Twin Shadow - Forget
Futurebirds - Hampton's Lullaby
The Black Keys - Brother
Kings of Leon - Come Around Sundown

Just ran across this while cleaning out my library recently. I hadn't thought about it in years. It's good - funny at least - the first couple of times you listen to it.

Today for me:

Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority
Lower Dens - Twin-Hand Movement
Broadcast - Ha Ha Sound
Silver Apples - The Garden
Twin Shadow - Forget
Future Islands - In Evening Air
Autre Ne Veut - s/t
Actress - Splazsh

You Just can't Beat It: The Best of the Beat

Walking the line right down the middle of the poppy silliness of early Madness and the more somber Specials were the Beat, English Beat on this side of the ocean. This 2CD compilation collects almost everything they released outside a couple album tracks oddly they left off and remixes. Personally, I like them enough that I would welcome a third CD they could fill with remixes and extended versions, of which they would have many to choose from. And the 3 album tracks they left off should obviously be added as with 2 CDs to work with they had the space. But, doubt that's happening anytime soon. So, this is about as good as it gets and really it is more than good enough.

Roger Tillison's Album

I found this album last year but I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned it here. It's pretty good. I'm sure Dumpjail would dig it if no one else does. Not sure how he slipped my radar for so long given all the mongers he's associated with. He was Jesse Ed Davis' best friend, he was a writer for Leon Russell's label, and he was roommates & bandmates with Levon Helm and Bobby Keys in LA. Apparently, those three along with Jesse Ed had a short lived band together that never recorded anything. He moved to Woodstock at Levon's invitation around the time of the Big Pink and gigged with all of the Band. Moved back to LA to record this album in late 1971.

The album is produced by Jesse Ed and features Jesse Ed on guitar, Jim Keltner on drums, Stan Szeleste (former Hawk) on piano, Sandy Konikoff (former Hawk), Larry Knechtel, Billy Rich, Don Preston, and Joey Cooper.

RIYL: The Band, Jesse Ed Davis

The Compact 2 Tone Story

Hard to go wrong with every a and b side of every single on the 2 Tone label. The Specials, Selector, Madness, English Beat, Bodysnatchers...all the familiar faces and more are here with even a guest spot with Elvis Costello with his one single on the label. Oddly enough, former label head and Specials founder Jerry Dammers was less than impressed, saying "It's real train spotters stuff with every B-side from every free single and I wasn't even consulted about it. In some ways that (The Compact 2 Tone Story) is the worst." Regardless, a great collection filed with excellent stuff.

Adam Haworth Stephens~ We Live On Cliffs