First, Agalloch. Ashes Against the Grain is good, but I miss the acoustic stuff. And go to Nest for that? Honestly, Nest is what I listen to when I want forest ambience. It’s not music.

As for Tool. Yeah, Lateralus is pretty much the definitive point of their career and there was no topping it. But with that in mind… I dunno. 10K Days hit me the same way Lateralus and Aenima did when I first listened to them: The first half of the album is amazing, and the second half is… meh. But after awhile I came to love every last bit of both (sans the jacked call to the Art Bell show at the end of Lateralus- its just annoying), and 10K days is going the same way. I personally skipped the title track for a long time, but now I love it. I honestly think that in 2 years I’ll consider it just as good as the rest of their albums.

And you know “Goddamn, shit the bed” is the best line Maynard has ever written.
Agreed on the Volta too. I’ve decided to investigate At The Drive-In since TMV appears to be going to shit. And really, ATDI is incredible when I listen to them now. Kinda weird since we both hated them as wee tots.

You should also note the drummer for Mastodon (Brann Dailor). I’d agree that on the whole their music is so-so, but his drum work is incredible and pretty much the only reason I listen to them.

I have exposure to [Calexico] through only one album.

Good god! Get their entire back catalogue now, you’ll thank me later. I wouldn’t really call them “indie rock”, either, but genres are for sissies. Regardless, back catalogue get you now!