OK, here is a list of what I am currently watching, or have been watching recently,
and what I think of it. This section will be updated frequently, and become more review like.

Earth defender Mao-chan.
This is an anime that is obviously aimed at a younger audience. First off, it is funny, seemingly poking fun at anime that put the future of humanity in the hands of teenagers.
Mao-chan and her friends Misora and Sylvie are eight. Japan is under attack by aliens, cute ones, and to defend the earth, it has been decided that cute girls have to do the job, or the military will look bad. I suppose that you could draw parallels here with how the modern military have had to become more aware of the press, and how they are seen by the public. In the end though, this is a very light anime, there are no angsty teens (makes a nice change), nor massive robots (Mao-chan's mecha is a tiger tank, that came out of a huge cardboard box, and had to be assembled like a plastic kit!).
Another major part of this anime is the three girls grandfathers, whose rivalry (they all think that their grandaughter is the cutest) makes them search for a way to defeat the cute aliens without the help of the others. However, Mao, Misora and Sylvie prefer to work together.
It won't appeal to everyone (one of the strengths of anime!), but it does make for enjoyable watching if you prefer comedy.

Gunparade March - Aratanaru Kougunka
This is almost the total oppposite of Earth defender Mao-chan. Large mecha, angst ridden teens, and (big surprise) the earth is being overrun by aliens again.
Set in alternative earth where 1945 saw a new and deadly organism (called Genju) begin it's march across the face of the planet, it focuses on a group of Japanese teenagers who make up one of the combat teams that are fighting for the future of humanity.
Where Mao-chan is light and fluffy, Gunparade march is dark and gloomy. And yet it many ways it is a positive anime, humanity has united against the threat and, fifty years later, is fighting back with new technology.
Hayami Atsushi and Mai Shibamura are the groups main focus, Hayami being slightly inept, but generaly cheerful, Mai is taciturn, and finds it hard to connect with the rest of the group having been transferred in during the second episode.
The mecha (called H.W.Ts) designs are very modern, functional military in style, with no unnecessary frills, and the Genju are varied in style, ranging from the small attack creatures, to the massive Brain units that control them.
This is dark anime, the only humour coming from Hayami's bad luck which sees him doing the food run for the other male mech pilots on an almost daily basis, but it is not enough to make this anime any lighter.