I can't stop listening to Casual Victim Pile. It's a compilation put together by Matador co-head Gerard Cosloy and features some of his favorite Austin, Texas bands of the last few years. Incidentally, and cutely, the anagramic album name was contrived from Austin's nickname "live music capital". Cosloy put this comp together out of love, and you can tell. These aren't bands you find gracing the charts or garnering much attention, in the indie rock scene or otherwise. These are locally lauded underground bands, and they most definitely deserve a little exposure.

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The majority of the discussion initially focused on how Derek Fudesco, Pete Quirk, and Marty Lund all played in loud rock bands prior to The Cave Singer's formation, but the continual touring shows they consider this far more than a side project. Their debut in the fall of 2007, Invitation Songs, was notable for being completely stripped down to the basic elements - vocals, a strummed guitar, and quiet drums providing a beat in the background. Instant comparisons were to Woody Guthrie or early Bob Dylan, while some of the darker lyrical content was offset by the gentle melodies.

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Well, nadie la tengo this album yet, because it won't be released until September, but there exists, mis amigos, un MP3 for your listening delight.

"Periodically Double or Triple" gives the indication that Popular Songs is going to be fantastic! As always, the music is tight but not overstylized and feels a lot like a track off of Electr-o-Pura, or one of the lighter, poppier tracks off of I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass (ala "Mr. Tough"). After the noisy, wonderful diversion that Condo Fucks' Fuckbook, Popular Songs sounds like it will be a return to their more traditional form and will most likely make many Best of '09 lists in a ninth-inning squeeze play.

Popular Songs will be released September 8th on the Matador Records label. It would appear as though US fans will have to be a bit patient for a tour on this album, as they will be making the jump across the pond for the entire month of November. A few stateside dates are planned for this summer, but nothing is yet indicated for September. It will, however, most likely be well worth the wait!

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“Smash the moral hypocrisy” is one of the lines in “Anti-Orgasm,” one of the many standout tracks on Sonic Youth’s brand new landmark album, The Eternal. The epigram is not only standard fare, but is also a sign that the group still has the characteristic unsettled angst that it is known for. After countless classic albums, the band still has the gritty edge and intellect that defined them some twenty-five years ago.

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This album is thick with great lyrics, but there is an overall ambiguity to them.

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The BBC Sessions should hold enough charm to both satisfy die hard fans and work as a welcome introduction to those who are unfamiliar with the work of Belle and Sebastian.

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I even toyed with the idea of buying the drummer's pacemaker when it was for sale on eBay.

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The way quiet mistral-like vocals mixed with soaring instrumentals prompted the question, "Is this a good album to dance the horizontal tango to?"

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