Each Tuesday stop by Muzzle of Bees for our recommended purchases for the week. Here are the albums we suggest for the release date of April 1st:

Artist: The Black Keys
Album: Attack and Release
Label: Nonesuch
Myspace: The Black Keys
Video: The Black Keys – “Strange Times”
Upcoming: 4/12 – The Black Keys/Jay Reatard – Riviera Theatre
MoB: Brace yourselves, bold statement ahead: this is the Black Keys best record. That’s saying a lot considering I hold a couple of their records (Thickfreakness and The Big Come Up) as favorites in my collection. I’ll admit skepticism to Danger Mouse’s role as producer but he put his touch in just the right places and pulled back where appropriate. The result is one of my favorite records of the year.

Artist: Sun Kil Moon
Album: April
Label: Caldo Verde
Myspace: Sun Kil Moon
Video: Sun Kil Moon – “Moorestown” (unofficial)
Upcoming: 6/7 – Mark Kozelek – Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee
MoB: This albums predecessor, Ghosts of the Great Highway is unequivocally one of my favorite records of this decade. That means big shoes to fill for this release, though after repeated listens it definitely doesn’t disappoint. In a catalog as wide and welcoming as Kozelek’s “Moorestown” is definitely one of his finest songwriting efforts.

Artist: R.E.M.
Album: Accelerate
Label: Warner Brothers
Myspace: R.E.M.
Video: R.E.M. – “Supernatural Superserious”
Upcoming: 6/06 – R.E.M./Modest Mouse/The National – United Center
MoB: This record not the return to form that everyone has been lauding it as, but it sure is getting close. It’s nice to have R.E.M. in popular music discussions again, and I’m excited about seeing them this summer. Do not miss their album accompanying Take Away Shows, brilliant as usual.

Artist: The Wood Brothers
Album: Loaded
Label: Blue Note Records
Myspace: The Wood Brothers
Video: The Wood Brothers – “Luckiest Man” (WXRT)
MoB: Folk-tinged blues music is alive and well withing the Wood Brothers records. Their previous effort, Ways Not to Lose was nothing short of a fantastic debut record and you’ll find no sophomore slump on their latest. It’s nice to finally get a release to live favorites like “Fall Slowly” and “Angel.” Oliver Wood has one of the best and most recognizable voices in the biz these days and his brother, Chris is no stranger to success in his regular duties as bass play for Medeski Martin & Wood.

Artist: Van Morrison
Album: Keep It Simple
Label: Lost Highway
Myspace: Van Morrison
Video: Van Morrison – “There Stands The Glass: Live @ Ryman”
MoB: One of the most talked about sets at SXSW this year was from Van Morrison. His career is undergoing a revitalization and this record rolls up a variety of genres behind Van’s signature vox. I’ve enjoyed it so much, I’ve been seeking out and enjoying his earlier work.

Artist: Muse
Album: Haarp (CD/DVD)
Label: Warner Brothers
Myspace: Muse
Video: Muse – “Knights Of Cydonia: Live At Wembley Stadium 2007″
MoB: One of my favorite performances from Lollapalooza last year. I remember my first introduction to Muse, driving through Temecula Wine Country in the sweltering California heat. This offering gives fans the opportunity to relive their renowned live performance in both audio and video from London’s Wembley Stadium.

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