The Glow

This will soon be updated with my musical thoughts.
Hopefully, this will be the first of many updates.
~Tommy

I really wanted to keep this thing updated. I've done an amazing job. I shall do my best this time around.

Now, my favorite CD picks from January until now. The 'First Listen' is my choice for the song you should check out first. Find it yourself - I'm not a mp3 blog. Sign-up for Rhapsody or something.

Neko Case
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

Currently battling for my favorite CD of the year.
Neko's voice is stunning. It has an impressive resonance that could fill a stadium. The production on the CD is flawless; some of the best I've heard since 'Strange Little Girls' (Tori Amos, 2001). Though the CD feels like it is split into two, both halves hold strong with their unique aspects. The first half is the more 'radio-friendly' part with some strong melodies and amazing musical performances. The second half is beautiful; filled with simple, understated lines that will break your heart. I highly recommend this CD to all.

First Listen: Star Witness
Similar Artists: Cat Power, Tori Amos

Final Fantasy
He Poos Clouds

Though I've listened to the entire record through, I just got around to buying this CD. It's sheer brilliance. Final Fantasy (note: absolutely no connection to the games) is a violinist from Canada named Owen Pallet. He is known for being the "unofficial" member of Arcade Fire. He has toured and recorded with them, and Win regards Owen as one of the greatest song-writer. Not bad.
His sophomore CD is stunning. Taking after Rufus Wainwright, he stays in the realm of Baroque Pop; though the effects of 20th C. Russian composers aren't hard to notice. His lyrics and instrumentation often remind me of Tori Amos (but then again, who doesn't). This should not be surprising, considering that the CD is based off the eight schools of magic in Dungeons & Dragons. While not what you'd expect from a gay artist with a string quartet at hand, this CD is beautiful.

First Listen: This Lamb Sells Condos
Similar Artists: Rufus Wainwright, Arcade Fire, Shostakovich

Danielson
Ships

What can I say? This record is exactly what I expected from Mr. - Sorry, Br. Danielson and crew/family. While the record it definitely toned down from earlier Danielson Familie stuff, it's still eccentric and full of Danielson flair. Personally, I feel Ships has some of the best lyrics of Danielson's career. Very insightful and ingenious.
I'd keep writing to tell you everything Pitchfork and your friends have been saying, but I'll let you decide. It may take a while to grow on you; but over time, it is very easy to see why Pitchfork gave this a 9.1/10.0

First Listen: Did I Step on Your Trumpet?
Similar Artists: Sufjan Stevens, The Brunettes

Anathallo
Floating World

I love this record. Pitchfork - not so much.
Now, to explain the hatred. It's very obvious that Anathallo had Illinois on heavy-rotation while writing this record. After a few brass/woodwind flares, and you can tell they borrowed some of Sufjan's instrumentation ideas. But as far as content and structure are concerned, it still sounds like Anathallo.
You can read the previous post to know all about my Anathallo love. If you happen to join the indie-elite and hate Floating World, check out the Holiday at the Sea ep. It'll change your life.

First Listen: Hoodwink
Similar Artists: Sufjan Stevens, Danielson

Other notable releases:
Sufjan Stevens - The Avalanche
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium
Taking Back Sunday - Louder Now
Dashboard Confessional - Dusk and Summer
Band of Horses - Everything All The Time
Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass
mewithoutYou - Brother, Sister
Tilly and the Wall - Bottoms of Barrels
Early November - The Mother, The Mechanic, The Path