David Bowie – The Next Day
The Thin White Duke returns with his first album in a decade
and one of classic rock’s greatest enigmas and shape-shifters does not
disappoint. The Next Day is a rock and roll cabaret that hears Bowie with some
of his finest work. With chomping guitars, lyrical stabs at pop culture and
paparazzi, pounding drums, and even the occasional sci-fi ballad here and
there, The Next Day proves that age is just a number and the reason why fans
had to wait was for something this special.
FINAL GRADE: A
Ill Bill – The Grimy Awards
On his third album Brooklyn via Queens rapper Ill Bill holds
nothing back and brings forth one of the years best hip-hop records, so far.
With inspiration from hip-hop’s heyday of the 1990’s and a lyrical delivery that
will make anyone stand up and pay attention, The Grimey Awards is Ill Bill’s
cathartic expression of his love of all music, his family, and the people that
helped shift him to become the man he is. With special guests like A-Trak, Jedi
Mind Tricks, Meyhem Lauren, Cormega, El-P, and even H.R. from Bad Brains and
many more and featuring flawless production from Pete Rock, DJ Premier, El-P,
DJ Muggs, Large Professor, and many more, Ill Bill shows his furious skills as
an emcee, producer, and curator. The Grimy Awards is a MUST listen for any fan
of real hip-hop.
FINAL GRADE: A
SexMob – SexMob Plays Fellini
The iconic jazz outfit, Sex Mob, released an album of their
take of Nino Rota’s famous scores from his time working with iconic Italian
filmmaker Federico Fellini. A band with a unique and fresh jazz sound like the
Mob could only take on a score as unique and fresh as Rota’s.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Kavinsky – OutRun
Taking inspiration from 1980’s pop culture like Miami Vice,
Knight Rider and a Sega video game called OutRun, the French house DJ tells a
story through sound and slick style that will have fans of early Daft Punk
smile. OutRun is a concept record about a man who crashes his Ferrari
Testarossa resulting in him becoming a zombie who produces electronic music. As
much fun as that storyline may seem, listening to the record and imaging that
is just as good.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Johnny Marr – The Messenger
The legendary guitarist returns with his latest solo album
and while it is traditional Johnny Marr music – jangling guitars, progressive
chord changes, and very catchy riffs, it shows that if the formula is broke, do
not mess with it. It is what made his work in The Smiths so iconic. Marr sings and plays on The Messenger and seems to be having
a blast still making music. Though, the last few records he has made he has
been playing guest guitarist on, from Oasis’ 2002 Heathen Chemistry, Modest
Mouse’s 2007 We Were All Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, and The Cribs 2010
release Ignore The Ignorant, Marr comes back front and center and shows that he
still has it.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Jared Evan – Boom, Blap, and Blues
Long Island R&B singer Jared Evan returns with a fresh
new outlook on his music. Linking up with Statik Selektah for quality
production, Evan is underground R&B’s answer to someone like Miguel. With
guest appearances from Action Bronson, Boom, Blap, and Blues shows that
Selektah is hooking Evan up with all the right friends.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Atlas Genius – When It Was Now
Australian buzz band Atlas Genius finally release their long
awaited debut and it does not dissapoint. When It Was Now is a cross between
bouncy electronic-rock like Phoenix and Gold Fields to indie rock like Local
Natives.
FINAL GRADE: B+
How to Destroy Angels – Welcome Oblivion
After two EP’s in three years, Trent Reznor’s other band
finally brings their debut to the table. What fans have heard and known about
Angels through the years still holds true on Welcome Oblivion, it contains many
of the same elements Reznor and his Oscar winning composing partner Atticus
Ross have made with their music scores and with NIN, yet, this time, Mrs. Trent
Reznor is on vocals making their music now sound as seductive as it is
aggressive.
FINAL GRADE: B+
The Men – New Moon
Brooklyn garage rockers The Men decide to bring down the
decibel levels and distortion and begin to get personal and introspective. New
Moon is the follow-up to last years acclaimed, Open Your Heart, the rockers
went to the Catskills and crafted a very different record for themselves and
their fans and the change may be a good change of pace.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Javelin – Hi Beams
Bouncy Brooklyn electronic duo, Javelin return with their
latest record. Much like their 2010 album, No Mas, the duo take a swipe at pop
culture and have fun making loopy and catchy beats.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Blue Hawaii – Untogether
The Montreal duo bring together seductive electronic beats
and sweeping songs on their debut album. While they spent two years making this
record, longtime fans of the band may ask “Is this it?” while new ears may be
turned on to their sound.
FINAL GRADE: B
Cappadonna – Eryth, Wynd, and Fyre
The Wu-Tang member releases his seventh studio album and
brings together Show Stopper, Soloman Childs, Lounge Mode and Sav Killz and one
of the few Wu records to feature no other members of the Clan. Maybe Cappa is
really trying to break free of the mold or trying to do something different?
Something time will tell.
FINAL GRADE: B
Youth Lagoon – Wondrous Bughouse
Taking on topics like psychology and the universe, Trevor
Powers aka Youth Lagoon brings together never ending deep discussions presented
over pop music on Wondrous Bughouse. As SXSW approaches and a looming tour with
The National comes about this Summer, this may be one of the years most talked
about albums from one of the years most talked about artists.
FINAL GRADE: B
Shout Out Louds – Optica
The Swedish garage rock band returns with much of the same
rambunctious formula and music that fans around the world have loved for years.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Jamie Lidell
The English beatmaker and singer/songwriter brings early
90’s club pop and dance on his sixth release. While his vocals tend to be
mismatched with the music, he does prove the early 90’s was and will always be
remembered for grunge and gangsta rap and not its electronic music.
FINAL GRADE: C
