Empire of the Sun – Ice on the Dune
Australia’s international electronic duo returned with the
long awaited follow-up to their fantastic 2008 debut, Walking on A Dream. The
band’s latest, Ice on the Dune, hears the futuristic sounds and styles of their
music tell a fictional story a fictional story related to the album which
described a world looked over by an "Emperor" and a "Prophet.”
While the story is as epic as the music, Ice on the Dune could have been a
soundtrack to any blockbuster film this summer, but instead became a
blockbuster record on its own.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Prodigy and The Alchemist – Albert Einstein
While the world awaits a new Mob Deep album, rapper Prodigy
links up with one of the biggest rising producers in the underground and indie
scene, The Alchemist for a fantastic hip-hop album that holds nothing back.
With guests like Prodigy’s Mob Deep partner Havoc, Domo Genesis, Action
Bronson, Raekwon and others, this album hears two brilliant minds creating a
hive vision of what each other should achieve to be. Should and if that Mob
Deep album come out in the near future, they need to link with The Alchemist
for a result like this.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Transplants – In A Warzone
The experimental punk band returns with a record that is
more straight punk than their hybrid genres thrown together. In A Warzone still
has some hip-hop / rap-rock elements to it, but for a majority of the album it
is a hard hitting old school California punk record with a modern twist.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Pet Shop Boys – Electric
Pet Shop Boys have got to be the most underrated pioneering
electronic band out there. Since their conception in 1981, they have
consistently put out great record after great record and like a fine wine, only
seem to get better with age. Electric is another firm addition to their ever
evolving catalogue that does not disappoint.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Bosnian Rainbows
The debut album from former At the Drive-In / Mars Volta
guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez’s new band comes equipped with a warped vision
of what music should be. As Omar has been known to push boundaries with his
musical production and playing, Bosnian Rainbows is one of his most far out
releases to date. Recorded without the use of computers, this band shows and
proves that the human element in music knows no bound.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Ghost Poet – Some Say I So I Say Light
England’s electronic R&B mastermind, GhostPoet returns
with his sophomore album and hears the singer, songwriter, producer and poet
reach deeper and darker places. Some Say I So I Say Light hears less grime and
dupstep than its predecessor, Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam, but still
brings a deep trip hop element that his fellow Englishmen Tricky and Massive
Attack would love.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Fuck Buttons – Slow Focus
The English electronic duo may have just released their
finest work to date with Slow Focus. Fuck Buttons have always been one to stand
out of any crowd, partially because of their name, but in another part because
of what they have created just as two men using decks and machines, but now
Slow Focus is a focused and much more intricate record that hears them going to
new heights.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Mona – Torches and Pitchforks
The Nashville rockers return with album number two and still
bringing that fantastic classic American rock style to their music, Mona still
know how to write a solid rock anthem and an album work of tracks to put a
smile on your face.
FINAL GRADE: B
Franz Ferdinand – Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action
The Scottish Britpop band returns with their fourth album
and still manage to make their jangly guitars, catchy hooks, and clever lyrics
still so much fun to listen to.
FINAL GRADE: B
J. Cole – Born Sinner
The latest offering from J. Cole is as impressive as it
gets. The rapper reaches new and deeper personal levels and is his most
introspective and best album to date. One that really impresses audiences from
all walks of life.
FINAL GRADE: B
Gogol Bordello – Pura Vida Conspiracy
The sixth album from Eugene Huntz’s gypsy punks hears them
doing what they do best – rocking out without giving a single fuck. Pura Vida
Conspiracy is a Gogol Bordello record, what do we mean by that? Just go back
and listen to their other five albums and you will understand, this is just an
excuse for them to play new songs live and do what they do best – hit the stage
and play their hearts out.
FINAL GRADE: B-
AlunaGeorge – Body Music
The debut album from one of England’s premiere synthpop buzz
bands has finally arrived. While Body Music is a solid record, it does not live
up to the hype surrounding what could have been. A valiant first effort but as
a whole not as impressive as some of the albums singles like “Attracting
Flies,” “You Know You Like It,” and “Your Drums, Your Love.”
FINAL GRADE: B-
U-God – Keynote Speaker
The long awaited new album from one of Wu-Tang Clan’s unsung
heroes has finally arrived. Keynote Speaker is a record unlike other U-God
albums, totally void of singles, it is a raw and introspective hip-hop album
with special guests GZA, Method
Man, Styles P, Inspectah Deck, Elzhi and Kool Keith.
FINAL GRADE: B-
David Lynch – The Big Dream
The endless imagination of David Lynch comes full circle
with his new album, The Big Dream. The director, writer, philanthropist, and
now musician comes back with his new album after receiving good remarks for his
music debut in 2011 with Crazy Clown Time. The Big Dream is influenced by the
early blues and rock and roll but still tells a story within each song that is
just as confusing as some of Lynch’s films, yet this time it has no visuals to
accompany the strange.
FINAL GRADE: C+