The Messthetics - The Messthetics

Bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty—the rhythm section of Fugazi—team up with experimental D.C. guitarist Anthony Pirog for an economic, emotionally resonant instrumental power-trio record.

the messthetics

Everything and Nothing - Hammock

Everything and Nothing, the seventh record from Nashville ambient duo Hammock, feels like their most direct statement to date. It has clarity, purpose, drivenness, even, not words that would necessarily be associated with this stellar band's earlier work. It's the album that should finally see them gain attention from an audience beyond that normally focused on ambient and shoegaze music. This is music of transcendent beauty, but with an added level of dissonance that grabs the attention in a way that hasn't ever seemed to be Hammock's stock in trade before.

everything and nothing

Recurring Dream: The Very Best of Crowded House

Recurring Dream is a 19-track collection which assembles most of the band's singles and adds three new studio tracks to entice fans -- "Not the Girl You Think You Are," "Instinct," and "Everything Is Good for You." As a career summary, the collection works fairly well, though the non chronological sequencing makes for a slightly confusing listen. Nevertheless, for a band with no shortage of great material (there's not a bad album in the bunch), Recurring Dream is a good place to get acquainted with them. Initial pressings also came with a second disc which compiles highlights from the band's always entertaining live shows. Maybe a disc of non-album rarities and B-sides would have been a better choice, but for fans this is an essential addition.

allmusic

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Telepopmusik - Genetic World

Telepopmusik has all of the innovative approaches of their countrymen, and their attention to lyrics and prominent place for vocal styles means that their album is both accessible and deeply interesting. 

Splendid 

Telepopmusik -  Angel Milk

Aqualung – Strange and Beautiful

Strange and Beautiful, releasing on March 22, is lovely and melodic, overfilled with quiet piano work and brooding vocals, moody stories that seem perfect for a quiet and rainy day or a thoughtful night. There are songs on the album that are catchy, as well, but Aqualung never ventures into upbeat pop territory with this album. Instead, the listener is treated to contemplative melodies and the inner peerings of a talented musician. (Joel Caris)

Aqualung – Strange and Beautiful

Sparklehorse - It's a Wonderful Life

One of the best albums of recent years. Absolutely beautiful to listen to. It is an very mellow and somewhat dark album but it will sonically deliver, in abundance, to the willing listener. Radiohead did not personally ask Sparklehorse to be their European opening act for nothing. David Fridman's production perfectly brings out the haunting artistry of Mark L. Total ear candy.
(JohnnyComelately, 2004)

Sparklehorse - It's a Wonderful Life

The Whitest Boy Alive - Dreams

Nothing is allowed to disrupt the dreamlike atmosphere of an album that quietly demands to be heard. -The Guardian

The Whitest Boy Alive - Dreams