I posted something about a week ago, but whatdya know, it didn't go through. Great. Quick update:

Work is cool. I probably couldn't have asked for a better first (almost) month. I'm sure it'll become horrible soon though, don't worry.

CDs I've bought--there's been a slight binge here:

Heroes and Villains by Paloalto (yes, one word). Really great rock album, most every song is very listenable. The sound is pretty addictive, and reminds me a lot of Haven and Ours. Crunching but contained guitars, string accompaniments, but nothing too far off the beaten path, which is what stands between this being a really really good and a great album. Definitely worth a listen.

Isola by Kent. So it's about time I finally picked up a Kent cd...I've been listening to my one mix cd for a couple months now. This album has about four really good songs, and the rest fill the time just fine; kind of along the lines of Paloalto, great alt-pop rock sound. Sweden lead the world in great bands per capita. This is the English-language version of their 1998 disc, which they've followed up with Hagnesta Hill and Vapen & Ammunition, both of which are even better albums but more expensive and elusive in record shops. All in good time.

Lovers by The Sleepy Jackson. I started listening to the Sleepies last spring and got pretty addicted for a short while before I kind of drifted away from them. They released a handful of EP's and had some imports available in record shops here but I never pulled the trigger. I checked out their slot tonight randomly at Newbury Comics and saw they had put out a proper album...I noticed my two favorite tracks of theirs had been thrown onto this album (which is a hodgepodge of stuff from previous EP's and new material)--"Good Dancers" and "Miniskirt." Luke Steele is the mastermind behind the band and the only truly permanent member; he has an eclectic taste in music and his dad was a folk musician in Australia. It shows in their music, which wanders from Beetles pop rock to alt-country to tripped-out God-knows-what. The album is beautifully produced and the styles work well together...a great listen and a really pleasant surprise. But don't take my word for it, Rolling Stone also gave them four stars.

Take Them On, On Your Own by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. BRMC's sound is tailor-made for throwing into a car stereo, cranking it loud, and driving hard. It's great loud, percussive, throttling rock 'n roll that is as badass as it comes. I don't even know this album very well but I will be listening to it in the car tomorrow morning. Word.

A.M. by Wilco. I don't know how I avoided buying this album for so long.