The September Glut of 2008

This year has been a bit light on in the Epic Albums department, compared to 2007 anyway. Who could forget the wonderful start with the release of the Shins Wincing the Night Away, followed rapidly by Kings of Leon's Because of the Times and Wilco's Sky Blue Sky? Other great bands followed: Radiohead, Jose Gonzalez and there were some great gigs by Regina Spektor, Gotye and the Mountain Goats in there too.

So far I've been excited about a couple of acts this year and their efforts (notably Flight of the Conchords, Martha Wainwright, the Mountain Goats and Youth Group) but by comparison, this year has been a disappointment.

It's taken until September for the music world to get its collective act together and here is a list of some of my current obsessions.

Ben Folds, Way to Normal
This album doesn't go on sale for two more days. So how do I own it, you may ask? No, I don't have contacts at Sony. Ben Folds has not relocated to Thornbury (although we nearly ended up living on the same street as someone from Dallas Crane, which is a whole other story) and I haven't been hearing secret jam sessions through his lounge room wall. JB Hi Fi just had it on sale today. Anyway, on second listen this album is quite different to Songs For Silverman, in a quirky pop sort of way. Quirky pop has always been my favourite, so this is great. I particularly like the duet with Regina Spektor You Don't Know Me and the rather odd (but cute) Errant Dog. Expect more commentary soon.

Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins, Rabbit Fur Coat
The lead singer of Rilo Kiley has a new album. This isn't it, but JB Bourke Street didn't have it (or perhaps it's not out here yet). Anyway, it's soulful and pretty and I haven't listened to it all yet, but give me time. I like her band and since they've broken up, I'll happily settle for this instead.

Kings of Leon, Only By the Night
After Because of the Times, how could they possibly outdo themselves? All the reviewers are claiming this to be their best yet. And it's good. It's actually very good, especially Crawl, Sex on Fire, Revelry, Use Somebody and Notion (which is the new Fans). It's very, very addictive, like their last album. Stay tuned for more later.

Ladyhawke, Ladyhawke
Another jump back to the eighties in the best possible way. I heard Paris is Burning during its frequent play on Triple J and decided it was a great song, but there are more great tracks on the album. The opener Magic is one example, as is Better than Sunday, Back of the Van... Lots to like.