Tegan and Sara – Love 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-
Kaytranada – 99.9%
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 Truth – Chaos
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 Death – Vanilla
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+
Garbage – Strange 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 Brothers – True 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 John – Breakin’ 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-
Discharge – End 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 Peppers – The 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 Strokes – Future 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
