Watch the world past me by

The American Dollar - A Memory Stream (Yesh, 2008): video for "Anything You Synthesize"

A surreal look at how life passes us by, set to the music of the ambient instrumental band "The American Dollar". This is about as good as it gets both visually and acoustically.

http://www.onesize.nl/projects/anything-you-synthesize

This is why separatism is a bad idea

Belleisle - Longstanding (Ships At Night, 2008). Some days you need angst filled music to soothe the soul, but other days a gentle lullaby is more appropriate. Belleisle nestles into your ears, softly telling stories of love and warmth with delicate voices and distant acoustic guitars. Beautiful.

http://www.myspace.com/belleislemontreal

I have Marfan's too

Atlas Sound - Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See but Cannot Feel (Kranky, 2008). Solo project from the frontman of Deerhunter, Bradford Cox. Has a very spacey, melancholy feel to it. It is ambient in genre, but really indescribable otherwise.

http://www.imeem.com/artists/atlas_sound/

The First Rule of Kus

Jenocide - Slumber Party Mix (Unsigned, 2009). Saw this today when I was browsing through Facebook. Was especially intrigued since I plan to spend some time in Halifax again this summer, and am looking for bands to check out. This is rough on the edges, electro-trash type stuff. Raw, powerul and well, intriguing.

http://www.myspace.com/jenocidemusic

Nouvelle Vague - Bande a Part (Peacefrog, 2006). Coolest band I had never heard of. They play stripped down acoustic versions of 80's new wave tracks. What caught my attention was their cover of "The Killing Moon" by Echo & The Bunnymen. It's one of those tracks that I remeber hearing as a kid, but really appreciating as an adult. The decomposed cover version brings a new sense of desperation to the lyrics, especially "fate up against a will". I am still suprised as to how often this song captures how I am feeling about the world, even 25 years after its original release.

http://www.imeem.com/thetoeyy/music/ORds2-0W/nouvelle_vague_killing_moon/

I saw the sun today

Glitch Mob - Crush Mode Mix (Self-released, 2009). I can't stop listening to this. Its heavy soul thumping beats, catchy samples, hiphop style and dancey electronic all mixed together. You can't help but bounce your head. I have dreams about dropping tracks like this. Amazing.

http://theglitchmob.com/mp3/The_Glitch_Mob-Crush_Mode.mp3

Monosyllabic responses

Trying a new thing this post, I am limiting my description to one sentence...perhaps brevity will have its benefits....

Aether - Artifacts (Exponential, 2008). Aka A.M. Architect, aka artist whose painting I know I almost bought once, this is simply one of the best instrumental beats albums I have heard in a long time.
http://www.myspace.com/aether216

Ane Brun - Sketches (Det Er Mine, 2008). Norweigan singer/songwriter acoustically covers her own album, Changes of Season, beautiful in its lyrical power, it gives a melancholic flavour to the Norweigan diaspora.
http://www.myspace.com/anebrun

Polar - In The End (Warm Communications,2008). Proof (along with Ane Brun above) that Norweigan music has moved well past A-Ha and death metal (both of which are still fun in their own ways), this promising electronic DJ has put out his first release in almost 6 years after suffering a hearing injury. This album has a great minimalist drum and bass feel, awash with reverb and synths. A comeback like this reminds me of "It's All Gone Pete Tong".

http://www.myspace.com/kpolar

Sound not required

Nat Turner by Kyle Baker (Kyle Baker Publishing, 2005). Yes, this isn't music. But it is an astounding piece of art. Comic book artist Kyle Baker took a childhood fascination with slave revolutionary Nat Turner and turned it a serial graphic novel. There are very few words in this book, most of the story telling is done threw the visual medium. It is amazing how you can look into a characters eyes or hear their screams. Kyle Baker is able to capture the raw fearful emotion that many African-American slaves must have endured. In light of the inauguration of the first African-American president, this book reminds us of what atrocities humans are capable of and that we can indeed learn from our past mistakes.

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2008/07/comics_nat.html