 | We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank by Modest Mouse
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $5.49 I enjoyed Good News For People Who Love Bad News, but I found myself listening to this one even more. Ferocious guitar and great production powers this music while Isaac Brock rants and raves like a musical Bobcat Goldthwait over it all. Plus, having Johnny Marr join your band never hurts.
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 | Kala
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $5.45 Terrific follow-up to Arular. M.I.A.'s message and presentation are much more cohesive here - the songs actually make some sense. She seems to see herself as the spokeswoman for marginal, third-world communities around the world and makes a pretty good case for it. I don't quite get why there is such an abundance of samples and references to 70s and 80s alt-pop.
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 | Myth Takes by !!!
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $3.37 !!! gets the award for most improved. Their first album paired great music with dumb lyrics. The sheer nihilism and stupidity in vocals on the first one were fun for a bit, but wore thin rather quickly. They've toned down that schtick a lot here, but they keep the music inventive and catchy.
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 | Mirrored by Battles
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $5.47 These guys remind me of King Crimson with some Trans Am and Mouse On Mars thrown in. The musicianship on display is incredible - huge chops, yet not at all cliched or showboaty. The drums (John Stainer of Helmet fame) are particlarly amazing. Plus, I just found out that their singer is Anthony Braxton's son, which is pretty cool!
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 | Can Cladders by The High Llamas
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $8.88 Another great album by The High Llamas. Other than a slight hint of 60s soul here and there, this one is not unlike many of their other records, but I'd say that's a good thing.
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 | Everybody by The Sea and Cake
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $8.98 Their first album not produced by drummer John McEntire finds them revisting the stripped-down sound of some of their earlier albums. The result is a much more lively and "live" sounding album than some of their more recent efforts.
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 | Year Zero by Nine Inch Nails
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $3.22 nine inch nails have made an amazing comeback with their last two albums. I pretty much gave up on them with The Fragile, so these have been a very welcome change. Year Zero is more esoteric and not quite as catchy as With Teeth, but that's all good for me. I particularly like the lengthy instrumental sections that sound like malfunctioning computers battling each other.
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 | Myths of the Near Future by Klaxons
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $0.88 There was a huge amount of hype and backlash around this band before the album even came out. I was prepared to hate any band that called themselves "nu-rave", but instead found myself loving this album. Some of the songs rock, some are more danceable, and some are pure pop. They keep the sounds fresh and enjoyable throughout.
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 | Snakes & Arrows by Rush
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $2.95 Rush just keeps chugging along cranking out the hits. It is amazing to think about how long these guys have been plugging away without ever sacrificing their high standards. Another great release!
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