I didn’t buy much. But most of what I bought, I really really liked.

Absolutely Love & Adore:

Shwayze (self-titled) – Ridiculous lyrics. Total b-o-u-n-c-e BOUNCE. Super fun. Perfect end of summer music.

The Billionaires “Really Real for Forever” – Also bouncy! Yay! “Are you still sad? Let’s go out and get fucked up!!” Mixed male/female vocals (you know how I love that! Or you should). Really addictive.

The Wave Pictures “Instant Coffee Baby” – Wow, you get a serious Violent Femmes flashback as this album begins (“Add It Up”, “Blister in the Sun” era-Femmes…). That fades a little as it goes on but theirs is definitely a throwback sound. Great to listen to right after The Billionaires, I’ve had these two on back to back for weeks. Michelle talks more about them over here.

Mumford & Sons “Chess Club Release” – Not actually an album, per se, but you can download them all together. Part of the new English Folk thing going on now. Very distinctive lead voice. Very unusual instrumentation. Very awesome live. Great lyrics. I really can’t wait for them to release more stuff!

Everlast “Love, War, and the Ghost of Whitey Ford” – LOVE his deep deep voice. Love the “Folsom Prison Blues” cover. Love love love.

Favorite Singles (not on any of the above albums):

• “Mad World” Michael Andrews (been watchin’ old CSIs again)
  
• “All That Remains” Bear McCreary (BStarG) and Raya Yarbrough
  
• “Alphabutt” Kimya Dawson
  
• “I Need Love” Sam Phillips (old but I’ve been listening to it constantly!)
  
• “Sex on Fire” Kings of Leon
  
• “It’s Alright” Okkervil River (I wasn’t planning on getting their new one but I may have to)
  
• “Sad Eyes” Josh Rouse
  
• “The Places We Lived” Backyard Tire Fire
  
• “Write On” Damien Jurado
  

Other Albums I Liked:

• Looks like it was all either LOVE or EH this month and nothing (in)between.
  

Not really for me / but maybe for you!:
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson “Rattlin’ Bones” – I really really dig both these singers on their solo “sorta country, but sorta more folky acoustic pop” albums. [And I really like their live shows as well.] But this combined album just slides too far into country for me and I kinda cringe when it comes up on shuffle. However, I do really like the song “Wildflower” and on those days when I’m in the mood for twang I may find myself listening to this more than I expect. But not right now.

Shamefully have either not listened to at all, or not all the way through, or so few times that I can’t legitimately offer an opinion:
Nada!