Yeasayer - "Ambling Alp"

Back in 2007, indie/experimental group Yeasayer made a great debut in All Hour Symbals. Now, with 2009 closing, the group has announced that in February of next year they will release their followup entitled Odd Blood. Along with that information came the first single "Ambling Alp" as well as a video. The song is fairly typical Yeasayer affair with a driving beat and rangey vocals. The video, however, is a somewhat untypical product. It features a lot of faceless individuals who (not too sure really what's going on but here we go) create a group of people out of some kind of ooze and spend the rest of the video naked and running (in slow-mo, female and (gulp) male) towards something. Then it ends. Great track though and a promising first taste of Odd Blood.

Real Estate - Real Estate

The funny thing about the debut from these Brooklynites is the time (November) in which it came out because everything about this album embodies an easy, summertime listen (don't mind the fact that one song is entitled "Snow Days"). Tracks here on this self-titled effort ooze a sublime feel by utilizing tinny guitars, lo-fi recording techniques, and simplistic instrumentations (including two instrumental tracks) that coexist with the echoey vocals/harmonies of main man Martin Courtney. While not breaking any grounds in a songwriting sense (lyrics, structure) Real Estate is a easy ride from start to finish all the while suggesting that perhaps less is more.

3.8/5.0

Real Estate - Real Estate

Wu Massacre Part 3

Completing the trilogy of trailers for the upcoming Meth/Ghostface/Raekwon collaboration album (now moved back until 2010) features yet another Seven-like setting which culminates in one of the members being the culprit and leaving a clue for the detectives. Although disappointing that the release date was pushed back (is anything released on time anymore?) the end product should still be more than satisfying.

Lupe Fiasco - Enemy of the State: A Love Story

Lupe Fiasco is arguably one of the best rappers of the moment. Although he has two excellent albums under his belt, it's been two years since The Cool. And apart from a guest appearance here and there, he has remained quiet while others absorb any spotlight they can muster (ahem, Lil Wayne). 2010 promises a third Lupe offereing with Lasers but until then Lupe has been nice enough to whet the appetite of the masses with a mixtape. While Enemy of the State: A Love Story pales in comparison to his previous mixtape work (the Farenheit 1st and 15th series in an a shining example of a mixtape that gathers attention), it still is nice to hear Lupe's flow and wit over some interesting samples (the lift of Radiohead is a definite standout).

Lupe Fiasco - Enemy of the State: A Love Story

Animal Collective - Be Kind Fall

As if releasing Merriweather Post Pavilion (further solidifying their position as a true "darling of the critics") wasn't enough for oddball group extrodinaire Animal Collective, they decided to throw in an EP to ensure that they would be talked about one way or another (LP or EP) in the upcoming Best of 2009 discussions. Fans of AC will know what to expect here as they harmonize and manipulate, well, anything they possibly can in an effort to create an experimental piece of audio art. That is to say, if you weren't a fan before, Be Kind Fall will do very little in order to change your opinion. This EP plays as a kind of DJ set as songs segue not only from track to track but also into themselves ("Graze" has some kind of weird wind instrument dominated coda). If looking for a conventional EP then investigate elsewhere, these guys have carved their niche in "pop" music and subsequently buried themselves deep into it.

3.4/5.0

Animal Collective - Fall Be Kind

Califone - All My Friends Are Funeral Singers

Experimental rock band Califone's latest album All My Friends Are Funeral Singers is not only another piece of odd/lo-fi music but also an accompanying piece to a film of the same name that will debut next year. But until then all fans/listeners have is this album. Among all the blips and weird song structures, Califone has not strayed far from their previous material. However, whereas those albums prior focused more (or so it seemed) on creating songs outside the box, here frontman Tim Rutili embraces his rootsy side to write some great songs ("Ape-Like" and the faux biographical "Bunuel") while still keeping things arty. Elsewhere, Califone dabbles in a realm outside their comfort zone (if that term can be used for a progressive band like this). "Giving Away the Bride" utilizes a kind of trip-hop beat and "Funeral Singers" sounds like it was written as proof that standard song structure is within Rutili's capabilities. In the end, Califone has created an accessible yet creative album to toss into the ring of top albums of 2009.

Califone - All My Friends Are Funeral Singers

The Wu Massacre (Part 2)

The second video leading up to the undoubtably killer (heh) Raek/Ghost/Meth collaboration album. This time around, the late-to-arrive cops are greeted by another corpse and another unknown message (of course we know what "Starks" refers to, right?). With one more video to be released the only thing left to look forward to that will be the album itself. December 22. December 22. 12/22/09.

Dirty Projectors - Temecula Sunrise

Bitte Orca was well-received by critics as well as fans and helped to expand the indie/experimental act Dirty Projectors' fanbase. This EP is little more than two tracks (including the self-titled "Temecula Sunrise") from Bitte Orca and two newer tracks. Temecula Sunrise is little more than a kind of continuation of their release from earlier this year. Nothing really new or groundbreaking from the Dirty Projectors camp (not saying that these new songs are disposable because they are not).

Dirty Projectors - Temecula Sunrise

LIl Wayne - No Ceilings

Last week, Lil Wayne's latest mixtape was leaked with an incomplete tracklist. Well, here is the full 21 track version. Enjoy as Wayne seems on his way to a T.I.-esque hiatus here soon thanks to him being, well, Lil Wayne.

Lil Wayne - No Ceilings

Clipse - "I'm Good (Remix)"

December 8: that's the date that the long-awaited Clipse album Till the Casket Drops drops. Although this (weaker) single was released some time ago, the boys of Clipse decided it necessary to not only remix it but produce a video along with it. And the special guest star: Rick Ross and his ridiculous beard (which looks like a prop from a cheesy B-movie about homeless people). While the song still suffers from it's radio friendly hook it still should not deter anticipation for this upcoming album.

No Age - "Losing Feeling"

The title track from the Cali two-piece's four song EP now has a video to accompany the great tune. And just in case you were wondering how these two came to be, well, this video has got your answer. Utilizing a lot of stop-action animation, the video chronicles a mouse's track through the city streets up to his arrival at a seemingly random apartment. A great song from a maturing band.

Bibio - The Apple and the Tooth

British music producer Bibio has been keeping himself seriously occupied in 2009. He has already released two albums (including the excellent Ambivalence Avenue) and here has released a third album/EP to keep his productive '09 going. The Apple and the Tooth is a twelve track album which contains all new material; however, eight of the songs are remixes of tracks from Ambivalence Avenue. The new tracks sound like leftovers from that recording session as the same dusty-sounding beats are used with dreamy pop vocals floating over top (with blips, acoustic instruments, and general electronica noise sprinkle here and there). Makes one wonder just what else could Bibio have in store for the rapidly approaching 2010?

Bibio - The Apple and the Tooth