The Avett Brothers "Emotionalism" (2007)

This is a seminal album in a movement that has yet to be named, and has yet to play out.  The Avett Brothers, Mumford & Sons, The Decemberists are all playing indie rock with instrumentation most commonly used in folk music.  Often they are referred to as folk artists, but don't be fooled.  The music itself is contemporary indie rock. 

At times the Avetts come a bit too close to wallowing in emo handwringing.  While this sort of sentimentality probably accounts for at least some of their popularity, to my ears it's a distraction.  I would hope that as they mature, the emotional palate of their music will expand.

The Bird & the Bee "Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future" (2008)

This album seems to exist on a continuum from Doris Day to 80s pop acts like the Thompson Twins to the turn of the millennium downtempo acts.  Crisp female vocals over polite, lounge influenced musical beds.  There's nothing here to dislike, but conversely not much to really get excited about either. 

Devendra Banhart "Oh Me Oh My" (2002)

In many ways this album strikes me as more of a piece of outsider art than what we normally think of as an album.  There are not many, if any, concessions to pop here.  Starting with the production, which sounds as if it were recorded on home analog equipment.  Levels fluctuate within individual tracks, there is background noise.  The music itself is frequently out of tune or off key.  The opening track features handclaps that go in & out of rhythm.

The thing is, in spite of all that, this is a strangely compelling album.  There's a real sense of creativity at play.  A sense that Banhart just had to express himself so badly that the technical aspects of the recording really weren't important.

Antony & the Johnsons "The Crying Light" (2009)

It's impossible to say anything about this album without confronting Antony's voice.  It's an instrument that is singular in popular music.  Fragile, yet strong, somehow conveying a deep sense of sadness underlying any words he may be singing.  The arrangements are delicate, relying more on traditions of cabaret & contemporary classical than any immediate pop referents.  The overall effect is that of music displaced in time.  It could exist in the past or the future.  My imagination sees Antony performing in a small cafe in the world of Bladerunner. 

The Waifs "Temptation" (2011)

Temptation is darker than what I've previously heard from The Waifs.  It's more influenced by blues and jazz.  At times it reminds me of early Rickie Lee Jones.  It doesn't seem to have the same levity that I enjoyed on their live album. 

Jorma Kaukonen "River of Time" (2009)

River of Time is comfortable like a worn flannel shirt on a chilly day.  Jorma's gentle finger picking & relaxed vocals.  Mellow tempos & gentle themes.  This isn't necessarily the most groundbreaking or challenging record, but sometimes that's not what you want.

Nick Cave "From Her to Eternity" (1984)

You sometimes hear psychologists talk about the link between anger & depression.  If you have any doubts about that connection, slap on this album.  This is Cave as angry young man.  He already has more artistic desires than most of his contemporaries, but this is loud, clanging stuff.  Sure, there's a few tracks that seem to foreshadow his later incarnation as a twisted balladeer, but for the most part it's anger and power that rule the show.

Here's the most notable track, from the performance in Wings of Desire.