Monday, September 30, 2013

Live Pix - Atoms For Peace @ Barclays Center


On Friday night, Atoms For Peace made their Brooklyn debut at Barclays Center. Our very own RICH D SMOOV was on hand to capture some of the action. Take a look!








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The Dig New EP Info


Next month, The Dig will release their second EP this year called You & I. Take a look at the cover above and the tracklisting below, as well we the first single "You and I Lost Control":

1. Cold Afternoon
2. Tired Hearts
3. You And I Lost Control
4. Our Hearts Were Wrapped In Ice
5. Made My Bed
6. So Alone


Take a look at our recent interview with The Dig HERE.

Quick News

In an upcoming episode of the animated series Black Dynamite Chicago rapper, Chance the Rapper will utilize his vocal talents as the voice of Bob Marley.

Drake has been named the official Global Ambassador to NBA team the Toronto Raptors.

The Flaming Lips will be teaming up with Tame Impala for an EP split where the Lips will cover Tame Impala and vice-versa. The EP will be available when the band tour together this fall. The Flaming Lips will also release another EP for the upcoming Ender's Game called Peace Sword. That EP will be released on Record Store Day.

After eight days on hunger strike, Pussy Riot member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova has been hospitalized according to the activist and musicians husband. "I will do this until the administration starts obeying the law and stops treating incarcerated women like cattle," she wrote in a message that was distributed by her husband last week.

On November 5, David Bowie will rerelease his latest album, the fantastic The Next Day, which was released earlier this year. The reissue will feature the original album as well as a disc of 10 bonus cuts including a remix by LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy.

Speaking to NME, Elbow front man Guy Garvey gave some insight into the bands forthcoming sixth record. He said,"When you’re 40, you're all ages at once, because you're thinking of your youth, which has very definitely passed, and about how you became the person you are. You wonder about how the rest of your life plays out from here." No release date has been set.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Arcade Fire "Here Comes The Night Time" Special


 Following their triumphant SNL performance, Arcade Fire had a 30-minute special on NBC which featured three new songs from Reflektor including "Here Comes The Night Time." Take a look at the special that featured appearances from the likes of Bono, Rainn Wilson, Ben Stiller, Michael Cera, Eric Warehaim, James Franco, Aziz Ansari, Bill Hader, and Zach Galifianakis.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

EXCLUSIVE! So So Glos INTV

In this day and age being a "Brooklyn band" usually means you came from some other part of the U.S. or in some cases some part of the world, settled in a ungentrified neighborhood, formed a band, gained acclaim and because you were form the borough that gave us Biggie and Beasties, you were already cool. But what about the bands and artists that are actually from Brooklyn, meaning born and raised? There seems to be a less number of those emerging in the last few years than those featuring the transplants. Now, it is about time for the real Brooklynites to stand up as Bay Ridge's So So Glos take an old school punk aesthetic and give it a pop twist. We spoke to singer Alex Z Levine about being from the "it" borough, their sound, and being part of a DIY scene in a city filled with corporations. Take a look at our interview below:

While many “Brooklyn bands” are people transplanted from other cities and then move to Brooklyn and form, you are an actual Brooklyn band born and raised. When you see so many artists taking the credit of your hometown, how do you feel?

It's true that our band was born and grouped together in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn but really, that's just a spot on the map and it doesn't mean everything. A lot of media sources have overblown the idea of  "Brooklyn" and used the place as a brand to search for some form of authenticity in a sometimes corporately sponsored world. In reality, there's no great place to be from, and the fact that our band was born and raised in Brooklyn doesn't make us more " real", it just means we spread the love and party Brooklyn style. 

Hailing from Bay Ridge, how did the neighborhood influence your work?

It’s a suburb within a city. We moved around many neighborhoods both in and around NYC and have always lived in more suburban type places on the fringe of the city. I guess we got the grit of the city and the angst of the suburbs.  

One of the many things I love about this band is your hard work in creating all ages places for people to see bands and come together. What is it like being a venue owner these days?

We don't own Shea. Our oldest friend from Bay Ridge, Adam Reich started the spot and we've helped build the place and community along with him. There's a whole clan that runs Shea in a comune type dysfunctional family style. 

With so many bands, movies & TV shows being filmed, photo shoots taking place, and gentrification of neighborhoods, not to mention a pro basketball team -- how do you feel about the Brooklyn revolution happening?

Brooklyn is a constantly changing place as it's always been throughout history. If you recently moved here, make yourself a part of the community by including yourself in your neighborhood and get to know your people on the block. Don't be a stranger and walk from your newly built condo to the train with your head held down. That's the type of behavior that breeds anger and negativity in communities.  

In many ways, Shea Stadium CBGB’s of the borough, as a Brooklynite, how thrilled of are you to be one of the co-founders of such a respected and popular venue?

Shea Stadium is a great place to see a show, to let loose, to be yourself. It's a great thing and we're thrilled to be a part of it. 

As a punk band, who are some of your influences?

We've always listened to different kinds of music.  Right now I'm listening to Fiona Apple, later I planning on listening to Bill Hicks,  Big L or  Andy Kaufman. Sometimes we hear things and don't listen, sometimes we listen to things and don't hear them. There all influences though.   

After six years together as a band and a handful of EP’s released, you finally released your debut this year. What was that experience like?

Blowout is our second full length record. Our first record was a self titled LP that we self released in 2007. Blowout felt a lot like starting over and that was a good thing. A blowout is a party, a broken intangible record, it’s a flat tire, an explosion, a smashed ego or cellular device and a NYC haircut. It's fresh. It was refreshing to start over. 

What did you learn about yourselves while making your debut?

We grew down, we looked up . During the recording process,  we had to unlearn everything we've ever  known and we did that. Then we learned everything while making the record, and then we forgot everything again. Now we know nothing about ourselves or anything else.

You are great friends with Titus Andronicus, could a possible collaborative split or single happen in the near future with both bands?

Hmmm... maybe. 

What is next for So So Glos?

We're gonna move to L.A. and start a venue called " Ebbets field". Cash in . 

Live Review - Portugal. The Man @ Terminal 5

On their first U.S. gig of their fall 2013 North American tour, Portugal. The Man kicked things off right with a sold-out show at one of New York City's premiere venues, Terminal 5. Supporting their fantastic new album, the Danger Mouse-produced, Evil Friends, Alaska's Portugal. The Man kicked things off with the albums biggest single, "Purple Yellow Red and Blue." Backed by screens in the shape of mountains that projected trippy and psychedelic images and animations, the fans were mesmerized by the sights and sounds. With hardly any spotlights on the band, the seemed like shadowy figures on stage as they drove through their setlist. With each song segueing into each other, the band hardly took any breaks and continued the fun and entertainment as they gave the fans something to embrace while they spent their Friday night inside the 3,000 person club.

Even though Portugal. The Man were on tour supporting Evil Friends, it was a sonic timeline as they played songs like "So American," "Guns and Dogs," "When the War Ends," from their previous records. However, it was the suprises that the band sprinkled into their set like a cover of Ghostface's "A Kilo," and It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia's "Day Man" theme and Beatles staples, "Don't Let Me Down," "Helter Skelter," and "Hey Jude," as well as Etta James' "I'd Rather Go Blind." The one thing we can always take away from a Portugal. The Man gig is that you can always expect the unexpected. It is nearly a different line-up every time aside from singer John Baldwin Gourley and bassist Zach Carothers, it is also a setlist that changes per show. With a catalogue so vast and a sound so unique, this band is always making it a treat for their fans and always giving them a reason to keep coming back. We have said it before and we will say it again, you could see this band everyday of the week and it would be a different show each time. We simply cannot get enough and never will.

Portugal. The Man 9/27/13 Terminal 5 Setlist: 

Purple Yellow Red and Blue
All Your Light (Times Like These) / A Kilo
Evil Friends
Day Man
So American
People Say / Don’t Let Me Down
Guns & Dogs
Atomic Man
The Sun
Senseless
 Sea of Air
Modern Jesus
Got It All (This Can't Be Living Now)
When the War Ends
 Hip Hop Kids
I'd Rather Go Blind
 Creep in a T-Shirt
Purple Yellow Red and Blue
Encore
The Devil / Helter Skelter
Sleep Forever / Smile / Hey Jude

Quick News

While he is about to his the road in support of his latest solo EP, Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr., said that his main band could make 10 more albums. He told BBC's Zane Lowe, "There might be times when we're not doing things but I don't feel like we'll ever stop. We've come to the point where we've been together so long and been through so much that why announce anything besides what we're doing? We're just together."

Andrew W.K. is going to add author to his resume as he now writing The Party Bible. Of course he is. The book will be a look at his years partying in NYC and how to do it.

Eminem's Shady Records is now opening a film division called Shady Films.

The Bouncing Souls announced that their new drummer is George Rebelo of Hot Water Music.

Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason has stated that he would be open to a reunion of the classic rock band. He told NME, "I would do it... I'm ready to go. I'm packed, I have my drum kit, a suitcase and a wash bag by my front door ready for it when I ever get the call. But I'm not holding my breath."

The National have confirmed they will appear on this season of The Mindy Project. The band will play themselves and will perform at a fictitious music festival and will have interactions with cast members of the show.

Former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic has confirmed that he has played bass on the forthcoming Modest Mouse album. While no word as to when the new Mouse record will arrive, it will be the band's first full length since 2007's We Were All Dead Before The Ship Even Sank.

Pixies front man Frank Black has opened up about Kim Deal's exit from the band. He denied any allegations that Deal's split was of ill will or malicious intent. He told The Times, "There's never really been a lot of drama in this band. We've traditionally got along much better than people think. There's never been any punch-ups."

Superchunk on Fallon


 Watch Superchunk perform on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon!

Friday, September 27, 2013

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Moby Joins Peter Hook In Seattle


While on tour in Seattle, Moby linked up with Peter Hook and the Light to perform Joy Division's "New Dawn Fades." Take a look!

Kings of Leon on Fallon


Watch Kings of Leon perform on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon!

Deer Tick on Conan


Watch Deer Tick perform "The Dream's in the Ditch" on Conan!

Icona Pop on Letterman


Watch Icona Pop perform their new hit, "All Night" on Letterman!

Sons of the Sea on Kimmel



Watch Incubus frontman Brandon Boyd and his new band, Sons of the Sea, make their TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Atoms For Peace on Daily Show

Watch Atoms for Peace perform "Default" and "Harrowdown Hill" on The Daily Show.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Quick News

According to Stone Roses bassist Mani, the band will release their much anticipated new album in 2015. At which point, that third album will be released 21 years after the bands second album, 1994's The Second Coming.

Lily Allen has given some insight into her much anticipated comeback album. Speaking to Hello magazine, Allen said, "It's not an earnest 'I'm a mum' kind of record," she said. "It's empowering. There's some feminist vibes going on. It's the same old me with a bit of swearing going on. Good choruses, key changes here and there – that's it! I'm really nervous because I haven't been on stage for a really long time. I'm actually really scared. The music thing is great – creating is what I do. But being catapulted back into the limelight is something I'm anxious about, mainly because I've got two children now. It's not just me – I've got family to think about." The album is due next year.

TLC will release a greatest hits album next month that will feature two brand new songs.

After releasing the cover to her new album, Matangi yesterday, MIA released the tracklisting to the November album. Take a look below:
01 Karmageddon
02 MATANGI
03 Only 1 U
04 Warriors
05 Come Walk With Me
06 aTENTion
07 Exodus
08 Bad Girls
09 Boom Skit
10 Double Bubble Trouble
11 Y.a.l.a
12 Bring The Noize
13 Lights
14 Know It Ain’t Right
15 Sexodus

Metallica on Colbert Report


The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Video Archive

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Video Archive
Watch Metallica perform "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "Master of Puppets" on The Colbert Report!

The Avett Brothers on Fallon


Watch The Avett Brothers on Fallon!

Justin Timberlake on Kimmel!



Watch Justin Timberlake perform "Take Back the Night" and "TKO" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Bad Rabbits on Arsenio



Watch Bad Rabbits perform "We Can Roll" and "Dance with You" on Arsenio!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Recommended Reading - American Hardcore


In 2001, author Steven Blush shed light into the often confused, dark, and controversial world of the hardcore music scene with his book American Hardcore: A Tribal History. Hardcore often would be looked on by the mass media as a hate mongering, violence promoting, often devil worshiping type of music, and Blush sheds light that if anyone ever thought that, they were more ignorant than one could imagine. Blush's book recounts tales of famous bands like Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Bad Brains, Sick of It All, Cro-Mags, DOA, and the areas in which they came from as well as the fans that flocked to the gigs. Instead of a chronological timeline, Blush goes in and out of areas around the country and reflects on his own personal stories growing up in the scene. While the book focuses on the music between 1980-86, it shows the everlasting impact the music and scene had. In 2006, the book was turned into a documentary of the same name and furthered audiences education into the world of American hardcore music.

Pixies on Jools Holland!


 Watch The Pixies perform "What Goes Boom" on Later..With Jools Holland!

*Please Note: This Video May Not Work In All Areas**

Great Soundtracks - A Life Less Ordinary


1997 was an interesting year in music, the second British invasion was happening, electronic music was creeping out of the clubs and into the mainstream, swing music was having its neo-revolution, and hip-hops costal war was making headlines more than it was making hits. No soundtrack captured the year in music better than that of Danny Boyle's A Life Less Ordinary. Boyle, who reteamed with his Transpotting star, Ewan McGregor and Hollywood "It" girl Cameron Diaz for his big budget black comedy.

While the film failed to deliver the box office numbers the studio was hoping for and failed to gain the critical reception that his previous work, Transpotting and Shallow Grave gained Boyle, A Life Less Ordinary was a film other than ordinary. It was a comedy with a divine twist, claymation, and a banging soundtrack. Featuring the music of the time from Beck, Luscious Jackson, Oasis, Ash, Sneaker Pimps, REM, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Prodigy, The Cardigans, and Underworld and classic tracks from Elvis and Bobby Darin, Boyle made the music work so well, it was it's own character, much like he had done previously in his other films. All the years later, the soundtrack to A Life Less Ordinary is not only the music of the film, the soundtrack to a year and era.

Janelle Monae On Jools!


 Watch Janelle Monae dance apolocolyptic on Later..with Jools Holland!

**Please Note: This Video May Not Work In All Areas**

Chvrches on Jools Holland


 Watch Chvrches perform "The Mother We Share" on Later...With Jools Holland.

**Please Note: This Video May Not Work In All Areas**

Quick News

Jake Bugg has announced that his new album, Shangri-La, will be out in November. The record was produced by Rick Rubin.

Erasure are set to release a Christmas album, Snow Globe in November. The album will feature all original holiday tracks from the New Wave icons.

An interactive app featuring John Lennon will arrive this fall. The app called, John Lennon: The Bermuda Tapes follows the late Beatle in 1980 as he went to Bermuda. When he was there, he collaborated with his wife, Yoko Ono inspiring tracks for their album Double Fantasy. Users will be able to check out demos of songs and also be able to play with special interactive elements like traversing the ocean to reach Bermuda and visiting a disco.

Even though his new album, OLD, arrives new week, Danny Brown is now sharing the tracklisting. Take a look:
01 Side A (Old) [prod. Paul White]
02 The Return [ft. Freddie Gibbs] [prod. Paul White]
03 25 Bucks [ft. Purity Ring] [prod. Corin Roddick]
04 Wonderbread [prod. Paul White]
05 Gremlins [prod. Oh No]
06 Dope Fiend Rental [ft. Schoolboy Q] [prod. Skywlkr]
07 Torture [prod. Oh No]
08 Lonely [prod. Paul White]
09 Clean Up [prod. Paul White]
10 Red 2 Go [prod. Oh No]
11 Side B (Dope Song) [prod. Rustie]
12 Dubstep [ft. Scrufizzer] [prod. Skywlkr]
13 Dip [prod. Skywlkr]
14 Smokin & Drinkin [prod. A-Trak & JMIKE]
15 Break It (Go) [prod. Rustie]
16 Handstand [prod. Darq E. Freaker]
17 Way Up Here [ft. Ab-Soul] [prod. Rustie]
18 Kush Coma [ft. A$AP Rocky and Zelooperz] [prod. Skywlkr]
19 Float On [ft. Charli XCX] [prod. Frank Dukes]

MIA will be releasing her new album, Matangi in November. She just released the cover, take a look below:

Paul McCartney on Kimmel!



Watch Sir Paul perform "New" and "Lady Madonna" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2Chainz on Arsenio


Watch 2Chainz perform "Black Unicorn" on Arsenio!

Tired Pony on Letterman


Watch Snow Patrol / REM offshoot project Tired Pony play "All Things At Once" on Letterman.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Playlist


 Take a look at September's 27 track playlist and hear / subscribe to it on Spotify!

Rare Nirvana Footage Surfaces

Tomorrow, Nirvana will release the 20th anniversary to their underrated classic, In Utero. To celebrate the release, MTV & VH1 released never-before-seen rehearsal footage of the band getting ready for a taped gig at Seattle's Pier 48 in December 1993. Take a look!

Sunday, September 22, 2013

EXCLUSIVE! The Dig INTV!

After releasing two fantastic albums and touring with the likes of Portugal. The Man, The Walkmen, Beady Eye, Glasvegas, Editors, and The Antlers, New York City sci-fi rockers The Dig are set to hit the road this fall with Leagues in support of their latest EP. The Dig have been making a name for themselves in NYC and beyond. They still remain one of our favorite bands to follow and one of out favorite bands to watch and if they hit your town, it is imperative you check them out. Before they hit the road, we spoke with bassist and singer Emile Mossari about their latest EP, touring, and their signature sound.

Your last record, the beautiful, Midnight Flowers, was much more mellow than your debut. Did that record signify a new shift is style and sound or just an experiment?


Thanks! So glad you like it! I think that just happened naturally.  A lot of the songs we were writing at the time that we were the most psyched about happened to be on the mellow side.  

Your new EP, Tired Hearts is a collection of five songs, what made you want to release a special EP and not finish out an album?

We wanted to put something out this year and we thought that these 5 tunes fit together in a cool way so we figured we'd put out an EP.

Will these songs signify what fans can expect on the third record and is that in the works?

Not sure exactly when we will make our third full length and its hard to say what its going to sound like at this point. We hope that the music will continue to evolve and change but still sound like us somehow.

For Tired Hearts you worked with Pavement producer, Bryce Goggin, how was that experience?

It was great.  It's nice to have a 5th set of ears so we're not left to our own devices and biting each others heads off.  We have worked with Bryce on our first two records so its always great to hang and collaborate with him.  He's a great dude and has an amazing ear for making records. 

What did Bryce teach you that you did not know before?

A lot of things, We've worked with Bryce bunch and over the years so we've developed a rapport with him.  He's a bit of an oddball like us which is nice. He's made so many great records so we all trust his opinion and sensibility. I'd say one thing in particular we've learned from him is how to flip a song inside out and take a completely different approach.  Basically not to get too attached to the initial arrangement of a tune and be able to step back a bit and mess with it. 

After being on the road for most of your lives, playing your music, what is the best thing about touring and what is the worst?

Good question.  Best thing I'd say is probably staying connected to people that you normally might not have the means or reason to fly out and visit.  Whether that be fans we've made or friends and family we have all over the country.  Touring keeps you plugged in to that which is great.  Worst thing is probably eating shitty food and sleeping in van,  driving all night between gigs etc.  

When hitting the road, what is the one thing you cannot live without and always have to have?

Car games are an essential tool.  Extremely serious and competitive games we play on 12 hour drives that swallow up a lot of hours. I don't think we could live without those.

You have opened for Portugal. The Man, Beady Eye, Glasvegas, The Walkmen, The Antlers, playing with these bands, what is it like? Do you ever take any of their tricks and apply them to your set?

Definitely.  Those are all amazing bands that we we're lucky enough to play with. You learn a lot about how to interact with the crowds and lift a room.  How to connect with an audience. More than anything its inspiring just watch a great band play every night.  Especially a band like the Walkmen. They're a legendary band among bands so watching them perform is both educational and inspiring.  Ben Kweller is also an amazing performer to watch.  How at ease he is with his audience and his ability to connect with people and be so personable while he's up there.  There's a lot to be learned from that.

We have been tracking this band for a while, and your shows just keep getting better and better. What is it like being on stage and doing what you love?

Thanks!  Playing shows is the best thing in the world. Wish we could do it every night.

Quick News

Mumford and Sons have announced they will go on a bit of a hiatus following the success of last years Babel album and world tour. Speaking to Rolling Stone, keyboardist Ben Lovett said, "We have no idea. We just know we're going to take a considerable amount of time off and just go back to hanging out and having no commitments or pressure or anything like that. It feels like the last week of school right now, before school holiday when you're in high school. The atmosphere on the road is one of... I think everyone's excited about being free of schedules."

The biopic on hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur is finally going to happen. The film, which will have a reported $45 million budget will start filming next year.

The tracklisting to Arcade Fire's Reflektor has been revealed thanks to Amazon France. A posting was crafted featuring the list of songs, take a look below:
'Reflektor'
'We Exist'
'Flashbulb Eyes'
'Here Comes The Night Time'
'Normal Person'
'You Already Know'
'Joan Of Arc'
'Here Comes The Night Time II'
'Awful Sound (Oh Erydice)'
 'It's Never Over (Oh Orpheous)'
'Porno'
'Afterlife'
'Supersymmetry'

The cover to Eminem's Marshall Mather's LP 2 has been revealed. Take a look below:

Friday, September 20, 2013

Elvis Costello & The Roots On Fallon (Again)


For the second night this week, Elvis Costello & The Roots performed another song off their collab album, Wise Up Ghost on Fallon!

Grouplove on Kimmel!



Watch Grouplove perform "Ways to Go" and "Shark Attack" on Kimmel!

Big Sean on Arsenio



Watch Big Sean perform "Fire" and "Beware" on Arsenio!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Quick News

Noel Gallagher is again denying Oasis reunion rumors. He spoke to talkSport presenter Andy Goldstein about a possible reunion to commemorate their debut, Definitely Maybe, "Maybe people keep thinking if that if they say it, it will eventually happen. It’s not going to happen. Unless they’re doing it without me, but without me it would be rubbish. One can never say never, because one might be skint. But I’ve got no intention. I’m not interested."

Iconic singer Grace Jones will release her memoir next year. She once vowed she would never tell her stories, but is altering that now.

As we posted yesterday on our social networks, James Blake and Chance the Rapper released a collaboration together and now it seems more music could be down the pipeline. Speaking to XXL, the Chicago rapper said, "I love his records. So to do another version of one of his songs that I felt was already completed was... you know... you don't wanna fuck somebody's shit up. I jumped on it and people seem to like it a lot. But I'm really excited for our other shit too." No word as to when that material will be released.

Chromeo will release their new album, White Women this fall and it is being reported that the album will feature contributions from Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig, Toro Y Moi, Solange, LCD Soundsystem's Pat Mahoney and Oliver.

Brand New's FULL Riot Fest Set


Even though Riot Fest Chicago happened last weekend, footage now is surfacing of some of the full performances. One of them was Long Island's Brand New. Take a look at the bands full set from the main event.

Jim James on Kimmel


Watch Jim James perform "State of the Art" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

QUICK SPINS



Arctic MonkeysAM
We have watched Arctic Monkeys grow-up and evolve right in front of our very eyes, from their brilliant barnstorming debut, Whatever People Say I Am Is What I Am Not to their very latest, AM. They have been around for less than a decade and manage to maintain their rock and roll identity but explore different paths within it. On their latest, AM, the bands fifth, they mature as songwriters and musicians. They haven’t played their instruments at 100 mph since their first two LP’s but they have learned to make the same impact by doing less. AM is a record that does just that. It is not the stoner-rock joyride that Humbug was, nor is it the lyrical masterpiece that Suck It And See was, it is, older and wiser, in fact in many ways it is better than all of those things. AM holds the key to the Monkeys future and proves that Alex Turner’s clever songwriting is not someone trying to do all of these things, but just is. AM could be viewed as a lazy title, but in fact, it is the symbolic outlook of the bands music, doing so much with less, AM could be looked at as “am,” and the Monkeys could be telling us this is who they are. If that is the case, we are glad they are making music in this day and age. Plus, any band referencing Scorsese’s Mean Streets deserves high recognition.
FINAL GRADE: A


Janelle Monae The Electric Lady
If Prince is playing on your album, you know you are doing something right. Def Jam’s best signing since Biggie Smalls returns with a ferocious and fantastic album that takes us through a dance apocalypse and makes us realize we can’t live without her love of music. Combining jazz, funk, rock, soul, doo-wop, neo-soul, R&B, indie rock, pop and elements of hip-hop, The Electric Lady is a fantastic musical voyage and has a great supporting cast from Solange, Erykah Badu, Esperanza Spalding, Miguel and more.
FINAL GRADE: A-


The WeekndKissland
After his “Trilogy,” Abel Tesfaye comes back much more focused, straight forward and interesting than every before. Kissland is a romantic concept record about the world The Weeknd has created in his head and the world that frightens him. The album tells that the world around us and within us in frightening but is something we must overcome and embrace, basically, it is ok to make mistakes along the way like falling in love with the wrong person, it builds us as people and our character. A very smart, clever, and very well produced latest effort.
FINAL GRADE: A –


HaimDays Are Gone
The long awaited debut album from California’s favorite sisters is finally here and does not disappoint. After emerging as one of the most talked about new bands of 2013, Haim’s Days Are Gone is a slithering pop – rock record that combines fun-in-the-sun emotion, killer riffs, heavy beats, and catchy hooks that it will just make you want to play it over and over again. Much like The 1975’s debut, this is one of the best debuts of the year.
FINAL GRADE: A-



ChvrchesThe Bones Of What You Believe
 Scotland’s electro-pop buzz band Chvrches debut is a mysterious, erotic, and dark release that combines the sinister energy from Crystal Castles and mixes it with fellow Scot’s Glasvegas’ neo-cold-wave sound and flexes heavy emotion doing so.
FINAL GRADE: B+


The Naked and FamousIn Rolling Waves
Three years after their awesome debut, New Zealand’s The Naked and Famous return with In Rolling Waves which is a much heavier sounding and heavier feeling album. In Rolling Waves hears The Naked and Famous flexing serious muscle and proving that they are not just a one-trick pony and are willing to take chances to not fall into the dreaded sophomore slump.
FINAL GRADE: B+


A$AP FergTrap Lord
One of the A$AP Crew’s members goes solo for debut. The self proclaimed “Trap Lord,” Ferg shows why he is taking the sub-genre of trap style hip-hop by storm and one of the best to do it. With appearances from A$AP Rocky, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, French Montana, Trinidad James, Schoolboy Q, Waka Flocka Flame, B-Real and Onyx, he bridges the gap between old and new schools.
FINAL GRADE: B+


London Grammar If You Wait
The buzz around London Grammar has been large since the band hit the UK festival circuit this summer and now, their debut, If You Wait is finally out, they answer the call and prove they are the band people want to talk about. While the music of London Grammar is catchy, it is the voice of singer Hannah Reid that is the star of the show. She is a vocal powerhouse that take pop / rock singing to a whole new level.
FINAL GRADE: B+


King Khan and the Shrines Idle No More
Eight albums in with his career with The Shrines and King Khan shows no sign of stopping. While Idle No More displays nothing really new musically or anything unexpected, it is still a total blast to listen to.
FINAL GRADE: B

THEblack&THEwhiteFutures EP
The debut EP from former As Tall As Lions bassist Julio Tavarez is filled with trippy loops, hypnotic hooks, ambient vibes and heart. Futures is an EP where you can hear that Tavarez has poured his soul into this project and is a nice launching pad as to what is to come.
FINAL GRADE: B

Someone Still Loves You Boris YeltsinFly By Wire
For their sixth record, Missouri’s Someone Still Loves Your Boris Yeltsin, do it as a trio and rather a quartet thanks to the departure of singer / guitarist John Robert Cardwell earlier this year. Most bands would have imploded but SSLYBY soldier on and do it triumphantly where long time fans of the band will not be disappointed.
FINAL GRADE: B


Icona PopThis Is…
After a summer of the infections and brilliant girl power pop anthem, “I Love It,” the Swedish duo of Icona Pop prove that the land they hail from is still the breeding ground of the best pop music on the globe. This Is.. is the second album from Icona Pop but it is also the biggest, in terms of production, popularity, and fun. This is an instant party starter.
FINAL GRADE: B


Kings of LeonMechanical Bull
Hi Kings of Leon! How are you? Welcome back, we missed you!
While the above note is not intended for a chuckle, though, it is ok if you laugh at our corniness, the note is a meaningful gesture that we are glad to see Kings of Leon return to form. After the unlistenable Come Around Sundown, a few internal problems, battles with addiction, and a dreadful documentary, Kings of Leon cut the bullshit and return back to basics and return to form as a solid Southern rock and blues band and return to the roots of being the band that we treasured and missed for so long.
FINAL GRADE: B


StingThe Last Ship
For his first album of brand new material in a decade, Sting fires back in a big way with The Last Ship, which is really the companion piece to the Broadway play of the same name that the record is based on that he is crafting. The Last Ship is a concept record about coming of age in a seaside town and wanting something more out of life, while this may sound like the plot of Fellini’s I Vitelloni, it is actually the first part of Sting’s life. The Last Ship is a semi-autobiographical journey of one man, Sting, telling the story of his youth but as an older man looking back on the life he left behind and why he did.
FINAL GRADE: B-


Big SeanHall of Fame
The sophomore album from Big Sean is just as strong as his debut but also does not feature the gift and the curse aka that verse from Kendrick Lamar on “Control” which did not make the album’s final cut because of a sampling issue. However, Big Sean enlisted Nas, Common, 2 Chainz, Kid Cudi, Lil Wayne, Juicy J, Meek Mill, Nicki Minaj, Miguel and Young Jeezy to support his style and sound.
FINAL GRADE: B-


Goodie Mob Age Against The Machine
Cee-Lo Green hooks up with his first group and crafts their first album in nine years. While Cee-Lo’s voice is still the star of the show, nothing new is crafted or made and after nine years and nine explosive years for Cee-Lo’s career, one would have hoped the rest of the group would have come out swinging to upstage the pop icon, yet, they all fail to do so and the album is left at a sub-par level.
FINAL GRADE: C 


 MGMT
At one point in the last decade bands emerged that wrote a few catchy and clever tunes and were poised to be the next coming of music. Yet, some of those bands failed to capitalize on anything beyond that and make anything listenable, however, still get attention as if they are going to do something great and grand and fail to. MGMT is one of those bands whose talent was like a firework in the sky, it bursted bright and shined but then faded into oblivion, however, some critics are still holding out for that firework to burst again because they know the band has potential. It would normally be encouraging to other artists, but MGMT realized they can release shit, and we mean it, shit, and know they will still make music headlines and have people foam at the mouth for what they are going to do. After the tragically terrible and unlistenable, Congratulations, MGMT return with a self-titled album that is not a bit more comforting to listen to but still misses the mark by a long shot.
FINAL GRADE D 

Quick News

Fanfarlo will release a four-song EP next month called, The Sea via their own label New World Records.

A Perfect Circle will release their first greatest hits collection called, Three Sixty in November.

The Killers will also be releasing their first greatest hits collection, Direct Hits, in November. The album features two new songs, including their latest single, "Shot at the Night," which was produced by M83.

The Sounds will release their new album, Weekend, next month.

In Spring 2014, the world will get for the first time more insight into the mind of late Joy Division front man, Ian Curtis with the book, So This Is Permanence: Lyrics and Notebooks. The book will feature Curtis' lyrics, notes, journal entries, and personal writings.

Speaking to NME, Arcade Fire guitarist Richard Reed Perry made the shocking claim that David Bowie tried stealing "Reflektor" from the Canadian band. Bowie appears on the song, but Perry told the magazine, "It was just after 'The Next Day' had come out. He basically just came by the studio in New York while we were mixing, just to have a listen to the stuff we were doing. He offered to lend us his services because he really liked the song. In fact, he basically threatened us – he was like, 'If you don't hurry up and mix this song, I might just steal it from you!' So we thought, well why don't we go one better, why don't you sing on our version? Thankfully he obliged, and we were really happy about that."

After we told you last week that the mysterious Morrissey autobiography was not happening after Mox got into a dispute with the publisher, Penguin Books. Now, Penguin is claiming they are releasing the book anyway. In a statement, Penguin said, "The publication of Morrissey’s Autobiography remains with Penguin Books. This is a deal for the UK and Europe, but Morrissey has no contract with a publisher for the US or any other territory. As of 13 September, Morrissey and Penguin (UK) remain determined to publish within the next few weeks."

After selling his stake in the Brooklyn Nets, Jay Z is now selling his stake in Barclays Center, the venue in which the Nets play in. According to Forbes, "Jay-Z has to unload his ownership interests in the Brooklyn Nets and the Barclays BCS +2.1% Center due to his new sports agency, Roc Nation Sports. Roc Nation Sports' roster includes Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees, Skylar Diggins of the WNBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant, and Victor Cruz of the New York Giants....Jay-Z owns slightly less than one-fifth of one percent of the Barclay Center. New York City recently appraised the Barclays Center-based on its potential income-to be worth $741 million. That works out to about $1.5 million for Jay-Z's stake."