Each week we highlight the new releases that we recommend. Below, find our picks for this week. I can honestly say at this point of he year, Wye Oak has put out my favorite album of 2011 thus far.

Wye Oak – Civilian [Buy]
MP3: Wye Oak – “Civilian”
Video: Wye Oak – “Civilian” (Live)

R.E.M. – Collapse Into Now [Buy]
Video: R.E.M. – “Überin”
Video: R.E.M. – “Mine Smell Like Honey”
Video: R.E.M. – “It Happened Today”

Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring for My Halo [Buy]
MP3: Kurt Vile – “In My Time”
Video: Pitchfork Don’t Look Down Video Feature

Discuss: Drop a comment and let us know what records you’re picking up this week.

Each week we highlight the new releases that we recommend. Below, find our picks for this week. Drop a comment and let us know what records you’re picking up this week.

Devotchka – 100 Lovers [Buy]
Video: Devotchka – “All The Sand In The Sea”
Video: Devotchka – “100 Other Lovers”

The Rural Alberta Advantage – Departing [Buy]
MP3: The Rural Alberta Advantage – “North Star”
Video: The Rural Alberta Advantage – “Stamp”

Middle Brother – Middle Brother [Buy]
MP3: Middle Brother – “Me Me Me”
MP3: Middle Brother – “Middle Brother”

Lucinda Williams – Blessed [Buy]
Video: Lucinda Williams – “Blessed”

Each week we highlight the new releases that we recommend. Below, find our picks for this week. Drop a comment and let us know what records you’re picking up this week.

The Low Anthem – Smart Flesh [Buy]
First Listen: The Low Anthem – Smart Flesh
Video: The Low Anthem – “Apothecary”

Strand of Oaks – Pope Killdragon [Buy]
MP3: Strand of Oaks – “Bonefire”
Video: Strand of Oaks – “Last To Swim”

The Cave Singers – No Witch [Buy]
MP3: The Cave Singers – “Swim Club”
MP3: The Cave Singers – “Black Leaf”

The Caribbean – Discontinued Perfume [Buy]
MP3: The Caribbean – “Mr. Let’s Find Out”

The Luyas – Too Beautiful to Work [Buy]
MP3: The Luyas – “Tiny Head”
MP3: The Luyas – “Too Beautiful To Work”
Video: The Luyas – “Tiny Head”

Each week we highlight the new releases that we recommend. Below, find our picks for this week. Drop a comment and let us know what records you’re picking up this week.

La Sera – La Sera [Buy]
MP3: La Sera – “Never Come Around”
MP3: La Sera – “Devils Hearts Grow Gold”
Video: La Sera – “Never Come Around”

Telekinesis – 12 Desperate Straight Lines [Buy]
MP3: Telekinesis – “Car Crash”

Yuck – Yuck [Buy]
MP3: Yuck – “Rubber”
Video: Yuck – “Holing Out”

Bright Eyes – The People’s Key [Buy]
Video: Bright Eyes – The People’s Key (full album stream)

The Twilight Singers – Dynamite Steps [Buy]
MP3: The Twilight Singers – “The Blackbird and the Fox”
Video: The Twilight Singers – “On The Corner”

Drive-By Truckers – Go-Go Boots [Buy]
Video: The Drive-By Truckers – “Everybody Needs Some Love”

PJ Harvey – Let England Shake [Buy]
Video: PJ Harvey – “The Words That Maketh Murder”
Video: PJ Harvey – “Let England Shake”

Mogwai – Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will [Buy]
MP3: Mogwai – “San Pedro”
MP3: Mogwai – “Pano Rano”
Video: Mogwai – “How To Be A Werewolf”

The Dears – Degeneration Street [Buy]
MP3: The Dears – “Blood”
Video: The Dears – “Omega Dog”

Asobi Seksu – Fluorescence [Buy]
MP3: Asobi Seksu – “Trails”
Video: Asobi Seksu – “Trails”

Each week we highlight the best new releases that we recommend. Below, find our picks for this week. Drop a comment and let us know what records you’re picking up this week.

Apex Manor – Year of Magical Drinking [Buy]
MP3: Apex Manor – “Under The Gun”
Video: Apex Manor – “My My Mind”

Deerhoof – Deerhoof Vs. Evil [Buy]
MP3: Deerhoof – “The Merry Barracks”
Video: Deerhoof – “Super Duper Rescue Heads”

Iron & Wine – Kiss Each Other Clean [Buy]
MP3: Iron & Wine – “Tree By The River”
Video: Iron & Wine – “Tree By The River” (Live At Other Music)

Destroyer – Kaputt [Buy]
MP3: Destroyer – “Chinatown”
Video: Destroyer – “Kaputt”

John Vanderslice – White Wilderness [Buy]
MP3: John Vanderslice – “The Piano Lesson”
MP3: John Vanderslice – “Sea Salt”

James Vincent McMorrow – Early In The Morning [Buy]
MP3: James Vincent McMorrow – “If I Had A Boat”
Video: James Vincent McMorrow – “If I Had A Boat”

Wanda Jackson – The Party Ain’t Over [Buy]
Video: Wanda Jackson – “Thunder On The Mountain”

If you buy one album this week, make sure it’s Dr. Dog’s Fate. It’s one of my top 5 records of the year and grows stronger with each passing listen. Haven’t heard it? Go ahead and get your stream on over at Myspace, where you can hear the whole thing.

Dr. Dog will play the High Noon Saloon on Wednesday, October 1st.

Myspace: Dr. Dog
MP3: Dr. Dog – “The Old Days”
MP3: Dr. Dog – “The Ark”

Also out today: CSS – Donkey, Benji Hughes – A Love Extreme, Bodies of Water – A Certain Feeling, The Avett Brothers – The Second Gleam. All come highly recommended from us here at Muzzle of Bees.

Find MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

Artist: Alejandro Escovedo
Album: Real Animal
Label: Back Porch
Myspace: Alejandro Escovedo
MP3: Alejandro Escovedo – “Always A Friend”
Video: Alejandro Escovedo – “Always A Friend” (w/Bruce Springsteen)
Upcoming: 7/3 – Summerfest, Milwaukee, 8/2 – Willow Island, Madison
MoB: Alejandro’s best work to date, period. Following the ups and downs of personal illness only to emerge with such a powerful and timeless record is just about all you can ask for. This will easily find a place on my favorites of the year list. We’re fortunate to have Alejandro through our state a couple times this summer, don’t miss your chance to see him live.

Artist: Sigur Rós
Album: Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
Label: Beggars
Myspace: Sigur Rós
MP3: Sigur Ros – “Gobbledigook”
Video: Sigur Rós – “Hoppipolla”
Upcoming: 9/24 – The Chicago Theatre
MoB: Another brilliant offering from the Icelandic wonders. Always combining lush sounds building into something much larger – and beautiful all the way through. A great late night record.

Artist: Hercules & Love Affair
Album: Hercules & Love Affair
Label: Mute
Myspace: Hercules & Love Affair
MP3: Hercules & Love Affair – “Hercules Theme”>
Video: Hercules and Love Affair – “Blind”
Upcoming: 9/14 – Monolith Music Festival, Red Rocks
MoB: Combining electronic and wold music elements into an album sure to appease fans of both genres, making them one of the most talked about and anticipated artists of the year. Their live shows will be the talk of the summer.

Find MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

Artist: Silver Jews
Album: Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea
Label: Drag City
Myspace: Silver Jews
Video: Silver Jews – “I’m Getting Back Into Getting Back Into You”
MoB: I can still remember everything about the Silver Jews show at the High Noon Saloon a few years back. I remember where I stood, watching as he shuffled through lyric sheets, and walking by David Berman on the way into the venue. It was a great show, one I honestly never thought I’d see. Thanks to some friends, I’ve gotten well-acquainted with David Berman and an insightful look into the new album.

Artist: Wolf Parade
Album: At Mount Zoomer
Label: Sub Pop
Myspace: Wolf Parade
MP3: Wolf Parade – “Language City”
MP3: Wolf Parade – “Call It A Ritual”
Video: Wolf Parade – “Modern World”
MoB: The dueling voices we love so much free themselves from their equally impressive side projects to provide a blistering follow up to their brilliant debut Apologies to the Queen Mary. This nine-song collection will monopolize your ears calling for repeated listens. I cannot wait to hear these songs live.

Artist: Bowerbirds
Album: Hymns for a Dark Horse
Label: Dead Oceans
Myspace: Bowerbirds
MP3: Bowerbirds – “In Our Talons”
Video: Bowerbirds – “My Oldest Memory”
Upcoming: 7/17 – Bowerbirds – UW Terrace, Madison
MoB: 5 Questions with Bowerbirds
MoB: One of my favorite releases from last year receives its official release via Dead Oceans today, including two new tracks. An absolute must have for your collection, and don’t miss them on their upcoming tour!

Find MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

Artist: James Hunter
Album: The Hard Way
Label: Hear Music
Myspace: James Hunter
MP3: James Hunter – “Jacqueline”
Video: James Hunter – “No Smoke Without Fire” (Live)
Upcoming: 6/28 – Summerfest, Milwaukee
MoB: With warm weather just around the corner, there are few artists that capture the essence of soul the way the late greats used to, James Hunter is one of those few. An assuring follow up to People Gonna Talk, this artist comes highly recommended to fans of Sam Cooke and Van Morrison.

Artist: My Morning Jacket
Album: Evil Urges
Label: ATO
Myspace: My Morning Jacket
MP3: My Morning Jacket – “Evil Urges”
Video: My Morning Jacket – “It Still Moves” (Conan O’Brien)
Upcoming: 10/3 – My Morning Jacket – The Riverside Theatre, Milwaukee
MoB: So what if they got a black eye from the big boys. I’ll concede this record leaves me with more questions than enjoyment, but its finest moments (“Smokin’ From Shootin’” and “Thank You Too”) rank up there with their best material. Applause for going out on a limb, and don’t use this as an excuse to hate on their legendary live shows.

Artist: Haley Bonar
Album: Big Star
Label: Afternoon Records
Myspace: Haley Bonar
MP3: Haley Bonar – “Big Star”
Video: Haley Bonar – “Devilish Man”
MoB: I can remember seeing Haley Bonar live for the first time and promptly heading to the merch table after her set to buy her records. I can honestly recommend her whole catalog without the slightest hesitation. A hidden gem from nearby St. Paul will be opening dates for Hayden on his current tour. A tour pairing like that is only sure to make this star shine even brighter.

Find MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

Artist: Centro-matic/South San Gabriel
Album: Dual Hawks
Label: Misra
Myspace: Centro-Matic/South San Gabriel
MP3: Centro-Matic – “I, The Kite”
MP3: South San Gabriel – “Trust To Lose”
Video: Centro-matic – “Triggers and Trash Heaps”
Upcoming: 6/8 – Centro-Matic/The M’s – Schubas Tavern
MoB: n case you missed our previous reporting on one of my favorite releases of the year, let this be another opportunity to tell you just how special this double disc collection is.

Artist: Shearwater
Album: Rook
Label: Matador
Myspace: Shearwater
MP3: Shearwater – “Rooks”
Video: Shearwater – “Palo Santo”
Upcoming: 6/24 – Shearwater – Mansion, Chicago
MoB: A delicate and splendid follow up to the twice released Palo Santo. This record is the culmination of Jonathan Meiburg making this band his full-time gig, and after repeated listens, I’m sure glad he did.

Artist: Fleet Foxes
Album: Fleet Foxes
Label: Sub Pop
Myspace: Fleet Foxes
MP3: Fleet Foxes – “White Winter Hymnal”
Video: From The Crowd | Fleet Foxes – “English House”
Upcoming: 7/18 – Fleet Foxes/A Hawk & A Hacksaw – UW Terrace, Madison
MoB: Madison fans need no reminder of the awesomeness that is the Fleet Foxes.. remember the High Noon Saloon, right? If you’re late to the party of praise for these harmonies loving residents of Washington state, go ahead and just check them out. Recommended for fans of Grizzly Bear and My Morning Jacket.

Artist: The Cool Kids
Album: The Bake Sale
Label: C.A.K.E Recordings
Myspace: The Cool Kids
Video: The Cool Kids – “Black Mags”
Upcoming: 8/1 – The Cool Kids – Lollapalooza, Chicago
MoB: I must thank MoB photographer/contributor Ed Oliver for turning me onto these guys through his photo recap of their recent stop at UW. Since that time, The Bake Sale has been one of our new favorite hip-hop albums.

Artist: Radiohead
Album: The Best of
Label: Capitol
Myspace: Radiohead
Video: Radiohead – “Karma Police”
Upcoming: 8/1 – Radiohead – Lollapalooza, Chicago
MoB: Radiohead is a band from England that are quite popular. They are headlining music festivals and have released several albums to date that have been talked about by many for some time. Some say Ok Computer is one of the best records ever recorded. If you don’t have any of their records, or are simply curious as to what all the fuss is about, I guess this is a worthy starting place. Honestly though, who doesn’t own their entire catalog already?

Find MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic