The Dead Weather has a more original sound than Them Crooked Vultures, whose album starts off strong, but veers into aping Cream ("Scumbag Blues"), Interpol ("Bandoliers") and even prog rock ("Warsaw or The First Breath You Take After You Give Up").

But even so, I think I prefer TCV.

Howzabout you?

need to add a few to your poll.

monsters of folk
rain machine
molina & johnson

there are a few more i'm forgetting. not sure how i'd vote though, but definitely neither of the two you have up there.

The Dead Weather for me. Grohl has worn out his welcome.

I'll take Heavy Trash and the Almighty Defenders over either choice.

To me, Monsters of Folk are really more of a true side project than side side.

And MOF is LIGHT YEARS BETTER than either TDW or TCV.

Heavy Trash has been around since long before 2009 (which really isn't relevant, since I didn't clarify anything beyond best of this year), but yes, they are much, much better...no doubt.

Rain Machine is good as well.

what in the hell is a side side?

I've never heard anything mentioned so far. as far as side projects not mentioned, you forgot that Farrar/Gibbard album too. I haven't heard it either yet though.

Meaning most of, if not all, of those involved have been (or still are) in other side projects. Homme's been in something like 20 by now. And Grohl has also been in some others.

As far as I know, with MOF, only Oberst has been in any other stuff of note. Of course, I guess She & Him would count for M. Ward.

My self-defined parameters are being rendered increasingly invalid by the keystroke.

it's pretty good actually. the farrar songs are obivously the winners here, but the whole thing is worth a listen even if you are scared off by the gibbard.

Almighty defenders



but TCV may overtake em after a few more listens.....maybe...

I like Geoff Barrow of Portishead's kraut-rock project Beak>, but that album hasn't officially been released.

I haven't listened to Them Crooked Vultures yet. I wasn't really impressed by Rain Machine, MOF, The Dead Weather and Molina/Johnson, but of the list I will listen to Rain Machine and MOF again.

Volcano Choir

Isn't the "Them Crooked Vultures" not even out yet?

The Dead Weather underwhelmed me.

Ugh, this one was a disappointment to me.

either the discovery or the willie isz album.

ramona falls maybe

I was going to mention it, but I believe it actually falls under a solo project.