Sufjan Stevens - Casimir Pulaski Day (Illinois [2005])
allmusic, band homepage
I've listened to a little of his stuff, but I'm more intrigued by the idea of him doing an album for every state than I am by his music, but this is a pretty song.
Eskimo Joe - New York (Black Fingernails, Red Wine [2007])
allmusic, band homepage, myspace
Nice sound nice album. I've commented on this blog before about modern bands taking sound from early U2 and this band is another one. They seem to draw more from the sound of The Unforgettable Fire than the harder stuff and it fits in well with a modern sound. Perhaps the most interesting move on their album is that it opens with what is essentially an instrumental. I can't think of any rock album that opens with an instrumental, but it actually pulls you in and sets the stage for the album quite well.
