In no particular order…
Depeche Mode – Sounds of the Universe
They still do it for me. I had this on regular rotation on my iPhone during my bike rides along the Hudson River bike path.
Favorite tracks: ‘In Chains’ and ‘Miles Away.’
Diana Krall – Quiet Nights
This was a perfect summer record. Unlike a lot of singers with pitch-perfect technical skill, she tells the truth when she sings.
Favorite cut: ‘How Can You Mend A Broken Heart.’
Prince – MPLSoUND
Available exclusively at Target (Huh? Yep.) this was the best of the three-cd set (one of which was his protogé Bria Valente, making me long for the days of Vanity and Apollonia).
Favorite cuts: ‘(There’ll Never B) Another Like Me’ and his cover of ‘Crimson and Clover.’
Morrissey – Years of Refusal
Sure, it’s more “boo, boo… wah, wah… everybody sucks…,” but who does this better than Morrissey??? Still a pouty rock ‘n’ rolla after all these years.
Favorite cuts: ‘I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris’ and ‘All You Need Is Me.’
Pet Shop Boys – Yes
The techno-pop romantics have had me since ‘West End Girls’ in 1984, and this album didn’t let me down. In fact, there are few artists who excite me at the mere announcement of a new release. Pet Shop is one of them.
Favorite cuts: ‘Did You See Me Coming?’ and ‘King of Rome’
U2 – No Line On The Horizon
I heard from some friends who are U2 fans that this record didn’t really do it for them. Still one of my favorite bands of all time.
Favorite cuts: ‘Get On Your Boots’ and ‘Magnificent’
Purchase from iTunes (deluxe with a bonus video)
Moby – Wait For Me
Recorded in is bedroom in NYC and simply packaged, proving that a good album doesn’t have to be an over-produced 3-ring circus to be interesting (to me, at least).
Favorite cuts: ‘Pale Horses’ and ‘Slow Light’
Mayer Hawthorne – Strange Arrangement
Apparently, the young lad was just a DJ who never really sang. He loved the Motor City music from his dad’s car radio. A true modern Motown sound from a white boy from Detroit. Terrific and surprising record.
Favorite cuts: ‘Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out’ and ‘Shiny & New’
Gossip – Music For Men
Seriously. I first heard ‘Dimestore Diamond’ on David Byrne’s October ’09 radio playlist, and it blew my mind.
Favorite cuts: ‘Dimestore Diamond,’ ‘Men In Love,’ and ‘For Keeps’
La Roux – La Roux
When I first heard ‘Bulletproof,’ I thought it was a lost Yaz album. When I first saw the cover photo, I thought Elly Jackson was the secret spawn of Tilda Swinton and Rick Astley. A thrilling alternative pop record.
Favorite cuts: ‘Bulletproof’ and ‘Reflections Are Protection’
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