i hate the sound of guitars

1. The Revillos – One of the many bands I heard about but never got around to checking out. The resemblance to the sci-fi/jokey side of early Blondie (”The Attack of the Giant Ants”, “Bermuda Triangle Blues”) was striking
2. R.E.M. – Accelerate has at least a few songs I’d like to hear again. Unlike the last few R.E.M. albums, the songs I like initially actually end before I start to dislike them.
3. Robyn Hitchcock
4. British Sea Power – I missed Open Season when it came out back in 2005; making up for lost time. Also evaluating the new one.
5. Finest Dearest – Another female-fronted alternative act. Fewer rough edges than most of what I go for, but I have been enjoying the self-titled new album and the previous e.p. “Pacemaker.”
6. The Walkmen – Gave them a fair shot, but I do not care for this band.
7. Hands on Heads – Herky-jerky spastic new wave. “Wave that Flag” is genius.
8. The Takeovers – Yet another Pollard project, this one a collaboration with ex-GbV’er Chris Slusarenko. My initial impression: this 4-song EP has a much better batting average than most of Pollard’s 2006/7 efforts.
9. Dianogah – Listened to As See from Above, the ‘97 debut full-length from this Chicago indie/math rock outfit. OK, but a little unassuming; I’d like to hear more.
10. The Beatles – Office mate Marty persuaded me to listen to Love. Can’t imagine listening to this much, but I admit that some of the mixes are interesting. “Glass Onion” is exactly what I feared the whole project would be like — pumped up beats and unrelated samples — but it’s an anomaly.

170 unique artists, 435 tracks played.