I've been away from this blog for too long so let me review what I've been listening to over the summer months. Dead Oceans releases have been really good this year and I have had The Explorers Club and The Donkeys in regular rotation as well as The Evangelicals, this months featured band. The Explorers Club's Freedom Wind came out on 5-20 and The Donkey's Living on the Other Side was released on 9-9. Spiritualized latest, Songs in A & E was released on 5-26 through Spaceman Records and is everything we have come to expect from Jason Pierce, in short, another fantastic record. The Old 97's Blame it on Gravity came out on 5-13 and is another great release in their lengthy portfolio. Not released anytime recently but something I've been listening too alot (thanks to NPR) is Karen Dalton's In My Own Time. A 60's era lost gem which is absolutely worth revisiting now. Another band that I came across this summer which is great (and I owe them an album review) is The Sumner Brothers. Their album now self-titled has been released online on 9-19 and is absolutely worth picking up. Its sort-of a dirty country blues sound from Canada that sounds like it should be outta the back woods of Kentucky. That's it for now I suppose, I'm looking forward to catching the Mountain Goats again at the Bluebird on 10-17 and the Evangelicals will be coming through the Hi-Dive that same week on the 14th.

Just what you needed to really get into the holiday spirit. Here is a Holloween song from the Evangelicals whose sophmore album should be coming out early next year through Dead Oceans. http://www.scjag.com/mp3/do/halloweensong.mp3

Here are three albums, out now or soon to be, that are worth checking out. Of course our featured band for this month Holler, Wild Rose! had their album Our little hymnal released on 9-18 on Blacklight Records, it is a great album and I have been listening to it regularly since I got it. Birds and Batteries has I'll Never Sleep Again coming out on 10-9, self released, which is very good. It's as nice blend of electronic and acoustic instrumentation with solid vocals, it reminds me of Grizzly Bear a bit except better. Then there is The Selfish Gene with The Grand Masquerade out on Ruff Road Records on 9-25. Its a solid indy rock album which reminds me of '90s greats like Built to Spill, Yo La Tengo or early Death Cab for Cutie. It seems like it will be predictable when it starts but has plenty of suprises before it ends. Enjoy!

Apparently its true, Thurston Moore revealed the plan in a recent interview with Pitchfork. I know...I'm broken on the inside a little too. Appearing on the shelves of Starbucks will be a compilation of Sonic Youth songs picked by celebrities with their explanations for picking the songs being included in the liner notes. The album is set for joint release by Starbucks Entertainment and Universal Special Markets in 2008. The album entitled 'Hits Are For Squares' will include one new track being recorded now. This release will indeed be a blow to millions of aging hipsters trying in vain to hold on to their outsider status.

June turns out to be a good month for new music, here are some albums that are worth checking out. The Ladybug Transistor Can't Wait Another Day out June 5th on Merge records. Lightening Dust will release their selftitled debut on June 19th through Jagjaguwar. Dappled Cities had its US release of Granddance on June 3 on Dangerbird records.

All fine choices to empty your wallet for but just in case you needed more- also released late last month were Magic Bullets a CHILD but in life yet a DOCTOR in Love out on Words on Music and Bela Fleck with Chick Corea released The Enchantment on Concord records. Who could ask for more?

Happy news for all us fans of the marychain, they are planning on recording their first full length since the '98 release of Munki. The Reid brothers did some recording for their sister's album Little Pop Rock and have played some reunion dates this year. Now they announce in this month's issue of Uncut plans to record a new Album. Filling out the band will be former Ride drummer Loz Colbert and Phil King, previously with Lush. No recording dates have been released yet but we wait with bated breath.

For fans of Black Mountain, Amber Webber and Joshua Wells have created a side project called Lightning Dust. I gave a listen to the self-titled album which is slated for release Jun 19, it is sparse and beautiful and I recommend it. Check them out at www.myspace.com/lightningdust