Ooh, I have many thoughts...
A couple:
Starsailor: "Love is Here" is their first album, and "Silence is Easy" is the second. SIE is probably more immediate in terms of likeability for someone unfamiliar with them. Still, NOTHING compares to them live. Just saw them a bit ago in DC with DiGi, his brother (who is on here from time to time), and Dizzy (who also is on here sometimes, but i haven't seen her in a bit
). I'm sure they'll attest to the greatness.
The Frames: "Set List" is amazing. You need it. They are Irish, very fun, also AMAZING live....
I like the new Bellx1 album "Music in Mouth," as well as the new Snow Patrol one "Final Straw."
Anything Idlewild, Doves, Elbow, Ed Harcourt, Neil Halstead...oops, I'm going beyond my self-imposed limit.