Jay Farrar & Ben Gibbard "One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Kerouac's Big Sur"

Jay Farrar is best known as the guy who left Wilco before they became Wilco (think Pete Best and the Beatles). Ben Gibbard is of course the lead singer of indie veterans Death Cab for Cutie. So what brings these 2 guys together? A mutual love and respect for the works of Jack Kerouac.

As you probably know, Gibbard took a trip to Big Sur where he did some of the songwriting for DCfC's Narrow Stairs (and very specifically "Bixby Canyon Bridge"). This collaboration sounds nothing like that album. It's an acoustic record, with the emphasis clearly being on the lyrics. 90% are direct Kerouac quotes.

Must hear: California Zephyr (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkmdrngHNRs)

(Release Date: 10/20/09)

Sonic Youth "The Eternal"

Full disclaimer: Even though Sonic Youth has been around for 25 years, I've never actually listened to them. I think Ellen Page in Juno summed up my thoughts best: "It's just noise."

With that out of the way, I saw them perform on Letterman and liked what I heard so I checked out their new record. I'm not sure why all the fuss about noise because this isn't all that experimental or feedback-heavy. I'd have to say it's like a laid-back Wilco. A good album to get lost in.

Must hear: Anti-Orgasm

(Release Date: 6/9/09)

Wilco "Wilco (The Album)"

What a long, strange career for Jeff Tweedy & Co. This album is more similar to Sky Blue Sky than any of their earlier stuff. Turns out that hidden under all that experimental feedback and noises is a straight-forward rock band. Minimalism is in!

Must hear: Wilco (The Song)

(Release Date: 6/30/09)