Blur – The Magic Whip
It has been over a decade since we last heard new Blur
material, but after years of on-again / off-again reunion concerts, the band
finally gave us new music. The happy accident that is The Magic Whip hears a
band that has no desire to repeat the past but only embrace the future and
whatever the future may hold for Blur, this combination of four British men is
something that we can always treasure and count on to give us something
special. No matter how long we have to wait.
FINAL GRADE: A
Alabama Shakes – Sound and Color
There is a lot riding on a band that had such a successful
debut, especially when that debut propelled you into the stratosphere as one of
the best new acts in the world. Now, after touring and soul searching, Alabama
Shakes found a way outdo themselves with their sophomore record, Sound and
Color. The record is a deeper exploration into blues and paired with Brittney
Howard’s incredible vocals and personal lyrics, they have proven they are not
just a buzz band but the real deal.
FINAL GRADE: A
The Mountain Goats – Beat the Champ
A concept record about wrestling by The Mountain Goats,
seriously, what is not to love?
FINAL GRADE: B+
Raekwon – Fly International Luxurious Art (F.I.L.A.)
For his sixth solo album, Wu-Tang’s Raekwon combines his
old-school tactics and a new school agenda with F.I.L.A. This much anticipated
record features Ghostface, Busta Rhymes, French Montana, A$AP Rocky, 2 Chainz,
Snoop Dogg, Estelle, among others to showcase his hunger for more and show off
what he already has.
FINAL GRADE: B+
The Very Best – Makes A King
The British / African connection returns with their sixth
album and The Very Best still find the perfect balance of taking us around the
world without leaving our speakers but also making us want to dance in place.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Built to Spill – Untehered Moon
The eighth record from Idaho’s finest rockers doesn’t hear
them shift gears too much but does hear them showing that they still got it.
FINAL GRADE: B
Wire
Still pissed off as ever, the British post-punk legends
return with their 14th album and while it is far from Pink Flag, the
fact that they are one of the few bands from their era that are still making
music and making it their way is impressive.
FINAL GRADE: B
The Wombats – Glitterbug
The Wombats have grown up and while their debut featured
clever lyrics and catchy tunes, they failed to capitalize on that with their
sophomore LP. Now, back for their third record, the band is finding ways to
figure out how to sustain the acclaim they had with their debut and learn from
the mistakes from their sophomore effort and move on. Glitterbug is a
dance-rock album that makes you think and makes you appreciate Matthew Murphy’s
wit and charm.
FINAL GRADE: B
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Musique de Film Imaginé
The 14th studio album from the experimental /
shoegaze / garage rock band hears them embracing Europe more than ever before. Musique
de Film Imaginé is the soundtrack to an imaginary French film of the 1950’s and
in crafting something so specific and so nonexistent, they push themselves
creatively and musically more than ever before.
FINAL GRADE: B
Lord Huron – Strange Trails
The L.A. folk heroes return with their sophomore album and
with it they bring their signature sound that fans have embraced since their
early days but with a polished atmosphere behind them.
FINAL GRADE: B
Rocky Votolato – Hospital Handshakes
Being a singer / songwriter everything you do and sing about
is going to be personal and intimate, for cult favorite Rocky Votolato, that
hasn’t changed but the fact he can get deeper within himself, now, that is an
accomplishment. Hospital Handshakes is a heartbreaking and brave album that
hears the Texas singer bare his soul and a bit more.
FINAL GRADE: B
Square Pusher – Damogen Furies
One of EDM’s pioneers returns with his 14th album
and brings his own technical fury of sound, speaker punishment and force with
him.
FINAL GRADE: B
Passion Pit – Kindred
The Massachusets synthpop giants return with their third
record and while nothing changes sonically they still manage to give us
something to dance about.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Crocodiles – Boys
The lo-fi / new wave favorites return with their fifth album
and while they still stick to their script, they still give us a taste of the
dirty New York that we are losing thanks to gentrification.
FINAL GRADE: B-
John Ashton –
Satellite Paradiso
Former Psychedelic Furs guitarist John Ashton brings with
him an array of friends and musical icons from X-Ray Spex, Gang of Four, Killing
Joke, B-52’s, and many more for a record of sonically skillful rock and roll
and polished production.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Death – N.E.W.
The brand new album from proto-punk icons Death is the
Hackney fraternity sticking to the same script they created in the early 70’s
but updating it for 2015. N.E.W. is a record from the band since their initial
split nearly 40 years ago and without founding member, brother, and songwriter
David Hackney, who passed away 15 years ago. This album is his brothers doing it
alone for the first time and they do a descent job at it.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Toro Y Moi – What For?
The indie rock darling returns with his fifth record and it
is a bit uneven. It tries to be R&B it tries to be disco it also tries to
be shoegaze and lo-fi rock but never tries to be himself.
FINAL GRADE: C
