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After letting the cat out of the bag just 3 days ago. Everyone’s favorite Post-punk revivalists, have released their 3rd album, titled Intimacy. Produced by Silent Alarm’s Paul Epworth, and A Weekend In the City’s Jacknife Lee, the album plays out much like you would expect it to, taking the band’s signature riffing from Silent Alarm mixing it up with A.W.I.T.C’s more dramatic, and atmospheric tone. Going into this album, having only heard their new single, Mercury, (Yes, that is the same voice modifier that Young Buck used), I had low expectations but it ends up being a minor stain on the album as a whole. The band has said that Intimacy is their most experimental effort while still giving the fans the Classic Bloc that they have come to know and love. Although the album doesn’t take any huge steps with their newest effort, it will definitely leave you satisfied. You can download or order the album Here. Enjoy.

I recently came across a band called The Happy Dog that I’ve come to like a lot. They’re currently unsigned and they just released their first album online. According to the band, “it was recorded in a barn, a living room, a garage, and a bar.” The music itself is pretty varied: there’s a mix electric blues, pop, even funk and reggae. The songs have very catchy melodies and great harmonies. They remind me of The Beatles. Check them out on their MySpace.

10. Menomena – Friend and Foe

If album art was the deciding factor of AoTY, then Friend and Foe would be the cream of the crop. This album from the Portland outfit, Friend and Foe feels infinitely more sincere than their debut, I AM the FUN BLAME MONSTER! (an anagram for “The First Menomena Album”) They’ve accomplished a unique form of indie rock that glazes the requisite bass, drums and guitar in piano and tenor saxophone. All of the cuts from the album are guaranteed to get your pleasure center moving, so please, dig in.