Yes, the rumors are true.  After many months, the Friday Five is making its triumphant return!  Okay, well, triumphant might be a tad dramatic for a feature that probably has a total readership of two (my wife and my mother).  But it’s long overdue, especially because of the constant flood of incredible music that this otherwise-horrid year has been producing.  I’ve had to cut back significantly on my vinyl purchases (that whole building a new house thing, plus the ever-increasing cost of new vinyl), but I keep a list of everything I want so that I can slowly peck away at it when I get gift cards or have a few extra bucks.  And that list is HUGE.

This week’s selections are all new releases from some excellent bands.  Click on the name of the band if you like what you hear, and consider supporting them with a purchase.

Adult Mom – “Drive Me Home”

The newest record from Adult Mom, “Soft Spots,” has been in heavy rotation for the past few weeks.  It’s an incredibly strong, solid offering, and I love the way the sound expands and contracts and expands again as the album progresses.  This song takes the cake, though.

Big Thief – “Mary”

I hadn’t heard Big Thief before the release of their recent hit, “Mythological Beauty.”  I consider that one of my favorite songs of the year, and hoped that each subsequent track premiered would also drag me in and slay me with equal brutality.  I can’t say “Mary” destroyed me quite as completely as “Mythological Beauty,” but I’m weakened and crawling.

Tall Friend – “Oats”

Tall Friend is another new band to me, but I was immediately drawn to the sound.  It reminded me of Told Slant, and O, and Florist.  And then I found out that Emily Sprague (of Florist) was actually involved in the performance and production of Tall Friend’s upcoming album, so it suddenly made sense.  This song alone has me itching to click that pre-order button.

Offa Rex – “Blackleg Miner”

I’m down for anything The Decemberists do.  When they first announced their collaboration with Olivia Chaney, Offa Rex, I knew that I’d love it.  The band is really at its best when paying homage to the sea shanty or Appalachian music, and Offa Rex continues in that tradition, covering old British folk standards.  Seriously, if you didn’t know any better, you would think “Blackleg Miner” was a bonus track from “Castaways and Cutouts.”

Broken Social Scene – “Skyline”

Who else is incredibly excited about the return of Broken Social Scene??  I don’t even need to introduce this song.  Just listen.