July 10th: great day, or greatest day?

I have been waiting for this day the entire summer. July 10 is arguably the best day for album releases this summer, and my wallet is slowly buring through my shorts, begging me to get to a record store to pick up some of the most anticipated releases of the year. Here's what's out today:

Justice- †

This is my most aniticipated release of the summer. I have been waiting for this album ever since I actually started to listen to DJ PTRQ (my newest co-host for the Transient State, Tuesdays 10-11pm) about how amazing the duo of Xavier de Rosnay and Gaspard Auge really are. Being hailed as the next Daft Punk (both duos actually share the same manager), Justice (pronounced Just-eece) bring it down with their brand of electro-house that ranges from the gritty synth lines of "Phantom" and "Waters of Nazareth" to the upbeat catchy Michael Jackson tribute "D.A.N.C.E.", which has already been remixed enough times to make a full remix album of just that song. Keep an eye out for the band's label, Ed Banger Records, as well. The French label, which is affiliated with Vice Records, has an arsenal of dance music artists waiting to explode onto the scene after Justice kick down the door.

Interpol- Our Love to Admire

The NYC gloom-rockers are back with their third full-length album, and their first for major label Capitol Records. As of this post, this is the only release I've heard in it's entirety, and it is solid. From the slow tempoed opener "Pioneer to the Falls" to the catchy, obviously placed single "The Heinrich Maneuver" to the empty spaced, guitar shaking "Lighthouse" to end the album, it's nothing extraordinary from these fellas. The album does suffer slightly from the crip, clean production quality, but gems like "Rest My Chemistry" and "No I in Threesome" are quality. This album may not draw any new Interpol fans, but it's definitely not going to lose any current ones.

The Smashing Pumpkins- Zeitgeist

The first Pumpkins album in seven years is garnering a ton of attention, especially from the die-hard fans who thought they'd never live to see another album from the band. Despite that the reunion consists only of Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin, they've been hard at work since 2005 working on this album with their three new members. I've only heard the single, "Tarantula," and while I'm not too fond of it, I was never a big Smashing Pumpkins to begin with. Making the album available with five different albums covers each with a different bonus track each available at separate big store retailers (Best Buy, Target, etc.) doesn't help their case either. But I'm still willing to bet this one's going to top the billboard chart at the end of the week.

Spoon- Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

With probably the worst album title ever released, Spoon's sixth studio album will probably land on it's feet as a solid indie-rock album, as most of their albums do. While I haven't been to excited about this one, listening to "The Underdog" reminds me that these guys just make good music. Hearing the horns is a nice addition, almost seems like a throwback to doo-wop and 50s rock and roll with a modern twist. Without a doubt it's worth a listen.

Ulrich Schnauss- Goodbye

The third full-length from one of the best artists in ambient electronic right now, Schnauss's Goodbye has slowly snuck under the radar, mostly because of all the other albums being released today. Schnauss has been making music for twelve years, and has a penchant for making beautiful atmospheric soundscapes like Sigur Ros, but still retain an IDM quality like Boards of Canada. The new album seems to have more of a shoegaze element than usual, and seems a bit more fast paced, and features vocals on multiple tracks. I am stoked and can't wait to hear it in its entirety.