Sunday, June 19, 2016

QUICK SPINS



Tegan and SaraLove You to Death
The twin sisters return to dance their hearts away. Some of the most infectious and perfect pop music in years has finally been released thanks to Tegan and Sara. Every song on this album could be a single and that is enough to say they made a great record.
FINAL GRADE: A

Masta Ace The Falling Season
The Brooklyn emcee throws it back in sound and story by taking listeners to a time when he was coming into his own – high school. Masta Ace has crafted a concept record about what his high school years were like and the music that inspired him.
FINAL GRADE: A-

Kaytranada99.9%
The Canadian beatmaker unleashes his debut for those that are ready for sunshine. A kaleidoscope of sound and styles from across the world, Kaytranada has created a summer-ready LP that will make anywhere your feet touch a dance floor.
FINAL GRADE: A-

Chance the Rapper Coloring Book
The Chicago rapper returns with an album unlike any he has released before. Chance the Rapper gets personal, political and passionate and paints with the words he has made a career with in Coloring Book.
FINAL GRADE: A-

Unlocking the TruthChaos
The long-awaited debut from young Brooklyn heavy metal trio, Unlocking the Truth has finally arrived. After being discovered on the streets of Times Square to signing a blockbuster contract with a major label to eventually getting out of the big business, the lives of these three young men has been a roller-coaster and they are not even able to vote. Chaos is the debut fans expected and the record you waited for.
FINAL GRADE: B+

Evans The DeathVanilla
The latest record from the British indie rockers is a noise rock extravaganza. Think early Sonic Youth meets Pixies with a touch of The Cure thrown in. It is dark and humble, plus singer Katherine Whitaker’s voice is divine.
FINAL GRADE: B+

Ladyhawke – Wild Things
The New Zealand songstress returns with a record that will have you moving and shaking for hours. Wild Things is what the title suggests as well as Ladyhawke’s best album since her fantastic 2007 debut.
FINAL GRADE: B+

GarbageStrange Little Birds
Since surviving the 90s, Garbage have been hit or miss but Strange Little Birds, the band’s sixth is by far their best since their 1995 debut. It takes the darkness and grit from their early work and blends it in with what happens when rock stars grow up. It is not only a fascinating album but a damn good one, too.
FINAL GRADE: B+

The Avett BrothersTrue Sadness
The folk fraternity returns with more deep-rooted rock from the plains and country. With their signature heartfelt lyrics and rousing choruses, True Sadness is just a title, not a feeling after listening to this.
FINAL GRADE: B

Cat’s Eyes Treasure House
The offbeat sophomore release from Cat’s Eyes picks up with their melancholy and moody 2011 debut left off.
FINAL GRADE: B

Minor Victories
The debut album featuring members of Slowdive, Editors and Mogwai is a British shoegaze extravaganza.
FINAL GRADE: B

The Kills Ash & Ice
The Kills will always rock, even if their albums all feel and sound the same, they will never made a bad record, just the same record over and over.
FINAL GRADE: B-

Peter Bjorn and JohnBreakin’ Point
The Swedish indie rockers are back and like always, bring the fun, catchy tunes and sincerity to their game.
FINAL GRADE: B-

Fitz and The Tantrums
The third album from the California party starters is more electronic than previous efforts and backup singer Noelle Scaggs shines more than on previous releases. The band’s latest is a blast but we do miss the horns.
FINAL GRADE: B-

DischargeEnd of Days
Taking punk and speed metal and throwing it together, underground OG’s Discharge come with the heavy.
FINAL GRADE: B-

Red Hot Chili PeppersThe Getaway
In The Dark Knight, Aaron Eckert’s Harvey Dent famously said: “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” Since Stadium Arcadium, every Chili Peppers record has been a dud and while Danger Mouse comes on The Getaway to help the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, it doesn’t save them. What he needed to save were themselves. The album feels all over the place and lacks focus, it also doesn’t have any energy. If the Chili Peppers have dried out in the last decade, this record is further proof of that.
FINAL GRADE: C-

The StrokesFuture Past Present
To call this an EP is a slap in the face to fans. There was once a time when CD Singles would contain the single plus 2 other songs and maybe a remix. That is what this “EP” from the fallen New York band feels like. The Strokes were a star that burned so bright and keeps a legacy for that but for the last five years, they have been below mediocre and lazy. This current “EP” feels like that. It is 3 songs and a remix. It is a glorified CD Single that record companies would release in the 90s for more money. The Strokes did this for more streams in 2016. You couldn’t write 3 other fucking songs to add to 3 average ones on here? At least pretend you are trying because we have not faked caring. You are better than this.
FINAL GRADE: F