We are getting close to being halfway into 2009 (already!) and there has been some quality album releases in the past couple of months. But, beyond all of them, there is one that sits at the top of the pack:

2009 is set to be the breakout year for Passion Pit. Even if the bastards canceled their Little Rock show a little while back. They are seemingly popping up everywhere. They have a fairly high billing at Bonnaroo with the main set of Thursday night (higher billing than Phoenix), they are playing Austin City Limits, and many other festivals. Their, I believe…first(?) album leaked out last week and it is stellar. Highlights include Sleepyhead (duh..although the demo is better, btw, dig through this blog to find the bad assss video for it), The Reeling (included below), Little Secrets, and Seaweed Song. So far, it’s really the first album to really turn my head so far. Sogetyourhandsonit. {doublepostbelow}
Passion Pit – The Reeling

And for a bit of a local spotlight, this past week at On the Rocks, we had one of our best shows that has come through there yet with Benjamin Del Shreve & Free Micah. Del Shreve had everybody dancing into the wee hours of the morning with an explosive set after following another great set by Free Micah. Unfortunately, I don’t have my hands on any mp3s, so you’ll have to enjoy this video instead. Any chance you have to see either of these two great, great bands, you need to make an effort.
http://www.myspace.com/benjamindelshreve
http://www.myspace.com/freemicah
Another great show is coming up at On the Rocks on May 27 with The Rollin’ Jack Dandies & Oso Closo from Austin, TX. Do not miss it.
http://www.myspace.com/rollinjackdandies
http://www.myspace.com/osocloso

SUMMER IS HERE!!! SUMMER IS HERE!!!!…almost. Here is your summermix:
01. Friendly Fires – Jump in the Pool
02. Passion Pit – The Reeling
03. Beirut – Beirut – No Dice
04. Harlem Shakes – Sunlight
05. The Gaslight Anthem - Great Expectations
06. Phoenix – 1901
07. The Love Language – Lalita
08. Teddybears / Iggy Pop – Punkrocker
09. Metric - Help I’m Alive
10. Magnetic Morning – Motorway
11. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Young Adult Friction
12. Silversun Pickups – Panic Switch
13. Red Cortez – All The Difference
14. Two Door Cinema Club – Something Good Can Work
15. Grand Archives – Sleepdriving
16. Islands – Vertigo (If It’s a Crime)
Tags: Beirut, Benjamin Del Shreve, Free Micah, Friendly Fires, Grand Archives, Harlem Shakes, Iggy Pop, Islands, Magnetic Morning, Metric, On The Rocks, Oso Closo, Passion Pit, Phoenix, Red Cortez, Silversun Pickups, Teddybears, The Gaslight Anthem, The Love Language, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Rollin' Jack Dandies, Two Door Cinema Club