Monday, March 30, 2015

QUICK SPINS


FantasmaFree Love
South African rap king Spoek Mathambo organizes a full band to craft one of the most far out, creative, and surprising debuts of the year so far. Mathambo is an icon in his home country and an international star, but his venture into something that dabbles into jazz, rock, funk, and altering traditional native sounds makes Free Love a record to admire.
FINAL GRADE: A-



Marina and the DiamondsFroot
The English born, Greek blooded pop star returns with her third album and it might be her most intimate and best yet. Marina finally sounds as if she is coming into her own and comfortable in her own skin. Her musical Froot is ripe.
FINAL GRADE: B+

Courtney Barnett Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
After a series of EP’s, Australia’s daughter of garage rock arrives with her debut and she impresses. With her smart, clever, and ultra witty lyrics over basic garage sound, Bartnett is showing promise in what lies ahead of her career.
FINAL GRADE: B+

LiturgyThe Art Work
A Liturgy in Greek is “the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular beliefs, customs and traditions.” Brooklyn black metal favorites have crafted a following that does just that. This band impresses on stage and their fans are some of the most loyal, now, on their third studio album the band looks to pontificate further. The Art Work hears the band alter their sound a bit and dive further into various musical genres while sticking to their roots.
FINAL GRADE: B+

Lightning Bolt Fantasy Empire
Fantasy Empire is more chaos and ultimate creation from the Rhode Island duo.
FINAL GRADE: B+

JEFF the BrotherhoodWasted on the Dream
Eight albums into their career, the dynamic duo of JEFF the Brotherhood are still punching along with the engine that hasn’t shifted too many gears but continues to run.
FINAL GRADE: B

Earl Sweatshirt I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside: An Album By Earl Sweatshirt
The best rapper from Odd Future released a surprise sophomore record to much controversy. As the rapper blames his label for allegedly ruining the records release, it doesn’t mean that the record still isn’t worth a listen. Earl, still vulnerable as ever, has a unique vision for what growing up should be and what his life is like these days.
FINAL GRADE: B

Mew - +-
The Danish alternative band return and bring forth an unique vision and musical landscape that is enough to make anyone curious as to why they are not bigger than what they are.
FINAL GRADE: B

Matt & KimNew Glow
There continues to not be a single band on this planet that has more fun than Matt & Kim. New Glow isn’t anything new sounding from the band, just new music, but still enough to become an instant ray of sunshine to your day.
FINAL GRADE: B

The ProdigyThe Day is my Enemy
Over 20 years into their career, The Prodigy refuse to calm down, they refuse to relax, and they refuse to stop. For all of that, it is worth hearing how the ravers still continue to adapt to the scene and bring aggression to the digital age.
FINAL GRADE: B

The Go! TeamThe Scene Between
Four years after their last year, the English genre bending band release their fourth album and still pack a punch. While The Scene Between is a welcomed return from this band, we know it’s real luster lies live in concert.
FINAL GRADE: B

Strung OutTransmission Alpha Delta
The West Coast punks return and bring forth a new collection of tracks to add to their classic arsenal.
FINAL GRADE: B

The Cribs For All My Sisters
The Jarmin fraternity is back with Rik Okasek behind the decks to bring a much more pop and polished sound to the bands garage rock vibe and from their previous efftort which was produced by Steve Albini. For All My Sisters is The Cribs at a turning point but still being themselves.
FINAL GRADE: B

Will Butler Policy
Recorded over a week in Jimi Hendrix’s old living room at Electric Lady Studios in New York during Arcade Fire’s massive Reflektor tour, the band’s multi-instrumentalist Will Buter, brother of singer Win, goes solo for the first time and brings with him the ghosts of Arcade Fire past. With impromptu dance breakdowns and perfect indie pop hooks, Will Butler holds his own on his own.
FINAL GRADE: B

CalexicoEdge of the Sun
Eight albums into their career, Arizona’s Calexico still push the instrumental boundaries of their music and go further into the mind of the listener, this time, they bring us to the Edge of the Sun.
FINAL GRADE: B-

WaleThe Album About Nothing
When Wale bursted onto the scene it was with his Seinfeld-inspired mixtape, A Mixtape About Nothing. Now, he takes that same idea on a studio album proving that the 90’s sitcom is this D.C. rappers muse.
FINAL GRADE: B-

Death Cab For Cutie Kintsugi
The latest record from the Washington state indie gods is the final for founding member and guitarist Chris Walla, while his departure will be felt down the line, this is an appropriate send off.
FINAL GRADE: B-

Action Bronson Mr. Wonderful
After years of indie records, mixtapes, EP’s, Queens’ Action Bronson makes his major label debut and proves that the sound he gave us in the past was something to gain respect, credit, and attention. On his debut, Bronsolino does whatever he wants. With producers like Party Supplies, Alchemist, and Mark Ronson, Bronson uses a bit of his old tactics but brings a trippy, stoner rap record that is so far gone and so far out there, it feels so mashed together and convoluted that his past shines even more.
FINAL GRADE: C+