Two years after reforming and 16 years since their last
record, the grunge titans return with one of the best comeback albums ever
made. King Animal is not just Soundgarden rediscovering their ability to go
balls-to-the-wall, it hears a band finding the confidence and camaraderie
within themselves to make a new record so many years after they said goodbye. It takes droplets of the bands history from their Sub Pop days with Louder than Love and Ultramega OK and mixes it with their powerful 90's major label heyday from Superunknown and Down on the Upside. While King Animal hears the band crafting “Grunge for the 21st
Century,” it takes little droplets of the bands long career and blends them
together with a new twist. King Animal roars and will not only gain the band
new fans but elevate the respect and please their older ones. Now, if only
Soundgarden and Pearl Jam do a co-headlining stadium tour together….
FINAL GRADE: A
Kendrick Lamar – good kid in a m.A.A.d city
The Compton rapper ignites a lyrical firestorm on his
sophomore LP. Lamar, a protégé of Dr. Dre, proves he has the chops, skill, and
delivery to stay in the spotlight for a very long time. Not since the NWA’s
heyday as a rapper come from Compton to describe what the struggling youth face
day in and day out. This is a musical document that will be looked at for years
to come.
FINAL GRADE: A-
Green Day – Dos!
The second of three albums Green Day are releasing this year, while Uno! was a throwback to the bands Lookout Record days, Dos! dabbles more into the bands 90’s range that we heard with albums like Dookie, Insomniac, and Warning.
The second of three albums Green Day are releasing this year, while Uno! was a throwback to the bands Lookout Record days, Dos! dabbles more into the bands 90’s range that we heard with albums like Dookie, Insomniac, and Warning.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Larry and His Flask – Hobo’s Lament EP
The folk / punk / blue grass maniacs return with a new EP
and manage to pack in the incredible energy and raw talent that their live
shows display. While the band works on a new full length, this EP is one to
hold fans (old and new) over until their next release.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Tame Impala – Lonerism
Australia’s psychedelic melody makers return with album
number two and combine the beauty and lush colors of The Beatles and toss them
over hip-hop inspired beats. Recorded in Paris, France, and various parts of
Australia, Tame Impala double their money and prove they are more than just a
buzz band, but a band that is very serious about what they do.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Boys Noize – Out of the Black
Germany’s Alexander Ridha aka Boys Noize returns with his new album of
adventurous beats and dance party crazyness. Being a beatmaker or any
electronic act coming from Germany has to be a hard job thanks to artists like
Kraftwerk, KMFDM, Atari Teenage Riot, laying the groundwork of the ever
changing electronic landscape and pioneering various sub-genres of electronica,
with Out of the Black, Boys Noize can now add himself to that echelon of
pioneering electronic acts.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Ellie Goulding -
Halcyon
The second record from William and Kate’s favorite singer
comes with a much more dramatic and mature fashion. While Gouldings debut,
Lights, was a fun and fancy-free dance record, Halcyon is dark and much more
complex. Featuring production by Jim Eliot, Starsmith, Billboard, Justin Parker, MONSTA and
Mike Spencer and special guests like Tinie Tempah and Calvin Harris, Halcyon
brings Goulding to the next level.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Public Enemy – The Evil Empire of Everything
The pioneering Long Island hip-hop legends return with one of
their finest records in years. Just turn on the news and look outside your
window at the world these days and it is enough to make anyone an inspired
writer, however, for the lyrical brilliance of Chuck D, he proves he still has
got it and takes on every social and economic issue that has shaped society
today. With guests ranging from Tom Morello, Henry Rollins, Ziggy Marley, The
Invincibles, and many others, D and Flava Flav serve up something old school
P.E. fans can be proud of.
FINAL GRADE: B
Murs and 9th Wonder - The Final Adventure
The fifth and final record from one of hip-hops most dynamic
duos will bring tears to some fans eyes and sadness to their ears, but, it will
close a chapter in the creative career of some of the finest teams of emcees
since Blackstar.
FINAL GRADE: B
Madness – Oui Oui Si Si Jah Jah Da Da
The British ska legends return with their first album in
three years and translates in various languages as Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Yes. After the success of their 2004 reunion, Madness have been cranking out
new albums nearly every four years and have fans (old and new) at their feet.
FINAL GRADE: B-
K’Naan – Country, God or the Girl
The Canadian via Somalia rapper and singer returns with his
new album of passionate lyrics, socially conscious messages and brings along
some heavy hitting collaborators like Bono, Nas and Nelly Furtado to lend their
skills to K’Naan’s growing talents.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Gary Clark Jr. – Blak and Blu
The first major label debut from blues-rock guitarist Gary
Clark, Jr. hears him channeling Hendrix, Sly Stone, and Jimmy Page in one of
the finest records of his career. While the blues rock genre has seen a
renaissance thanks to Jack White, The Black Keys, Alabama Shakes, Clark needs
to be recognized into the pack.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Mika – The Origin of Love
The third record from the flamboyant British singer Mika
hears him going for less of the complexities of his 2009 album, The Boy Who
Knew Too Much, but still fails to hit the pop brilliance of his 2005 debut,
Life in Cartoon Motion. The Origin of Love is a record that lies somewhere in
between both.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Matt & Kim – Lightning
Matt & Kim are a duo whose records really do not matter,
they make their chops as a live band and Lightning fails to capture the live
vibe these two put on.
FINAL GRADE: C
Mountain Goats – Transcendental Youth
California’s epic storytellers return with their 14th
studio album that is loosely based off a group of people living in Washington
state and deals with the topics of outcasts, recluses, the mentally ill, and
others struggling in ordinary society. While the subject matter is heavy and
serious, musically it is a depressing and almost dull record to listen to.
FINAL GRADE: C
KISS – Monster
The 20th album from the rock and roll painted
legends hears KISS being KISS, the only surprising thing is that it took them
20 years to call a record “Monster.”
FINAL GRADE: D
