Bright Eyes - Cassadaga (April 10, 2007)

Bright Eyes 7th studio album Cassadaga is due for release April 10 2007. Coner Obersts heartfelt vocals are perfectly matched with his Shakespeare-like lyrics that seem ghostly and eerie, not to mention the emotionally haunting riffs that send shivers down your spine. Z Berg of the Like and Sherri DuPree and Stacy DuPree of Eisley all feature on the album which is bound to be a success. Tracks like "Four Winds" (which is also featured on the Four Winds EP) and "Middleman" are perfect examples of why Coner Oberst is one of the most prolific singer-songwriters of his generation.

91/100.

The Clientele - God Save The Clientele (May 8th, 2007)

"God Save The Clientele" is the third studio album by The Clientele. "God Save The Clientele" was recored in Nashville and is due for release May 8th 2007. “God Save The Clientele” has pushed further towards up-beat sounds compared to the usual melancholic and mid-tempo sounds found in "Strange Geometry" and other previous work. A much welcomed change that is visible in tracks like "Bookshop Casanova" and "Winter on Victoria Street". However, those lullaby-like sounds of past albums do creep into the equation, tracks like "Dreams of Leaving" and “From Brighton Beach To Santa Monica” create a sort of balance that removes any possibility of a album that is just far too poppy.

82/100.

When - Trippy Happy (March 05, 2007)

when

“When” is Norwegian artist Lars Pedersen. Lars has brought back 60s psychadelia, whilst exploring a sort of happy, cartoonists, pop ballad experience. Resembling “Olivia Tremor Control” and “The Dreamies” somewhat, “Trippy Happy” (2007) seems to be the perfect album to play on a summer’s day. Having released their debut “Drowning but Learning” in 1987, one can only begin to speculate why “When” isn’t “big”, when they have so many great albums already under their belt. Featuring appearances by Haakon Ellington of the Last James on banjo, voices, and piano and Øyvind Borgemoen on accordion/piano, this album is well worth your time and money.

83/100.

The National - Boxer (May 22, 2007)

New York band The National is about to release their 4th album "Boxer" (May 22, 2007). Although "Boxer" doesn't stray far from previous work, specifically their very successful "Alligator" (2005), 13 months of writing in their Brooklyn homes seems to have payed off. Tracks like "Brainy", "Start a war" and "Slow show" depict the bands emblematic music direction, something that has not changed since the formation of the band in 1999, although Matt Berningers vocals have been perfected and finally individualised to a certain degree. This album is definitely a grower and one listen through will not justify the bands efforts.

79/100.