Great Lake Swimmers - Ongiara

I found out about this band through a very good friend of mine. All I can say is, "Wow". It's such a very good album in what seems to be a slew of folk acts since the success of Iron & Wine and other similar artists several years ago. It opens up with an amazing track in, "Your Rocky Spine". The use of banjo and other subtle instruments to back the track up is so well executed I was literally left speechless when I first heard it. The banjo on the record really serves as the primary element in the aforementioned opening track and, "Catcher Song", and does a very good job of providing a centerpiece for what seems simplistic, yet serene, guitar, drum, and organ work.
One track that really stood out to me, beside the opener, is "There is a Light". To me it seems to talk, very plainly of falling in love, more specifically because of the good in someone, as it opens up with, "Theres a light in you/I have fallen in to". While a somewhat idealized concept I think it does touch on an almost subconscious affinity toward people simply for their positive qualities. It then delves into romance and plain emotion when the poet behind the words urges us to, "Stop. Listen. Feel.". In "Where in the World Are You" it paints the picture of someone searching for something. It could be most anything: Faith, a lost love, even themselves. The lyrics throughout the whole album as very well conceived and beautifully accompanied. Overall I would highly recommend this album to anyone, even if folk isn't your cup of tea.

Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew - Spirit If...

When I first heard the buzz about Spirit If... I was somewhat cynical. I have been listening to BSS for about three years now, so I was primarily concerned about a disappointment from a normally strong group of artists. Not only was my apprehension wrong, this is a great album. Drew does an excellent job with the album as a whole and the members of BSS that come on board to help only add more greatness. The opening track on the album, "Farewell to the Pressure Kids", is one of my favorite opening tracks on any album this year, and everything afterward is just great music. The whole album is very cohesive, and has a very smooth pace which carried me through it at least six times.
Throughout the album the tracks "Safety Bricks", "F--ked Up Kid", and "Big Love", really stood out to me as songs I will be listening to for years to come. However, there is one track that stood out to me more than the others, and I think it would be a mistake to not point it out. That being said, my favorite track on the album is "Bohdi Sappy Weekend", which is a somewhat slower paced track, near the end of the album. I think it speaks a fair amount to the album and artists that they could produce something that is as solid a release as this. Overall, a great listen which I feel will earn it's place among many of this year's top album lists.