Jay Reatard is an artist I desperately wanted to hate. The guy looks like a complete D & D loser crossed with Meat Loaf and his name (yes, it IS pronounced THAT way) is bordering on juvenile. But after giving this album a chance, I am hooked. The best I can think of to describe Mr. 'tard is to imagine what would happen if The Buzzcocks went crazy on mushrooms and put out a psychedelic album. It shouldn't work but it does. He definitely deserves the buzz of the indie press.
9. Immaculate Machine - High On Jackson Hill
There is nothing fancy with Immaculate Machine: just simple, infectious power pop with hooks galore... but rarely done this good. If you dig The New Pornographers, check these guys and gals out. Highlights include "Sound The Alarms" and the sublime "And It Was."
8. Joel Plaskett - Three
In an age where people are heralding the death of the album, Joel Plaskett goes out and makes a triple album consisting of 27 songs. Either the guy is crazy or has balls the size of grapefruits. Either way, he pulls it off with little, if any, filler. Plaskett mixes styles often enough to make this album listenable in one sitting. There are traces of rock, pop, country, folk, Celtic, soul and blues throughout. "Through & Through & Through" has to be the catchiest song of the year.
7. Pearl Jam - Backspacer
After almost a decade of toying with experimental self-indulgence, Pearl Jam have put together another excellent back-to-basics album, following 2006's self-titled effort. The quality of songs taper off a wee bit after the punked up energy of "Gonna See My Friend," "Get Some", "The Fixer" and "Just Breathe" but not enough to prevent this from being a great, concise and compact album. At only 37 minutes this album just breezes by, leaving the listener wanting more. Pearl Jam are definitely back.
6. You Say Party! We Say Die! - XXXX
These dance-punks from Vancouver have delivered their most "mature" album to date, but they still leave plenty of room for herky-jerky dance tunes like "Glory" and "There Is XXXX (Within My Heart)." However, the morose "Heart Of Gold" and "Laura Palmer's Prom" can make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. This is an absolutely brilliant album that probably should have made my Top 5.
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