Top Five Most Interesting Releases 6/19/07

For those of you who never made it to Sea Level - Art Brut was there

I know this is way late, but in the interest of completenesss (and hopefully turning you onto things you might have missed)...

Top Five Most Interesting Releases:
Art Brut: It's a Bit Complicated (Downtown) - The second record from the cheeky Brits who critics love. Lead singer Eddie Argos is an average dude who talk/sings about making mixing tapes, making out and having fun. If you've had it with overly earnest bands liked Coldplay, Keane and Snow Patrol then you need to give this a listen.

Arthur & Yu: In Camera (Hardly Art) - New Seattle duo from the Sub Pop offshoot, Hardly Art. The press release compares them to Velvet Underground and Lee Hazlewood. Download "Come To View (Song for Neil Young)"

Fridge: The Sun (Temporary Residence) - You might be more familiar with Four Tet and Adem than Fridge. But Fridge is where Kieran Hebden and Adem Ilhan got their start. Pitchfork and Stylus found it a bit disappointing. If you like post-rock you should give it a listen. Download "Eyelids"

The Polyphonic Spree: The Fragile Army (Good) - The real music snobs like Pitchfork and Stylus don't like the Dallas collective's new record, but the Village Voice and All Music Guide do. I still haven't heard it. They're fun to see live, which you can do on 7/18 at the Fonda (although it's now sold out).

The White Stripes: Icky Thump (Warner Bros.) - I like their second and third albums, but I still haven't heard this new one. See them live at the Forum on 9/19.

Other Noteworthy Releases:
Bumps: Bumps (Stones Throw) - Break beat record featuring John McEntire, John Herndon and Dan Bitney from Tortoise.

Chromeo: Fancy Footwork (Vice) - Montreal duo for the indie dance crowd. Live at Cinespace on 7/24 and the Echo on 7/26.

Robert Forster & Grant McLennan: Intermission - The Best of the Solo Recordings 1990-1997 (Beggars Banquet) - The Go-Betweens co-frontmen release the best of their solo stuff. Remember when the writers of 24 named that defense contractor after them? That was cool.

Micah P. Hinson: Presents a Dream of Her EP (Houston Party) - The guy posted a letter to the love of his life for parading around the world with a "dirty, bitch whore" who was apparently not his girlfriend.

Jaylib: Champion Sound (Stones Throw) - Dilla and Madlib reissue with bonus tracks.

Jennifer Gentle: The Midnight Room (Sub Pop) - Second album from the Italian psych-pop band. Download "Electric Princess" Live at the 6th Street Warehouse on 8/14.

Lightning Dust: Lightning Dust (Jagjaguwar) - Black Mountain offshoot. Download "Listened On"

The Lovetones: Axiom (Tee Pee) - Aussies.

Maps: We Can Create (Mute) - British noise pop.

Minus Story: My Ion Truss (Jagjaguwar) - Lawrence, KS band. From the press release: "The result is an epic & anthemic cross between Pearl Jam, Queen, Brian Eno, and Roxy Music." Download "Stich Me Up"

The Mooney Suzuki: Have Mercy (Elixia) - Entertainment Weekly gave it a good review. The fourth album from the former garage rockers.

Maserati: Inventions for the New Season (Temporary Residence) - Instrumental prog-punk. Looking for an LA date in September if you're a booking agent who happens to be reading this. Download "The World Outside"

Savath + Savalas: Golden Pollen (Anti) - Prefuse 73 side project. At the El Rey on 10/10.

Tomahawk: Anonymous (Ipecac) - Duane Denison from the Jesus Lizard with Mike Patton and John Stanier from Battles.

Two Gallants: The Scenery of Farewell (Saddle Creek)

Various Artists: Chrome Children 2 (Stones Throw) - 2nd installment of the Stones Throw / Adult Swim collaboration.

Von Sudenfed: Tromatic Reflexxions (Domino) - Mark E. Smith of the Fall with two of the Mouse on Mars guys.

Rocky Votolato: The Brag and Cuss (Barsuk) - At the Troubadour on 7/12. Download "Postcard from Kentucky"