Lux Courageous - Reasons That Keep the Ground Near

More indie than pop, Lux Courageous rocks with sonic overtones and even more important subtle undertones that are hard to pick up the first time you listen. Their use of pianos, slow, articulate drums, and rhythmic and well-placed fills and stops create a super detailed musical picture that makes the band so damn good. Songs range from the slow, emotional ("Seatbelts are Saviors") to the upbeat, quicker ballads ("Safe at Last"). This is my personal reccommendation. If you don't like it, delete it. If you do like it, well, that's why I'm doing this. Standout tracks: "Wearing Dangerous," and "Barely Enough." Rating: 9.5/10

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?5ttxzfjowv0

Motion City Soundtrack - Even If It Kills Me

If I were you, I'd skip the summary, and go to the link. This album has articulate, original lyrics, built upon a base of pop. While I realize I've been posting poppy albums lately, frankly, I don't give a fuck. This is catchy, witty, and outdoes everything they've done in the past (and what many other bands have done in the past as well). I've listened to this album at least once a day since I got it. Download it, and you might, too. Standout tracks (among all the great tracks): "It Had to be You," "Broken Heart," and "Antonia." Rating: 9.5/10

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?egnscfgmmxz

Bel Air Academy - Repeat This Over

The full-album follow up to their sampler I posted earlier...I love it. Basically. I don't know why, it's generic pop-punk. I know I shouldn't love it, and I feel like I need to post something really dark to counter all the sugary sweetness. In any case, it's a helluva lot better than Fall Out Boy. I can't stand them. And this band's from California. That reason alone should be enough for you to download this. Standout tracks: "Walking Away from Your Mistakes" and "My 11 is Your 1:30." Rating: 8.6/10

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?0dzjttu4iw2

Kanye West - Graduation

With all the hype surrounding this album, how can you not download it. Plus, it's just a good album. The samples are well mixed, and the list of collaborators guest writers/vocals rivals that of an episode of Entourage. For the most part, the albums is pretty positive and upbeat. Standout tracks: "Good Life (feat T-Pain)," and "Flashing Lights (ft. Dwele)." Rating: 8.5/10

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?emsd2cngdyy

Hot Hot Heat - Happiness Ltd.

Hot Hot Heat's third effort is just like their first two, and seeing as how I thought those two albums fucking rocked, I'm perfectly fine with that. This album has better studio production than the last one I posted, so depending on how big of an indie-snob you are, you may find this album to be of lesser quality. If you're one of those people, get the fuck out. Standout tracks: "Happiness Ltd.," "Outta Heart," and "Good Day to Die." Rating: 7.5/10

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?esw5zmunmzm

Hot Hot Heat - Make Up the Breakdown

Hailing from Vancouver, Hot Hot Heat are exporting their own brand of indie new-wave-ish rock, with the all the synthesizers and tight pants since the turn of the millennium. Do they wear makeup? I don't know. But that doesn't take away from the quality of music. If you like the Killers, or I suppose more like the Bravery, then give them a try. It's poppy and energetic and it will get stuck in your head, especially songs like "Bandages," "Oh, Goddamnit," and "No, Not Now." It's been rocking my socks off since junior year of high school. Rating: 9/10

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?12x9mwm8snm

Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience, and Grace

The Foo Fighters are back. This album is pretty ridiculous, as in ridiculously good. There's a pleasant mix of rock and acoustic songs, which make for a great listen. I'd say this album represents the classic Foo Figheters' album, The Color and the Shape, which is not surprising seeing as how they returned to that album's producer for guidance on Echoes. My favorite track? "Long Road to Ruin." And "The Ballad of Beaconsfield Miners" has some sick acoustic finger picking. Rating: 8/10

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?ezzl1sdl0zt

Bel Air Academy - Sampler

This is the sampler from a band called Bel Air Academy. Pop-punk? Yes. But for some reason, it's really catchy. I'd say a younger Motion City Soundtrack is a good way to describe this band. Perhaps a little Hellogoodbye as well. This sampler is awesome, especially "About a Girl." I mean, it's titled after a line from Good Will Hunting, how could it not be good? Rating: 7.5/10

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?11iyiyexyyh

Dashboard Confessional - The Shade of Poison Trees

Chris Carrabba and friends go old school, bringing back the acoustic guitars, but retain the drums, bass, and larger band sound. Still, it kicks the shit out of the stuff that's been flowing since what I consider the brilliance of The Swiss Army Romance, although some of the riffs are eerily reminiscent of that album. It's catchy, awesome, and somewhat more "mature." I don't know what that really means, but lots of reviewers use the term, so I'm using it too. Rating: 8/10

Link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?a2hvtyflyy7