What the CL Music Team is jamming this fine Monday to rocket launch the work week. To check out previous entries, click here.

Joel – The Black Keys, El Camino (2011)
The Black Keys first teamed with retro-svengali Danger Mouse on Attack & Release. Songs like "Strange Times" hinted at the hard-edged catchiness these two parties could conjure together, but I think they were much more successful this time around. I've been addicted to the riffy "Lonely Boy" since I first heard it; and although I'm only wrapping up my second listen as I write this, the rest of the album is appropriately solid. Check out the stadium soul of "Gold On The Ceiling" and the "Stairway To Heaven"-channeling "Little Black Submarines." Set closer "Mind Eraser" also wraps things up nicely.

Leilani – Mutemath, Odd Soul (2011)
This album is blowing my mind. Seriously badass '70s-vibing prog-psyche rock grind and swagger, with crunchy guitars, fatty fuzzed out bass and synths, and a few noticeable electro-groove moments to keep things interesting. This will definitely be on my best-of 2011 list.

Taylor – Memoryhouse, The Years EP (2011)
No hurry, meandering, low-fi tunes…a perfect way to stay stress-dree on a Monday.

This article appears in Dec 8-14, 2011.

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