Best CD I've heard so far 2011.........

destroyer kaput. the antithesis of the name, pure 80s pop fluff throw back.

Alpass, Scarcity of Miracles is something of a throwback to '70s KC. A very smooth & lyrical album. Mel Collins's alto & soprano sax is great and reminiscient of Andy Mackay's sound with Roxy Music. Tony Levin is righteous.

Lots of good stuff already mentioned. Sara jarosz, Justin Townes earle, and wailing jennys are all great.

But my favorite is probably Brandi Carlile Live at benaroyo Hall. It's really an exceptional recording.

does a scarcity of miracles sound like any of the past albums?

Jakszyk, Fripp, and Collins: A Scarcity of Miracles
--A King Crimson ProjeKct

As Fripp writes in the liner notes, for the first time since 1981 an unexpected 4:1 English:American DNA..."more is going on than could be predicated merely on what has gone before. Yet, once more there is familiarity; like meeting a close member of the family for the first time."

depeche mode construction time again was amazing. I'll never forget the sound of the nadaswaram on Everything counts... Synth pop at it's most innovative.

Fwiw I think the remix of everything counts ruined it.

dEpEchE modE rEmixEs 81-11

3 CDs of pure bliss.

New Dave Alvin: amazing

only 9.5 Richard :)

Bon Iver - Bon Iver

Been listening to a pre release copy of this for 2 days straight. My wife is about to strangle me. If you liked his other record and ep, you will love this. More complex, not nearly as dark but still very similar in structure. Justin Vernon has oddly become a super star. Great interview with him on Pitchfork too. I expect them to give this record a rare "10" and rightfully so.

Warren Haynes. Man In Motion

I'm listening to Zero 7. I believe this is Sia's first band and if you don't know who Sia is, then go backward from this jewel.

Very melodic, easy going but nice recording and a great find.

Treasure is an excellent live performance from Neil Young's underrated early '80s archive. Unfortunately the CD sounds closed in and not much better than bootleg quality. Does the expensive three-sided LP sound any better?

Neil Young's Treasure.

Okay,

Okay, I spun up Sarah J for the first time today, on the recommendation of half of A'gon's members. Is she the unholy offspring of Alison Krauss and Suzanne Vega? Or is there another comp that works better to describe her style?

I definitely need some time to digest this, but there's clearly something goin' on on this CD.

Marty

Wobbler - Rites At Dawn (prog rock from Norway)
Motif - Facienda (avant-garde jazz also from Norway)

I picked up Sarah J upon recommendation of this group,really liking her! Thrilled to hear Gillian has a new one. Also enjoying Agnes Obel from Denmark. album is called "philharmonics".

Wow Marco, thanks for the word on Gillian Welch. Didn't know she had one coming out. I'll keep an eye out for a pre release copy. As for Omar, many a Pimp has worn a pony tail. Don't be fooled...he's a bad mofo. Your boys Cassius and Captain do look like muscle so not too much I can say there. I did give E your regards. There is not doubt about his brawn. A true OG Mack Daddy.

On Sara Jaffe...I watched that youtube vid of Clementine you posted and she is a total clone of Laura Marling. Check out some of the live videos on yoututbe of Ms Marling. Every tone, voice inflection, facial expression...it's wild. No doubt Sara Jaffe admires Laura Marling. That chick is brilliant. Maybe a little depressed, but still brilliant. Certainly in my top 5 female artists.

Zoe Muth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqvp27uUQTU&feature=fvst

Yes, the new Sarah Jarosz cd is quite good. I'm particularly fond of the song "My Muse". I was afraid her sophomore effort might be a let down but it certainly isn't. Hope she has a great musical future ahead of her.

Thanks to Marco and the other folks that suggested Sarah Jarosz new release. Fine fine record. What a young talent! Watched her youtube vids of the Austin City Limits performance and just loved them. That is one heck of a band. She sounds much like the second coming of Gillian Welch. The girl can flat out play guitar + banjo.

Yo, Richard - You know Gillian's got a new one (FINALLY!!) coming out on the 28th of this month. I'm still digging big time on Sara Jaffe too, though the brand new EP was a bit of a disappointment compared to Suburban Nature (big shoes to fill though, so it's not half bad). Also warming up to Josh T. Pearson. Really enjoying The Mountain Goats too - great lyrics. So thanks to your recommendations as well! Got a smile off that pimp-daddy sh!t you forwarded the other day too. Yeah, that's just the way I roll, dog. Cassius got my back door and Captain's riding shotgun. Word to Elvis and that momma's boy Omar.

Keepin' it real in the hood, yo.

Marco

Snakes for the Divine-High on Fire
Soon to be released Kaiors-Sepultura may dethrone this metal masterpiece.

Thanks to Marco and the other folks that suggested Sarah Jarosz new release. Fine fine record. What a young talent! Watched her youtube vids of the Austin City Limits performance and just loved them. That is one heck of a band. She sounds much like the second coming of Gillian Welch. The girl can flat out play guitar + banjo.

On the twangy side.....have a listen to Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers "Starlight Hotel". Throwback to Dolly and the classic Nashville ladies. Sweet pedal steel playing, gets me everytime. This album makes me wanna put a gunrack and confederate flag in my pickup.

I"ll second the Warren Haynes cd. Actually have it on vinyl.

Jesu - Ascension

The Scenic Route, by the Galen Kipar Project. It's a "small" release from mid-2010. I suppose you might call it Americana with a bit of jam-band sensibility. Musically interesting and fresh, plus memorable songs.

One made in the year 2000.

richard stacy, that weeknd disc is very cool (as well as free). thanks for the heads up.

James Vincent McMorrow "Early In The Morning"

A highly recommended singer/songwriter effort from this Irish artist I think we will be hearing a lot more of. He recorded this by himself over 5 days in a cottage by the sea. Fans of Bon Iver + Iron & Wine will likely connect and find great joy in this music. Check out track 7, Follow You Down To The Red Oak Tree and track 8, Burning Down the Ropes. This album has become a favorite of mine, I cannot recommend it highly enough.

On the complete other end of the spectrum, some rap and R&B. 2 free mixtapes available for download at these artists websites:

The Weeknd "House of Balloons" - Very cool indie R&B stuff.

Big K.R.I.T. "Return Of 4Eva" - Laid back southern rap with big time mix talent.

Both of these are only available in mp3 format (free download) but sound pretty damn good. I found them in Pitchforks recommended new music and fell for them both right away, especially KRIT. I do realize there are many rap haters here but some fans linger amongst us too! I don't get most of the stuff thats out there these days but a rap artist will come along here and there that just hits me right. My wife loves this one too.

Warren Haynes-Man in Motion; perhaps a bit compressed dynamically, but great songs and playing.

Sarabeth Tucek "Get Well Soon"

Love the new album Rome. Very atmospheric. Love the vox of Nora Jones on this.

Jax2,Thanks for the link,Im also a fan of Over the Rhine.

Thanks Jax2, I'll check out the story. Have the CD on order but hasn't arrived yet.

Here's the link to Sarah Jarosz new album, released yesterday.

Also, do check out the Over the Rhine interview from the NPR link. Their new album, The Long Surrender, is here.

PS At the same link you can scroll down and find links to a story on Roger Waters new project, and one on Over the Rhine (one of my personal favorites).

Rja (OP) - Sara Jarosz is in a feature story on NPR Music with links to two tracks from her new album released this month. Here's that link.

Noah and the Whale - Last Night On Earth

Fistful of Mercy - As I Call You Down

........both pretty good I think.

Jazz:
Benny Green Trio "Source"

Pop/Rock:
The Kills "Blood Pressures"
The Head & The Heart "Eponymous"

The James Blake album is a hynoptic lullaby-- the best accompaniment to an afternoon cat-nap since Susanna "Flower of Evil".

I love the James Blake album. One of the most original albums to come out of the electronica genre. Equal to the recent albums by The XX and Burial at defining the London music scene.

Pehare,Suwannee river,,,Im in Bradenton,Braden river is in my backyard!Another im enjoying is Hamilton Loomis,Aint Just Temporary,very good recording ,very tight band!

hey Ray, yeah that's a good one too. try "we'll never turn back" w/ry cooder, jim keltner, ry's son, etc....if you ever have a chance to see her live - do it. she played at magnoliafest up here on the suwannee river a couple years ago. she stood on stage & took one look at the aging hippy audience & exclaimed "you all the flower childrens"

Pehare,Maybe a little off topic as im not sure what year this came out.I just discovered Mavis Staples ,"Have a Little Faith"What a pleasure to listen to!I heard this first via HDtracks .Listening to the song samples on their website.Not entirely sure why,but the samples sound so good compared to the download I bought.Or most any CD I have.

Mavis Staples, youre not alone

Listening to clips from Rome right now (via Amazonz) and really like it. So much so that I was going to overnight it, but it's not released until next week!

I've got to add one more that Richard_Stacy introduced me to, but hasn't mentioned yet. Especially in the light of the OP's initial mention of Sarah Jarosz....here's another young, original breath of fresh air: Sarah Jaffe. I've been listening to her 2010 release, Suburban Nature, and have her 2011 release on the way. Here's a great sense of what she's about that actually has excellent sound!

Drive By Truckers.

Ra Ra Riot - The Orchard. Combo of Andrew Bird and Vamoire Weekend. Can't get their songs out of my head. These guys can write, sing and play. Heard them live on Mountain Stage.

Neal

Cass McCombs - Wit's End...I might already have my song of the year picked with this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIkaPvbhuC4&fmt=22

Hbarrel....I'm sure many of the forum members here feel the same way about James Blake (not Jeff...Jeff Blake was a QB from ECU who went on to be an NFL bust although showed potential here and there....!). Dubstep, UK Garage, Grime... whatever it is, it's music thats hard to classify and it certainly is unlike most of what is written about on this forum. I try to recommend things that are a little different than the typical audiophile album. I enjoy discovering new artists/music and figured others on here do as well. I also realize that, as you wrote, one mans great is another mans terrible! I'm glad you gave it a go and at least you have a shiny new coaster! I love that album and think he is brilliant. I've since gotten every EP/single he has released.