Surprised myself that it has been so long since I last wrote, so here goes:

(A) Set Yourself on Fire (March 8, Stars) Grade: A
Arts & Crafts has the best artists. This one namely.

(A) Underwater Cinematographer (July 12, The Most Serene Republic) Grade: A
Proving my point that Arts & Crafts (and Canada) is where it is all happening, Most Serene Republic boasts innovative song construction, impenetrable singing and delightful dialogue interspersed throughout. This Milton, Ontario-based band plays on all these eccentricities to full and surprisingly effective results. The album plays like a book--begins with a prologue, ends with an epilogue--and features such song titles as "The Protagonist Suddenly Realizes What He Must Do In The Middle Of Downtown Traffic" and "Where Cedar Nouns And Adverbs Walk." Stand-out track: "You're A Loose Cannon McArthur ... But You Get The Job Done," which features a "Wait!" "What?" "There's just one more thing..." introduction. I love it.

(A) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (June 28, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) Grade: A
Buzzzzzz band alert! Simple pop music seemingly ... but actually isn't. First, why would this Brooklyn band elect Alec Ounsworth to be their vocalist? One who commands such whinal nasality that it borders on painful? Perhaps because Alec can successfully convey an entire range of emotion in a simple "ahhhh" note. Add some delightful compositions (the bouncy introduction of "Over And Over Again Lost And Found") and amusing lyrics ("You look a bit like coffee/And you taste it" in "The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth") and that is the formula for the next big thing. It almost makes me want to, well, clap my hands and say, Yeah!

(A) The Weight is a Gift (Sept. 13, Nada Surf) Grade: B-
There is something to be said about writing in a direct manner. Those who can do so effectively, without hiding behind obscure lyrics, are admirable. Those who can't, on the other hand, often sound trite and overly simplistic. Nada Surf falls in that latter category. Not to say that these musicians aren't completely sincere in their messages. (I get the feeling Matthew Caws sings with complete sincerity.) But listening to such lines as, "To find someone you love/You got to be someone you love" in "Concrete Bed" or "Always love/Hate will get you every time" in "Always Love," connects with someone in junior high, doodling love notes in science class. Maybe Nada Surf should get back to that quirkiness they achieved in, dare I say it, "Popular."