Shit, Mag Earwhig! was '97. And Superchunk's Indoor Living. And Silkworm's Developer. The Mountain Goats' Full Force Galesburg. Tobin Sprout's Moonflower Plastic. As well as Perfect from Now On and Western Freeway like you mentioned above—all my favorite bands made a great album that year!

They (Stars) released two new songs last month. I'd say that's a good sign.

Not Sunset Rubdown, but I have heard maybe new Moonface this year.

Once again the AV Club doesn't cover the best album of the week. Check out Great Grandpa's Plastic Cough for some great female-fronted grunge/90s indie rock influenced power pop.

Wolf Parade too, dammit! Everyone always forgets Wolf Parade!

It's fucking fantastic. Better than any of these albums for sure.

No Matthew Sweet review? Anyway, that album is much better than it has any right to be. Also enjoying Jason Isbell and, shit, I didn't know Beth Ditto's album came out today, I'll check that one out too.

I saw Second City last night and I recall at least one Chicago fire joke. Coincidence? Probably. But maybe not.