As usual there is so much stuff coming out and I can't keep up with or afford to buy all of it. Lately I've been listening to a lot of DJ Shadow, Keane, Walkmen, Postal Service, Athlete, and the new Streets. Some that I have been curious about include the new Ben Kweller, TV on the Radio, Secret Machines, and Ambulance LTD. Any comments about these would help me in deciding my next purchase. Thanks.

Ambulance LTD is the only one I can speak to. It's on my list of 2004 faves. I started listening to it (in April) when it entered the late, lamented WOXY's rotation and haven't tired of it yet. Sample "Anecdote" and "Stay Where You Are" (that appeared on their EP), if you can. If you like them, I think you'll like all of it.

Now Playing: "The Three Stooges" biopic on AMC

The only ones I have are Secret Machines (Led Zeppelin drumming over Pink Floyd/ Genesis/ Supertramp/ Yes wannabes who believe in alternative music) ; and "Ambulance, Ltd.", "LP" (Starts out as the second coming Of The Feelies/ The Velvet Underground but (slightly) peters out. My locals say Kweller and TVotR are both great, so my recommendation is to get all four, preferably as cheaply as you can.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mark f,

I've listened to all but the Ben Kweller, and bought a copy of Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes. They're all pretty good albums, though not earthshaking. In terms of Ambulance LTD, I absolutely love "Stay Where You Are," but the rest of the album more or less leaves me cold. TVotR didn't fully cash in on the promise of their majestic debut EP, but the full-length has its share of great moments. Now Here is Nowhere is pretty good, but I wasn't floored by anything particular in it.

Thanks a lot. it sounds as though, as usual, I'll probably end up getting all of these. I picked up the new Beastie Boys today and to any fans of them, I would pretty much garuntee that it will not dissapoint.

I'll add my two cents here. I really like Ben Kweller, and his latest holds up to the high standard of his last album. It's quite good, evoking Neil Young at times, but I liken Ben to a latter-day Jonathan Richman.

The Ambulance Ltd record has good sonic qualities (produced well, good space between the noises) but nothing on it has blown me away. The comparisons to the Verve puzzle me: there's nowhere near the emotion and power of the Verve in what I've heard. But it needs more attention from me to say for certain...

Glad to hear there are some fans of Kweller's last album, and not to mention I'm glad that the Verve still has a lot of fans out there. Ashcroft poured his heart into that album and he does that on his solo works as well, but unfortunately they don't measure up to his work with the Verve. Thanks for everyone's 2 cents.

the new streets is great. you have to give it a couple spins before it burrows into your brain, but once it does, it's all over. his knack for noting the minute details is astounding.

yeah i agree