What We're Listening To: Spring Forward Edition

I've already cursed Daylight Savings Time here on TNG, and might actually get shot down by a bolt of lightening for it. Like it or not, our morning sun has been replaced by evening sun from now until November. To help you get out of bed an hour early these mornings, we've picked six "new" fun albums for you to check out. This week's offering features Vampire Weekend (again), Drive-by Truckers, The Raveonettes, Explosions in the Sky, Peter Morén and Thao and the Get Down Stay Down.

Vampire Weekend — Vampire Weekend

Yep, I'm joining the bandwagon. I needed new music this weekend while I was working on my thesis, and suddenly remembered the 15 Facebook status updates about "Oxford Comma". Thinking that a band who wrote about punctuation could give my thesis (which is essentially about punctuation) a boost, I downloaded Vampire Weekend. And I love them. I've been listening to the album ever since, and it's still as good as the first time. Plus the boys are adorable — the preppy blazer look reminds me of Amherst College, and they sing about Cape Cod. MTV plays them at almost every commercial break, which means that I'm probably going to be sick of them soon, but for now, it's just smart, upbeat fun. -Amy

Drive-By Truckers — Brighter Than Creation's Dark

Gawdamn, I love this slidy, twangy, drawly, all-grown-up and wise Truckers' record. Try "Perfect Timing," "Daddy Needs a Drink," and "Lisa's Birthday." Lisa's had more birthdays / than there are sad country sounds / about trying to love two women / and only taking one girl home. Right, ladies? -Jenny

The Raveonettes — Lust Lust Lust

After their previous album, I thought maybe The Raveonettes (pronounced Rave-On-ettes) might be moving away from the sound that originally attracted me: 50s bubblegum pop with crisp harmonies, but a dark edge that pokes through a thick veil of static. However, this Danish boy/girl duo are back to prove me wrong. The tracks on Lust Lust Lust lack some of the original harder-rocking feel of their earlier work, but still do a great job of evoking a dark world where sex and attraction seem to be the prominent emotions. Check out "Dead Sound," "Blush," "You Want The Candy" and "Blitzed."

Explosions in the Sky — Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever

Explosions in the Sky remind me of an analytical version of M83: less dreaming and more realism. With its layered guitars, natural rhythm changes, and dramatic melody, "Great Death" is my choice track on this 2001 Temporary Residence release. -Robert

Peter Morén — The Last Tycoon

Where art thou, Bjorn and John? My kingdom for a Bjorn and John. Uh, All the world is a Bjorn and John and we are merely players? However I should phrase it, this first solo record by Peter, Björn and John member Peter Morén is really not so good. I didn't expect another Young Folks, but I really didn't expect 40 minutes of poor man's Donovan. -Zack

Thao and the Get Down Stay Down — We Brave Bee Stings and All

This is more like it. I'm sure this whole album rocks, but the 2nd and 4th tracks ("Bag of Hammers" and "Swimming Pools") are so good that I haven't really gotten past them yet. Frontwoman Thao Nguyen is a local girl who graduated from William and Mary, so expect her 3/27 DC show at the Black Cat with Xiu Xiu to be extra good. -Zack