It's time once again to bring some good stuff to your attention! This list is compiled from purchased CDs and things grabbed from the Imaginary mailbag (Have I mentioned lately how much I love writing for TIG? Because I do. I truly, truly do).

The Drums - Portamento: Look, it's no secret that I've been in love with The Drums since I heard "Let's Go Surfing", but I wasn't prepared to be as blown away by their sophomore album as I was. I mean, seriously. From track 1 (the super-catchy "Book of Revelation") to track 12, this CD is pure perfection with the same bouncy, poppy beats of their self-titled debut -- somehow sounding familiar and brand new at the same time. Standouts: "Hard to Love", "Please Don't Leave" and "I Need a Doctor". Oh yeah, and they're playing October 12 at The Crocodile! (Guess who'll be in the front row?) 

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It's been a few years, and to be succinct, what we have here is another outstanding album by PJ Harvey. Upon first listen, I have to admit that I had some doubts. I wasn’t quite sure if I was going to be moved by this one, despite the intriguing circumstances: it's rather bleak, thematically striking, and more or less features her stunning To Bring You My Love band (John Parish and Mick Harvey). All it took was a few more listens to seal my opinion that Let England Shake is another Harvey classic to add to her already impressive cannon.

As is usually the case, this record is rather different from her previous releases. Vocally, Harvey tends to sing in a higher register - not unlike her approach in White Chalk, which is sonically where Let England Shake is the most similar. Both albums are brutally stark too, with death as an integral thread. The difference here, however, is where the former was devastingly personal with the issue of death relating to family and dying relationships, the new release deals with death in universally objective terms. The central theme this time around is war, especially as it relates to the history and politics of England.

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If you've been in any local Seattle record store lately, you've undoubtedly seen (and possibly listened to) the fabulous new release from this creative duo, A Woman a Man Walked By.

If you've somehow missed the listening station, or if you have been grooving to this great album at home for the last month and still can't get enough (like me), then the moment you've been waiting for approaches: On Tuesday, June 16, Ms. Harvey & Mr. Parish will be playing live in Seattle at the lovely Moore Theatre!

And you, yes YOU have the opportunity to win a pair of tickets from your friends at Three Imaginary Girls! Send us an email at tig@threeimaginarygirls.com with PJ&JTIX in the subject line before 9a on Friday, June 12 for a chance to experience the sonic brilliance for free. Or if you aren't feeling lucky, purchase tickets now; it's going to be a great show and the Moore will fill up quickly. See you there!

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The last time that we had a collaborative album from PJ Harvey and John Parish was in 1996 with the wonderful Dance Hall at Louse Point. For that opus, she wrote all of the lyrics and performed the vocals and he wrote the music and played almost all of the instruments on the record. Thirteen years later, A Woman A Man Walked By follows suit with the same formula as its predecessor, and once again highlights the nearly untouchable talents of these two artists.

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White Chalk is one of the most demanding albums PJ Harvey has released ...

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Are you willing to let the sprightly, polished synth boys of Hot Fuss grow into unkempt, road-weary, guitar-worshiping men of Sam's Town?

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