Octopushat 2.0

It took about 4 or 5 listens before it sunk in, but now I just can’t stop listening to the new album from The Shins: “Wincing the Night Away.” I’m working on a more detailed review, but suffice to say it is, in a lot of ways, their finest album. It is certainly their most well-crafted and well-produced sounding work.

I’ve also been listening to “The Good, The Bad, and The Queen” which is the newest project from Damon Albarn and DJ Danger Mouse. Good stuff on this disk too. Like a more pop-y and yet more political Gorillaz taking a vacation in the Caribbean and getting rained on. That would make sense if you’ve heard it. Not as earth-moving as “Deamon Days,” but still worth a listen.

And don’t think I’ve forgotten about highlighting the best of ‘06… That is still to come.