Animal Collective by Shearwater

Released:  February 28, 2012
Rating:  70.91
Genre:  Alternative

Starting off as a Side Project for Okervill River's Will Sheff, Shearwater's been around since 2000 and this is their seventh album, but it's my introduction to them..  It's a solid record with a lot to love.  I'll be interested to see if it has staying power for me.  The opener Animal Life (click the link for the official video) is great folk/pop/rock.  You As You Were (again, click the link for the official video).

Vocalist Jonathon Meiburg's voice is a beautiful falsetto, and their music has been compared to Nick Drake and The National.  I'd be really appreicate other's opinions.

The Russian Wilds by Howlin' Rain

Released:  February 14, 2012
Rating:  74.00
Genre:  Pure Classic Rock

Howlin' Rain is unapologetically steeped in '70s, blues based, hard rock.  There're hints of Aerosmith, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Grand Funk and Steely Dan; with smokin' guitar solos and pounding drums.  The quintet, fronted by Ethan Miller (from Santa Cruz, CA) debuted in 2006. This is their second line up and third album, produced by Rick Rubin

Check out a couple of highlights:

Phantom In The Valley starts off like Quicksilver Messenger Service, then morphs into Abraxas era Santana; 

Cherokee Wolf could have been done by Big Brother and The Holding Company; and

Collage is a actually a cover of the James Gang from 1969's Yer' Album, full of Crosby, Stills and Nash harmonies.

Arrow by Heartless Bastards

Released:  February 14, 2012
Rating:  72.00
Genre:  Indie Rock

With elements of blues, hard rock, garage, punk and country, the Heartless Bastards, currently a quartet (they've been through several line-ups, but always ) lead by guitarist/singer Erika Wennerstrom.  Originally from Dayton, Ohio, they were "discovered" by Pat Carney of the Black Keys, and are currently headquartered out of Austin Texas.  Which is where they met Jim Eno, percussionist for another of my favorite bands, Spoon, who produced the album.  (Music is a small world...)

A couple highlights/good examples are Parted Ways (with an Eagles influence - official video); The Arrow Killed the Beast (which feels a lot like an Ennio Morricone soundtrack for a "Spaghetti Westerns"); and Down In The Canyon (which opens with a riff that sounds a lot like early '70s Black Sabbath).

Sweet Sour by Band of Skulls

Released:  February 14, 2012
Rating:  72.00
Genre:  Punk Blues

February's off to a great start with a couple of go old fashioned rockers.  Here's the second:
It's not surprising I really like this English trio. They're compared to the Kills, Duke Spirit, the Black Keys and even the White Stripes.  Two of those had albums in my top 10 for 2011.  (I'm gonna to have to look into Duke Spirit, of whom I've never heard.)

This is their sophomore effort and the critics are pretty upbeat on them.  I think I'm a little higher than they are.  One of the things that's so interesting about this album is the different tempos.  The opener (the title track) is hard driving, the second is a kinda subdued; the third has a lot of energy; and so it goes for 10 tracks.

Click the hyper links to check out  a couple of my favorites, including the title track Sweet Sour (it's the official video, skip past the ad, and see four preteens that can really dance, but we hope we're not raising) or the smokin' hot Wanderluster.

Blues Funeral by Mark Lannegan

Released:  February 7, 2012
Rating:  73.33
Genre: Alternative Singer/Songwriter

Mark Lannegan came of age with Screaming Trees, out of Seattle, in the mid '80s and began his solo career in 1990.  This is his seventh solo album and the first in 8 years (and the first for me.) 

Do not be fooled by the album cover or the album title.  Lannegan has a raspy, baritone voice and his influences are all over the place. It's all got a dark moodiness to it, but their isn't much blues and even less related to embroidered flowers. 

Harborview Hospital has an Edge-style guitar; my favorite, Riot In My House, has an awesome rock guitar from Josh Homme of Queens of The Stone Age;  Grey Goes Black is just hot pop rock.

The first half of the album is outstanding and I thought for a while this could be my favorite in 2012, but the second half drags a bit.

Be Strong by The 2 Bears

Released:  January 31, 2012
Rating:  70
Genre:  Alternative Dance

I don't know if it's proper to call this a debut, since it's more of a side project for Joe Goddard of Hot Chip and producer Raf Rundell.  The critics generally loved this album, though it seems that club music and electronica routinely get over-rated.  Don't get me wrong, there are some great tracks here, with just a couple fillers that lower the rating.  OIt is definitely worth checking out.

The influences are all over the place:  London Club, Caribbean, Techno, 80s, even some garage rock.  My favorite song is the Motown influenced Get Together.   The bass heavy title track, Be Strong is also excellent.