(43) The Brutalist Bricks - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists (Matador)
Not a HUGE fan of his punk infused, politically charged Costello-meets-Thin Lizzy power pop, but this is quite good. (7/10)
(44) Rough Frame - The Art Museums (Woodsist)
Another new Woodsist act that sounds more 80s post-punk than 60s psychedelic or 70s classic punk. They aight. (6.5/10)
(45) Sun Was High (So Was I) 7" - Best Coast (Art Fag)
Not as fantastic as her first 7" of 2010, but still, good enough. Mid-tempo punk w/Beach Boys harmonies. (6.5/10)
(46) Witches - Fur (Waaga)
I was under the impression Fur was supposed to be one of those chillwave acts. This is darker and not nearly as good. (5.5/10)
(47) No Mas - Javelin (Luaka Bop)
A very fun, sample-heavy and surprisingly great electronic pop album with plenty of memorable moments. (7.5/10)
(48) The Juliets - The Juliets (self-released)
I'm over this orchestral style of indie pop, but The Juliets make a valiant and satisfying effort w/their debut. (6.5/10)
(49) To Bed to Battle - Look Mexico (Suburban Home)
Seemingly young band unfortunately matures from interesting, fun, jangly emo to over produced, prog-emo. (6/10)
(50) Big Echo - The Morning Benders (Rough Trade)
Horrible name, surprisingly great record, despite sounding mostly like a poppier version of Grizzly Bear. (7/10)
(51) Have One on Me - Joanna Newsom (Drag City)
Unsurprisingly, this 3xLP is completely overwhelming. Gorgeous, but too long and too easy to loose interest. (6/10)
(52) Clinging to a Scheme - The Radio Dept. (Labrador)
A very good if not totally great 80s indie pop record, at times bringing to mind The Cure at their very best. (8/10)
(53) The Golden Archipelago - Shearwater (Matador)
Decent, innovative and dynamic orchestral rock from former Okkervil River dude. A bit too dramatic for me, though. (6/10)
(54) The Wild Hunt - The Tallest Man on Earth (Dead Oceans)
I don't really get what's so special about this guy. Wow, he plays folk music and has a weird voice! (5.5/10)
(55) Travellers in Space and Time - The Apples in Stereo (Yep Roc/Simian/Elephant 6)
Pretty great synth-heavy, futuristic pop album with a lot of nice melodies and chord progressions to love. (7/10)
(56) Massa Hypnos - Awesome Color (Ecstatic Peace)
A mix of art, noise, punk, 70s rock and GRUNGE. Not surprised that Detroit people like it, but they're wrong. (4.5/10)
(57) East General - The Bitters (Mexican Summer)
Gross, lo-fi punk from one of the Fucked Up guitarists. Not as good as I hoped, features one totally sweet song. (5.5/10)
(58) Swim - Caribou (Merge)
Still getting over the switch from psychedelic to electronic pop, but when your record's still this good... whatevs. (8/10)
(59) I Will Be - Dum Dum Girls (Sub Pop)
Another lo-fi, all female garage-pop band. This is pretty solid with one awesome song, but they're no Viv Girls. (6/10)
(60) Fang Island - Fang Island (Sargent House)
Really fun, melodic, sorta mathy and punk-infused guitar rock. Has one real sweet jam, can be irritating in places. (6/10)
(61) August in My Mind EP - The Fresh & Onlys (Captured Tracks)
More psychedelic pop/rock from this SF group, only slightly more polished, concise, not quite as good. (6.5/10)
(62) Plastic Beach - Gorillaz (Virgin)
First mainstream pop album I've been able to get into since Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. Surprisingly brilliant. (7/10)
