Check out this 1989 album
Something Bitchin' This Way Comes by the shortlived group Lock Up.
Lock Up was Tom Morello's ( guitarist of Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, Nightwatchman, Street Sweeper Social Club) first signed band. As most of you out there know, Morello is a visionary and a unique guitar virtuoso with a distinct sound comprised of a mastery of effects pedals. No track you ever hear him on utilizes any synthesizers or computerized noises, he manages to do it all using his six string and vast pedal board. It is really quite remarkable, if you are interested I definitely recommend checking out some of his videos on Youtube. I know they blow my mind.
Morello's distinct mastery of soundscapes really came to fruition with the introduction of RATM, with Lock Up we get to see another side of him he rarely boasts anymore--shredding guitar solos. I know that this showcase of traditional technical skill is why I copped this album in the first place, and maybe it is reason enough for some of you out there.
As a whole album,
Something Bitchin' This Way Comes is still a pretty interesting album on its own. I gotta say its a pretty cheesy record, but it is definitely a good time. There are some hard hitting arena rock tracks, some with a funky influence, and a few ballads. It actually kind of reminds me of the band King's X for some reason. Plus its fun to see the hints of early Rage coming through Morello.
Check it out here
Got some refreshing hip hop out there for those thirsty for something new. I've had the song "Devils Pie" for a while, but have only recently gotten a hold of some of this Chicago rappers other tracks. This album has some sick samples (like Citizen Cope's "Bullet and a Target"), sick beats, and all in all sick spits.
This is a great Who album that doesn't get much play...I honestly only discovered it because it was cheap in the used LP section at a local record store. I really dig it though, there are some great tracks, it is just a bit darker. This isn't Who's Next or Tommy but it is absolutely a solid classic rock album by the unmistakable British quartet.
So today I finally got off my ass and went down to the record store to get a replacement needle for my turntable. Great call because I've been neglecting all these great records I have sitting in my room--Tarkus by Emerson, Lake, and Palmer being one of many.
Just got this album a couple of days ago, by the European indie-alternative group The Whitest Boy Alive. I know their songs "Burning" and "1517" have enjoyed some commercial success to some extent.
This has got to be one of the best records released this year. Brant Bjork is a bit removed from the path of the mains stream music scene, but his music is incredible. Super laid back blues driven desert stoner rock is probably the best description of the sound I can offer.
This record is easily one of my recent favorites. A friend at school introduced me to The Tallest Man On Earth aka the Swedish musician Kristian Matsson right around finals, and I've been listening to him all summer. His sound (mostly his distinct voice) may take a bit to grow on you, but I can assure you that this album is incredible.
Here is a great record from another end of the spectrum by the indie folk rock outfit Fruit Bats. I am not familiar with a tremendous amount of history about this group, but I do know that the front man has some connection with the Shins. 
