I just recently purchased Emerson Hart's solo album "Cigarettes and Gasoline". You may know him as the former lead singer of Tonic. Nobody can deny that band's goodness. But, alone, he rules the roost. Every song is nearly perfect; this man is songwriting magic. Please listen to it. I cannot explain the greatness of it. It's just one of those albums that you put in your player and you are overwhelmed by the emotion of the lyrics and the creativity of the songwriting while still feeling like it's familiar to you. Like, maybe you have been listening to this album your whole life but didn't realize it. Standout tracks: everything. "If Your Gonna Leave" is ridiculous. Please check out the drum beat on "Friend to a Stranger", it's mind-blowing, mostly because it's totally unexpected.

Next on the roster is Tegan and Sara's new album "The Con". Glorious. Glorious. But, i'm a die-hard Tegan and Sara fan, let that be said. This album was produced by the brililant Chris Walla aka band member to Ben freakin' Gibbard, enough said. Somehow these sisters know how to express everything I feel or question about relationships, crushes, and love. We are musical soul mates and lyrical siblings. All the tracks are great but i must admit that "in my head", "the con", and "Nineteen" blow my mind. The last two tracks of the album "Dark Come Soon" and "Call it Off" are brilliant. Just listen.

Of course I am also spinning Ryan Adam's "Easy Tiger", but that's a given at anytime. This album sounds mostly like "Cold Roses" to me with a touch of "Gold". Halloweenhead is of course "Rock N' Roll" revisisted. Favorite tracks: These Girls- mostly because the tag at the end stays in my head LONG after i hear it. Two, Everybody Knows, and Oh My God, whatever, etc. But, i'm of the group that insists that Ryan Adams rarely makes a musical miss step.

Lastly, I am adoring The Rocket Summer "Do You Feel". This album is rock pop bliss. As soon as I put it in, I instantly smile and am in a better mood. This is the summer anthem cd. His lyrics are uplifting without being total cheese. Bryce is a great lyricist because he can make life seem like everything is going to be all right while still connecting with the listener that sometimes is sucks. My favorite track on the album is "All I Have". I cannot stop singing this ridiculously catchy song. And I have recently come to the realization that the last track on every album should blow ones mind and Bryce does just this with "So in this hour". The song slowly builds and then blows my mind. Check it out.

Also, i just bought the New Amsterdams "Killed or Cured". I have already listened to it and ADORE it. It is their strongest album seeing as every song is solid and good. It's more acoustic based than the rest which is good because I always enjoyed their acoustic stuff the most on their other two albums.

Let me know what you think about these and what you are listening to.