2014 The Albums: Honorable Mentions

So it begins, the rollout of various music lists from us as we look back at the year that was and present our picks for the most recognizable albums of the year. Over the last eight years, it has become a Thanksgiving weekend tradition for us to issue our first list -- Honorable Mentions. This is the first of three lists we will bring out over the next three weeks, next week we will present our coveted League of Their Own and then finally, the Top 10 albums of the year. So, here we go, our Honorable Mentions, albums that were very good, but not good enough to crack the Top 10 but still worth of note.

As we always do, we breakdown the list in short form and then with explanations.

2014 Honorable Mentions in Short Form (In No Particular Order):

TV on the Radio - Seeds
The Hold Steady - Teeth Dreams
Ratking - So It Goes
The Horrors - Luminous
Death From Above 1979 - The Physical World
Spoon - They Want My Soul

Now, in long form:

TV on the Radio - Seeds
TV on the Radio have always delivered records that sound as if they come from another cosmic part of the universe, Seeds is no exception. The band’s latest, their first recorded since the passing of bassist Gerard Smith, doesn’t sound like a band reflecting too much on their past but focusing, as always, on the future and what is ahead. Which in many ways, is probably what Smith would have wanted. The production of member David Sitek is as funky and freaky as ever and the energy this record packs is a colorful punch to fans around the globe.
Key Tracks: Happy Idiot, Seeds

The Hold Steady - Teeth Dreams
Teeth Dreams marked the longest gap between Hold Steady records but heard the band bring their signature sound to the masses again. It is also a record devoid of themes and characters but much more introspective than ever. With engaging roaring riffs and Craig Finn's personal stories that could be moments of your life, Teeth Dreams is a record to admire.
Key Tracks: Spinners, Wait a While

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.
Key Tracks: Canal, So Sick Stories feat. King Krule

The Horrors - Luminous
The career of The Horrors has been a gradual incline and alteration in sound from when they first appeared on the music scene back in 2006. Back then, with their debut, Strangehouse, they looked like a poor mans version of My Chemical Romance. Then, in 2009, they returned with Primary Colours, a record that heard them channeling the angst into art and a contemporary Joy Division. Then, in 2011, they released the groundbreaking Skying, a record that heard them take the best of 80’s cold and new wave and giving it a modern spin. With Luminous, they don’t transition too much from Skying but still manage to mature in all the right ways. Luminous is dark, cavernous, but also melodic and angelic.
Key Tracks: So Now You Know,  I See You

Death From Above 1979 - The Physical World 
Ten years after their landmark debut, Canadian post-hardcore thrashers Death From Above 1979 regrouped and released their sophomore record, The Physical World. It is a bit more polished then their debut, You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine, and it is also much more political than ever before. Still this band made us all wait to hear them again and this proved it was worth the wait.
Key Tracks: Right On, Frankenstein; Trainwreck 1979 

Spoon - They Want My Soul
The Austin indie icons returned with They Want My Soul and ventured more into the trippy side of music than that typical jangling indie rock we have come to love and expect from them. Filled with jangling riffs and psychedelic undertones, They Want My Soul is one of the more diverse albums in this bands growing catalog.
Key Tracks:  Rent I Pay, New York Kiss






Stay Tuned Next Week When We Announce The 2014 "League of Their Own" Recipient.

Quick News

It has been a little while since we heard from Spank Rock, but now the New York artist will release his new EP, The Upside, next month.

A new documentary on Kurt Cobain called Montage of Heck will air on HBO next year. The documentary was produced by Kurt's daughter, Francis Bean.

Pharrell Williams will be getting a star next month on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Joey Bada$$ has donated over $10,000 worth of musical equipment to Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn.

Are Adele and Damon Albarn working together on the multi Grammy winners follow-up to 21? According to an unnamed source in The Sun, the dynamic British musicians have been meeting. The source said, "Damon and Adele had a chat about her new album and they could work together in future. Adele's exploring loads of different avenues for the music and isn't rushing anything, but the album will be released next year."

A Very, Very Descent Christmas

Diplo's Mad Descent label has shared a Christmas dance party mixtape called A Very, Very Descent Christmas. Stream it now.

Lorde on Fallon

Watch Lorde on The Tonight Show.

Wu-Tang Clan on Letterman

Watch a watered down version of Wu-Tang Clan perform "Ruckus in B Minor" on Letterman.

Live Review: Interpol @ Terminal 5

Late last week, Interpol were on their way to Canada from Ohio when they were stuck in Buffalo, New York, due to a massive snowstorm that nailed the city. The band, along with openers Hundred Waters, were stuck for over 50 hours on their tour bus and as they tweeted their adventure of doing nothing and passed the time, they had to cancel a number of shows due to their situation. By the weekend, the band were safely free and their tour resumed. On Monday night, one of their first shows after what was called "Winterpol" they began the first of three sold-out nights inside Terminal 5.

Arriving on stage to a heroes welcome, the slick New York City rockers sprang into action with "Say Hello to the Angels," off their stellar debut, Turn on the Bright Lights, the record that pushed them to the forefront with The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio, of the early 2000's wave of influential New York City bands that would shape the music of the years and next decade to come. It was then into "My Blue Supreme," off their fantastic new album, El Pintor, that showed the balance between new and old Interpol to their crowd. Performing in front of a giant screen that featured the cover of their new record, random images of the band, distorted live video of them performing, and various films as they ripped through their set which was heavy on their first and latest records. Singer Paul Banks looked so thrilled to not only be back on stage, but back to his hometown, yet it was guitarist Daniel Kessler that really stole the show with his movements on stage, guitar playing, and most of all, energy he was projecting to the hometown crowd.

During their 90-minute set, the band sprinkled in fan favorites like "PDA," "Slow Hands," "Evil," "Lights," and "The Lighthouse." As their first set came to a close with the bombastic "Slow Hands," it nearly felt as if this band could go on for two hours more and they looked like it too. As they retreated to the wings, fans clearly wanted more, chanting "N!Y!C!," "Encore!," "More!," even if they wanted to end the night, there was no way over 3,000 people inside would let them go quietly. Coming back on stage to perform their latest hit, "All the Rage Back Home," it not only sounded better live, the energy of the crowd brought it to new heights. Yet, the highlight of the night came from "NYC," the song that spoke to and still speaks to every New Yorker, young and old, after 9/11. This was the song that took them from being a well respected New York band to a much loved New York band. As Taylor Swift's false ode to New York dominates modern radio and charts, her  and her Times Square-esque song should have paid attention to this track; "NYC," is and will always remain that song that sums up this crazy city perfectly.

Interpol's hometown throwdown continues until Thanksgiving Eve and while we are glad the band were able to play these shows and return home safely, they do prove that there is no place like home.

Interpol Terminal 5 Setlist 11/24/14
Say Hello to the Angels
My Blue Supreme
Anywhere
Evil
Hands Away
My Desire
Take You on a Cruise
Everything Is Wrong
Lights
Breaker 1
The Lighthouse
PDA
Not Even Jail
Slow Hands
Encore:
All the Rage Back Home
NYC
Obstacle 1

Quick News

Joey Bada$$' long awaited debut B4.DA.$$ will arrive in January.

Action Bronson has taken to Twitter to announce that his new album, Mr. Wonderful, is all done and will arrive in early 2015.

Speaking to Miami New Times, James Blake said his new album is five months away from being released. He also said, "I should hope that [the new album] will be a step on, as much as the second one was to the first. I guess I’ve taken a focus on the songwriting again, even more closely, and I’m dabbling in some different production techniques, things I’ve developed. I’m currently single, so that’s changed,” he added. “A lot of things have changed in my life since the last record, and overall for the better, so I’m in a good place, I think. I’m in a good place to write in general, and I have been for quite a while.” The album allegedly features Kanye West.

Alkaline Trio's Derek Grant will release his new album, Breakdown, in January.

Sky Ferreira has confirmed to Billboard that she is working with Primal Scream on her new album. She said, "The reason I like working with them is because there’s absolutely no pressure. It’s nice to walk in somewhere and they’re not like, ‘Okay, your label is harassing me about this and that.’ I set it up without anyone else involved, so we just sit and write in a room and there’s no pressure. It’s also just really cool talking to [Gillespie]! Jesus and Mary Chain is one of my favorite bands ever, so at first I was a little nervous. It’s really nice to meet with someone and not be disappointed by it, to have them meet every expectation.”

As the first batch of 2015 Reading and Leeds festival headliners were announced, one of the bands caught us off guard -- REFUSED! The Swedish hardcore band that reunited in 2012 for a special tour said that by the end of that year they would be done forever. Well, it looks like that has changed. The band are reactive and even posted a new publicity photo on Facebook, take a look below. No word as to if this will lead to a new album.

Killer Mike Delivers Emotional Speech Following Ferguson Grand Jury Decision

Run the Jewels are currently on tour across America and before they took the stage in St. Louis, Missouri, Killer Mike walked out with El-P to deliver an emotional and impactful speech about the Ferguson Grand Jury decision which will not indict officer Darren Wilson in the shooting of Mike Brown, an unarmed teenager in nearby Ferguson. If there is one thing to hear and see today, this is it.

Interpol on Meyers

Before they kicked-off their 3-night sold-out run at Terminal 5 in New York City, Interpol stopped by Late Night with Seth Meyers to perform "Everything is Wrong."

Will Butler Album Trailer

Arcade Fire's Will Butler will release his solo debut, Policy, in March. Take a look at the album trailer, above.

VINTAGE CLIPS! TV on the Radio on Letterman

While TV on the Radio dropped by the Ed Sullivan Theater for another fantastic performance on The Late Show, we look back at some of the other showstopping performances the band has done in this round of VINTAGE CLIPS. 

2004:



2006:



2008:



2011:



2013:

QUICK SPINS

 

Foo Fighters – Sonic Highways

The size and scope of the Foo Fighters latest album, Sonic Highways, is so big it required an HBO documentary series to tell the tale of the making of the album, which Dave Grohl told the musical tale of America’s best cities. This is their love letter to American music, no doubt about it. A different song recorded over a week in a different city, while Grohl cherrypickes his lyrics from the interviews he is conducting with musicians in those cities to craft a song inspired by metropolis they are in. While the creative force and idea of the record propels Sonic Highways at the speed of light, musically it takes on the concept of the music they are in but they make it all their own. For these eight songs that are a way for them to say “Thanks America,” Foo Fighters go from being America’s biggest rock and roll band to the best.

FINAL GRADE: A

Arca – Xen

Arca, the Venezuelan born producer made his name last year when he appeared as one of the producers on Kanye West’s Yeezus. Since then, he has gone on to produce FKA Twigs (a fellow 2014 Best New Artist nominee) fantastic debut and is currently working with Bjork on her new album. In all of this, he found time to record a debut that is so unconventional, so smart, and so ahead of it’s time, Xen will be a record we talk about in years to come as we see it was the blueprint and jumpoff to what alternative music will sound like.

FINAL GRADE: A

Idris Elba Presents Mi Mandela

Nearly a year after Nelson Mandela’s passing, Idris Elba, the best actor to ever portray the iconic leader on screen has crafted a tribute record of sorts using various African musicians, as well as Mumford and Sons, James Blake, Mr. Hudson, and Cody ChestnuTT, to bring a much more pop sound to an already fantastic musical landscape. This album represents the world in song and needs to be heard.

FINAL GRADE: A

Bryan Ferry – Avonmore

The musical mastermind, Bryan Ferry, returns with a new record of songs to add to his iconic arsenal of alternative music. This time around he brings Nile Rodgers, Johnny Marr, Flea, Ronnie Spector along for the ride.

FINAL GRADE: A-

TV on the Radio – Seeds

TV on the Radio have always delivered records that sound as if they come from another cosmic part of the universe, Seeds is no exception. The band’s latest, their first recorded since the passing of bassist Gerard Smith, doesn’t sound like a band reflecting too much on their past but focusing, as always, on the future and what is ahead. Which in many ways, is probably what Smith would have wanted. The production of member David Sitek is as funky and freaky as ever and the energy this record packs is a colorful punch to fans around the globe.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Mary J. Blige – The London Sessions

Linking up with Disclosure got R&B icon realizing that the UK is where it is at – it is something we have felt for a while now, too. The London Sessions is her homage to the musical spirit of the iconic city and how it never ceases to stop creating, stop wondering, and stop being hungry. One of Blige’s best records and a new chapter in her illustrious career.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Lagwagon – Hang

For their first record in nearly a decade, Lagwagon pull all the stops and show they still can pack a serious punch.

FINAL GRADE: B+

KMFDM – Our Time Will Come

At one point in their massively long career, KMFDM called it quits, yet, since they have been back they have been harder, stronger, faster, and better than ever. Our Time Will Come is the industrial legends 19^th album and while they show no signs of stopping, we thank them for not slowing down.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Circa Survive – Descensus

The fifth album from the Pennsylvania prog/emo-core band hears Circa Survive sounding as big and as energetic as ever. This is a band that has been putting out quality music for a decade now and it keeps getting better and better.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Erasure – The Violent Flame

The 16^th album from the iconic British New Wave titans hears them pulverizing dance floors again as if it is 1984. The Violent Flame gets a modern twist produced by XL Records mastermind, Richard XL and brings that classic Erasure sound to a whole new level.

FINAL GRADE: B

Royksopp – The Inevitable End

The fifth and final album from Norway’s beloved electronic artists Royksopp is the perfect swan song for a band this strong and this talented to go out on. With guest appearances by Robyn, Man Without Country, Jamie Irrepressible, and others, Royksopp wave goodbye in grand fashion.

FINAL GRADE: B

AC/DC – Rock or Bust

For over 40 years, Australia’s biggest rock export have saluted those about to rock and been to the highway to hell and back and are now returning basically what feels like an excuse to tour. Rock or Bust is the 15th record from AC/DC and while musically it doesn’t do anything new, it is the first album without Malcolm Young on bass and is the shortest record from the band. It just feels complacent and it feels as if they need a shake-up, sort of what Black Sabbath did with 13, in order to get back to their musical heights.

FINAL GRADE: C

Rick Ross – Hood Billionaire

While Rick Ross has a sleek new look, he still sounds the same. Hood Billionaire maybe the latest album from Rosey, and with his star-studded guest list featuring Jay-Z, R. Kelly, Project Pat, K. Michelle, Yo Gotti, Boosie Badazz, Big K.R.I.T., Snoop Dogg, Fat Trel, Whole Slab, French Montana, Big KRIT, Lex Luger, Timbaland, it still doesn’t save this album from sounding like anything else he has done before.

FINAL GRADE: D

Bush -  Man on the Run

Gavin Rossdale’s latest incarnation to his English grunge band doesn’t sound too different from when he resurrected them a few years ago. While their greatest material ended at the turn of the century, this new Bush should not only be called something else, they should be looking to sound like something else, too.

FINAL GRADE: D

Metallica on Ferguson - Night 5

Watch Metallica perform "Sad But True" on the fifth and final night of their Late Late Show residency.

TV on the Radio on Letterman

Watch TV on the Radio perform "Happy Idiot" on Letterman.

Cold War Kids on Conan

Watch Cold War Kids on Conan!

Metallica on Ferguson - Night 4

Watch Metallica perform "Enter Sandman" on the fourth night of their Late Late Show residency.

Quick News

Beginning next month, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds will reissue their first 11 albums. The first four records of the band's will come out next month with the rest arriving in 2015. According to the press release, "Each album has been re-mastered in a process overseen by former Bad Seed and founder member, the multi-instrumentalist Mick Harvey. All album artwork reflects the original release from the cover to the printed inner sleeves."

Speaking to NME about his reunion with Ride, Andy Bell commented on the fall of Beady Eye saying, "[Beady Eye] just sort of ran its course really. Liam had been pretty quiet for a while, and them he just let us know that his heart wasn't really in it any more."

Speaking to BBC Radio Oxford Johnny Greenwood gave an update on the latest Radiohead album. The guitarist said, I’m late, they’ve all gone there now. We're currently playing and recording and it’s fun to see everyone again, it's been a long time coming, we've been waiting all of us for a long time. It always feels when we start up like we still don’t know really how to do it, and we don't know quite what to do. 'Looking down avenues' is a very kind way of putting the kind of fumbling that we do, mainly because every time we try and do it like the last time – because that worked – it never seems to work. So we talk about different approaches and we’re currently trying a bunch out.”

Palma Violets are hard at work making their sophomore album. While they do so, bassist Chilli Jessen told NME, "It's all moved on from [when we played new material at] Reading and Leeds – some of the tracks we played there won't even make the cut. There are so many new songs, nearly 20 at the moment, but we're narrowing them down and we'll change it up, throw things in. Of course the new stuff is a step forward, but the main thing I wanted to do is not go too far. We're still holding on to what we started a band for – there's no eight-minute jams. It's all to the point, as it should be."

Frank Turner plans to start recording his new album next month and he told BBC6 Radio how he wants it to sound, saying, "I want to make a really rough-around-the-edges punk rock record," he said, "so we're not going to take very long in recording it. I want to just hammer it out, me and The Sleeping Souls... I want it to sound fresh and raw and hungry. I had some crises of confidence about material and about who I was recording it with and where," he said. "I feel like I'm at a point in my career where I can afford to make sure that it's absolutely the right record that it needs to be, rather than just doing what I've done every other time, which is just go 'sure, just put it out!'" The album is allegedly coming out in February.

Arcade Fire's Will Butler will release his solo debut, Policy in March. Take a look at the cover below,

Metallica on Ferguson - Night 3

Watch Metallica perform "For Whom the Bell Tolls" on the third night of their Late Late Show residency.

Killer Mike & Action Bronson 'Battle' on Treadmills

Two of our favorite rappers, Killer Mike & Action Bronson made a special appearance on The Eric Andre show to battle each other while running on treadmills, needless to say, it didn't go that well, but hilarious to watch.

St. Lucia on Seth Meyers

Watch St. Lucia bring a tropical climate to cold New York on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Stream 5 Songs From 'Mi Mandela'

Before Idris Elba releases his Mi Mandela album, a tribute to the great leader Nelson Mandela, you can now stream five songs via Soundcloud. Take a listen!

Officially A Icon: Danger Mouse

Eleven years ago, when Jay Z announced his "retirement" a relatively unknown producer crafted a mash-up album using the biggest rapper and the greatest band of all time. Combining The Beatles White Album and HOV's Black Album, this unknown and ballsy producer named Danger Mouse wowed and rocked the music world with The Grey Album. 

Since then, the man born Brian Burton has done everything from produce for artists like Portugal. The Man, U2, Gorillaz, The Good, The Bad, and the Queen, Beck, The Black Keys, Norah Jones. He has collaborated with David Lynch, DOOM, Sparklehorse, Jemini. Formed bands with The Shins' James Mercer with Broken Bells, hit blockbuster status with Cee-Lo in Gnarles Barkley, and scored an opera that featured Jack White and Norah Jones. Mouse can do it all and do it with a sense of cool that has been unseen in modern music.

Just this year alone, Broken Bells released a new LP, his latest Black Keys produced album arrived and his long await production work with U2 came to the surprise of everyone in September. Now, with all of this, it is the reason why Danger Mouse will join the ranks of Renaissance artists like Damon Albarn, Questlove, and Karen O., and is the fourth recipient of this accolade that makes him this year's Icon.

Quick News

Haim have confirmed they are currently working in the studio writing and recording the follow-up to last year's fantastic self-titled debut.

Jamie xx is becoming a busy guy. When he is not working on his solo stuff, producing, working with his main band The xx, DJing, he is now creating a contemporary ballet score based around Jonathan Safran Foer's Tree of Codes. It will premiere next year at the Manchester International Festival in Manchester, England.

After confirming their reunion and tour for next year, Ride singer Mark Gardener spoke to Drowned in the Sound about the upcoming gigs and reunion. He said, "When The Stone Roses got back together I remember thinking maybe we should do it. For a good few years after we split in 1996 I thought that was it for Ride. I pretty much disbanded my entire live rig. I sold a couple of guitars to Andy actually. At that point I was solely concentrating on studio work such as production and mixing. I also love doing soundtrack work which I've gone on to do. But at the same time I've also missed that feeling of playing live. I've missed the guys. We've got on great for years. It feels like completely the right time to do this now. We're really buzzing about it. We want to do it but I also think a lot of people have demanded it in a way too. We are aware of that. Especially in this day and age with social media and stuff. I think you'd have to be living in a hole to not be aware of it!"

The bicycle injury Bono received over the weekend which forced U2 to cancel their Tonight Show appearances this week are much more severe than many thought. Rolling Stone has the full report and said, "The singer suffered numerous serious injuries, including a "facial fracture involving the orbit of his eye," three separate fractures of his left shoulder blade and a fracture of his left humerus bone in his upper arm. The latter injury was particularly damaging, with the bone shattering in six different places and tearing through his skin. According to orthopedic trauma surgeon Dean Lorich, MD, "[Bono] was taken emergently to the operating room...where the elbow was washed out and debrided, a nerve trapped in the break was moved and the bone was repaired with three metal plates and 18 screws." On Monday, Bono underwent a second surgery to repair a fractured left pinky finger."

OutKast's Andre 3000 is teaming up with the Savannah College of Art and Design and will showcase his now iconic jumpsuits that he wore throughout OutKast's massive year-long reunion. The exhibition called "i feel ya," will premiere in Miami next month before Art Basel before going to SCAD to be showcased next summer.

Speaking to NME, Julian Casablancas gave an update on if The Strokes will record again, he said, ""if the vibe is right." The magazine then asked him to elaborate on the "vibe," and he said on that is "less mystical."

Metallica on Ferguson - Night 2

Watch Metallica storm through "Fuel" on the second night of their Late Late Show residency.

VINTAGE CLIPS! Damien Rice on Letterman

To celebrate Damien Rice's return to not just music, but to The Late Show, watch a couple VINTAGE CLIPS of the Irish singer / songwriter's past performances on Letterman.

2002:

2004:

Quick News

Next month, U2 will release Films of Innocence, a visual companion of music videos set to the music of their latest album, Songs of Innocence. The band, who enlisted various street artists for this project like Oliver Jeffers, Robin Rhode, D*Face, Mode 2, Chloe Early, Ganzeer, Vhils, Maser, ROA, DALeast and Todd James. The whole project was directed by Jefferson Hack.

Billy Corgan is bringing The Smashing Pumkins back on the road for a small tour next month, this time, the revolving door of musicians will feature Rage Against the Machine / Last Internationale's Brad Wilk on Drumms, Killers bassist Mark Stoermer, and Corgan's go-to guitarist as of late, Jeff Schroeder.

Now that Beady Eye have fallen, looks like Andy Bell is rejoining and reforming Ride. The shoegaze Creation Records band will reunite next year to play the festival circuit.

 Australian post-punk icons The Church will release their 25th album, Further / Deeper, in February.

Circa Survive Album Teaser

Circa Survive posted a seven-minute long teaser for their upcoming album, Descensus. Take a look!

Damien Rice on Letterman

Watch Damien Rice perform "I Don't Want to Change You" on Letterman.

Metallica on Ferguson - Night 1

Metallica kicked off their week-long residency of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on Monday. Watch the band perform their classic "Hit the Lights."

Los Campesinos! Christmas EP Details!

Welsh indie titans Los Campesinos! will release their first Christmas EP of original holiday tunes done only the way they can do. Take a look at the cover, above to A Los Campesinos! Christmas, and the tracklisting, below, as well as hear the first single "When Christmas Comes."

01 When Christmas Comes
02 A Doe To A Deer
03 The Holly & The Ivy
04 Kindle A Flame In Her Heart
05 The Trains Don’t Run (It’s Christmas Day)
06 Lonely This Christmas

Quick News

U2 have been forced to cancel their week-long Tonight Show residency after Bono had a bicycle accident in Central Park which required surgery on his shoulder. The band plan on doing the residency in the future.

Patti Smith once famously boasted, "Jesus Died For Somebody's Sins, But Not Mine!" Now, she will be singing for the person closest to God's son, according to Catholics, as she will perform for The Pope at a special Concert for Peace next month at the Vatican.

Silverchair will reissue their 2000 LP, Neon Ballroom, in January. It will be the first time the Aussie rockers released their third album on vinyl.

UK rockers Peace will release their new album, Happy People, in February. Take a look at the tracklisting below:

'O You'
'Gen Strange'
'Lost On Me'
'Perfect Skin'
'Happy People'
'Someday'
'Money'
'I'm A Girl'
'Under The Moon'
'World Pleasure'

Iconic producer and Ital disco pioneer Giorgio Morodor will release his new album 74 Is The New 24, next year. The album will feature Brittney Spears, Sia, Kylie Minogue, and many others. Take a look at the awesome cover below:

AC/DC will release their final album, Rock or Bust, next month. Take a look at the cover, below:

 

EXCLUSIVE! Lazyeyes INTV!

Since forming in 2012, Lazyeyes have becoming one of New York's most talked about rising bands. The trio which were former members of other Brooklyn acts have been enjoying a nice critical buzz thanks to their dream-pop/shoegaze sound that is an an infectious groove that echoes Joy Division, The Velvet Underground, and early Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Thanks to their latest single, "Islip," the band have now gotten worldwide recognition as NME hailed it as a single you need to hear. We spoke to singer Jason Abrishami about Lazyeyes music, new single, and if we are getting a debut from them. Take a look at our interview below.
 

"Islip" is featured on your upcoming EP, what can you tell us about the EP?

The EP was recorded in a ton of different studios and took about more than a year to finish. It's the first time we've ever done something like this. We spent a lot of time reworking the songs and exploring new environments to record in. We're really excited to release the new EP & are already hard at work producing new songs.

This will be your second EP since forming in 2012, when can we expect a full length?

Hopefully sometime in 2015.

You guys craft such fun “Dream Pop,” a genre that is really hard to define and pigeonhole, but is on the rise. How do you explain it?

Not too sure how to describe Dream Pop, but we like to think of the music that we create to be a melodic wall of sound.

 With such a unique sound, who are some of your influences?

We all have a bunch of musical influences, but to name a few: The Smiths, For Against, Joy Division, The Cure, Sonic Youth, My Blood Valentine, Slowdive, New Order, Pixies, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Psychedelic Furs, Airiel, etc.

The band has gotten so much acclaim in and around New York City, is a tour in the works to spread the sound of Lazyeyes?

Indeed a tour is in the works, we've recently signed with Flower Booking. We will be starting off with a short east coast run in 2015 & will expand from that point on.

What is it like playing to a crowd outside of New York that really does not know your music? What are the tricks that you pull to gain their attention?

Not too sure, we haven't played outside of New York yet, but we will do so when we go on our first tour early 2015.

You all came together from previous bands, when you formed Lazyeyes, did you know right away that you had something special?

There was definitely chemistry when we all met each other first. We kind of just picked up our instruments and began playing & formed what is now our current songs.

Do any of your ever miss playing in your previous bands?

I sometimes reminisce on past projects & my experience from them, but I'm way happier right now and looking forward to what the future brings.

Where does Lazyeyes go from here?

A lot of touring, and somewhere in between working on the new LP.

Playlist

Take a look at our random musical musings in November's 27-song playlist!

Stream Fugazi's First Demo

D.C. post-punk icons Fugazi are set to officially release their First Demo for the first time later this month. You can now stream the full thing above!

Recommended Reading: Poets Are Just Kids Who Didn't Make It

Life throws a few curve balls at us and we as people must learn to figure out how to hit it out of the park. While it always sounds easier said than done, author Christian Shaboo explains that sometimes we must leave everything behind to beat the curve ball and find out who you really are. Shaboo explains this in his debut novel, ...Poets are Kids Who Didn't Make It. While we always talk about music on this site, sometimes we need to break away to share some worthwhile material to all of our readers, this is that occasion. In Poets, we meet Jackson Joseph, a 30-something-year-old trying to be the poet and writer he always set out to be, yet, while it doesn't come easy for him, the journey he takes to find his muse and find out how to become the poet he intended to be. Whether you are a writer or not, everyone in their life has faced a cross roads like this to obtain their dream. Shaboo makes for a promising new writer who tells a story we can all relate to and turn to for guidance.

Order your copy of ...Poets Are Just Kids Who Didn't Make It HERE. 

Great Soundtrack: A Bronx Tale

In 1993 when Robert DeNiro was making his directorial debut with A Bronx Tale. he must have taken a queue from his longtime friend Martin Scorsese on how to make music another character in his film. The fantastic film was heightened by the songs DeNiro picked to bring his audience to the era of the late 1950's and into the 1960's. 

The soundtrack, which features timeless doo-wop songs from The Cleftones, Dion and the Belmonts, The Four Tops, The Impressions, The Flamingos, and others. While the film features classic rock and roll cuts from Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, James Brown, the soundtrack only features Brown, probably due to the cost of the Hendrix and Beatles catalog at the time. Overall, brings the listener back to a time when things were easier and kids growing up on the streets of the Bronx had two options - go to school or go to the University of Belmont Ave.

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Screaming Females Announce New LP!

Screaming Females will release their new album, Rose Mountain, in February. This will be the New Jersey garage rockers sixth record and will be released via Don Giovanni. Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting, as well as hear the first single "Ripe," below:

1. Empty Head
2. Ripe
3. Wishing Well
4. Burning Car
5. Broken Neck
6. Rose Mountain
7. Hopeless
8. Triumph
9. It's Not Fair
10. Criminal Image
 

Quick News

Carl Barat has confirmed that his new solo album with his new band, The Jackals will arrive in early 2015.

Speaking of Barat, he confirmed to NME that he and Pete Doherty are currently writing new Libertines material that they hope to release next year. Barat, who is in Thailand to visit Doherty while he is in rehab, "This is only day two, so let's see how it goes. It's relaxed. My guitar broke on the aeroplane. I got a new one but right now the sound is two nylon string guitars - I don't think that'll make it to the record. We're still going through the old tracks and new bits and bobs and see where we're at, really. The songs are going to dictate their own sound. We've only done bits and bobs on tour. We were both reminding each other of scores of tunes that we'd forgotten that had never seen the light of day. But Plan A is to write new things. There's about five new tunes on the work bench at this stage and that's just from having been in each other's company, not even sitting down to write. One's called 'Woke Up Again', but that's a working title."

Marina and the Diamonds will release her new album, FROOT, in April. Take a look at the tracklisting below:
01) Happy
02) FROOT
03) I'm A Ruin
04) Blue
05) Forget
06) Gold
07) Can't Pin Me Down
08) Solitaire
09) Better Than That
10) Weeds
11) Savages
12) Immortal

Billie Joe Armstrong is no stranger to acting, he appeared during Green Day's Broadway production of American Idiot in 2011, now, Armstrong will star in his first feature film role and will have the title role in the upcoming film, Geezer. The film is about a man going through his midlife crisis and looking to relive his old punk days. It also stars Judy Greer, Fred Armisen and Selma Blair. Armstrong is also writing the music for the film.

Gang of Four have announced their new album, What Happens Next, it is the first record from the band to not feature singer Jon King. John “Gaoler” Sterry is stepping in on vocal duties, as is Alison Mosshart of The Kills / Dead Weather, Herbert Grönemeyer and the Big Pink’s Robbie Furze. It arrives in February. Take a look at the cover, below:

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Ghostface Killah Announces New LP

In 2012, Wu-Tang's Ghostface Killah released one of the best albums of that year and of his career with 12 Reasons to Die. It was a concept record about a mafia henchman that dies at the hands of bosses and comes back to get his revenge. 

Now, it looks like Ghost is doing something similar but this time with the idea of returning as a superhero with 36 Seasons. In a press release, it says, "A Staten Island vigilante inspired by a quest for personal retribution and bent on saving his community from the grips of crooked authority and urban decay."

The album arrives next month. Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting, movie themed poster, and new single, "Love Don't Live Here No More."

01 The Battlefield [ft. GFK, Kool G Rap, AZ, Tre Williams]
02 Love Don’t Live Here No More [ft. Kandace Springs]
03 Here I Go Again [ft. GFK, AZ, Rell]
04 Loyalty [ft. Kool G Rap, Nems]
05 It’s a Thin Line Between Love and Hate [ft. The Revelations]
06 The Dog’s of War [ft. GFK, Shawn Wigs, Kool G Rap]
07 Emergency Procedure [ft. GFK, Pharoahe Monch]
08 Double Cross [ft. GFK, AZ]
09 Bamboo’s Lament [ft. Kandace Springs]
10 Pieces of the Puzzle  [ft. GFK, AZ]
11 Homicide [ft. GFK, Nems, Shawn Wigs]
12 Blood in the Streets [ft. GFK, AZ]
13 Call My Name [ft. GFK]
14 I Love You For All Seasons [ft. The Revelations]

Quick News

Sad news to report, pioneering Sugarhill Gang rapper Big Bank Hank has passed away after a battle with cancer. He was 57. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.

In his new memoir, Sound Man, producer Glyn Johns wrote that Bob Dylan wanted to collaborate with The Beatles and Rolling Stones on a massive scale. In the book, Johns wrote, "I had it all figured out. We would pool the best material from Mick and Keith, Paul and John, Bob and George, and then select the best rhythm section from the two bands to suit whichever songs we were cutting.” Wow.

When he is not acting, directing, studying, producing, writing, painting, photographing, James Franco is making music, because, why not? The Oscar nominee is in a Smiths inspired band called Daddy and plan to release their debut next year. The album will feature forming Smiths bassist Andy Rourke on a collaboration of "This Charming Man."

Are Refused working on a new album? According to Autry of Midnight Masses and Trail of Dead, the singer / guitarist recently posted a photo of the band ”in austria tonight for the ahoi pop festival weekend along with st. vincent and this guy’s band invsn which he’s doing between finishing vocals for the new refused album that’s coming out next year.” This comes as the band's former guitarist Jon Brannstrom announced that he was fired from band, prompting the band to post, "Any collective effort will have its ups and downs and when people really pour their hearts into something, things get complicated. We cut ties with Jon already in 2013 because he did not share our passion for the band. We don't know why he decided to emit this narrative on facebook or why he did it now, instead of just calling one of us up, but we wish him the best in his future endeavors." No official word of a Refused record has been made, we will have to wait and see, and the Instagram post from Autry has since been taken down.

Mark Ronson will release his new album, Uptown Special, in January.

Taking to Twitter, Kings of Leon drummer Nathan Followill announced that the band's seventh album is "Coming soon."

Speaking of upcoming seventh albums, Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil spoke to NME to give an update on his band's recording status. He said, "We're getting [the next album] together. Realistically it won’t be out until the end of next year. We’re working on the songs now, but we don’t want to rush it – we’ve been in everyone's faces for the last couple of years, so I think it's important to disappear for a wee while and then come back all guns blazing."

Jamie Cullum will release his new album, Interlude, in January. Take a look at the cover below:

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Marilyn Manson Announces 9th LP

In January, Marilyn Manson will release his new album, The Pale Emperor. Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting, below, and hear the new single, "Third Day of a Seven Day Binge."

'Killing Strangers'
'Deep Six'
'Third Day Of A Seven Day Binge'
'The Mephistopheles Of Los Angeles'
'Warship My Wreck'
'Slave Only Dreams To Be King'
'The Devil Beneath My Feet'
'Birds Of Hell Awaiting'
'Cupid Carries A Gun'
'Odds Of Even'

Interpol's Daniel Kessler Announces Side Project

Interpol guitarist Daniel Kessler has announced his side project, a band called Big Noble. They will release their debut, First Light in February. Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting, below, as well as watch the first video for "PEG."

01 Ocean Picture
02 Stay Gold
03 Autumn
04 Atlantic Din
05 Affiliates
06 Pedal
07 Weatherman Accountable
08 Peg
09 Traveler
10 Vikings

Live Review: Antemasque @ Brooklyn Bowl

2012 was a bittersweet year for fans of Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez. That year, it saw the return of their first band, At the Drive-in, but also the demise of their other outfit, The Mars Volta. Fans around the world questioned if this dynamic duo would make music ever again. Earlier this year, news broke that the duo have returned to working together in the form of Antemasque, a band that combines the post-punk flair of At the Drive-in and the psychedelic / prog-rock of Volta. As news started to roll out about Antemasque, fans got more excited as they learned Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers was involved in making their debut and it also featured Volta drummer Dave Eltich. While Flea was only a studio musician, he would be replaced on the road by Omar's brother, Marfred, on bass. Now, armed with a new album and new band, Antemasque began their world tour last week and made their New York City debut at Brooklyn Bowl last night.

"When they said we were playing a bowling alley, I thought we would be playing on top of three lanes and I would have to just buy them and set up the stage. Then, we got here, and (pointing to band mates) I kicked his ass, his ass, and his ass in bowling," Cedric told the crowd after ripping through a couple tunes. For a band, hearing that they are playing a venue like Brooklyn Bowl could be a bit jarring, yet, Brooklyn Bowl itself is not your typical bowling alley (the prices of everything there will confirm that), and Antemasque are not your typical band. Hitting the stage around 10:30, the band just kicked it into high gear as Cedric swung around with his mic stand like a poll dancer and Omar simply abused his guitar while the rhythm section just hit the crowd with a wall sound, Antemasque introduced themselves to New York. As fans threw their hands in the air, the band ran around on stage as if they were blind mice trying to find their way out of a maze. The energy coming from these four guys is almost unmatched in new bands emerging, this band of musical vets doesn't have anything to prove, yet they still think they do. Watching the live chemistry of Cedric and Omar is like watching Mick and Keith or Steven and Joe in their prime. Omar hardly used a pic as he finger plucked and thumped his strings leading to guitar solos and break downs that would even have impressed Hendrix. Cedric, in usual fashion, would crack jokes and lighten the mood between songs, yet, once the music started playing the beast inside him would awaken. As the band's hour-long set progressed, they moved away from post-punk and thrash to a more experimental sound that showcased more of what they could do as musicians rather than entertainers. If Antemasque is the start of the next chapter for Cedric and Omar, fans of theirs won't mind what happened two years ago in their other bands.

Live Review: Peter Hook @ Irving Plaza

For the last five years, former Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook as been taking his old band's classic records and bringing them back to life with his band The Light. What started out in 2010 with Joy Division's flawless debut, Unknown Pleasures, has now lead to New Order's Low Life and Brotherhood to be put on the road and into the eyes and ears of fans around the world. On a packed Friday night at New York's Irving Plaza, a place that New Order last graced in 1997, Peter Hook and The Light brought out the expected records and surprises.

Taking the stage at 8p.m., Hooky and the band opened the night by doing a handful of Joy Division tracks, something they had done on the last tour as the surprise opener, Slaves of Venus. This time, it was marketed with a JD set. Opening with "Atmosphere," Hooky dedicated the song and the set to the Michael Shamberg, the man who oversaw Factory Records U.S. business affairs as well as produce a majority of New Order's iconic music videos. Shamberg passes away earlier in the week after a battle with an undisclosed illness. Hooky crafted the mood and tribute straight away to his late friend. After a near 40-minute Joy Division set, the band retreated for a brief break before coming on to play Low Life in full.

While Hooky's voice is comparable to Ian Curtis', it is a far cry from Bernard Sumner's. Yet, the bassist still pulls it off and puts his own vocal spin on the timeless songs. Playing the record in the tracklisting order, Hooky and the boys had Irving Plaza transformed into the Hacienda as fans danced and jumped around like they were in the iconic Manchester, England, club. While the record was the follow-up to the flawless, Power, Corruption, and Lies, Low Life does have it's moments and it is these gigs that make you remember that. Of course the biggest movement and joy from the crowd came during "The Perfect Kiss," it is the live remixes and jam sessions that Hooky and the Light have that really make the record come alive, this would be continued with Brotherhood.

After a second brief break, the band returned to plug in and play Brotherhood, the fourth New Order album and the record that solidified their place as a band who were transforming indie rock and music culture in the 1980's. While these records are nearly 30 years old, the music that they have influenced is nearly infinite and while it may not be the traditional New Order playing them, these albums are getting their dust off and getting the live treatment they deserve and the treatment a generation of fans, including myself, didn't get to experience. With Brotherhood tracks like "Paradise," "Bizarre Love Triangle," "As It Is When It Was," "Every Little Counts," the room felt so alive and excited that this was the start of their weekend.

As the lights on the stage faded during "Counts," many were beginning to leave, thinking that a near three-hour set comprised of two full albums and a set of material from Joy Division would be it. Yet, those were the fans that have not seen Hooky before. Coming back for a New Order greatest hits set for the encore and to cap the night off at a three-hour run time, Hooky brought out fellow Manchester resident and another influential musician from another influential band, Andy Rourke of The Smiths to join him and his son, Jack, on bass to play "True Faith." I dare anyone in New York to try and tell me they started their weekend off better than this!

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QUICK SPINS

Run The Jewels – Run The Jewels 2

In Hollywood, they say sequels usually suck. In music, that is normally true, but like Hollywood you find those gems that become classics like The Godfather Part II is better than the first one, Empire Strikes Back in better than A New Hope, The Dark Knight is better than Batman Begins. In music, it is just as rare to do this. Led Zeppelin II is equal to their debut, Action Bronson’s Blue Chips 2 is better than Blue Chips, Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life is better than Vol. 1….In my Lifetime. Now, comes Run The Jewels 2. A hip-hop record that not only blows their debut out of the water, it makes Killer Mike and El-P the best hip-hop duo since OutKast arrived 20 years ago. RTJ2 is a social and oral document of the times we live in and a verbal slaughtering on every level. The only thing more aggressive than El-P’s beats is the sound of a black metal bands roaring guitars and that is not even touching on Killer Mike’s lyrical flow and words. What Killer Mike does on RTJ2 is become a hip-hop news commentator to tell us what it is like outside of our mindless lives and that we need to wake up, no wonder Zach de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine jumped on to work with these two to craft the hip-hop album of the year.

FINAL GRADE: A+ 

Damien Rice – My Favorite Faded Fantasy

Eight years after his fantastic album 9, Ireland’s Damien Rice returns with a record that is more personal, much more deeper, and most of all, much more touching than any singer / songwriter has given in his absence. My Favorite Faded Fantasy is a touching folk record that makes us remember why we missed him and also makes us remember why we need more of him – all of him.

FINAL GRADE: A

Yusef Islam – Tell ‘Em I’m Gone

The iconic folk master returns with his 14^th album and while he doesn’t go too deep in his lyrics, his famous messages of love, peace, and freedom are all there and in our troubled times, we need his words to hang on to.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Iceage – Plowing Into The Fields Of Love

The Danish punks return with their third record and how they could become much more fiercer and heavier than last year’s You’re Nothing is beyond anyone. Plowing Into The Fields of Love is pulse pounding thrash slam of sound that will make you hang on for dear life from start to finish.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Yawn – Love Chills

The Chicago art rockers return with their sophomore album and bring with them a great adventure into the psychedelic than they have previously given us. Love Chills is a bit more polished, a bit more mature, but still daring from the Chicago quartet.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Slipknot - .5: The Gray Chapter

The Iowa metalheads return with a new line-up, new masks, but the same brutal intensity that has made their 19 year career so successful. Surprisingly, this is their fifth record after all of these years, so when they release an album it is always an event and curiosity lingers as to what they are going to do next. The Gray Chapter, a tribute to late member Paul Gray, is a throwback sound to the band’s early years and shows that they are regrouping to move forward.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Team Spirit – Killing Time

The long awaited debut from the New York garage rockers finally arrives and it does not disappoint. An instant party starter, Killing Time, is so much fun to listen to and packed with enough catchy tunes, it will have you singing them songs for days.

FINAL GRADE: B

Paulo Nutini – Caustic Love

The Italian-Scot returns after a five year hiatus and brings with him a darker sound that may turn some of his pop fans away but can also bring in a whole new audience. Caustic Love is chock full of tracks written from the heart, clearly about a broken relationship, and how he plans to go forward.

FINAL GRADE: B

Rancid - …Honor is All We Know

The California punk icons return with their first record in five years and still bring with them the same angst, energy, passion, and love they have had for over 20 years. While work on this record began back in 2011, massive changes to the songs and ideas were altered for them to finally give us their eighth record and for fans of the band, it seems to have been worth the wait.

FINAL GRADE: B

Mariachi El Bronx – III
The third installment from The Bronx’s mariachi alter ego still, this band still knows how not to take themselves too serious but still make their music serious business and it can be heard, especially in their other form.

FINAL GRADE: B

Yelle - Complètement fou

France’s pop princess Yelle returns with her third album. While Complètement fou misses the adventurous musical spirit it’s predecessor, Safari Disco Club had, it still packs a perfect pop punch.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Philip Selway – Weatherhouse

Radiohead’s drummer moves from behind the kit to the front and takes center stage on his second solo album, Weatherhouse. While it must be hard to be in a band with Johnny Greenwood and Thom Yorke and try and do a solo career in their shadow, Selway bravely does let his guard down and gives us a piece of someone who generally does not have the spotlight shine on him.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Godflesh – A World Only Lit By Fire

The British industrial metal OG’s return with their first album in 13 years and while it doesn’t disappoint in dynamics, it doesn’t mark any new territory that they haven’t covered already. Godflesh, a band that set the bar for acts like Nine Inch Nails and Ministry, don’t pull out any surprises on this album, but also give us a reason to enjoy new music, but after over a decade long hiatus, you wish for a bit more effort.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Sick of it All – Last Act of Defiance

The NYHC legends 11^th album is more Sick of it All doing their thing and why after nearly 30 years together they still matter and their sound is still a staple to a scene that holds more importance than almost any other.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Asteroids Galaxy Tour – Bring Us Together

The Danish pop giants Asteroids Galaxy Tour return with their third album and while the talent is there, it seems as if the fun and fury are not. Bring Us Together is a lackluster AGT record from a group that is not known for lackluster records.

FINAL GRADE: C+

Ariel Pink – Pom Pom

The adventurous Ariel Pink comes back with his 10^th album and is still weird, still adventurous, but also, still so let of center it is hard to put a finger on it.

FINAL GRADE: C-