Afghan Whigs – In Spades
In their second record since reuniting in 2012, the Afghan
Whigs prove they are without a doubt America’s most underrated rock and roll
band. On their latest record, In Spades, a contender for Album of the Year, the
Whigs show off their funk, rock, goth rock, R&B, and alternative swagger
like never before. Like a fine wine not only do they get better with age,
singer Greg Dulli is writing some of the best work of his career – and this is
a career that spans over 30 years. As the band tour behind the record and seem
to be in good spirits, be thankful we are living in a time when they are
consistently giving us brilliant music.
FINAL GRADE: A+
Logic – Everybody
Logic has developed a cult following thanks to Millennials
but the Maryland rapper showcases his best work on his third studio album –
Everybody. From the beats to the autobiographical lyrics to the in-your-face
look at society, Logic proves he is just as much of a wordsmith as his
contemporaries and not just some sensation for the young kids. With appearances
by Neil deGrasse Tyson, Killer Mike, No I.D. and more, Logic is showing off he
is for everybody.
FINAL GRADE: A
Blondie – Pollinator
The iconic punk / new wave / glam band return with their
best record in decades thanks to Pollinator. Blondie have not only released the
most fun and energetic record of their career but we defy anyone to try and sit
still listening to it.
FINAL GRADE: A
Gorillaz – Humanz
The animated band returns with their first album in seven
years and features a slew of guests rather than Damon Albarn and the band. With
guests like Jehnny Beth of Savages, Noel Gallagher, Vince Staples, Benjamin
Clemente, Grace Jones, Mavies Staples, Pusha-T, among others, it is as if
Albarn called everyone in his contacts and put them on a record. In many cases
it works and in some areas it does sound more like the ultimate playlist rather
than a focused album. However, it is a party starter from front to back.
FINAL GRADE: A-
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Flying Microtonal
Banana
The Australian psych-band is nine albums in and are planning
a trilogy for 2017 and it feels as if they are just getting started. The first
installment, Flying Microtonal Banana, is a voyage into the unknown but if you
trust King Gizzard to guide you, it will lead you to musical ecstasy.
Final Grade: A-
Mac DeMarco – This Old Dog
The slacker multi-instrumentalist returns with his third
album and the Canadian singer uprooted himself from Far Rockaway, Queens, New
York to L.A. for a totally new vibe and sound. This Old Dog is showing how he
can still turn out new musical tricks.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Wavves – You’re Welcome
It is beach season, so here is a record to play while you
frolic in the sand. Let’s just say…. You’re welcome.
FINAL GRADE: B+
The Mountain Goats – Goths
Inspired an adolescence of music from The Cure, Bauhaus,
Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, and listening to L.A.’s famed KROQ,
The Mountain Goats show a new side of themselves while still staying true to
their unique sound.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Cameron Avery – Ripe Dreams, Pipe Dreams
The solo debut from the Tame Impala member hears him drop
the psychedelic sound that made him part of everyone’s most beloved band and
hears him pickup a vulnerable singer/songwriter persona. Avery shows off a side
of himself that fans would have never heard otherwise and proves that if you
are going to do a solo record do something that deviates from what you are
known for.
FINAL GRADE: B
Danzig – Black Laden Crown
Danzig returns with a record that has its moments and his
signature sound. While he doesn’t stray too far from the sound he made famous,
he does grow up in front of our ears singing about personal issues and what we
are seeing in society.
FINAL GRADE: B
Ecstatic Vision – Raw Rock Fury
Miss the old kickass sounds of roaring guitars, pounding
drums and crazy bass solos? Well, Ecstatic Vision has always been your answer
and their latest, Raw Rock Fury, is a record that will have 70s garage fans
rejoicing.
FINAL GRADE: B
DREAMCAR
The self-titled debut from the male members of No Doubt and
Davey Havok of AFI is a lush throwback to the 1980s and a record the members of
this band were born to make.
FINAL GRADE: B
Wale – Shine
The D.C. rapper returns and comes out with an unexpected
right cross to the face as he takes on addiction, religion, and the state of
his mind. Shine is one of Wale’s most interesting releases and will please fans
old and new alike.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Snoop Dogg – Neva Left
Snoop Dogg uses throwback beats and samples and raps over
them giving it his own twist. While his heart is in the right place, the
execution is unfortunate. The record sounds rushed, disjointed and uninspired.
FINAL GRADE: C
At the Drive-In – in-ter-a-lia
After nearly 17 years, At the Drive-In have given fans a new
record and it is a mess. The El Paso band are known for pushing boundaries and
throwing themselves against the limits of what rock and roll, punk, and garage
can do and their latest is all over the place. Singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala
sings as if he is back in Mars Volta instead of ATDi. Plus, factor in the
departure of guitarist and backing vocalist Jim Ward, the band just sounds like
chaos rather than a Gatling gun of sound. After their breakthrough,
Relationship of Command arrived in 2001, guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez
famously said it was “overproduced,” yet, the new album sounds like it is the
one that falls victim to too much production.
FINAL GRADE: D
Paul Weller – A Kind of Revolution
For the first time in the Modfather’s career, he actually
sounded old and tired. A Kind of Revolution is a feat because he is still
making music after all these years but unfortunately; it simply isn’t good
enough for the standards he set to fans.
FINAL GRADE: D