I concur, great album after a few listens. Pretty much got me through my hectic last week of my University dissertation and exams, where I feel as though I can't listen to things with lyrics as it will replace all (any?) knowledge that might be in there. So yeah, this atmospheric album did the trick!

Shame I'll forever associate it with that, but holds a place in my heart.

I'm really digging this one lately, the second album from this Madison, Wisconsin post-rock band. Rock and melody-oriented as opposed to atmospheric. Tortoise were definitely a big influence on these guys, John McEntire even produced their debut album, Law, which is also fantastic. So think of a more rock-oriented Tortoise, with similarly beautiful melodies. There's some really beautiful guitar work on both albums. I like this quote from Amazon's editorial review: Cougar's instrumental arrangements fall somewhere between Four Tet, Fugazi, and Nick Drakes guitar work, albeit optimistic as opposed to morose.

Cougar - Patriot

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GIRLS-ALBUM

wtf? Brad Stengel likes an album overly hyped by all the major indie-media outlets?

Yes. I'm guilty as usual, but what can I say? This caters to my Jonathan Richman fetish way too much for me to think it's anything but brilliant pop music.

My pop/rock side has so been enjoying the very first Third Eye Blind album I may have to buy their newest album (Ursa Major, I think its called) very soon.... very solid songs with just the right amount of intesnsity, IMO...

Pretty much the same with me, except I only had to write a 1000-word short story though, and it really does help you concentrate - gets a very good, sober, working vibe when you play it.

can't say i've been listening to much lately but these are IT:

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Dinosaur Jr. is a great choice


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A concise album. I was never too fond with the order they chose, but I still enjoy every song on this album the same way I did many years ago.

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I wish I could repeat myself but never sound redundant like these guys do. I'm also really into their new album that leaked, but I figured I wouldn't say that until it officially comes out, ha.

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I grew up on Ochs, and I always keep coming back.

Such a great album.

Humble Pie - Town and Country

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Spoon - Kill The Moonlight
been meaning to get some Spoon for a while, and this was in the top 20 of Pitchforks best 200 albums of the past 10 years. pretty great pop record!

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Atlas Sound - Logos
Took a few listens to appreciate, but now that it has "clicked" it is quite awesome.

Spoon's Gimme Fiction is by far my favorite of theirs. You should really check it out if you like Kill The Moonlight