The latest

I need to stop going so high with my predictions! I was way too high with the new Golden Smog album, as you can see below. My cumulative point differential stands at 9.5 after six predictions.

Spoon - Telephono & Soft Effects *

Spoon is easily my favourite band that hasn't broken up. I consider it to be the kingpin of modern indie rock. There is Spoon up here (my hand is up high, about eye level, parallel to the Earth), then there is everyone else down here (hand down around the waist). I have never heard this freshly re-released LP and EP. I tried to get out today to buy it but didn't get a chance, so tomorrow I'll do it. PF generally loves Spoon. This release will get its due. I'm predicting a new high for Mr. Tower - 9.3. Actual rating: pending. Point differential: TBD.

July 31 update: I bought the album(s). Waiting for the Kid to Come Out is, quite simply, unbelieveable. I should provide a split prediction in case PF decides to rate the LP and EP separately. Telephono: 7.9. Soft Effects: 9.3. And thanks must go to b. michael payne for schooling my ass in the comments section. Actual ratings: 7.5 / 7.7. Point differentials: 0.4 / 1.6.

Silversun Pickups - Carnavas *

Everything I read about Silversun Pickups refers to it being a 90s rock revival band. This one comes with a bit of hype, so I'm predicting a 6.7. Actual rating: 5.0. Point differential: 1.7.

The Long Winters - Putting the Days to Bed *

PF seems to like The Long Winters, giving its last two full-length albums 7.2 and 7.3 respectively. Considering the band hasn't released a full album since 2003, the quality of this one should be good (yes, that passes for logic in Mr. Tower's world), so I will predict a 7.9. Actual rating: 7.7. Point differential: o.2.

Ouch!

Cube not good to me! My terrible prediction of the new Ice Cube album has sent my cumulative point differential rocketing to 7.8 - almost double what it was pre-Cube. After five reviews, I'm off by an average 1.56 points. But really, it doesn't matter that my predictions suck, what matters is that they continue to get reviewed.

Let this also be known as the day my work Internet filter finally blocked the images from the Fork. Lucky for my faithful readers I can still see the text. It looks like a page from 1995.

The Thermals - The Body The Blood The Machine *

Every single time I go to type "minute" I end up typing "minture." Then I have to go back and correct it. I wonder what that means. 8.2! Actual rating: 8.5. Point differential: 0.3.

Comets on Fire - Avatar *

I don't have much time lately, so forgive me for throwing out predictions with little explanation or justification. For this one, 8.2. Actual rating: 7.7. Point differential: 0.5.

Golden Smog - Another Fine Day *

Of the albums I've predicted so far, this is the only one I will definitely buy. I haven't heard too much about it, but I think it'll get around 8.1 from PF. Actual rating: 6.4. Point differential: 1.7.

The latest review

Album review gods: please forgive me. My cynicism was misguided. My smugness was uncalled for. You have chosen to punish me. PF's review of the new Thom Yorke album was, surprisingly, neither glowing nor fawning. It raised made my cumulative point differential to a shocking 4.1 after four predicted reviews. I accept my punishment willingly.

Thom Yorke - The Eraser *

PF staff have probably been stepping over each other in an attempt to be chosen to review this one. The release of a new Radiohead album - or in this case, the release of an album by the only member of Radiohead that really matters - is probably something like a national holiday at PF head office. I picture streamers, noise makers, ticker tape, maybe some confetti, definitely a lot of square-rimmed glasses, possibly some left over sausage rolls and also beer of some kind. But I always picture beer of some kind in every scenario. Prediction: 9.1. Actual rating: 6.6. Point differential: 2.5.

Another one

Finally, another album reviewed by PF (Handsome Family, June 9). This one brings my cumulative point differential to 1.6 after three albums. Not bad! Gotta get going, but I'll predict some more albums this week.