I hope that Part I was an enjoyable read. Here’s the sequel.
Primal Scream – Beautiful Future
If nothing else, just listen to the first two tracks from this album to see how catchy the Scream can be (but don’t let the upbeat melodies fool you – pay attention to the lyrics). I’m fan of Screamadelica and XTRMNTR, but Beautiful Future is a very different record. It’s uneven and full of massive hooks and catchy tunes, but not as good as either of the two albums I mentioned in the last sentence. Unfortunately, I find myself saying that way too often in my music write-ups. Maybe I am turning into a jaded, cynical critic after all.
Definitely try: Beautiful Future, Can’t Go Back, Necro Hex Blues
The Hold Steady – Stay Positive
Keeping that critic hat on for a bit longer, I was disappointed by the fourth effort from these guys. I heard some songs during this 2007 tour, and they sounded encouraging, but on the whole, this album hasn’t clicked for me, at least not yet. Boys and Girls in America was incredible, and the two before it were great too, but I’m not a fan of Stay Positive.
Definitely try: Stay Positive, Sequestered in Memphis
Nine Inch Nails – Ghosts I-IV and The Slip
I thought it made sense to bunch together NIN’s two releases from 2008, considering that they came out so close to each other. But that’s not to say that they sound the same, or offer some sort of continuity – Ghosts is an entirely instrumental record, while The Slip is a regular NIN release. Where they are similar, however is how they were made available: by Trent Reznor himself, and more importantly, free. Anyway, I liked both albums, and although not his best work, Reznor has done well since breaking free of his major label contract, and I’m looking forward to what else he has up his sleeve. He recently put up 400GB of raw video footage from three 2007 concerts for people to download via bitTorrent. The idea is that those with some video editing experience can put together DVDs of their own. Brilliant.
Definitely try (The Slip) – Discipline, Letting You, Corona Radiata
Fucked Up – The Chemistry of Common Life
Protest The Hero – Fortress
No-Man – Schoolyard Ghosts
I haven’t given these albums enough time to pass a judgment, but I did like Schoolyard Ghosts. The former two have received critical praise, but my initial opinion was not positive. Perhaps it will change after a few more listens.
BONUS!
As a special reward for making it this far (assuming you’ve read Part I already), here’s a list of my most anticipated albums for 2009:
The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love
This seventeen-track album is being touted as a rock opera by the band and will see light of day on March 24, 2009. I simply cannot wait to hear what these guys have cooked up on their fifth full-length!
Porcupine Tree – Unnamed LP
The next PT record is scheduled to hit in the second half of 2009, confirmed by the September and October touring dates and posts on the PT website as well as those by Gavin Harrison on the Drummerworld forums. There isn’t much information other than the band spending time writing songs a while ago, and recording to begin in the next month or so.
Dream Theater – Unnamed LP
DT are back in the studio and so a new album should drop later this year. I really hope they can improve upon their last two efforts.
Tool – 
No information is available at all on the next album, although this is roughly the time when the band would begin work on a new album – 10,000 Days will be three years old this May.