Albums Of The Year (so far)

First! Ok, in lieu of an intro, bio or self-serving jump off, Oh Dip’s debut is a roundup of my favorite albums this year (so far). This is off the head people (I left my iPod at home) so I may have forgotten some jams. From what I can tell, the year has been great. Better than last year? It’s looking that way. –Matt Rodbard

LCD Soundsystem
"Sound Of Silver"
Best album of the year. Hands down. A perfect collision of the electronic/rock sides of James Murphy's the brain. I read somewhere that Murphy records everything live (not a Pro Tool in sight), which makes me like this more. “North American Scum” is the perfect Michael Moore-like attack on Hell Square.

Peter, Bjorn and John
"Writer’s Block"
Late last year I was watching the runway shows on NYC TV’s Full Frontal Fashion and the damn “Whistle Song” became implanted in my brain—and hasn’t left. The rest of the album is no doubt top shelf.

Gruff Rhys
"Candylion"
I’m a big Super Furry Animals fan. Like SUPER fan, brah. But frontman Gruff Rhys’ solo material has been, well, really out there. And mostly in his native Welsh. Candylion offers great pop songs (mostly in English). And a really cutesy vid.

Dungen
"Tio Bitar"
Ok, it’s obvious that I don’t speak other languages. But there is no reason to understand a lick of Swedish to feel this dreamy, fuzz-guitar-loaded sound collage. NME said “Dungen are the band The Mars Volta wish they were.” Good call.   

Datarock
"s/t"
WOXY has worn this album out during the last few months..Like playing every song every day. I am drinking to Kool-Aid here….perfect tunes to boost your DJ playlist.  

Arctic Monkeys
"Favourite Worst Nightmare"
With their debut record these dudes played their smartest-lads-in-the-room hand all the way to selling out Roseland in like 24 minutes. "Worst Nightmare" is harder, sharper and more-polished than previous material. The smartass quotient is still quite high.

Sloan
"Never Hear The End Of It"
Sloan, my favorite band, laid a couple eggs with their previous two releases. Too much studio gloss, not enough songs fronted by drummer Andrew Scott. So when I read they were releasing a 20-song epic, I was truly skeptical. Luckily Scott and crew are back to "Navy Blues"-era form.