Damon Albarn – Everyday Robots
Damon Albarn is a musical Renaissance Man. From his Britpop
fame with Blur to his hip-hop infused / experimental outfit – Gorillaz to
managing to get legends like Tony Allen, Paul Simonon, and Danger Mouse for the
underrated The Good, The Bad, and The Queen; to working with African musicians
on Africa Express to curating two operas to producing Bobby Womack’s best album
in decades, he now returns with an album of just his own thoughts, gatherings,
and expressions. Everyday Robots is Albarn’s official solo debut, he linked up
with XL Records main man, Richard Russell for a moody trip into the mind of a
musical genius. Albarn is never afraid to express himself and push for a record
that has basically no singles, but still manages to make you feel a moment in
time. Much like one of his musical heroes, Brian Eno, who guests on the LP,
Albarn pushes himself to find a sound that has not yet been created and
mastered.
FINAL GRADE: A
The Afghan Whigs – Do The Beast
It has been nearly 20 years since the last Whigs LP, but the
underrated grunge gods are back with Do The Beast, and the best part about it –
it doesn’t sound like an Afghan Whigs album! Not that we have anything against
how the Whigs sounded in the 90’s, they were an underrated back and singer Greg
Dulli is one of America’s most underrated songwriters, but the fans and fame
they had seemed to fade with their hiatus. Now, recharged, regrouped, and
rearranged, the Whigs brought themselves to modern times and instead of going back
on the sound that gained them acclaim then, they realized it is not who they
are now. Instead of making a safe comeback record, they go the distance and
raise the bar to any band looking to do a reunion album – this is how you do
it! One of the greatest comeback albums of all time and one of the year’s best
albums so far.
FINAL GRADE: A
Curtis Harding – Soul Power
Curtis Harding will be a superstar, make my words, a fucking
superstar. The rising Michigan R&B artist combines the soul of Marvin Gaye,
the garage rock licks of The Black Keys, the lyrical power of Bobby Womack, and
the creative musical designs of Danger Mouse. Harding, whose debut, Soul Power, is a
magnificent and near perfect venture into a throwback sound with a new
Millennium twist. Easily, the best debut of the year, so far.
FINAL GRADE: A
OFF! – Wasted Years
The hardcore supergroup return with their sophomore LP and
like their first four EP’s and debut, they comeback with the sound we love and
appreciate – sort, fast, loud, and raw.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Cloud Nothings – Here and Nowhere Else
The Ohio garage rockers return with their sophomore album,
and pick up right where 2012’s fantastic Attack on Memory left off. It still
rages and drives us into the fuzzy atmosphere of rock and roll.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Ratking – So It Goes
One of the most exciting new hip-hop groups to emerge from
New York City in years arrives with their pulverizing and shocking debut.
Ratking hail from Manhattan and have been emerging as a new voice in Big Apple
rap since 2010. Now, with their debut, So It Goes, Ratking provide lyrical
blows to the hipsters, the NYU crowd, and anyone who thinks they are the King
of New York. Plus, thanks to chaotic and ravaging production and a guest
appearance from King Krule, it displays how diverse and exciting this group
really is.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Until the Ribbon Breaks – The Other Ones EP
The British soul singer returns with another EP full of
tracks that tease us with his magnificent voice, lyrical talent, pure emotion
and only makes us beg for his long awaited full length to come sooner rather
than later.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Blood Red Shoes
The UK duo return with their fourth album and bring forth
some of their most thrashing and vibrant riffs since their fantastic 2008
debut. Box of Secrets. The record
which was written, recorded, and produced entirely by the two members of the
band and was recorded over six months in Berlin to capture a new energy, sound,
and inspiration. Four albums in, and they still remain to be one of the most
exciting bands out there today.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Secret Sisters – Put Your Needle Down
The Southern sorority return with their T-Bone Burnett
produced sophomore album and showcase their vulnerability, creativity, and
beautiful songwriting again with their latest album. They are a country group
that is far too traditional and far too creative for the modern bullshit
country pop that is on radio and award shows. The Secret Sisters are one of the
few country acts out there today that would make Johnny and June Carter Cash
proud.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Anthony Valadez – In Search Of
Taking old school jazz and blues riffs and sounds and mixing
it with ambient and electronic hooks, Anthony Valadez has crafted one of the
most refreshing, fun, vibrant, and electic albums of the year.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Death – III
The third album of unreleased material from the Detroit
protopunks arrives with the most wild fanfare thanks to their 2013 documentary
– A Band Called Death. After touring for most of 2013 and most of this year,
Death now have the following the deserve and III will be what was left from
their vault.
FINAL GRADE: B
YG – My Krazy Life
Since Kendrick Lamar put Compton back on the musical map, YG
is one of the first to come through that door that Kendrick opened to make a
name for himself. My Krazy Life is his debut and highlights what is making West
Coast hip-hop so much fun again.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Broken Ankles
The debut EP from Girl Talk and Freeway highlights two of
Pennsylvania’s big talents together under one album. Broken Ankles is a chaotic
hip-hop creation that features Girl Talk’s brilliant production and Freeway’s
one of a kind lyrical delivery.
FINAL GRADE: B-
I Am The Avalanche – Wolverines
The Brooklyn punks return with one of their fiercest albums
to date. While it has only been three years since Avalanche records, instead of
the six between their debut and sophomore LP, Wolverines strikes hard and wild
to make us remember why they caught out attention a decade ago.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Wolfmother – New Crown
Pulling a Beyonce, Australian rockers Wolfmother returned
with their third album in a surprise fashion by releasing it on Bandcamp to
mark their comeback. What was supposed to be the sophomore album from singer
Andrew Stockdale transformed into him getting his old band back together for a
stoner / blues / classic rock extravaganza.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Ingrid Michaelson – Lights Out
The sixth album from Staten Island’s reigning singer /
songwriter is one of her strongest to date. Lights Out hears Michaelson craft
her traditional heartfelt pop song but also goes and packs a punch with her
emotional release.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Madlib & Freddie Gibbs – Pinata
The collaboration between Madlib’s production and Gibbs’
flow and cadence, brings forth Pinata. This hip-hop team is creative and wild,
but sometimes one outshines the other. Madlib’s flawless production may be too
perfect sometimes for Gibbs to rhyme over, even with guests like Raekwon, Earl
Sweatshirt, Danny Brown, Domo Genesis, Scarface, BJ the Chicago Kid, Ab-Soul,
Casey Veggies, Meechy Darko, Mac Miller, Pinata is decent but doesn’t hit the
bulls eye.
FINAL GRADE: C+
