Albums Out This Week: W/C 10th November 2008

In a contest between The Smiths and Stereophonics there are few categories which would put the Welsh men first. Sales may be a different matter though, since Morrissey himself has decried the release of yet another Smiths compilation and ordered his legion of fans to boycott.

Surprisingly though, there are still albums of quality in their own right being offered to us throughout the winter drought, albeit not quite in the popularity-leagues of the colossi mentioned above. So get your search engine ready, read the summaries and happy hunting for your very own 'next big thing'.

Death of the Neighbourhood: s/t

Thirty-two tracks spread over an artfully packaged double-CD release mixing "messed up vocal distortion, tear-to-the-eye ballads and evocative string-laden instrumentals". The project is the work of Stephen Jones, formerly of the band Babybird who brought us the wonderful song "You're Gorgeous". Okay, maybe he's gotten better than back then.

Trost: Trust Me

Featuring Annika Line Trost, fifty-percent of electronic duo Cobra Killer (not to be confused with 'Cobra Starship'... ever). 'Trust Me' reaches back to the gritty soul aesthetics of 1950's and 60's R'n'B and pulls them through a modern electronica filter.

Castanets: City of Refuge

Ray Raposa of Castanets locked himself in a Nevada desert motel room for the recording of the project's fourth full-length album for current label Asthmatic Kitty. Features an uneasy asymmetric weave of sung songs, chants, electronic noise solos and spaghetti-western guitar interludes which evokes the sense of an epic imaginary landscape. Useful if you don't have any landscapes of your own, or you live in New Jersey, or Ipswich.

Viva Stereo: Roar Lion Roar

Featuring a myriad of influences, 'Roar Lion Roar' is the soundtrack on Saturday night excesses, Sunday soul searching and the workday drudgery of the nine-to-five existence as seen through the eyes of a group of thirty-somethings. Features performances from Malcolm Middleton and King Creosote.

Blackmarket: The Elephant In the Room

Shortly off to support The Subways on tour, but just because they're 'Big in Japan' doesn't automatically guarantee their Elliott Smith/David Bowie styled rock music venture will pay off here.

Stereophonics: Decade In The Sun

Ever wished you could listen to those catchy Stereophonics singles without having to endure the album tracks? Capture the ten years of the band's career spanning six albums. You can double up with the bonus CD comprising 'Not So Greatest Hits' if you wish too via the deluxe edition. Features two new tracks, You’re My Star and My Own Worst Enemy. Sort of makes you think Ash, Feeder and Lit doesn't it.

The Smiths: The Sound Of The Smiths

Any chance you didn't catch any of the first twenty Smiths' Greatest Hits albums? Really? Then make Morrissey cry and add this one to your shopping list.

Tina Dico: A Beginning, A Detour, An Open Ending

Crowned the 'best female vocalist' at the Danish Music Awards in 2006, but we may know her from such albums as Zero 7: When It Falls on the track 'Home'.

Shiny Toy Guns: Season Of Poison

Now onto their third vocalist, there could soon be a shortage of women with odd names for them to recruit. Having finished with Ursula and Carah, now it's on to Sisely for the synthpop band's fourth studio album, and first one not to be called 'We Are Pilots'.

La Dispute: Somewhere At The Bottom Of The River Between Vega And Altair

Mewithoutyou goes screamo for this serene albums brutally beaten by drive-by rock riffs and a reading on the 'passion-o-meter' which will decorate your ceiling in mercury.

Headless Heroes: The Silence Of Love

Not the general consensus regarding the current direction of NBC's drama series, but New York-based psychedelic band who seek to channel the spirit of Terry Dunham and Brian Eno.

Ben Kweller: On My Way

Getting attention for his songwriting from industry heavyweights at just age nine, that Ben Kweller would become a force to be reckoned with in music was undoubted. Witness the re-release of his 2004 album On My Way and sample the folk-tinged rock goodness.

Hayden: In Field & Town

Paul Hayden Desser had a tragic upbringing. Raised in Canada, when all that time, America was just below him. The shame. Still, he has funneled his despondency into his seventh album of acoustic rock which finally arrives upon British soil.

The Buttless Chaps: Cartography

Get seven pairs, print each day of the week on them and then send them to Aguilera; She'll love you for ever. Also the name of a Canadian indie-rock band who play a hybrid of punk, new wave and alternative country music.

Surf City: Surf City EP

One copyright claim later and newly monikered psychedelic-punk band Surf City from New Zealand release this E.P, led by video/single ''Records Of A Flagpole Skater''.

Denison Witmer: Carry The Weight

Poetic and thoughtful lyrics ably assisted by complex finger-picking on acoustic guitar. Think neo-folk, think Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam.

Kellarissa: Flamingo

Kellarissa explains it all by way of keyboard driven indie-pop. Despite living in Canada, she sees fit to make 'Flamingo' a multi-language experience, delivering in both Finnish and English.

The Computers: You Can't Hide From

Able to play music, as well as numerous other mundane tasks and also respond well to a good kicking. There are a lot of similarities between this Essex band and their namesakes. Somewhere between Elvis Costello and The Attractions and Black Flag with some Rocket from the Crypt thrown in for good measure.

Hydrosonic: Non Omnis Moriar

Will Latin ever die? Not while there are slightly pretentious bands around looking for ways to spice up their song and album titles. "Not Everybody Will Die" gets the translation treatment from the Florida-based alternative rock/pop band.

Attack Attack: Somebody Came Suddenly

Welsh powerpop band Attack Attack give their fans twelve more tracks right off the bat following the release of their debut self-titled album.

Longwave: Secrets Are Sinister

Indie/rock band Longwave from New York return with their fourth studio album ''Secrets Are Sinister''