'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Love More Than Music, Pt. 2

Love More Than Music (<3>)
Umalali - The Garifuna Women's Project
When I heard this album I was instantly blown away. I don't even know how I came across it, but I'm glad I did. It seems to mix traditional African rhythms, vocal styles, and instruments with Latin guitar playing styles and rhythms. I hate to think there isn't really a genre name for music like this, and, because of that it will be placed under "World Music" in the record stores, and only the weird people who think they're into the imaginary genre of "World Music" (what isn't world music, I ask you?) will discover this album, which is such a startlingly good album that it makes me question what bands that didn't write this album are doing with their lives. Okay, that's too bold a statement to actually stand by it, because there are other albums out there that are fantastic and sound nothing like this album, but damn, this album is funktastic.
Umalali - Nibari (My Grandchild)
Umalali - Hattie
Umalali - Anaha ya (Here I Am)

Heathers - Here, Not There.
I first heard of Heathers when talking to a member of The Drinking Goard after their set. I talked to him about Ghost Mice, because I thought that would have been a huge influence on the DG's sound, but he said Heathers were the true inspiration. So I had to check them out, and I'm very glad I did. Folk Punk seems to be gaining popularity now that there are actually more than a small handfull of people making the music, which I have nothing against at all, because these songs are powerful and energetic, but completely organic and natural sounding. It's like a Red Bull sponsored love in, I guess. haha, okay, that's a strange image, but I'm going with it. Stellar job ladies.
Heathers - Remember When
Heathers - Honey, Please!
Heathers - Veronicas

Lake - Oh, The Places We'll Go
This album is something that I could picture being a side project with the musicians who wrote the music for The Electric Company. It's got some funk influences, such as guitar playing styles and organ sounds, but it's twee pop at heart, and it's got a whole lot of heart. It's a peaceful album that deals frequently with matters of love and understanding one's self, but it stays genuine and heartfelt, so it's not sappy or over the top. The songs are smooth and rhythmic. It feels like your best friend wrote this album for you.
Lake - Dead Beat
Lake - Heaven

Laura Marling - Alas I Cannot Swim
Sometimes genres completely escape me. It's not that this album is so genre bending that the only thing that you could possibly call this album is "QxKnvzv Rock" or something equally as ridiculous. It's probably closely related to indie folk, because the most prominent instrument is the acoustic guitar, but these days folk seems too generic a title to slap on such a powerful and spirited album such as this. I don't focus very frequently on lyrics, usually the only reason I know the lyrics to a song is that I have ended up listening to the song so many times that they can't help but sink in, and if I'm listening to it that often, well that just means it's good. I don't have enough time to really listen to most the stuff that comes my way, and I try to get to it all, so when I come back to an album frequently enough to remember lyrics and sing along, then that ought to say something about the album. The production is simply stellar, but the soft, awe inspiring songs would sound just as good without all the strings and such, because they are, at their base, just fantastic.
Laura Marling - Ghosts
Laura Marling - You're No God
Laura Marling - My Manic & I