albums worth hearing

I promised at the start that there'd be reviews along with the playlists and video nonesense. I don't know if this counts, but here are a few things that have been getting me excited of late:

1) Arctic Monkeys (Favourite Worst Nightmare). To be honest, up until now I never understood what the fuss was all about, and to be honest I'm still not sure why the first album and EP got as big as they did, save for the Brits' love of hype. With the new album, however, the Arctics (or is it Monkeys?) have finally delivered the album their press has been promising. Tight, taut, loud, rude, and all aroud a good time. www.arcticmonkeys.com

2) The Pipettes (We Are the Pipettes). Pre-fab British girl group guitar pop. Melodies you'll be humming thirty seconds after hearing coupled with a sense of modern cheek and attitude that make it perfect summer music. Just in time, no? www.thepipettes.co.uk

3) The Icicles (Arrivals and Departures). Along a similar vein, a group from Grand Rapids, MI, who seem to know a thing or twelve about writing a good hook. Bubblegum in the best sense, sure to put a smile on even the most cynical listener's face (hi, how are you?). www.theicicles.com

4) Chris Randall (The Devil His Due). This has been one of the biggest and most pleasant surprises in a long while. Since the 90s, Randall has fronted the group Sister Machine Gun, who've been doing the guitar-based industrial thing long before (and after) it was cool to do so. On this, his solo ablum, he changes things up completely, and goes for a swampy blues/country/roots sound. Amazingly, he pulls it off well beyond reasonable expectation. Think of Tom Waits' rough edges with Nick Cave's sense of foreboding, and you're getting the picture. These songs were giving me chills the first time I listened. Get this now. www.chrisrandall.net

5) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (Baby 81). This is the album we've been waiting for. Maybe the last couple of albums were them trying to throw off all the Jesus and Mary Chain comparisons, but it's good to see them come back to the rock camp. Cocksure and swaggering, this one delivers. www.blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com