The Magnetic Fields
Realism
For Realism, the Magnetic Fields built the musical flip side of noise-pop predecessor Distortion. No electric instruments this time. No drums, either. Instead, Realism is all fragile melodies and acoustic prettiness, housing the generally dark sentiments of Stephin Merritt. Danger lurks beneath the playful innocence of We Are Having a Hootenanny. Disappointment drives the pretty Seduced and Abandoned. I Don't Know What To Say is a possibly murderous twist on professing love, set to Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys arrangements. It turns out that Realism is just as twisted as Distortion.
Download this: Seduced and Abandoned
Pat Metheny
Orchestrion
An inveterate tinkerer who constantly imagines new soundscapes, guitarist Metheny has transformed a childhood passion for his grandfather's player piano into a modern-day version of the orchestrion, a mechanical music machine with an assortment of orchestral instruments popular nearly a century ago. On Orchestrion, Metheny has taken the notion of a solo album to a new dimension through some technological wizardry. His guitar improvisations are set against a multilayered ensemble backdrop of acoustic and acousto-electric instruments -- including pianos, marimba, vibraphone, basses, drums and percussion, guitarbots, and blown bottles -- that he mechanically controls, mostly by using solenoids, or electromagnetic coils, and pneumatics.
Download this: Orchestrion
Lady
Antebellum
Need You Now
Lady Antebellum's second album achieves what a follow-up to a million-selling debut should: It accentuates what distinguishes the trio's talent -- rich harmonies, grown-up melodies and a special group dynamic -- by sounding more mature and aware of what makes them special. The trio of Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood is country music's biggest breakout act of the past two years behind the supernova of Taylor Swift. Need You Now is the sound of a young country act's potential becoming fully realized.
Download this: Ready To Love Again
