So I've been out of the musical loop...

[kosmo vinyl]

The new Idlewild is also very good, I got an early release copy for taking part in their subscription plan, hopefully it will see a proper release later in the year.  It has the feel of a band being very confident in their sound, blending together all their previous releases and adding in Celtic Folk/Rock influences that Roddy has been exploring on his solo records.   It's much more cohesive than their last record....

[Bags]

The new Idlewild is also very good

  Man, where IS Kurosawa, anyhow?

Great thread, ggw, as I too have been out of the loop for going on a couple years (I have no idea why...).  I've gotten a few things -- YYYs is great, just picked up Silversun Pickups, The Thermals, Pains of Being Pure of Heart, Tinted Windows (I LOVE this, but it is nearly bubblegum), Snow Patrol (call it lame, I love the new album).

Things I'll give some attention to based on feedback here:
St Vincent
Brakes
White Rabbits
Future of the Left
So Cow
Obits
Hot Chip

Yeah, some of these bands have been around for a while, but I've missed 'em.

Thx for recommendations all

[Vas Deferens]

bags, The Brakes (UK) is BrakesBrakesBrakes in the US. There is a Brakes band from Philly. The one recommended here is the UK band.

[kosmo vinyl]

and to continue on the greatness that is the Scottish music scene, The Lord Cut Glass is recommended as well. It's the other singer from the Delgado's gone solo.

[Bags]

Well, that was easy -- have already downloaded White Rabbits from eMusic. 

[Darth Ed]

Nice to see ggw and Bags posting again!

The hipsters will scoff at me since they're not in vogue anymore, but I think The Decemberists' "The Hazards of Love" is easily the best album I've bought all year.

[El Jefe Design]

Been listening to new raveonettes, placebo, dinosaur jr, and silversun pickups

[walkonby]

the new mars volta disk is so tight and on point.  unlike the past two albums which have been lopsided and drowned out, failure fingerpaint attempts of pollock masterpieces (how an album that is possessed by a spirit conjured from a ouija board being so bad is beyond me), this new one is just where the boys need to be in their career.  i love this, that i saw the other day:

[gaaaaaaaaah]

the new mars volta disk is so tight and on point.  unlike the past two albums which have been lopsided and drowned out, failure fingerpaint attempts of pollock masterpieces (how an album that is possessed by a spirit conjured from a ouija board being so bad is beyond me), this new one is just where the boys need to be in their career.  i love this, that i saw the other day:

I do enjoy that picture...except for the use of "to" when it should use "too."

[ggw]

Thanks for the tips.  I have enjoyed Pains of Being Pure, Future of the Left (how could a spawn of Mclusky be bad?) , So Cow, and Eat Skull.

[thirsty moore]

Did you go on a spiritual journey.

[ggw]

Did you go on a spiritual journey.

I approach each day as a spiritual journey my friend.

[azaghal1981]

That Eat Skull is indeed really good.

Along those lines, both albums The Intelligence put out this year are very good as well.