Thurston Moore:

Demolished Thoughts:(2011)

Not sure how many times I've spun this album, but it's a lot. It's such a pretty album. The delicate ornamental acoustic arrangements Beck created around this collection of songs from Thurston Moore is unforgettable. This is a late night/early morning record. Meaning, I think it sounds best when played after midnight or as the sun is just starting to cast shadows. Now as strong as both the personalities of Beck and Moore are, and they can be heard in spades here, I still detect a Van Morrison Astral Weeks influence mixed with a Velvet Underground third album feel. As I said, such a pretty album.

Molina and Johnson:

Molina and Johnson:(2009)

This is a mournful record that moves at it's own pace, and that pace is slow. As slow, and sad as it can get at times, I love this album. It feels like you're driving back in time through a vintage painting of broken American scenes. When I purchased this album I had no idea who either of these songwriters were. In fact this was one of my many "album cover based" purchases. See kids, artwork is important. Anyway, I enjoy spinning this album in the early morning hours, just as the sun is ascending through the trees.

Slim Cessna's Auto Club:

The Bloudy Tenent Truth Peace:(2004)

To oversimplify this band as Country is criminal, however, there is plenty of true Country in there. No, there's more atmospheric Appalachia darkness and humor swirling around in this brew. From the first track, This Is How We Do Things In The Country, you know you're in for a ride...A ride were you struggle to differentiate between the truth and fiction of the stories flying past the windows of a runaway pickup-truck.    

Beirut:

March of the Zapotec/Holland EP: (2009)

This was the first album I heard by Beirut, which is Zach Condon, and really it's not an album, it's two EPs in one package, and they couldn't be more different. March of The Zapotec features a 19 piece brass band from Oaxaca, Mexico. This part of the album spirits you away to another realm, and another time. The other part of the album, Real People of Holland EP, is light and whimsical and electronic. The old and the modern living hand in hand. 

The Riptide: (2011)

This is my favorite Beirut album. This one feels fully realized. The atmosphere on this record is excellent as well, giving each song a wonderful lift. For me the key tracks here are: Payne's Bay, and East Harlem.