Jon: Software Engineer

• 

  Radiohead — In Rainbows

  In truth, I have not listened to this Radiohead album as much as I should have, but just based on the distribution method alone, I am willing to give it up to vegan misanthrope Thom Yorke and his assembly. However, anyone who says Radiohead slipped on Hail to the Thief is a pedantic ponce.

• 

  Ted Leo Rx — Living with the Living

  After watching his hipster gyrations in person at the Great American Music Hall, I believe Ted Leo is host to a variety of ego problems. But the man can wail on his guitar, and he put a smile on my face when he spontaneously (spurred by crowd banter) led his band into covering Rush's "Spirit of the Radio." Really, the best part of the Pharmacists is the drummer who looks like a more metal Mick Fleetwood. Check out the live show, get the album, and definitely (perhaps most importantly), thank Ted and all the rest for encouraging those unconventionally beautiful ladies to continue wearing skinny pants.

• 

  Aesop Rock — None Shall Pass

  I've been listening to Aesop Rock the mic since Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives, which taught me that he is an incredibly deft and intelligent emcee who is willing to get his hands dirty in a political arena. I later found out that this was his first album that had more than one song with lyrics I could even decipher. None Shall Pass is a bit of a return to the Aesop Rock who rhymes so densely that he risks having the majority of his audience lose the message. But his relocation to the Bay Area might explain this, and as long as he can throw up a beat as catchy as the title track, I am willing to take the time to understand just what the heck he is saying.

• 

  Explosions in the Sky — All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

  As far as post-rock music goes, I have traditionally preferred Mogwai and Godspeed! but Explosions in the Sky have made a few tracks that really pick at my soul, particularly the ones where they exploit vocal recordings. Their latest release, All of A Sudden I Miss Everyone, definitely displays a continuing growth in maturity for their compositions and an ability to evoke feelings through instrument. I really appreciate that they have stepped out just a bit and don't shy away from a few choice power guitar lines. They are really helping to define a new genre, and this album takes it on a ride through cosmic slipstreams upon which I am proud to follow.