Battleground

So there's this big election tomorrow, and apparently Ohio has some significance in it. Here's a few of my favorite recent and semi-recent Ohio songs that should sound a lot nicer than the talking heads tomorrow night, if you find yourself needing a break from the chatter. (And if you like the Low Anthem track, I highly recommend picking up a copy of their new one, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin.)

mp3: The Low Anthem - To Ohio
mp3: Damien Jurado - Ohio
mp3: Lambchop - Ohio
mp3: Sun Kil Moon - Carry Me Ohio

1-sentence reviews

Vacation makes me lazy, so here are some 1-sentence reviews of stuff I've been listening to recently that haven't received the typical lengthy, overly analytical treatment I usually undertake. From the looks of it, I guess I've been generally disappointed with some of the recent releases. (Disclaimer: Some of these are just quick first impressions, so I reserve the right to completely change my mind later.)

Peter Moren - The Last Tycoon
Ho-hum singer/songwriter fare from one of the Peter, Bjorn and John dudes (guess which one?); needs more whistling.

Plants and Animals - Parc Avenue
This band's apparent love of The Beatles could help propel it into the top 15 of 2008.

Matthew Ryan - Matthew Ryan Vs. The Silver State
At its best, this record has a Tom Petty meets The Replacements vibe, but Ryan still sounds a little too much like that other singer from the Goo Goo Dolls to me.

F--- Buttons - Street Horrrsing
Experimental electronic duo does what experimental electronic duos tend to do, alternating between droney-gorgeous and droney-obnoxious.

Sun Kil Moon - April
Former Red House Painter Mark Kozelek has made another Ghosts of the Great Highway, which is fine by me, because it's hypnotic and beautiful.

Sleepercar - West Texas
Jim Ward of At the Drive-In fame's new band is supposed to evoke Tom Petty and Springsteen, but it sounds more like an emo dude trying unsuccessfully to make roots rock.

Destroyer - Trouble in Dreams
Critics in general can't get enough of Dan Bejar, but he's just too theatrical for me--his vocal character and phrasing remind me of overly dramatic singers in a Broadway musical.

Ladyhawk - Shots
This album's a grower, and I can't get enough of the early '90s rock of lead-off track "I Don't Always Know What You're Saying."

She & Him - Volume One
Zooey Deschanel has a terrific voice and a knack for writing '70s pop tunes that are pleasant enough, but I could have used more M. Ward contributions.

Thao and the Get Down Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings and All
Thao Nguyen proves she's a cut above most female acoustic singer/strummers with tracks like "Beat (Health, Life and Fire)" and "Swimming Pools."

Caribou - Andorra
I decided I should finally get around to this album, and it has proved to be the perfect beach vacation soundtrack: warm and sunny.

mp3: Plants and Animals - Faerie Dance
mp3: Thao Nguyen - Beat (Health, Life and Fire)
mp3: Ladyhawk - I Don't Always Know What You're Saying