The Rikters performing ‘Ava’.

Les Savy Fav – Let’s Stay Friends – When I first heard of this band, I thought they were some shitty French pop trio. The I saw them on Conan and their very overweight singer started taking his clothes off to a wicked jam. I was wrong on both accounts. They’re American, and a rock and roll band. At that point, I decided I probably should give this record a spin. Good stuff.

Drive-By Truckers – Brighter Than Creation’s Dark – The DBT’s are a band I’d heard a lot about but never got around to. This record is great, a mixture of bittersweet ballads and kickass rockers. “Two Daughters and A Beautiful Wife” is one of my favorite songs of the year so far.

The Mountain Goats – The Sunset Tree – Just listen to “This Year” and you’ll understand.

Les Savy Fav – The Year Before The Year 2000 (mp3)

Drive By Truckers – Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife (mp3)

The Mountain Goats – This Year (mp3)