Redlands Palomino Co - Take Me Home (Laughing Outlaw)
The second album from the Redlands continues the country-rock pop from their debut By The Time You Hear This sees husband and wife duo Alex and Hannah continue trawling the depths of relationships for their songs. Hannah’s angelic voice acts a foil to Alex’s gruff tones and some top playing from great players (especially pedal steel) and the use of strings here and there fills out the sound. Burning it Down, Please Come Running and title track Take Me Home are highlights.

Richmond Fontaine - 13 Cities (Fargo)
The seventh album from the Portland based 5-piece continues in the vein of 2005s The Fitzgerald with lead singer (and now established author) Willy Vlautin, storytelling his way through the Pacific North West of America. More songs about being ripped off, gambling and heartbreak. No real shocks then, but still a good album for the alt.country fans

Various - Beneath The Surface Vol 3 (Bella Union)
The third £3 sampler from ex-Cocteau Twins Simon Raymonde’s own label again showcases what talent he has on his label. In addition to our favourites Midlake and Fionn Regan there are tracks from The Dears, My Latest Novel, Explosions in the Sky and Howling Bells. Not sure about new signing Stephanie Dosen though, sounds like a mid-80s 4AD act...

The Klaxons - Myths of The Future ()
Nu-rave is not a normal genre for us to buy but we liked the singles Golden Skans, Atlantis Interzone, Magick and Gravitys Rainbow (the latter in a re-recorded form). Its basically jerky indie guitar-pop set to a bit of a dance beat played by a bunch of guys who seem to enjoy what they are doing. Cant say fairer than that...