Dog days of summer are here

July in Michigan was a bit weird; not the usual stifling heat and humidity we expect. But it's here now. And I'm not liking it too much.
With that said, I have some catching up to do.
Two albums were released this past Tuesday that I'm really liking, even though the reviews haven't been all that favorable.
Modest Mouse released No One's First, And You're Next. It's more of an EP full of B-sides than an album, but more than enough to hold over this fan till the next new album comes out, whenever that may be.

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Interpol frontman Paul Banks aka Julian Plenti released his solo effort, Julian Plenti Is...Skyscraper. If you're expecting an album full of Interpol-type songs, this isn't it. There are a few that have the same feel, but Banks has mellowed it down on some tracks as well. It does take some getting used to hearing that signature voice not accompanied with the same post-punk/indie rock sound that Interpol is known for.
Fun That We Have by Julian Plenti from Julian Plenti Is...Skyscraper

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Seattle indie pop band, Throw Me The Statue released Creaturesque on Tuesday. Their debut album, Moonbeams, showed a lot of promise, but the second album, Purpleface, was, to put it bluntly, a disappointment. Creaturesque picks up where the debut left off, with a little more cheer added for good measure.
Ancestors by Throw Me The Statue from Creaturesque
Hi-Fi Goon by Throw Me The Statue from Creaturesque