I know we've done this, probably too many times, but it's intriguing to me. I mean who is putting stuff out right now that you get a hard-on for when you hear it may be coming out. They could fart in a mike and you'd buy it. For me right now:
The National

Ke$ha.

first two to pop in my head are Wilco and Ghostface

both are celebrating what I once loved about them and making things I like about them.

Dulli.

Of course

I'm kind of beyond this now, probably mostly due to apathy. Cat Power is the only one I can think of where'd I'd buy a CD without listening first via some method.

I guess we're not considering Sonic Youth active?

Hmm. The Residents are active (somehow), so any major release gets the insta-purchase from me. Though not thier sub-releases anymore...

Not sure if there are any others. Even artists I like the idea of instantly purchasing (Man Man and St. Vincent) released albums this year I like but still haven't acquired. Not having money sucks.

Thank you, my brotha

I drove 8 hours today, and serendipitously happened to be thinking about this on the way, although my reverie was more "What bands would I most want to see live. Living so far from a major city, seeing great bands involves a sizable commitment. My current bands to see are:
Tom Waits
Modest Mouse
Spoon
Decemberists
Mountain Goats

I guess Deerhoof is my stock answer for this now.

I feel like I've thoroughly tested my limits with them, and I find something to enjoy in even their wankiest side projects.

Tom Ze

i bought Boxer a while ago and for some reason it took me a long time to give it a good solid listen. "Mistaken for Strangers" just gets me every time. should probably get more

I've got to say UNKLE or Atlas Sound/Deerhunter. I'm also a big fan of Gem Club/Neon Indian as well right now.

There are a lot more live acts I get excited about the current recording artists.

i will unconditionally pay attention to releases by:

animal collective
war on drugs
low, still
six organs, also

more will come to mind.

kanye

I guess I agree with Stop Breathin

maybe War on Drugs if they can keep it under7, like the sound but the overlong jams/oooo soundscape repitition[DIE!]

thought I could bend on Wilco forever but I left them in a hotel somewhere when they were screwing each other on and on, and Tweedy was masturbating in a mirror with a cold hand

Barn Owl or Emeralds, including most of their solo efforts and assorted side projects.

I am also really interested in anything VanGaalen does now post-Women. Just interested there more than a favorite I guess.

Wild Beasts
Pissed Jeans
Freddie Gibbs

Lana Del Rey

I dunno, The Stones might tour again, so they're still (geri)active, and still the best thing that ever happened to music.

Not sure what The Strokes' status is, but they're part of my stock answer as well.

But fuck, the thing I listened to most this year was Jay Mohr's podcast....followed closely by The Jalen Rose - a dude who is singlehandedly re-igniting my interest in the NBA.

Until Feburary I would've said Radiohead, but not anymore after TKOL. I'd probably have to say Fucked Up right now.

spoon
broken social scene

Flying Lotus
Drake
Polow Da Don
Danja
Kanye West