Menomena - Friend and Foe

Full disclosure - I've barely listened to this album. I heard three songs off this album while riding to the beach in the back seat of my friends car and could not stop shouting, "This is amazing!" over the wind from the open windows. I finally downloaded (yeah, fuck that, I haven't paid for an album in years) the album and quickly realized that the three songs I heard while riding in the back seat were the best off the album. I've tried to listen to all of it but always end up skipping to track #9. Steal this album and tell me I'm wrong.

The Drones - Havilah

Have I told you how amazing this album is? Oh, I have? Well, here's a refresher. First you'll want to listen to the rock'n'roll songs, but then you'll want to listen to everything Garreth Lillard has ever recorded. This is the man that inspires me to drink whiskey with my Fruity Pebbles. Mmmm, think about it and then think about having a cigarette for breakfast dessert. That's what this record sounds like. Fruity Pebbles whiskey juice stirred with cigarette butts.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Beat the Devil's Tattoo

Distorted guitar? Check. Distorted bass? Check. Distorted church organ? Check. Distorted vocals? Check. Even the acoustic songs are 100% rock and roll.

Moon - OST

Wooden Ruler Society doesn't review movies so I can't tell you how awesome Moon starring Sam Rockwell is. I can't tell you to go Netflix that shit (even though I want to,) but what I can tell you is that the soundtrack is amazing and worth listening to whether or not you've seen the movie. Clint Mansell composed this which makes sense. He's the guy that did the soundtracks for Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, The Wrestler, and a bunch of other awesome movies. When his name rolled by in the credits I thought to myself, that makes sense.

No Kids - Come Into My House

If Yeasayer's All Hour Cymbals is the steak, No Kids' Come Into My House is the red wine to go with it.

Endless Boogie - Full House Head

I just sent my friend this text - "I'm 10 seconds into Full House Head and it's awesome." I only got this album cuz he sent me a text to check it out. His text read - "I think you'd love it. Endless riffs." If I didn't know this just came out, I'd think this was the album that influenced Tony Iommi. Oh, and I haven't looked into it, but I'm willing to guess that the ratio of bearded dudes to not bearded dudes at an Endless Boogie concert is probably somewhere around 23:1.

The Swell Season - Two Headed-Boy

Glen Hansard should be the only person allowed to cover Neutral Milk Hotel.


The Swell Season covers Neutral Milk Hotel

Russian Circles - Geneva

Here is another album that makes me feel a little bit better about These Arms Are Snakes breaking up. This is the epic instrumental metal band of the bass player from TAAS. At times the music is sweet and soothing and at it's peak you can hear his bass growl like a dog. That's pretty much all you need to know.

Street Sweeper Social Club - Street Sweeper Social Club

Oh man! I can hardly keep up with what Tom Morello is doing! First, he ditched his electric and grabbed an acoustic for The Nightwatchman and then he dusted off his electric for Street Sweeper Social Club, a collaboration with the emcee Boots Riley. I really wanted to like this. At the start of the first track it sounded like Tom was back to his usual riffage, but after six tracks I just wanted to listen to Rage Against the Machine instead. Boots Riley isn't nearly as versatile or urgent as Zach de le Rocha can be and the crazy Tom Morello solos don't come often enough. Even the most die hard RATM fans don't need to hear this.

David Cross - Bigger and Blackerer

Wooden Ruler Society, I have neglected you. Sincere apologies.

I have been on a huge David Cross kick lately. I've been listening to his old albums. I've scoured YouTube for any stand up clips. I went out and got his DVD Let America Laugh. And if anyone wants to get me a belated birthday present, the Mr. Show: Complete Collection DVD set is fairly cheap. wink wink. David Cross' latest offering, Bigger and Blackerer, is terrific. The thing about David Cross is that, while he's not necessarily laugh out loud funny, he's smart and has something to say. For that reason you are able to listen to his albums repeatedly and it doesn't lose anything. With most comedy albums you can listen to them a couple times, laugh, and then you might as well toss it in the garbage. How many times can you listen to the same joke? It's different with David Cross. If anything, the material takes new shape after repeated listens and never fades on enjoyment.