I became obsessed with Pictureplane about two years ago. I had not planned on it. It just sort of happened. His lastt album, Dark Rift, came out in August of 2009. I didn't really know what to expect. But I loved the album. It was not the kind of album that everyone would love. This guy will never be extremely popular. But he obviously loves what he is doing. And so do I. Pictureplane is Travis Egedy. He mixes up the styles of 90s dance music into his own unique sound. Imagine Radiohead mixed up with Taylor Dayne. The Girls mixed up with some Atari Teenage Riot. It is that good. Or that bad. Just depends on the listener. I just sort of figured that he wouldn't be making a second album. But I knew I would always have his first and possibly only album to go back to. So I was pleasantly surprised to learn of his new album. Lovepump United has just released Thee Physical. They also put out his last album. The artwork is simple and perfect. It could easily be the cover of a Soft Cell 12". It also reminds me of the great Ministry album With Sympathy.

                                                                                                       I didn't think that I could actually like this new album as much as I did that last album. Another one of my favorites from a couple of years ago was the debut album from The Teenagers. I am still waiting on that second album. It has been way too long. But I sort of doubt that it can really be as fantastic as that first album. I do love the new album by Pictureplane. The new album might even be a little more accessible than the last album.. It is still weird and all mixed up. But the songs seem to flow a little better. I am posting the video for "Post Physical" below. This is one of the best tracks on the album. Another one of my favorite songs on the album is "Trancegender." The song features vocals by the great Zola Jesus. If you have not already checked out the amazing albums of Zola Jesus. I suggest that you do so now. These are the kind of records I love for the summer months. They are still dark and weird. But they are also fun and dancey. This is pop music. Just not your normal pop music. I am very happy to have Pictureplane back in my life. This album is helping me get through the summer.

#1
Thieves Like Us - Play Music (Shelflife)

This was one of those albums that I was excited about before I even heard it. I knew I would be falling in love with this one from the review alone. And the love only got stronger as time went on. I couldn't get enough of this one! It may not seem like much at first, but it truly is fantastic. I still don't know too much about this band. All I know is that they are from Sweden and they like New Order. The album is that sort of dark and new wave style but it doesn't really fall into one genre alone. Favorite songs on the album are "Fass," "Miss You," and "Drugs in My Body." The label Shelflife has put out good albums before, but nothing as good as this. I had really big hopes for this band this year to catch on in America but I don't think they ever really got that big here, which is the fate of many bands that I have fallen in love with before. They might just be a bit too weird or dark and slow. The album does not hit you over the head at first but it does get under your skin and the songs are catchy in their own special way. I highly recommend it. They do remind me a bit of the album by The Teenagers that I fell in love with last year, just without the silliness. A fantastic little album.

I spend most of my weeks looking for new albums to fall in love with. I try to listen to most albums at least once. This is a big quest since there are still a ton of albums out every week. I just wait and hope for those special little albums that get me excited and keep me looking for my new favorite. It keeps me going knowing that there are new fantastic albums out every month just waiting to be discovered. There are the obvious albums to get excited about. In a couple of weeks the Where the Wild Things Are soundtrack comes out. The movie looks amazingly fantastic. The trailer for the movie already made me cry. Spike Jonze is the perfect director to create a live action film out of this great children's book. And just when I didn't think it could get any better, I find out that Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs did the soundtrack. I mean, really! How could it possibly get any better? I am dying of anticipation to see the movie and hear the soundtrack! I have not even tried to listen to any tracks online. I just want to wait and hear the whole thing when it comes out. But I honestly think that I might just have to wait and experience the soundtrack for the first time while watching the movie. That is always the problem with getting a soundtrack before you see the movie. I think it is best to experience it in the theater for the first time. Then you can go back and relive it and listen to the soundtrack. I seriously can't wait!

I am also very excited about the new Place to Bury Strangers. The new album called Exploding Head is not out for a couple of months. I know it will be one of my favorites. And it really is hard to compete with their excellent, amazing debut a couple of years ago. It was my favorite of the year back in 2007. This new album will easily be in competition for the number one spot this year. It is easy to get excited about the new albums from your favorite bands. But even more exciting is the new bands that seem to come from nowhere to deilver you their fantastic debut albums. Or the bands and artists that have been working for years that finally make it into your life somehow.