Miles Davis - Workin' (1956 Ojc)

Many consider Kind of Blue to the be the quintessential Miles Davis album. While it's a great album, the Prestiges(Workin', Steamin', Cookin', and Relaxin') showcase Miles on a different level. While Miles is always great with ballads, the rhythm section(Philly Joe Jones, Paul Chambers, and Red Garland) is a huge part of what makes the Prestiges so great.

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Club 8 - Strangely Beautiful (2003 Hidden Agenda)

I'm a sucker for Danish pop. It's even better when it's melancholy pop.

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The Russian Futurists - The Method of Modern Love (2000 Upper Class Recordings EMI)

The Russian Futurists is the creation of Matthew Adam Hart. It started as a one man lo-fi band, but eventually added more members for live performances. The Method of Modern Love is the first album from The Russian Futurists. Its pretty much a bedroom pop album. Think Brian Wilson meets Magnetic Fields and you'll have a pretty decent idea of what their sound is like.

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Edan - Beauty and the Beat (2005 Lewis Recordings)

I have to copy and paste the bio for Edan from his website because it's hilarious.

"EDAN LIKE MUSIC.
EDAN BORN IN LATE SEVENTIES.
EDAN HAVE LOVING PARENTS WHO SUPPORT HIM & RAISE HIM GOOD. NO SMOKING. NO FIGHTING. JUNK FOOD SOMETIMES.
EDAN HAVE NO BROTHERS AND NO SISTERS.
EDAN LOOK AT HIMSELF IN MIRROR & DO DANCE & MAKE FACE.
EDAN HEAR BEATLE MUSIC & DOO-WOP ROCKING ROBIN.
EDAN PLAY PIANO.
PIANO TEACHER SAYS EDAN NOT GOOD AT PIANO.
EDAN SAY FUCK YOU SHUTUP.
EDAN HEAR ROCK AND ROLL JIMI HENDRIX.
EDAN LIKE IN HENDRIX JIMMY PAGE JOHN BONHAM.
EDAN PLAY GUITAR AND LIKE IN N.W.A. BAD WORDS.
EDAN LIKE IN RAPP EMCEES RHYME-IT.
EDAN PLAY IN BASS JAZZ.
EDAN MAKING BEATS FOUR TRACK.
EDAN MAKING RHYME-IT.
EDAN PURCHASE HAUNTED TURNTABLES DEEJAY COMMIT SUICIDE LEAVE TURNTABLES TO EDAN. (true story)
EDAN NIKKE RAP N' SCRATCH.
EDAN DO IT HIMSELF.
EDAN HAPPY MAKE SONG SOUNDS LIKE ALI SHAHEED MU-PHIFEN.
EDAN A LOT IN RAP.
EDAN MAKE SONG ALOT.
EDAN GO TO COLLEGE TO MUSIC IT.
SCHOOL NOT SO GREAT LENNY KRAVITZ.
EDAN PUT OUT TWELVE INCH SINGLE.
EDAN RAP BATTLE AND DEEJAY COMPETE.
EDAN SELL MIX TAPE IN STREET TO EAT.
EDAN RAPP N' SCRATCH AND KEEP ZE BEAT.
EDAN LIVE! CONCERTING AND PEOPLE MEET.
EDAN SEND FOURTH ALBUM UNFINISH TO QUEEN OF ENGLAND.
QUEEN OF ENGLAND GIVING TAPE TO MIKE LEWIS IN HEAVY PRESSURE SECRET.
MIKE MAKE LABEL.
EDAN ALBUM PRIMITIVE PLUS IN STORE AROUND WORLD JAPAN IMPORT SECTION.
EDAN BADD HABIT BUYING FIVE THOUSANDS OF RECORDS.
EDAN CONCENTRATING ON PUT SYD BARRETT FACE ON BIZ MARKIE BODY AND KOOL G RAP BRAIN.
EDAN KEEP ZE BEAT FOR MR. LIFS SOULS OF MISCHIEFS AKROBATIKS DAVID HOLMES REMIX.
CRITIC IN MAGAZINE SAY EDAN OLD SCHOOOL AND GLASSES.
EDAN IN CHILLING HARD IN NEW YORK TIMES & THE WIRE.
EDAN AND INSIGHT RHYME-IT BATTLE IN MAZE MADE FROM FIRE.
EDAN AND INSIGHT GIVE YOU LIVE! CONCERTING.
EDAN WORKING NEW ALBUM.
EDAN NEED BIO FOR PEOPLE READ.
EDAN DO IT HIMSELF. "

On a serious note, this is one of the best hip hop albums I've ever listened to. Hope you enjoy.

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Erlend Oye - DJ Kicks (2004 K7)

I've listened to a lot of DJ Kicks albums, but this one is the best one in my opinion. I may be a little biased considering that I'm a huge Kings of Convenience, but even my hardcore edm friends say that this is one of the best DJ Kicks out there. Mr Oye only owned turntables for a few months before releasing this, but I guess he's a quick learner. I've listened to this album consistently for nearly 5 years now and it still doesn't get old.

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Emily Wells - The Symphonies: Dreams Memories and Parties (2008 independant release)

Emily Wells built this album from scratch. She wrote, produced, mixed, and recorded this album in a studio that she built herself. The story goes that she was a child prodigy and walked away from a major record deal in her early teens. She's a very accomplished violinist, but her production could use a little work. Don't let that veer you away from this because underneath the unpolished surface is a very spirited album that will continue to surprise you over and over. She also does a kick ass cover of Juicy by one of my idols, Biggie Smalls. Unfortunately that cover is not on this album. The only place where you can get this album right now is through itunes. It's well worth the purchase if you want to bog down your computer with itunes.

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NOMO - Invisible Cities (2009 Ubiquity Records)

I'm lazy right now and I'm just going to quote someone else's review.

"Invisible Cities is NOMO’s companion piece to Ghost Rock, comprising music recorded during Ghost’s recording sessions and subsequent, supporting live performances. Cities uses many of the same musicians, structures, and approaches, but Bergman and NOMO seem to focus more on pulling traditional jazz sounds into, and pushing the boundaries of electronic rock out of, its swirling dervish mix."

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Sunn O))) & Boris - Altar (2006 Southern Lord)

Two of my favorite bands together. Sunn 0))) and Boris. Fuck yeah.

Altar is one of the finest drone metal albums out there. This isn't an ambient drone album by any means. This is meant to be listened to at very high volumes so you can be fully immersed in all of it's doom/sludge glory.

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Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career (2009 4AD)

This album is pretty much pure pop bliss.

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Crocodiles - Summer of Hate (2009 Fat Possum)

The Crocodiles Summer of Hate isn't nearly as aggressive as it sounds. It's like a really abrasive shoegaze combined with drum machines and plenty of distortion. Older listeners would probably compare them to Jesus and the Mary Chain, but I think they have their own distinct sound. Also, they were endorsed by No Age. If that's not a good thing then I don't know what is.

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Neutral Milk Hotel - Live at Jittery Joe's (2001 Orange Twin)

Oh cool. A live album that doesn't sound like shit.

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Alias & Ehren - Lillian (2005 Anticon)

This is one of my favorite electronic albums out there. It's not filled with dancefloor anthems, instead it plays more like a film score. One of the greatest things about the album is it's use of space. It provides tender soundscapes with motionless droning without putting you to sleep. Ehren's use of wind instruments throughout the album provide a fresh approach to electronic music in a world full of thoughtless drum loops and scattered beeps and boops.

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Prefuse 73 - The Forest of Oversensitivity EP (2009 Warp)

Another EP from Prefuse 73. I wish I could say that he brought something new to the table, but unfortunately it just sounds like the same ol Prefuse. Not that it's bad by any means, I just wish he would do something that would blow my mind instead of having me think, "Hey, I've heard this before". Anyway, I'm sure there's others out there that don't share my opinion about this and would be more than happy to hear some new Prefuse.

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The Cinematic Orchestra - Every Day (2002 Ninja Tune)

I was uploading this for a friend and didn't want it to go to waste. Every Day is old jazz for a nu-jazz generation. It's arguably 2002's best jazz album. The highlights would have to be the tracks with Fontella Bass and the spoken word track with Roots Manuva. Within the 7 tracks it covers jazz, classical soul, and much more. Every Day is a thing of beauty and worth listening to by all means.

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Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca (2009 Domino)

This is the follow up album to their much acclaimed 2007 release, Rise Above on Domino. Bitte Orca is a bit more accessible than Rise Above. The songs are arranged much better and are more straightforward than it's avant-garde predecessor, but it still retains the quirkyness that drew in the older fans.

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Beirut - Live at the Music Hall of Williamsburg (2009 Ba Da Bing)

tracklist:
1. East Harlem
2. The Shrew
3. The Concubine
4. Mimizan
5. La Javanaise
6. The Akara
7. Cozak
8. My Night With the Prostitute from Marseille
9. Gulag Orkestar
10. Forks and Knives (La Fête)
11. Brazil

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Deradoorian - Mind Raft EP (2009 Lovepump United)

This is a wonderful EP by Angel Deradoorian and I can not wait for a full length LP from her. You may recognize her from her work with Dirty Projectors and Discovery, but she's kept pretty low key over the years. This EP was five years in the making and I'm glad that she took her time because it's one of the most beautiful things I've ever listened to.

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I don't know why I'm posting this

...But I love this picture because it is badass.

Liars - Liars (2007 Mute)

I forgot how much I loved this album. I'm glad that I pushed the shuffle button today. It's not an easy accessible album by any means. I don't say that to be snobby, but it's one of those you either love it or hate it kind of things. I don't want to call it punk, but it does remind me of some old 80's garage punk spackled with lots and lots of noise. If you like that kind of thing then this may be for you.

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Ganglians - Monster Head Room (2009 Woodsist)

"This album is pure naive headphone acid pop to drive to, at least that's what was going through our heads." - Ganglians

There's really no better way to describe the album.

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Florence and the Machine - A Lot of Love, A Lot of Blood EP (2009 Iamsound)

Someone described Florence Welch's songwriting as "stories with consequences and weird morality issues". I think that fits pretty well. While there's definitely a pop feeling to this EP, it transcends traditional pop with deep songwriting. Also, she does a cover of The Cold War Kids song, Hospital Beds. That's a definite plus in my book. The EP is full of uncomplicated hooks with thoughtful lyrics which makes for a very pleasant listening experience. Hope you enjoy.

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Discovery - LP (2009 Beggars Xl Recording)

This is the side project of Rostam Batmanglij (Vampire Weekend) and Wes Miles (Ra Ra Riot). It also includes guest appearances by Ezra Koening (Vampire Weekend) and Angel Deradoorian (Dirty Projectors). I should hate this album with it's electronic summertime feel good love songs, but for some reason it works for me. They go a little heavy on the auto tune, but it pales in comparison to T-Pain's use of auto tune. This album isn't going to change lives, but I'm not going to deny that it's catchy as a mofo. It's definitely worth checking out.

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Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer (2009 Jagjaguwar)

This is the fourth LP from Canadian band, Sunset Rubdown. For those of you that aren't familiar with them, the band started as a solo project for Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade. The group eventually grew to include the likes of Camilla Wynne Ingr(Pony Up!), Jordan Robson-Cramer (XY Lover, Miracle Fortress and Magic Weapon), and Michael Doerksen (Deep Sleepover). While Krug remains the main songwriter, the others definitely have a significant amount of input. This album definitely seems a bit less playful than the others, but that's not a bad thing by any means. It's easy to pigeonhole Sunset Rubdown as just a side project, but I feel like they've matured a lot over the years and hold their own as a real band.

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