Didn't care for at all:
LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
Patty Griffin - Children Running Through
The Good, the Bad and The Queen - s/t

The last two didn't get much attention here, but they've appeared on some of the critical lists. The Good, the Bad and the Queen is especially puzzling to me - I thought it was one of the most boring albums I heard all year.

Lukewarm:
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
The New Pornographers - Challengers

I'm at a loss to explain this, since I really liked Gimme Fiction and Twin Cinema.

Liked in part, but not the whole:
Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
I never could make it past the first 7 tracks - after "The Past is a Grotesque Animal," I just quit listening. I would have liked it well enough as an EP.

Okkervil River - The Stage Names
I wanted to like this, but I just couldn't. Apart from "Our Life is a Movie or Maybe," "Savannah Smiles," and "Plus Ones," I was never able to get into it.

Bright Eyes - Cassadega
If the rating were based only on "Make a Plan to Love Me," it could have been in my top 10.
Sadly, the rest of the album wasn't nearly as good.

Battles - Mirrored
it confuses me.

quote:

Originally posted by theelfpat:
I really don't see the appeal of Battles. After hearing such good things about them, I downloaded the album, and I was absolutely positive it was a joke. Downloaded it from a second source and was just baffled that anyone could enjoy it. I'd be embarrassed to listen to that music in front of anyone.

I don't know if that type of music is really meant to be listened to in front of anyone. Unless they're into this kind of indie shit. I'd be embarrassed too, maybe. Having said that, I do enjoy Battles a LOT actually. It's bizarre, but in an inoffensive, intriguing, strangely satisfying way. If they crossed the White Stripes with Daft Punk, I think that's what it would probably sound like.

quote:

Originally posted by *NorthStar*:
I wholeheartedly agree with anyone who says M.I.A., not really sure I understand the enamoration there. Oh and The Field. Seriously. I don't even know where to begin.

Don't really get the appeal of The Field either. Neither do I get Stars of The Lid.
M.I.A. on the other hand is really fun. I don't really see why people have a problem with her. It's fun, fun, bad-ass, a dash of cheesy and kinky in an old-school kind of way, some more fun.

I have really mixed feelings about Burial. I personally think the tunes are old-fashioned, repetitive and really kind of crap. But I haven't been able to stop listening to them for weeks now. It's sort of like a guilty pleasure of mine. If the trend continues, I'll have no other choice but to conclude that I love shitty music.

quote:

Originally posted by *NorthStar*:
not really sure I understand the enamoration

Whaddayou, Norm frikkin Crosby? Enamorate this (Budda-bing)!

im strugling trying to understand the amazing rating for burial?

ive tried to give it a few listens and to be honest it feels like work when i listen to it.

but i do understand that everyone has their own opinions so dont get me wrong im defintly not knocking it.

quote:

Originally posted by thomyorkeisgod:
im strugling trying to understand the amazing rating for burial?

ive tried to give it a few listens and to be honest it feels like work when i listen to it.

but i do understand that everyone has their own opinions so dont get me wrong im defintly not knocking it.

I know what you mean on that one, I'm not a fan either. For me it's the drums that ruin it. In my mind they just don't fit with the melodies. Though I've never really enjoyed 2-step beats. But as you said, each to his own.