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 July 8th:

Artist: Albert Hammond Jr.
Album: ¿Como Te Llama?
Label: Black Seal
Myspace: Albert Hammond Jr.
Video: Albert Hammond Jr. – “Call An Ambulance”
MoB: Going into this record I had low expectations he could follow up the beauty of Yours To Keep. Since first listen it hasn’t left my car stereo and it’s in equal favor with its predecessor. If Albert keeps churning out records like this, there’s no reason for him to go back to the Strokes. Ok, he belongs there too!

Artist: Beck
Album: Modern Guilt
Label: Interscope Records
Myspace: Beck
Video: Beck – “Devils Haircut”
MoB: Streaming the first three tracks available in advance of the album’s release, I was sure this was going to be a brilliant effort from Beck. Combined with Danger Mouse sitting in the producers chair, I was hoping for a great summer spin from Beck. The record starts out great, exactly what I was hoping for. There’s some wavering/interest lost along the way, but by the time 30 minutes has passed the record is over and I’m probably ready to press play again.
Also: I still want to know your favorite Beck album(s) of all-time.
Finally: Happy Birthday Beck! I owe you a beer.

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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 June 24th:

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

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 June 17th:

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

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 June 10th:

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