Listening to a Trouble Books song is like asking a genius child with A.D.D. to describe his day.
It usually starts off as a pretty cohesive tale. There’s a plot, some structure and everything you’d expect from a great story. It may then just stop abruptly, but more often than not, it takes an unexpected turn and carries you along on a wonderful ride.

Their new album Gathered Tones adheres to these same exciting rules. An idea or a theme is presented via a sweet pop song with occasional boy-girl harmonies. Verses and choruses don’t repeat. Once the original point has been made, the song will go off on an adventurous musical variation on the theme with lush arrangements and the occasional beeps and blips.

The recording process seems to have been perfected. The sound is crisper and clearer but in the same time sparser. The string arrangements and horns give way to electronic sounds and more guitars. If you close your eyes there’s still that underlying eeriness and unexplained sounds throughout which makes it another perfect headphones album.

Their previous album The United States of Trouble Books was my favorite album of 2008. Gathered Tones doesn’t fall short of its predecessor. With its beautiful raw emotion, funny yet self deprecating lyrics and courageous musical twists, Trouble Books deliver another brilliant album to close your eyes and dream to.

Trouble Books - Past the New Parking Deck

Gathered Tones is out March 3rd.

Buy Gathered Tones (USA)
Buy Gathered Tones (Europe)
Trouble Books on MySpace

Plugg favorite Naama Hillman is doing an internet only pre-launch of her new album ‘Mid Air’. To celebrate this momentous occasion the London based songstress is putting on a live Webcast on Sunday the 21st of February. For more details, head right here.

Naama Hillman – Let’s Go Out Tonight

On top of that, a three song sampler is available directly on her web site as a free download.
To warm us all up on those cold and grey February nights, the entire album is also available for purchase.

[Naama Hillman - Official Site]
[Naama Hillman – Live Webcast]
[Naama Hillman on Twitter]

Naama Hillman - Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash Cover)

Matt Morris was recently signed to Justin Timberlake’s Tennman label. The two met long ago in the early 1990s on “The All New Mickey Mouse Club.” Depending on who you are that might not be the best way to introduce you to him but don’t let that sway you  one way or the other. Consider it an interesting tidbit to tell people before you let them hear this new song you just heard. I’ve always admired a songwriter than could say a lot without saying too much. One listen to “The Un-American” is proof that he has a laconic way with words. Not sure if he’s going to be the next big thing but he’s defiantly worth a listen.

Matt Morris - The Un-American

These days it’s quite hard to find a new British band that doesn’t sound like an 80s tribute act. Luckily Manchester 6 piece band, Table are giving the Brits a fighting chance. With touching songs and haunting arrangments, these guys hold great promise.

Their debut single is out now and it’s accompanied by a beautiful video.

Table - Songs You Can Sing

Visit Table on MySpace to hear more. You won’t regret it.

Looks like Sony Producer Igloo is still at it.  Last we mentioned we had a track available.  Now there are 4.  In the humble opinion of this writer, they are even better than the original.  He’s been getting a little attention for this, and it’s well deserved… completely original rock tracks underneath Ludacris’s rhymes brings a whole new deminsion to the music.  The first two are  stronger, but Start Button makes us chuckle a bit.

Do It for Hip Hop

One More Drink

Start Button

Stay Together

OK GO are set to release their upcoming 2010 Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky out on January 12th, next week. I remember when they released the awesome treadmill video from the 2005 Oh No album. I knew then we were set to see more innovative videos from them in the future.

So here’s a new one for you, an amazing video for the song WTF?

Did I mention Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, MGMT) is the producer of the new album?! What are you waiting for, it’s on sale for pre-order on Amazon, go grab it.

All I want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey (can I get beat up for this?)

Little Drummer Boy - David Bowie and Bing Crosby (So weird but…GOOD)

Santa Clause is Coming to Town - Bruce Springsteen

Christmas Song - Nat King Cole

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer - Dr. Elmo

15. Son Volt  - American Central Dust
Classic Americana. Beautiful songwriting.

14. Blakroc - Blakroc
We don’t get enough real music in hip hop these days. Hope this trend continues.

13. Atlas Sound - Logos
Proving that not all bedroom albums are messy and half baked. A great headphones album.

12. Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
Neko Case ups the ante with a bigger production that works well.

11. The Most Serene Republic - …And the Ever Expanding Universe
Challenging, complex and beautiful.

10. Sonic Youth - The Eternal
The Youth get their groove back with Pavement’s Mark Ibold on bass. (Damn you Apple, I almost wrote iBold)

9. The Whitest Boy Alive - Rules
Makes you feel like you’re in the same room with these guys.

8. Cursive - Mama, I’m Swollen
Cursive takes a mellower approach. Not their best, but much better than most.

7. I Heart Hiroshima – The Rip
Simple raw emotion. You don’t get many bands like this these days.

6. Au Revoir Simone - Still Night, Still Light
What can I say…so so sweet!

5. Wilco - Wilco (The Album)
Another masterpiece from Jeff Tweedy and co.

4. Metric - Fantasies
Mixing perfect pop with integrity.

3. Built To Spill-There Is No Enemy
The songs are great…but as usual, it’s the guitars that really elevate this album.

2. Andrew Bird - Noble Beast
Feels like this guy has saved all his best songs for this album.

1. Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca
Convoluted, weird and amazing. A great achievement.

Blur - No Distance Left To Run Trailer