The xx – Coexist
The British three piece return and find much more comfort in
quiet spaces. Coming off their massively acclaimed debut, Coexist hears the
band remaining simple yet much more complex in keeping the theme and flirtation
up between singers Oliver Simm and Romy Madley Croft and coupled with the
brilliant beats supplied by Jamie xx, The xx return strong and fierce.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Two Door Cinema Club – Beacon
The Northern Irish pop-rock stars return with album number
two and pick up where their fantastic debut, Tourist History, left off. Unlike
their debut, Beacon features a live drummer and instead of beats programmed by
singer Alex Trimble, and captures the bands live energy. Beacon hears the band
sustaining the exciting sounds they created initially and kick it up a notch
thanks to the production of Jacknife Lee.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Circa Survive – Violent Waves
The first album that hears the Pennsylvania rockers on their
own and free of a label of any kind, Circa Survive have learned to exist in a
new frontier. With a record that sounds like it has a million dollars worth of
production behind it, Anthony Green and the boys take their brutal live energy
and channel it in a hard hitting, hard pounding emotionally charged DIY record.
FINAL GRADE: A-
The Heavy – The Glorious Dead
The English swing meets soul band return with a new record
and show how they can survive after nailing one of the catchiest songs ever
written, “How Do You Like Me Now?” The Glorious Dead hears the band doing what
they do best, having as much fun as humanly possible and showing how they can
overcome writing the perfect pop song but writing more perfect pop songs.
FINAL GRADE: A-
The Cast of Cheers – Family
Irish rockers who have been making a name for themselves for
years back home, now look to broaden their horizons and break internationally.
The Cast of Cheers take the early 00’s new Britrock sounds of Bloc Party and
Franz Ferdinand and mix it with the hyper elements of Foals and Two Door Cinema
Club and find the perfect balance.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Diamond Rings – Free Dimensional
The Toronto singer, producer, beatmaker, musician returns
with album number two and after an explosive push into the buzz worthy zone,
Rings returns with a much more fuller and well-rounded sound thanks to the
incorporation of a full band. Free Dimensional is a non-stop dance party that
will have you moving and shaking from start to finish.
FINAL GRADE: B+
JJDOOM – Key to the Kuffs
Jneiro Jarel and DOOM team up for a record that had many in
the hip-hop underground world cheering and rightfully so, nearly anything DOOM
does is worthy of a listen and Key to the Kuffs is no exception. With a slew of
guests that include, Damon Albarn, Beth Gibbons, Khujo Goodie, and Boston
Fielder, Key to the Kuffs hears the beginning of a beautiful friendship between
JJ and Doom.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Homeboy Sandman – First of the Living Breed
After releasing two EP’s this year, the Queens rapper brings
his best material to his Stones Throw debut LP, First of the Living Breed. For
those who have been fans of Sandman, this record is a prime example why you are
a fan, for those who have not heard of the rapper, now is your chance to get on
board.
FINAL GRADE: B
Dan Deacon – America
The crazy beat maker returns with a record that is no
different than any other Deacon album, just non-stop homemade fun – which is
why we love him so.
FINAL GRADE: B
Four Tet – Pink
A compilation record from the British DJ that brings
together some of his best 12” singles together and some reworkings of others.
For a Four Tet fan, this is one to add to the collection or for those who have
not had a chance to get on board with what he can do, this is a good place to
start.
FINAL GRADE: B
Stars – The North
The sixth full length record from the Candian darlings hears
them doing what they do best, making catchy, fun and powerful music all at the
same time.
FINAL GRADE: B
Swans – The Seer
The 12th LP from the punk legends hears them
cranking out the sound that made them a name in the community all those years
ago. Now, older, wiser and a bit more polished, Swans show off why they have
not lost their edge.
FINAL GRADE: B
Spector – Enjoy it While It Lasts
Praised by many British publications and a stand out from
the 2011 season of Later..With Jools Holland, England’s Spector release their
much anticipated debut and their clean cut, perfectly polished rock and roll
was worth the hype.
FINAL GRADE: B
Buffalo Killers – Dig. Sow. Love. Grow.
The fourth album from the Midwest blues rockers hears them
sticking to the same formula that gained them attention nearly six years ago,
but in the age of The Black Keys and Alabama Shakes, Buffalo Killers need more
of an edge.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Divine Fits – A Thing Called Divine Fits
Spoon’s Britt Daniels and members of Wolf Parade team up for
a band that sounds like Britt Daniels fronting Wolf Parade but with a bit more
synths. A decent debut, but nothing as different or genre defying as many fans
would have hoped.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Ryan Bingham – Tomorrowland
After winning his Oscar® for co-writing the theme song to
Crazy Heart, Bingham released the fantastic Junky Star, now, after all of his
success and acclaim, one would not say he has gotten lazy, but he is clearly
not as hungry as he once was. Tomorrowland is a decent record, but not as
exhilarating or deep as his prior material.
FINAL GRADE: C
Youngblood Hawke
The debut EP from the pop-rock band sounds as generic and
uninspired as nearly anything on pop radio.
FINAL GRADE: D
2Chainz – Based on a TRU Story
Certain things boggle our minds, as to how someone with such
a bad gimmick has made it so big. The Kanye protégé and many rappers favorite
guest delivery man sounds as standard and as many rappers who have failed to
hold their names in the spotlight.
FINAL GRADE: F
