Haven't been in one of these for a while, but my scrobbler seems to half-working atm , so I ca at least post something.

1 The Simpsons 160
2 Grouper 103
3 The Flaming Lips 52
4 Olan Mill 28
5a) John Grant 24
5b) Black Elk 24
7a) When Saints Go Machine 23
7b) Local Natives 23
9a) Mount Eerie 18
9b) Twin Shadow 18

Couple of leaks in there...in addition haven't heard the Mister Lies album enough yet. Plus, the new Youth Lagoon is around somewhere today too, that's 4 records I was looking forward to all in a few days, it's like christmas

1) Several car jouneys...what else can I say?
2) The Man Who Died In His Boat is my favourite record of 2013 so far.
3) I am still getting to grips with The Terror. Without a doubt though I'm enjoying it thoroughly. The most emotionally resonant Lips record I've heard.
5a) I can just tell his new album will split people. Firstly, there will be those who don't like the change of sound (though a few Czars songs were synth-poppy iirc). Secondly, it is bile-filled, more so than Queen of Denmark. But so far I've picked out a number of highlights (Why Don't You Love Me Anymore) and will spinning it a lot today.
7b) Yeah this surprised me a lot. It's not particularly different, but really well constructed and quite sad.