Giant Sand
Blurry Blue Mountain
Initriguingly laidback and sparse latest album from Giant Sand, the main focus of Howe Gelb who often credited as being the founder of alt. country is now in the twenty fifth year of his recording career
Duke and the King
Long Live the Duke and the King
Solid second album from the Duke and the King, which, however unfortunately does not match up to the promise shown on their much acclaimed debut album of last year
Elliot Smith
An Introduction to...Elliot Smith
Breathtaking and often surprising compilation album which succeeds in being the perfect guide to the career of the late American singer-songwriter and musician Elliot Smith
Danny and the Champions of the World
Streets of Our Time
Dreamily authentic latest album from sprawling London-based Americana act, Danny and the Champions of the World
Jim Kroft
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Enthusiastic, but unfocused anf flawed debut album from Scottish-born, but now Berlin-based singer-songwriter Jim Kroft
Arch Garrison
King of the Down
Evocative debut album from Arch Garrison, the project of acoustic guitarist and North Sea Radio Orchestra leader Craig Fortnam
Shearwater
The Golden Archipelago
Fertile latest album from Shearwater, who increasingly draw comparisons with Talk Talk and Mark Hollis in their passion and ability
Justin Sandercoe
Small Town Eyes
Original-sounding, if somewhat unfocused debut album from internet phenomenon and guitar expert, Justin Sandercoe
Lazarus Clamp
Against Entitlement
Sprawling, but unmelodic fifth album from Leicester-based alt. rock outfit, Lazarus Clamp
Frightened Rabbit
Swim Until You Can't See Land
Riverting string-accompanied latest vinyl only single from Scottish indie rock group, Frightened Rabbit
Ben Cooley Hall
Owning Up to a Life
Offbeat, but ultimately compelling debut album from Rhode Island-based singer-songwriter, Ben Cooley Hall
Mountain Goats
The Life of the World to Come
Atmospheric, lo-fi latest offering from the Mountain Goats, which subtly merges biblical imagery with front man and songwriter's John Darnielle's personal obsessions
Samson and Delilah
Samson and Delilah
Colourful and textured debut offering from Mancurian husband-and-wife musical duo, the ironically named Samson and Delilah
She Keeps Bees
Nests
Evocative and gutsy blues on second album from Brooklyn-based two-piece, She Keeps Bees
Les Clochards
Sweet Tableaux
Likeable fusion of French chanson tradition and American soul on impressive debut album from Oxford-based band, Les Clochards
Ryan Driver
Feeler of Pure Joy
Exasperatingly inconsistent debut solo album from frontman with the Silt and alt. country musician, Ryan Driver
Zoey Van Goey
The Cage Was Unlocked All Along
Predictable-sounding indiepop on debut album from Glaswegian trio, Zoey Van Goey
Sam Kills Two
Sam Kills Two
Finely performed and produced debut album from Sam Kills Two, the new band of Dodgy's Nigel Turner, which, while never less than well executed, never matches its potential
Lorna
Writing Down Things to Say
Sparsely beautiful, but also ambitious third album from Nottingham-based group, Lorna, who have similarities with both Sparklehorse and the Willard Grant Conspiracy
Matt Kollar and the Angry Mob
Farewell Adventure
Accomplished, often surprising debut album from singer-songwriter Matt Kollar, which, taking migration as it main theme, both bursts with energy and also takes risks
North Sea Radio Orchestra
Birds
Pastoral second album from the North Radio Sea Orchestra, whose with their use of musical instruments from the medieval age, have created an album that is very English as well as being of rare beauty and musical brilliance
Silt
Cat's Peak
Rough-edged and leftfield alt.country/avant folk on erratic debut album from Canadian trio, the Silt
Emmy the Great
We Almost Had a Baby
Excellent new single from London-based indie group Emmy the Great, the bubbly, marching tempo of which contrasts well with its dark theme
Hayden
In Field and Town
Musically assured, mature-sounding alt. country on fifth album from Toronto-based singer-songwriter, Hayden Desser
Frightened Rabbit
It's Christmas So We'll Stop
Dark and downbeat slice of kitchen-sink realism on Christmas single from Scottish trio Frightened Rabbit, which with a new mix they have released for a second year in a row
Johann Johannson
Fordlandia
Majestic instrumental album from Icelandic composer Johann Johannson, which despite its weighty subject matter of Henry Ford's ill-fated attempt to colonise part of the Amazon basin to cultivate rubber, proves both haunting and compelling
Tenebrous Liar
Tenebrous Liar's Last Stand
Discordant and grinding second album from Tenebrous Liar, the project of music photographer Steve Gullick, which while cacophinic and often grim in sound, proves not totally without worth
Richard Snow
Tuesday Music
Catchy and memorable pop on second album from British-based singer-songwriter Richard Snow, which nevertheless remains too derivative of the Brian Wilson influences that hang over it
Fabulous Artisans
...from red to blue Singles Collection
Accomplished and timeless,intelligent pop music on collection of singles which won't appear on their soon-to-be released debut album from Scottish duo, the Fabulous Artisans
Jim White
A Funny Little Cross to Bear
Beautifully-constructed, but soon tiresome Americana on live EP from Alabama-born singer-songwriter, Jim White
TK Webb and the Visions
Ancestor
Challenging, but highly rewarding new album from blues master TK Webb, the first with his new band, the Visions
K Anderson
Foxes EP
Promising debut EP from genre hopping Australian-raised, but now London-based singer-songwriter K Anderson
Shelleyan Orphan
We Have Everything We Need
Experimental, eclectic alternative pop on fine fourth album from Bournmouth-based duo Shelleyann Orphan, who are back after a sixteen year hiatus
Palodine
Garden of Deceit
Bleak, but monumental Americana on stylish and highly impressive second album from Seattle-based duo Palodine
Dartz
The Sad History of the Village of Alnerique
Rewarding and versatile second album from Teeside-based young indie guitar trio Dartz, which uniquely may be the world's first dance-punk concept album
Big Life Desire
Dribs and Drabs
Whimsical and mild-mannreed, but catchy indiepop from Big Life Desire, the project of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Keith Harbottle
Puttin' On the Ritz
Bangin' Your Way into the Future
Over-the-top and eventually grating reworking of songs from the Great American Songbook by New York-based duo, Puttin' On the Ritz
Mr David Viner
Among the Rumours and the Rye
Qaulity-sounding and remarkably authentic Delta blues on the third album from Mr David Viner, slightly marred by his lacklustre vocals