It seems so strange to say it, but I’m really on the fence about going to see Bloc Party on Sunday at Marquee Theatre. (Buy tickets.)

If you picture a line chart, you’d see my interest rapidly declining in correlation with each release. I realize it’s only three albums, but my initial reaction upon hearing Intimacy only proved to justify why I procrastinated listening to the album in the first place – my predicted disappointment came true. I know it’s a snobby and elitist thing to say that, dude, the new record totally isn’t as great as the first one. But, seriously, dude, the new record totally isn’t as great as the first one. Not by a long shot. I’m so disheartened by this move to a more electro-heavy sound; Matt Tong’s ridiculous drum skills seem wasted. And, really, how predictable (and weary) is it to include remixes by CSS and XXXChange?

About the only thing keeping me slightly intrigued is the chance to see the Soft Pack (formerly the Muslims) in the opening slot, a band we missed on the first day of the San Diego Street Scene.

Catch the video for the Muslims’ the Soft Pack’s Extinction below:

It takes a hell of a lot to convince me to venture into swanky Scottsdale for a night out. So I guess it says something about Little Joy that I’ll be heading to Martini Ranch tonight.

Though I’m not as totally convinced of Little Joy’s greatness as some, I did get a brief but glowing recap from Heather about the band’s show in Denver. Coincidentally, Martini Ranch (a venue that rarely hosts shows of bands I like) is the same spot where I saw Fab Moretti’s Strokes bandmate Albert Hammond Jr. about a year or so ago.

Anyway, tickets are $10 at the door. I’m told Little Joy goes on at 9 p.m. The Dead Trees and Red Cortez open.

Test out Little Joy’s self-titled debut, a breezy, laid-back affair, for yourself.

Here’s a video for Next Time Around:

I’ve been pondering my favorite albums of the year, jotting notes and scrambling a bit to see what I’ve overlooked, as I’ll be presenting my list here (presumably before the end of the year) and for Stinkweeds (as I did for their year-end booklet last year).

The Dodos’ Visiter is making a late charge. I admit: It was recommended to me by a friend at least three months ago (it came out in March, for crying out loud) and I’ve only recently cozied up to it. But, seriously, I think it has a real good chance at overtaking Chinese Democracy for my No. 10 spot (*RIMSHOT*).

I know for a fact that Fools (and maybe even Jodi) will be on a year-end mix I make for friends who come over to our New Year’s Eve bash. I’d say you’d be a fool to not like this one, but that’s just too easy.

• The Dodos | Fools

Pick up Visiter at eMusic.

If you’re lookin’ for a pick-me-up, this might not be the video for you. But then, it’s Damien Jurado. What do you expect?

Directed by Thinklab, this video for Caskets (via Subterranean), off the overlooked album Caught in the Trees, is grim but beautiful, in the way that only primitive, prairie-land surgery can be. That would be Jurado’s brother, Drake, under the knife, by the way.

Grounds for Divorce, off Elbow’s great 2008 album The Seldom Seen Kid, is paired — however strangely — with a new zombie-riddled video game, Left 4 Dead.

Here’s an extended trailer for the game with the song as its soundtrack:

I know. But just watch it again, OK?