The Bouncing Souls – Comet
New Jersey’s DIY punks return and as expect, arrive with a
record of punk anthems that packs more of a punch than most bands half their
age. Comet hears the Souls continue on with the heartfelt lyrics, passionate
delivery and of course, having the most fun allowed on disc. Comet shows why
the Souls career has lasted as long as it has.
FINAL GRADE: A
Bobby Womack – The Bravest Man in the Universe
Womack fires back with a new album for a new generation.
Thanks to Damon Albarn and Gorillaz, Bobby Womack’s soulful voice has managed
to reinvent itself in the 21st century. On The Bravest Man in the
Universe, Albarn produces the legendary Womack on a record that could do for
his career what the American Recordings did for Johnny Cash and Rick Rubin.
Finding a modern niche, but not compromising his sound with guest vocals by
Lana Del Rey and Albarn, Womack is back!
FINAL GRADE: A
Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of
the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do.
After seven years, Apple returns and brings a new batch of
heavy songs along with her. The Idler Wheel hears Apple dabbling into similar
territory but with her brilliant lyrical abilities, signature voice and range,
Apple makes us remember why when we waited so long for a new record we never
forgot about her.
FINAL GRADE: A
Hot Chip – In Our Heads
The English electro-band return with their new album and it
is a much needed return to form. In Our Heads hears the London band bring back a
sense of fun to their sound, along with energy and clever lyrics about going
out and dancing up a storm. After the release of their disappointing 2010
record, One Life Stand, Hot Chip fire back and released a record that will have
you moving and shaking for hours.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Zulu Winter – Language
The debut album from the latest British buzz band does not
disappoint. ZuluWinter are a band that manages to hone in on all the right
things about Britpop while still make their own blend of rather atmospheric,
infections pop and rock. Language is one of the most impressive debuts of the
year and with many of their colleagues like The Heartbreaks, Tribes delivering
impressive debuts from across the pond this year – Zulu Winter can be added to
that list.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Diplo – Express Yourself
The internationally renowned DJ found some time in his ultra
busy schedule to craft a banging EP of jams for the summer.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Liars – WIXIW
On their sixth record, California’s Liars still prove they
can do whatever they want and get away with it. Liars pull no punches on WIXIW
(pronounced “Wish You”) and take their ambient, cold-wave, electronic rock to a
whole new level.
FINAL GRADE: B+
FINAL GRADE: B+
Crocodiles – Endless Flowers
The San Diego band return with album number three and third
time proves to be a charm as they take their ambient, shoe-gaze rock to a
mature level that finds them to be one of the best bands for the summer. While
Crocodiles have always brought a texture of the California sun to their sound,
they harness the beauty of it without getting redundant from what they have
done before.
FINAL GRADE: B
FINAL GRADE: B
The Temper Trap
The Australian band return with their much anticipated
sophomore record and though while it misses the big single like “Sweet
Disposition,” they show off a different side that fans may not have expected.
The Temper Trap’s latest is a display as to how talented the members of the
band are as musicians rather than a band that can write catchy radio-friendly
songs.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Patti Smith - Banga
New York's favorite punk and poet returns after a few year silence and bangs on. Banga is a new collection of poems and songs from Smith and if their is anyone that is going to comment on our State of the Union, it shall be Smith and we shall listen.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Jon Sandler – Late Night Champ
The New York singer – songwriter returns with a record that
was years in the making and while most of his contemporaries are afraid to
venture out of the “sensitive, nice guy” folk, Sandler explores other genres
and shows why he will break the mold before anyone crafting that style will.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Bright Light Bright Light – Make Me Believe in Hope
British electro artist makes sonic filled statement on
latest record. Bright Light Bright Light aka Rod Thomas serves up heartbreak on
dance heavy disc with Make Me Believe in Hope. The record, which has rightfully
gained comparisons to Robyn’s brilliant Body Talk series plays off the idea
that what if the shoe was on the other foot and if a male, dance, electronic
artist can answer back? Well, the answer is spelled out on the disco floor with
Make Me Believe in Hope.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – Here
The neo-jam band return with their third album and as much
fun as their previous efforts are, Here is rather serious and at some points –
rather dull. While this band have made their mark with their grassroots, earthy
and beach sound, Here, still has all of that just toned down, but does it make
them less appealing?
FINAL GRADE: C+
Emeli Sande – Our Version of Events
The Scottish R&B singer comes through on her debut as
someone with a promising career, if she can be her own person. Parts of Our
Version of Events are simply brilliant for pop and radio, songs like “Heaven,”
“Daddy,” and “Clown,” make Sande more than just Britain’s version of Alicia
Keys but then songs like “My Kind of Love” and “Where I Sleep,” sound rather
generic.
FINAL GRADE: C+
The Hives – Lex Hives
The Hives are back! However, before you get too excited, if
you were thinking of the Veni, Vidi, Vicious-era Hives, guess again. The
Swedish band return with album number five and while it brings roaring guitars,
pounding drums and Howlin’ Pelle’s signature screaming, from start to finish it
is rinse, wash and repeat. All these years of waiting and nothing creative.
FINAL GRADE: C
Public Image Ltd. – This is PiL
While This is PiL is the first Public Image release in 20
years, the return to the stage maybe welcome but the return to disc – not so
much. Johnny Rotten, sorry, John Lydon as he is known in this band sounds as
tired as someone working a graveyard shift at a physically demanding job and as
for the band, their reggae, dub sound has about as much unique tone as a white
sheet of paper. This is NOT PiL, this is some tired, cheap imitation.
FINAL GRADE: D+
