. Was disappointed that he wasn't added to Oxegen. The new Roesy album is quite good. There are some standout tracks but as an album as a whole it's not as addictive or easy flowing as Sketch The Day, Paint The Night. He's a great artist and nice bloke. I interviewed him last week and was a very interesting interviewee. I'm right at this moment writing album reviews for Jesse Malin's 'The Heat' and Roesy's 'Only Love Is Real' which hopefully Eoghan will feature on this site. I'll send them tomorrow as going to see Glen Hansard tonight.

Hansard is pretty decent on his own. Although if you are not a Frames fan, you probably won't like him as much. The whole crowd just scream out for more Frames tunes. I'm writing review of the gig now.

cool. I love the frames, but I hate when people won't give a newly-declared solo artist a chance and only thinking of him as part of a band. Damn living in bloody Mayo! there are practically never good gigs I can go to, unless I go to Dublin, which I really can't do that much. Plus I'm under 18 and broke. Aargh.

I don't want to sound like I'm just taking a pop at the Frames again, but isn't it hard to see Glen the solo artist as any different to the Frames, when the Frames have always been "Glens band". Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't he do the vast majority of the songwriting duties anyway? His voice has always been a large part of the bands sound too. It's hard to see how different any solo material would be other than a bit more stripped down.

I must agree Binokular - he IS the frames - now I like them but other than Colm the violinist he's the only original member and he rights all the lyrics to the songs with group effort from the band. I must say they are very good live every once in a while, by the way - they are playing Marlay park with support from Supergrass, Idelwild, Bell X1 and Halite - should be a rockin one!! But support from Supergrass???

I think you answered your question yourself, ie. What is the difference between Glen solo and The Frames despite the songs being stripped down? That's exactly it, the purity of his lyrics get a chance to be appreicated more at a solo gig. Yes it's true that Glen writes most of the tracks but Pete Townsend wrote most of the songs for The Who but still John Entwistle, Keith Moon and Roger Daltrey are just as important to those songs. The music of The Frames is excellent, in my opinion, and people should look past the ego built up about Glen and see The Frames for what they truly are--a great band. Band's change their line-up's all the time so The Frames shouldn't be picked out ahead of Oasis, The Who, The Beatles, Metallica etc. I can see what ya mean by saying The Frames is Glen's band, as when you think of The Frames you see his ginger hair. But The Frames are so much more than him I think. Alot of people criticise The Frames because they think they are a cocky band. I disagree with that argument and so does Glen. He said at the gig that The Frames didn't play Oxegen because they were asked to play just before The Strokes, and Glen & co thought that alot of people would refer back to teh same statement 'Who do they think they are?'. So no Frames this year. As to Supergrass playing backup to them. Supergrass have gone missing for a few years and have only now resurrected due to their current 'Supergrass Is 10' Lp. I've seen them live before and they rocked. But, here's the but, The Frames have consistently toured over the last 5 years and have always been around unlike Supergrass. Sometimes bands have to take a step back in order to take a step forward. Sure didn't The Pixies support the Red Hot Chili Peppers and New York Dolls are supporting The White Stripes, and The Frames supported Damien Rice in the U.S. I think it is a great line-up for Marley Park and have no qualms about Supergrass supporting one of Ireland's finest bands. Just a long-winded opinion....not starting an argument

I didn't mean that in a negative way to say that they are the only original members - they are around long enough and have had enough line up changes - and I think that makes them stronger - and I would presume keeps things fresh because it is not the same 5 members for 15 years or whatever, my point was that it is hard to differeniate between the singer like that and the band - and the band put equal amount of effort into it, therefore making it stronger aswell - as you mentioned - The Who - as a foursome they were a very very good band, but break them up and look at their solo stuff and it wasn't great!!! Having said that, I'm not saying Glen's "solo" stuff isn't it's, well I just cannot picture it, or hear it in my mind - enough s**te talk, I suppose I better go and see him and then come back to this..

I acknowledge what you are saying and respect your opinion. But go see Hansard live, it's a little different but still drenched with Frames tunes. His newer songs are really really good. So if you like The Frames at all go see Glen live or read my review that is on the way. It's always nice to a have a friendly debate

Just to stick my nose in here with a comment or two. Comment 1: It was never thought Chris Cornell could shake the stigma of Soundgarden, but out he came with Euphoria Morning, a completely different kettle of aquatic animals altogether. Although he was the principal songwriter of the mighty Seattle group, he showed that a songwriter is effected by his co-musicians. Soundgarden could never have produced what he wrote on his own, but it was pure Chris soulful magic. Comment 2: Mark Lanegan without Screaming Trees, be it on his own or with Queens of the Stone Age collaboration is yet again a different beverage holder of scaly things (is that how you spel diferent it doesn't look right to me). I'll Take Care of You (although not all written by the man himself) was a great bluesy/folky mix, not what you'd expect. And then after that Here Comes That Weird Chill...weird is write but great stuff. Songwriters, as all musicians are wont to do, mature through their career. Being seperate from the band they have spent so long writing with is obviously going to change their feelings about some things, therefore they will write differently anyway. I cite Mark Lanegan as a perfect example. Look up his solo stuff: preQOTSA then with QOTSA.

Good points Archie, but didn't those two artists make a clean break from their respective bands? (I'm not entirely sure of that so correct me if I'm wrong). The point I'm making is that its easier to make a mental seperation when you actually leave a band, whereas Glen Hansard is still with the frames. I'm not saying Glenn Hansards solo stuff is without merit, just that its just another facet of his work with the Frames, in the same way that Ian McCullough solo is not massively different to Echo and the Bunnymen. Some artists do manage to make their solo stuff distinctive from work with their previous band work, but this is usually achieved by taking a serious tangent from the bands ditection.

Then again, the sound that that songwriter has might always stay with them. If Glen left The Frames, maybe he would discover that his best songs are the one's that suit the music of The Frames. This is just a maybe. I think that Glen has more potential than he unleashes at times.

Ah crap, do all threads lead back to Senior Hansard and the Frames? When I started reading this thread 3 pages ago I was dying to throw my 3 new albums in (and hear other peoples 3) and now it's turned into another Frames debate. Not that I have anything against them/him I think their kool and I can see the merits of Glen both with the Frames and all on his lonesome. For those who have not experienced both live I recommend you checkout http://www.davidrochford.com/default.asp?module=bootleg checkout The Frames - Here comes the Night - Today FM and Glen Hansard - M Club - Valmez - Czech Republic I think both showcase a bit of what makes them/him magic. Both are class but I think their is a definite difference. Anyways I reckon if the Frames new album is even half decent they'll top the charts and embark on a course of world beating, meaning we can all stop worrying about them and every thread will hopefully stop leading back to them as I'm sure at this stage Glen Hansard is starting to feel like the "Ginger" bread man (sorry could'nt resist :-) ) Rant like moment over..... Album 1 = Gomez 'split the difference' only listened to it twice but already it's growing on me and 'catch me up' is a definite winner. Number 2 = Tim Burgess 'I believe' Now here is a singer definitely going off on a tangent from what he usually does with the band talk about pop-tastic. Hated it at first but it's a grower, 3 listens and I was hooked. Number 3 = Bruce Springsteen 'Nebraska' Bought this just for 'atlantic city' and for €8 could hardly go wrong. So are republic of loose really that good?

Yep Republic Of Loose are really that good. Last three albums I got were: Patti Scialfa '23rd Street Lullaby' The Killers 'Hot Fuss' Bell X1 'Music In Mouth' Also got Damien Rice/Christy Moore single 'Lonely Soldier' and 'Books' Ep by Belle & Sebastian

the purity of his lyrics get a chance to be appreicated more at a solo gig. exactly. This is not to say that The Frames are glen's band, but when you hear ANY fully arranged song and strip it down, it (hopefully) takes on a whole new life. Last spring I saw a glen solo show at The Village one night, then the Frames's Vicar Street gig the next night. (In an interesting twist to all this festival talk, when he played solo, Glen actually opened for the singer, Nicolai Dunger, who was to open for The Frames the next night at Vicar St.) Anyway, seeing a lot of Frames songs sung so sparingly gave them, i think, a lot more depth. I've seen Wilco andi've seen jeff tweedy solo shows and it's the same thing. A song like "I'm always in love" is completely changed by the spareness of just a voice and guitar, and what was once simply a fine Wilco song now ranks among my all-time favorites... thats said, i have bought three more albums since my last post. The store near my current apartment is having an "essentials of rock" sale, so i bought: New York Dolls: s/t Talking Heads: 77 mountain goats: tallahassee (ok this one's not essential, but it's really good)

Superb. It really is. Springsteen features on it playing eletric guitar and keyboards. But she is such an amazing artist. Her songwriting and vocals are top notch. A worthy purchase.