Well this album actually came out two weeks ago, but I've been slacking a bit. There hasn't been a decent music release in a few weeks anyway. So my pick goes to..

Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha

The Birdman is back with another album of well-written adult pop music. Never mind that Bird's amazing voice has such range that it can be comparable to Yorke, Byrne, and Dylan all rolled into one. It's the songwriting that's the key to his success. The lyrics are just as quirky as they are endearing. Songs about playing Operation as a child, plane crashes, Mitosis, and Macedonian Kings are just a short glimpse of the variety on this record.  Bird's last effort, "Mysterious Production of Eggs", was my favorite album of 2005, and while Armchair has more then a few great moments, it never lives up to his last album. Not to worry, Mr. Bird has plenty of surprises this time around, including plenty of whistle-solos (no I'm not joking), piano work, violins, and a little xylophone for good measure. Despite the immense sound around him, Bird comes off as a modern day beat-poet. An absolute original, which seems to be lacking in so many singer-songwriters these days. If you haven't given Bird a chance, now would be a good time.

8.5/10.0