New Order – Music Complete
In the decade since their last album, New Order broke-up,
then reunited without founding member Peter Hook and now released their 10th
album – as much as fans may scratch their head that it isn’t New Order without
Hooky, this album is some of their best material since the 1980’s. New Order
take the new wave style they helped usher in, add more Euro trashness to it and
sharp delivery for a record that is a party from start to finish. What is
missing is Hooky’s signature bass lines and playing but it is made up for in
Gillian Gilbert and Phil Cunningham’s synths. New Order fans of every
generation will eat this record up.
FINAL GRADE: A
Everything But The Girl - Walking Wounded / Temperamental (Reissues)
The final two reissues and the final two albums from one of the most underrated groups of the last 30 years has been released. Everything But the Girl's 1996 underrated classic The Walking Wounded and 1999's Temperamental still resonate and hold up to high standards today. It was on these records you can hear how the duo were a clear cut influence on artists like The xx, Lana Del Rey, The Weeknd, and James Blake. These reissues remaster the records sound and coupled with bonus cuts, it makes for the ultimate guide to the ultimate throwback. One of the finest reissues of the year.
FINAL GRADES: A
The final two reissues and the final two albums from one of the most underrated groups of the last 30 years has been released. Everything But the Girl's 1996 underrated classic The Walking Wounded and 1999's Temperamental still resonate and hold up to high standards today. It was on these records you can hear how the duo were a clear cut influence on artists like The xx, Lana Del Rey, The Weeknd, and James Blake. These reissues remaster the records sound and coupled with bonus cuts, it makes for the ultimate guide to the ultimate throwback. One of the finest reissues of the year.
FINAL GRADES: A
Foals – What Went Down
British indie rockers Foals have been pushing the boundaries
with their sound since they bursted onto the scene a decade ago. Their latest
album, What Went Down, is an epic adventure that makes the listener feel as if
they are surfing the highest waves and then crashing down at the beach after 48
minutes and 12 seconds.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Robyn & La Bagatelle Magique – Love is Free EP
Sweden’s finest pop princess and La Bagatelle Magique team
up with Maluca to honor late Magique member Christian Falk on their debut EP,
Love is Free. The EP is a confession for the dance floor and brings Falk back
to life with the sounds of Europe on this collection of songs.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Craig Finn – Faith in the Future
The Hold Steady’s front man Craig Finn goes on his second
solo outing and this time the lyrical master gets more personal than ever
before. Faith in the Future is his unofficial love letter to his time in New
York City since moving to the Big Apple from Minneapolis at the turn of the
century as well as finding beauty in negative spaces. The record is also his
most minimal in terms of music forcing the listener to pay attention to his
brilliant songwriting and story telling.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Ghost – Meliora
As the Pope arrives in New York City this weekend, Ghost
have given the papal visit something to sing about. The doom-and-gloom rockers
return with another tongue-in-cheek look at Christianity and the church.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Public Enemy – Man Plans God Laughs
The 13th album from Long Island rap icons Public
Enemy might be their best this millennium. Chuck D has channeled all of his
anger, frustration that has gone on in the news and crafted his most vicious
and headline worthy lyrics in a while. This is a Public Enemy album for all to
endure and hear.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Mac Demarco – Another One
Canada’s Mac Demarco currently lives in the Rockaway section
of Queens, New York, and found a way to tie in his homelands into one creative
mini album. The record is for Demarco’s fans that have been with him every step
of the way.
FINAL GRADE: B
Willis Earls Beal – Noctunes
The artist and musician that is Willis Earls Beal never
fails to impress and Noctunes does just that. It is a record that what written
at the end of his marriage and creates lullabies that he can calmly sing
himself to sleep with at night and now his most personal thoughts are exposed
before you go to bed.
FINAL GRADE: B
Spector – Moth Boys
English rockers Spector return with their sophomore effort,
Moth Boys, and still bring the slick Britrock inspired tunes that gained them
attention when they first arrived.
FINAL GRADE: B
Radkey – Dark Black Makeup
Finally! The debut from Missouri’s Radkey has arrived and
does not disappoint. The young garage band of brothers combines the ethos of
early Arctic Monkeys and Strokes and mix it with the attitude of Fishbone for a
solid first outing.
FINAL GRADE: B
Beach House – Depression Cherry
Beach House return with another lush, sexy, and often times
musically erotic LP to seduce your new lover to.
FINAL GRADE: B
Teenage Time Killers – Greatest Hits Vol. 1
This massive metal super group features everyone from Dave
Grohl and Nick Oliveri to Corey Talor, Randy Blythe, members of Clutch, Fear,
Alkaline Trio, Sun O))), Corrosion of Conformity, and a shit load of other
dudes that plug in their gear and blow the fuck out of each other in a room.
FINAL GRADE: B
Lana Del Rey – Honeymoon
Everyone’s favorite songstress to hate, Lana Del Rey,
returns with her third album and like her other moody releases, this one does
nothing different and it proves she doesn’t have to.
FINAL GRADE: B
Beirut – No No No
Four albums in and Beirut’s Balkan-inspired folk and pop is
as infectious as ever.
FINAL GRADE: B
The Arcs – Yours, Dreamly
The debut album from Black Keys front man Dan Auerbach’s
other band is here and basically sounds like The Black Keys with a full band.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Slayer – Repentless
It is a new Slayer record, there is no need for a review.
FINAL GRADE: \m/ \m/
Health – Death Magic
The LA noise rock superstars Health return with their first
album in six years and third overall and still have the same flavor they did
when they were at their height.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes – Blossom
When Frank Carter left Gallows to form Pure Love, his
electronic experimental project, he left a void in the hardcore and punk scene.
Now one of the greatest frontmen to ever do it is back in the genre he was born
for.
FINAL GRADE: B-
No Devotion – Permanence
Former Thursday front man Geoff Rickly teamed up with the
innocent members of LostProphets and created No Devotion. Now, after a few
years together, the band have released their debut which is a post-punk
extravagaza that is almost a natural progression for the Welsh band and the New
Jersey post-hardcore singer since the fall of their prior groups. For fans of
Rickly and LostProphets this is one to hear.
FINAL GRADE: B-