Friday, November 25, 2016

QUICK SPINS



A Tribe Called Quest We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service

The first album from the mighty Tribe Called Quest in 18 years does not disappoint, in fact, it lets the legends go out on a high note. Following their on-again, off-again reunions since 2008, Tribe reconciled fully in 2015 to perform on The Tonight Show which sparked the idea of a new album. After a series of intense recordings and founding member Phife Dawg traveling back and forth from California to Jersey to work on the record, he unexpectedly passed in March. The record is a love letter to his life and legacy. The remaining members of Tribe finished the LP inside Q-Tip’s Ab-Soul Studio in New Jersey and released it to the world. It became their first No. 1 album in 18 years and above all, one of the greatest achievements. Using the jazz and rock samples that made them instant icons, they also push forward to a whole new generation. Getting help from Jack White, Elton John, Kendrick Lamar, Busta Rhymes, Consequence, Andre 3000,  Talib Kweli and more, the Tribe has spoken and we are all at their feet saying “we are not worthy.”


Czarface A Fistful of Peril

The indie hip-hop supergroup featuring Inspetah Deck, 7L and Esoteric return with their third record and unlike their previous efforts, A Fistful of Peril, relies heavy on the lyricism of the crew rather than the samples, production and special guests. Each album furthers the adventures of the fictional comic book character and the latest shows that these guys are here to stay to see their superhero take over the game.
FINAL GRADE: A


MetallicaHardwired… To Self Destruct

Eight years after the fantastic Death Magnetic, Metallica return with a lengthy piece of chomping guitars, blistering basslines and drums that only they can deliver. While they may be getting older in age, it certainly isn’t slowing them down.


CommonBlack America Again

In his best album in 11 years, Common takes the frustration he saw from the headlines and what happened to his community and takes it to music. Black America Again is a soundtrack to the Black Lives Matter movement and a powerful reminder to the president-elect you cannot silence those who mean something to the fabric of this country.
FINAL GRADE: A-


The Weeknd Starboy

The Weekend takes his love of Prince and influence of David Bowie and blends it to bring a new batch of music to the dancefloor.
FINAL GRADE: A-


Lamb of God The Duke EP

The metal titans return with an EP dedicated to the life of one of the biggest fans. It is a pulse-pounding array of sound that will leave you breathless.
FINAL GRADE: B+


Alicia KeysHere

On her sixth album, the songstress shows and proves she is a forced to be reckoned with. It is her most political and honest record to date. On Here, Ms. Keys preaches girl power, what it means to be black in America in 2016 and her life as a mother. Here is the most layered and intricate we have heard Keys and her best since her stellar debut, Songs in A Minor
FINAL GRADE: B+


JusticeWoman

The heavy hitting French duo return with their third record and bring out the dance floor jams that still put them in a league of their own.
FINAL GRADE: B


The Men Devil Music

Heading back to their fast, furious and chaotic punk roots, The Men stick to the basics and give the people what they want.
FINAL GRADE: B


Dash Hammerstein Grapefruit Rhythm

Rising New York artist Dash Hammerstein returns with his sophomore album, Grapefruit Rhythm and takes queues from The Beatles, Beach Boys and Elton John. Grapefruit Rhythm is a refreshing throwback to classic rock and piano-driven compositions that are seldom heard in an era of crap pop.
FINAL GRADE: B


Taylor Hawkins – Kota

The Foo Fighters drummer makes his solo debut and wears his love of 70s and 80s arena rock on his sleeve.


clipping. Splendor and Misery

Daveed Diggs of Hamilton fame left the blockbuster play to return to his first love, his band .clipping. Their latest is an atmospheric blend of hip-hop, trip-hop, ambient and electronica that sometimes mixes too much making such simple ideas convoluted.
FINAL GRADE: B-


Mona In The Middle EP

After three years ago, Ohio’s Mona have regrouped and recalculated their sound and In The Middle is a nice gift to fans but packs the punch of their earlier work.
FINAL GRADE: C+


Sleigh Bells Jessica Rabbit

As Sleigh Bells continue to make metal meets pop meets glam it all begins to sound the same and Jessica Rabbit is just another collection of songs that don’t really move or inspire.
FINAL GRADE: D