What's with the explosion of new music from my tried-and-true bands recently?

A couple weeks ago Doves (that website powered by movable type donchaknow) released their new album Some Cities in the US and it's been getting awesome reviews everywhere. I'd really like to see Doves get some of the recognition that they deserve for four albums of fucking awesome music. I was hoping to see them in concert on May 1st here in SF but that's right around the time I *might* be moving into town and would be a real pain to feel like I have to go do something else. I could always sell it later... Okay, fine. I just got a ticket. Fucking 'convenience' charge and order processing charge. Death, taxes and paying twice your actual ticket order in bullshit charges.

More recently out is Idlewild's new album Warnings/Promises in which Roddy Woomble sounds very much like the lead singer for REM (and as it turns out, Idlewild is going to be playing at certain REM shows this summer). Idlewild has always had some really great music so I was quite excited when Tom told me their new album was out. It's out somewhere other than the states, at least. Supposedly they'll be releasing in the states in August (!!!) but who wants to wait for that? It's very similar in layout to their other albums - a couple songs I like right away and then some others that don't appeal to me now but I feel like they will with time. Other than that, it's different sound for idlewild. Not bad, just different.

Guster has been working on an album all winter it seems. From their studio journal, I'm left to believe they're almost done but who knows what that could mean in terms of a release date. They're touring in the midwest during April so they don't have much time left... Hopefully they'll hit the west coast after the cd is released. I've enjoyed all the music that Guster has produced but they've definitely reached a certain style with Keep It Together and I think they'll stay there. I expect nothing but the best.