Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - Raising Sand

A recommendation by me.  The whole album is a good listen.  'Trampled Rose' stands out to me.

Warren Hood and the Hoodlums

Warren Hood is a local Austin fiddle player who is truly a genius. Taught the tradition of classical violin from a young age, he later graduated from the Berklee School of Music. He is probably one of the rare local musicians who can make a living from performing and tends to be a guest performer of all local favorites. Most Sunday nights, he and his band perform his original music and some covers that span many genres of music. Jazz, bluegrass, swing, country, blues, rock, and even... gypsy. This track (link provided by Warren on his website) is by far the most exciting song to hear live. You can't help but clap along.

http://www.music-texas.com/images/Black_Cat_recorded_at_Blue_Plum_Festival_Johnson_City,_TN_June_2006.mp3

Dan Deacon - Spiderman of the Rings

I saw Dan Deacon at First Avenue a few nights ago.  He set up his kit on the floor, a yard or two away from the stage, and was surrounded by people hovering over him and waving their arms and dancing around like freaks.  My friend Liz said, "It was like being at the Rec Center, where there are a lot of kids just running around just to freak out.  Sometimes there's a ball or something, but mostly they're just there to jump around." 

(A few pics from the balcony: http://picasaweb.google.com/pvanhaaften/DanDeaconShow )

Electronica.  The track "Wham City" is worth listening to at max volume.

Los Campesinos - International Tweecore Underground

"and the last time that you tried listening to music
and reading fiction at the same time,
you never finished the chapter,
but you finished the song with your chin on your knees like you belong"

This cd is a single.  That lyric is from the title track. Also, from the second song, "C Is The Heavenly Option" (which is a cover of another band, Heavenly, whom I also adore),

"My girlfriend's getting sick of me,
Should I A: change your personality
Should I B: put her love to the test
Should I C: kiss her until she is obsessed
If you’re an A you will see you get chucked and end up unhappy.
If you’re a B you will find that’s cool but hey don’t be too unkind.
If you’re a C will end up like me, and love will ball you over"

The first song is good, the second almost had me dancing on my sketchy bus this morning.  Also seek the single for "We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG72H5PcGg0 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTbj0Wyx12Q

Jim Sturgess - Across The Universe: Music From The Motion Picture

Soundtrack to the film featuring all Beatles songs -- the film isn't bad but the music's the highlight. Lots of good covers here, I like 'Come Together' (Joe Cocker), 'I Am The Walrus' (Bono), and 'Let It Be' the best.

Brand New Immortals - Tragic Show

"Immortals" were a group from Atlanta that got some play before I left in 1999. Every now and then I'd wonder what happened to them -- until I came across them on Yahoo. Turns out they release a fairly compelling record and then called it quits. 'Kalifornia', 'Ill Conceived' and 'Blacksun' are among my favorites, hard rock with some varied melodies and bit of funk.

Armin Van Buuren - A State Of Trance 2007

Good working mix of [vocal] trance. "Anthem" is toe-tapping if cheesy, but what techno music isn't?

The Earlies - These Were the Earlies - Morning Wonder

Driving alone in the car for the first time in a long while. Listening to The Current and liking this song. First time hearing. After further investigation, I like many of their songs. Nice album art, too.

Pela - Anytown Graffiti

I also recommend their EP, All in Time.  The song "Episodes," from the EP, was in the beginning of an episode of Scrubs and I liked it so much that I tracked it down.

I would describe them as sort of in the Interpol family, but more melodic and also more rockin'. 
Here is their myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/pela

Also, most of the things I recommend are available on emusic for those who subscribe. 

I highly recommend these guys.

Akron/Family - Love is Simple

These guys sound like Phish would sound if Phish spent all day in the backwoods, drinking moonshine, listening to John Zorn, and reading Derrida.  The song "Ed is a Portal" is one of my favorite songs ever.