New musical crushes...

I'm trying to exercise some self control and -not- buy every album I want on impulse, so my waiting list is growing longer and longer :(. I've decided two CDs a month is acceptable and not in excess.

I just got a hold of Neutral Milk Hotel's 'On Avery Island', prelude to the excellent 'Aeroplane Over The Sea', and I enjoyed every track. I'm officially a fan I think, though they were an acquired taste for me.

Another acquired taste was the gritty but gripping tones of Leonard Cohen. He is heavily covered, possibly a result of some seriously gut-wrenching lyrics combined with melodies you can play with. I picked up an album of covers by various artists, including one of my favorites, Rufus Wainwright. Surprisingly, it was his sister Martha's cover of 'The Traitor' that really made this a truly worthwhile purchase.

In any case, there are several artists in my little holding pen. I heard an interview with Ben Kweller today - apparently he's fairly popular but I'd never heard of him :X. He played a couple songs live and...fuck I'm sold! I sincerely hope he isn't over produced on tape though - he sounds -great- with just him and his guitar. I think you can get to the songs he played here :http://www.eitmonline.com/live.html . The banner might be kind of not work safe, just to warn ya.

I also have a mad crush on Belle and Sebastian. I'm having trouble picking out which album to get, is the problem. They are darling and delightful *squishes*

Mason Jennings has a groove I'd like to tap into. Guster released a fine work quite some time ago that I still haven't gotten around to buying. Arcade Fire has caught my attention. And Bright Eyes is releasing a new album I think this month or next.

God, it's a wonder the music industry doesn't have all my money.

In any case, this really wasn't just to blab on and on about me - I'm wondering what y'all are stuck on right now - what you've bought recently and what you'd like to add to your collection.