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Mike Skinner returns with his third album, and this one's sure to be just as big a seller stateside as the previous two (in other words, lack-luster sales). The Streets almost had a US sucess in Dry Your Eyes, butonly after the leak of the Chris Martin version- America's obsession with everything Coldplay drove radio stations across the country to try the track, but it faded quickly. Skinner even points out the fact that he's sold three million records at home, but most of America has never heard of him on the track Two Nations.

The Streets - Pranging Out

The Daager Mouse / Cee-Lo pairing is just burning up the charts overseas- the first single Crazy has been buzzing in the UK for months now, and recently went to number 1 without even releasing on CD (downloads only). Both parties mix traditional and experimental sounds on the album, making for an explosive creative force to be dealt with. Stateside, I don't see quite the same sucess as they've had in the UK, but with Danger's recent sucess with the Gorillaz, I think we'll at least be hearing Crazy here.

Gnarls Barkley - Smiley Faces

Another Brit act that will most likely be ignored here- ex-Libertines Carl Barat does much better than his more infamous couterpart Pete Doherty (yes, it's pronounced doc-er-ty) at continuing a musical career. Sounding very much like his former band, Dirty Pretty Things is a low-fi rock outfit leading off wiht the single Bang bang You're Dead. Personally, I think The Libertines made some really great music, and that Doherty's contribution was always less than the trouble he caused. Barat and company continue the music, minus the drugs and drama.

Dirty Pretty Things - Bang Bang You're Dead

I remember the first time I heard Live- on our way to a rehearsal on afternoon, a friend told me 'you have to hear this…' and pressed play. From the first four bars of Pain Lies On The Riverside, I was hooked. Thanks Collin! 13 years and 6 albums later, live are still going strong. Over the years, I've heard them progressively take on a heavier, darker tone. Songs From Black Mountain returns to a more pop-based funk/rock fusion that reminds me of the orginal sound of that 1991 album Metal Jewelry (yes, I realize that if you do the maths, it's been 15 years since 1991- but the album was released on the VERY last day of 1991, and I didn't hear it until summer of '93- so it's 13 years to me).

Live - The River

Snow Patrol's breakthrough album was a slow burner for me in 2003- it took a while for it to really soak in- but once it did, it was a personal favorite. The Irish lads don't disappoint with their follow-up Eyes Open, a collection of songs amongst which nearly every one could be considered as a single. Ranging from crunchy, hard-hitting guitar sangs to sincere ballads, this album is full of melodic hooks and soaring choruses, and is easily my favorite of the new picks here.

Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars (This is my favorite new song)

Tom DeLong claims that Angels & Airwaves will be "the best music made in decades" and that it is "…much more powerful, emotional and melodic than Box Car Racer and blink put together." While I agree that AVA is a more emotional and cinematic endevor than Blink or Box Car Racer, it still isn't "the best music made in decades". It is good though- enjoyable to listen to, and with the anticipation of a CGI move to go with the abum as a possible score, the entertainment value is enhanced. I don't think any of it will go down as 'classics' though. The viral video for The Adventure is a great mini-film in grainy black and white.

Angels And Airwaves - The Adventure

Jack White, Brendan Benson, and Patrick Keeler & Jack Lawrence of Greenhornes team up for a project called The Raconteurs everywher except Australia, where they will be known as 'The Saboteurs', because some other band already had that name. Thye seriously couldn't be a worse looking band. Seriously. But the album sounds good- a sort of garage band rock laiden with bluesy guitar riffs. Jack White and Brendan Benson share vocal responsiblilties across the album, Benson adding a softer characteristic to compliment White's often haunting shreak.

The Raconteurs - Store Bought Bones