Daft Punk – Random Access Memories
The most talked about duo in modern music release their
first album seven years and while the French DJ’s known for changing the EDM
game return, their latest is a history of dance music. Daft Punk drop the hard
beats and drum machines and pick up synths, guitars, bass, and go fro head
banging dance music from outer space to funk and disco and give their audience
a timeline of dance music through the years. Mixing genres within the genre,
the robots rally up Julian Casabalancas, Pharell Williams, Giorgio Mordor, and
others for a universal party.
FINAL GRADE: A-
The National – Trouble Will Find Me
The moody Brooklyn indie rockers return with their latest
album, and their most dramatic to date. Trouble Will Find Me finds The National
starker, heavier, and darker than ever before, singer Matt Berninger talks
about relationships with women, his family (most notably his brother, who was
the subject of the documentary Mistaken For Strangers), and what it is like to
be the center of attention. The record also hears the band creating musical
ebbs and flows within each song and within the tracklisting of the album.
FINAL GRADE: A-
R.A. The Rugged Man – Legends Never Die
Eight years after his debut, the long awaited second album
from Long Island rapper R.A. The Rugged Man finally arrives and packs a punch
that will knock anyone out. Holding nothing behind, R.A. discusses his personal
life, women, his career, being screwed over by the music business, and why he
will be independent for life. Linking up with guests like Brother Ali, Masta
Ace, Tech N9ne, Talib Kweli, Hopsin, and Krizz Kaliko, R.A. goes lights out and
proves his legend will never die.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Tricky – False Idols
The latest album from English trip hop pioneer, Tricky,
comes as a breath of fresh air and rejuvenated over the years of playing up his
legacy. False Idols features appearances from Francesca Belmonte, Fifi Rong, Nneka and Peter Silberman of
The Antlers, to create a universe of ambient, hypnotic, and emotional music.
FINAL GRADE: B+
Capital Cities – In A Tidal Wave of Mystery
The debut album from California’s Capital Cities packs a
serious punch of fun and delight that will have anyone dancing and smiling.
FINAL GRADE: B
Tripwires – Spacehopper
The long awaited debut from England’s Tripwires has finally
arrived. We first told you about this band in 2008, and after releasing a
handful of EP’s, singles, and covers, the band is finally here with their first
full length. They combine sci-fi inspired rock and prog for an impressive
debut.
FINAL GRADE: B
Daughter – If You Leave
The debut album from British buzz band daughter arrives and
the band combine stark folk and moody, atmospheric hooks that prove they should
be on your radar.
FINAL GRADE: B
Deerhunter – Monomania
Indie favorites Deerhunter return with their sixth record
and offer up some of their best material in ages. Monomania hears the band
making their most ambitious and experimental record so far, yet, while the
sound seems to be far out and different for them, it also is the reason why
this album is so interesting.
FINAL GRADE: B
Little Boots – Nocturnes
English disco singer and performer Little Boots comes back
with her second record and brings classic dance dynamics as well as vigorous
sounds that give way to something so fresh, it will rally in new fans and
please old ones.
FINAL GRADE: B
!!! – Thri!!!er
Punk inspired dance heroes, !!! return with a record that is
a sure fire way to an instant party and a ton of fun to listen to. Thri!!!er hears
a band that does not take themselves serious but takes their music very
serious.
FINAL GRADE: B
The Melvins – Everybody Loves Sausage
The iconic DIY band celebrates their 20th
anniversary with an album full of covers. Everybody Loves Sausage hears the
band cover David Bowie, Queen, The Kinks, The Fugs, Roxy Music, The Jam, Venom,
Throbbing Gristle, and more for a variety of interesting takes on pretty well
known tunes.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Primal Scream – More Light
The psychedelic Britrock legends return with their 10th
studio album, and since losing Mani back to his first band, The Stone Roses,
Primal Scream truck on with massive, swelling, melodies, hooks, and hypnotic
sounds that really carry on their legacy. However, as grand as More Light tends
to get, it also gets redundant and sometimes too big too many times for one
album.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Guided By Voices – English Little League
The Ohio indie legends return with their 20th
album, and like their other efforts, this album sounds as classic as GBV will
get.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Pretty and Nice – Golden Rules for Golden People
Taking pop punk inspiration and mixing it with electronic
hooks, the Boston bands latest is a fun listen and solid effort that will have
you moving and shaking.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Fitz and the Tantrums – More Than Just A Dream
The LA revivalists come back with their second album and
still taking a retro cool sound to their music, they spike it up a notch with
synth sounds that reach for a broader pop sound. While the new dynamic still
has the charm of their fantastic debut, the subtle changes alter the band a
bit, but still make for a solid listen.
FINAL GRADE: B-
Talib Kweli – Prisoner of Conscious
The legendary
Brooklyn emcee returns with his latest and while we can still learn from this
icons words, some of them fall short. Much of Prisoner of Conscious sounds
forced, and far too preachy to enjoy, even with production from RZA, Harry
Fraud, Oh No and guests like Nelly, Miguel, Curren$y, Kendrick Lamar, Marsha
Ambrosius, Busta Rhymes and Ryan Leslie, Kweli may still have a lot to say, but
he seems tired saying it.
FINAL GRADE: C+
Youngblood Hawke
The debut album from the LA buzz band has arrived, and much
like their 2012 EP, it sounds as generic and unoriginal that it after one listen,
it will be more than enough.
FINAL GRADE: C-
Rob Zombie - Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor
The Hellbilly returns with his fifth solo album, and proves
that he refuses to change his sound, style and dynamic. Much like his last
film, this album went unnoticed and much like his last film, it also is
something you can skip.
FINAL GRADE: D
