What's in your CDP tonight? the minority report

Iris Dement has a new album, The Trackless Words. She set the words of Russian poet Anna Akhmatova (1889-1966) to music, and the results are, as always with Iris, wonderful. If you haven't discovered her yet, you could start here.

Tried the Iris Dement, bdp...just not my cuppa, I guess.  But, knowing me, might go back in a month and think she is great.  Right now, I do respect her songwriting skills but her voice bothers me.  Personal preference, not intended as any blanket dismissal of her talent.  

Listened last night to...
My Dad vs Yours "Little Symphonies" (bought a digital download of this from Bandcamp).
and
Nada Surf, "The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy" (great album title if nothing else, though I do happen to like their songwriting and performances).

As much as Pitchfork reviews are sometimes annoyingly obscure and consequently unhelpful, I thought the 2 reviews of the above recordings were well written and insightful. 

Gareth Williams, Shock!  The first song he plays organ. I like his piano  better.  The bassist and drummer are an excellent addition.  Great trio.  SACD, HDCD recorded by Linn Records.

Allen Toussaint's "The Bright Mississippi".

This is a wonderful recording on Nonesuch (Joe Henry producer)...excellent arrangements, great song selection and super musicianship from all involved. Sonics seem quite good too.  

If you've not yet heard it, well worth a listen...several, actually.

dm3, west of anywhere--world class powerpop by one dom mariani, an aussie whose prior bands like the stems and someloves are also revered by fans of this generally unpopular genre

bevis frond, example 22--the 587th album from my favorite eccentric guitar shredder/english folkie--this guy seems to have a limitless supply of great tunes. "waiting for sinatra" is the best song i've heard this year.