Johnny Marr on 'Conan'

Watch Johnny Marr perform "Bug" on Conan.

Johnny Marr Announces 3rd Solo Album

In June, former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr will release his third solo album, Call the Comet. 

"Call The Comet is my own magic realism. It’s set in the not-too-distant future and is mostly concerned with the idea of an alternative society. The characters in the songs are searching for a new idealism, although there are some personal songs in there too. It’s something that people like me can relate to," he said in a press release. 

1. Rise

2. The Tracers

3. Hey Angel

4. Hi Hello

5. New Dominations

6. Day In Day Out

7. Walk Into The Sea

8. Bug

9. Actor Attractor

10. Spiral Cities

11. My Eternal

12. A Different Gun

2017 The Albums: Honorable Mentions

via GIPHY

So it begins.....the rollout of various music lists from us as we look back at the year that was and present our picks for the most recognizable albums of the year.

St. Vincent is 2017's Officially A Icon

It has become a Thanksgiving weekend tradition for us to issue our first year end list -- Honorable Mentions. This is the first of three lists we will bring out over the next three weeks, next week we will present our coveted League of Their Own and then finally, the Top 10 albums of the year. Here we go -- our Honorable Mentions, albums that were very good, but not good enough to crack the Top 10 but still worth of note. 

As we always do, we breakdown the list in short form and then with explanations. 

2017 Honorable Mentions in Short Form (In No Particular Order):

- Blondie - Pollinator

- LCD Soundsystem - American Dream

- Vince Staples - Big Fish Theory

- Spoon - Hot Thoughts

- The xx - I See You

 Now, in Long Form (In No Particular Order):

Blondie – Pollinator

The iconic punk / new wave / glam band return with their best record in decades thanks to Pollinator. Blondie have not only released the most fun and energetic record of their career but we defy anyone to try and sit still listening to it. With songs written by TV on the Radio's David Sitek, Johnny Marr, Sia, Nick Valensi from The Strokes, Charli XCX, and Blood Orange, the New York icons are tapping into the current and new school of talent to boost their sound in 2017.

LCD Soundsystem – American Dream

This was a record that should be loathed considering the news that James Murphy and co. staged their infamous 2011 to sell tickets but the truth of the matter is, their “comeback” record is fantastic. It is a ton of fun to listen to and the band find their footing in the years they were away on what is the best LCD Soundsystem album. 

Spoon – Hot Thoughts

In what could be one of their best albums, Spoon return with their ninth album and exceed all expectations. Hot Thoughts is one of their most musically provoking and catchy albums. The Austin band has seemed to shed a skin where they do not hold back.

Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory

Vince Staples fires back just two years after releasing his acclaimed and massive debut, Summertime ’06, the L.A. rapper is out to prove he is not just a flash in the pan. Big Fish Theory is Staples coming to terms with what he needs to do in order to be one of the biggest and best emcees in hip-hop. In doing so, he clearly achieves his goal. 

The xx – I See You

The third record from the British electronic and ambient trio hears them getting funky. I See You is the most fun-sounding xx record and an album that makes them change direction while sticking to their original ethos.

Stay Tuned Next Week When We Announce The 2017 "League of Their Own" Recipient.  

Noel Gallagher Announces Third Solo Record

Just a month after his brother Liam releases his solo debut, former Oasis guitarist and songwriter, Noel Gallagher will release his third record with his High Flying Birds in November. The record, Who Built the Moon? is said to be a psychedelic rock record and will feature Paul Weller and Johnny Marr. 

Listen to Our Essential Noel Gallagher Playlist on Spotify

Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting, below, and watch the album trailer. 

01 Fort Knox
02 Holy Mountain
03 Keep On Reaching
04 It's A Beautiful World
05 She Taught Me How To Fly
06 Be Careful What You Wish For
07 Black & White Sunshine
08 Interlude (Wednesday Part 1)
09 If Love Is The Law
10 The Man Who Built The Moon
11 End Credits (Wednesday Part 2)

Recommended Reading: Johnny Marr 'Set The Boy Free'

Last fall, Johnny Marr finally told his story and released his long-awaited autobiography, Set The Boy Free. The autobiography chronicled the influential guitarists discovery of music and what it was like growing up in the harsh city of Manchester, England. Yet, the world around him along with his passion to be a rock star led him to meet Steven Patrick Morrissey and form The Smiths. Marr details a vivid account of how the band rose to stardom, became one of the most influential acts of all time and then eventually disbanded, leaving many people to bed for a reunion.

While the rise and fall of The Smiths is not only heavily documented before Marr gave a first person account, what is fascinating in Set the Boy Free is Marr's rediscovery of music and working with bands like The The, Modest Mouse, The Cribs, as well as finding his own voice as a solo artist. Marr, who along with Morrissey, became one of the best songwriting duos in the history of music, brings that same touch to how he pens his life.

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Metallica's Lars Ulrich spoke to James Corden about his band's technically glitched set where singer James Hetfield's mic didn't work. According to Ulrich, Hetfield lost it after the performance. “I haven’t seen him like that in 20 years,” Ulrich said on The Late Late Show. “He’s aged really well and he’s a pretty chill guy, but the first five or 10 minutes in that dressing room was not a lot of fun. But, like they say, the show must go on.”

Incubus will release their new album, 8, in the spring.

HBO has acquired the North American rights to the praised BBC documentary, David Bowie The Last Five Years, which focus' on the singers final years and last two albums before passing away to cancer in 2016.

Biblical will release their new album, The City That Always Sleeps, in September.

Raekwon will release his new album, The Wild, next month. Take a look at the tracklisting, below:
01 The Wild (Intro)
02 This Is What It Comes Too
03 Nothing
04 Skit (Bang Head Right)
05 Marvin [ft. Cee-Lo Green]
06 Can’t You See
07 My Corner [ft. Lil Wayne]
08 Skit (Fuck You Up Card)
09 M & N [ft. P.U.R.E.]
10 Visiting Hour [ft. Andra Day]
11 Skit (Bang Fall Down)
12 The Reign
13 Crown of Thorns
14 Purple Brick Road [ft. G-Eazy]
15 You Hear Me
16 Bang Outro

A new documentary on the Notorious BIG, which has been approved by his mom, is currently in development. The film will be called One More Chance, no release date has been set.

Speaking to NME at the NME Awards Wednesday night, Johnny Marr said that he and Beck have discussed working together as well as having Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age team up with them. "Me and Beck have been talking about doing something," he said. "I'd like to do another song with Beck I think, and maybe Josh with Queens of the Stone Age. He's a really, really good musician."

Also speaking at the NME Awards was Carl Barat, who confirmed that he is working on a new album with his band The Jackals. He also said that the Libertines will be making a new album soon. The Libertines record, that might take a bit more time – but we’re trying to get our project together, so we’ll see how that goes really. That big secret that Pete told everyone!”

Blondie Announce 11th Album

Blondie will release their new album, Pollinator, in May.

The record features a slew of collaborations like Sia, Johnny Marr, TV on the Radio's David Sitek, Joan Jett, Nick Valensi of The Strokes, Charli XCX, Laurie Anderson, and Blood Orange. 

Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting, below, and hear the new single, "Fun," which features Sitek who also produced the track. 

1. Doom or Destiny
2. Long Time
3. Already Naked
4. Fun
5. My Monster
6. Best Day Ever
7. Gravity
8. When I Gave Up On You
9. Love Level
10. Too Much
11. Fragments

Quick News

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Adele gave some insider info to Vanity Fair about the writing of her latest, 25, saying: "Having a hangover with a child is torture." She explained that the hangover came from her time drinking when she wrote and recorded her mega classic, 21. The singer said: "I used to love to be drunk, but as I got more famous I would wake up the next morning and think, ‘What the fuck did I say and who the fuck did I say it to?’ I never had blackouts, but when you’re drunk and you go to a party, you’ll talk to anyone. I can see from an outsider’s perspective that I will never write songs as good as the ones that are on ’21’, but I’m not as indulgent as I was then, and I don’t have time to fall apart like I did then. I was completely off my face writing that album, and a drunk tongue is an honest one. I would drink two bottles of wine, and I would chain-smoke. Then I’d write the lyrics down and the next morning think, ‘Fuck, that’s quite good’. Then I’d find the melody.”

Interpol have teased fans with a return to the studio. The band could be writing and recording their sixth album after posting something coy on Twitter. 

Pretty good rehearsal today. Sam crushed it.-DK pic.twitter.com/eTyWl2kuuG

— Interpol (@Interpol) October 30, 2016

Afghan Whigs guitarist Dave Rosser has been diagnosed with colon cancer. The band announced 2 concerts, one in L.A. and one in New Orleans, later this month to help pay for his medical costs. In a statement, Whigs leader Greg Dulli said: "Dave Rosser has been my close friend and bandmate for over a decade now. By doing these shows for him we hope to ease any financial stress he may face as he pursues treatment to combat his illness. 100% of the proceeds for these shows will go to his medical care. I’m hopeful that folks will come out and show their support for Dave who will be performing with us.”

In his new autobiography, Set the Boy Free, Johnny Marr discusses how in 2008 he and Morrissey almost reformed The Smiths. The ball was in motion then suddenly Moz stopped returning the guitarist's calls for a reunion. Now, speaking to Radio 4, Marr said he is not interested in a reunion anymore. "People just don’t want to let go of this fractured band business,” he said. “You know, we were never gonna be together for 30-40 years. We weren’t REM, we weren’t U2, you know it’s just nonsense. We had 70 songs in the bank. That was enough. I’ll get on with doing movies and making records with other people and which is what I always wanted to do. So, I’m very happy with the way everything turned out.”

Iggy Pop has returned to the studio to work on the follow-up to his fantastic Post Pop Depression album. Telling Entertainment Weekly: "I’ve made five recordings since then…But they were all recordings not where I’m about, ‘Hey, I’ve got something to say!’ No, it was just, people called me up and said, ‘Do you want to do a vocal with me, about this, under this circumstance?’ More like guesting. I would prefer to do that for a while. You know, there are people I like. I like the people I’ve recorded with — I can’t tell you who they are! — very much."

Quick News

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Joey Bada$$ took to Instagram earlier in the week to confirm that his upcoming album, A.A.B.A., is "90 percent done." He alluded that following his current tour he will finish the upcoming LP.

Johnny Marr was asked by The Guardian which band he preferred working with the most and the former Smiths guitarist said Modest Mouse. He was with the band from 2006 to 2009 and said: "Yeah. People don’t believe it when I say that. I love Modest Mouse so much because the chemistry of those guys was a real brotherhood. They were a great American band, and I really wanted to be in a great American band.”

Mat Whitecross whose film Oasis: Supersonic chronicles the rise of the iconic British band said that the Gallagher brothers will reunite the group when "there is less pressure." He told Billboard: "But the way Noel talks about the fans at the end of the film is something he comes back to again and again. He’s very generous about their contribution, and I think he would do it for [the fans]. Noel has never said no, but he makes jokes about it. Liam says, ‘Come on, let’s get back on the road!’ He’s keen to do it. The reason it hasn’t happened earlier is they’re in a position of luxury. They’re both rich men. They don’t have to be chasing the opportunity to try and get back together. So hopefully if they do come back, it’ll be for the right reasons, and because they both want to do it.”

On Friday, President Obama called into Sway in the Morning and listed his favorite emcees from past and present. The Commander in Chief said: "I think the young guys, Kendrick and Chance [the Rapper] are doing amazing work. I love Drake, and the girls love Drake, and, you know, so, he’s commercially just doing great, and unbelievably talented. And, you know, Jay Z’s still the king. I mean, you know, he’s got a track record. Same with Kanye, so there’s a lot of talent out there, but when I look at who’s breaking new ground, Kendrick and Chance, those guys are doing just amazing work."

Quick News

Sad news to report -- John Stabb of influential punk and hardcore band Government Issue has passed away from stomach cancer. The band took to Facebook to break the news on Saturday: "It is with heavy hearts that we have to announce that at 7:43 p.m 5/7/16 our comrade John Stabb Schroeder lost his hard fought battle with stomach cancer. Our hearts go out to his wife Mina. Rest in Power, brother, there will never be another." Our thoughts go out to his family, friend and bandmates.

Blondie are currently working on their new record and Chris Stein spoke to Charli XCX on her Beats 1 show to reveal Sia, Johnny Marr, Albert Hammond Jr and Charli XCX are all working on the record with the iconic NYC punks. Stein also revealed that they are trying to get Kanye West and Ludacris to contribute to the album as well. No release date or further details were given.

Madlib and Freddie Gibbs are teaming up again for their sophomore effort, Bandana. The duo said at Red Bull Music Academy that it will be out later this year.

Courtney Love took to Instagram to tease a Hole reunion featuring the original line-up. 

with the girls, serving up a Hole lot of something. maybe 💖😄 #rocknroll #girlfriends #hole @pattyschemel @xmadmx

A photo posted by Courtney Love Cobain (@courtneylove) on May 6, 2016 at 7:58pm PDT

Quick News

According to reports, Prince's brother-in-law, Maurice Philips, told The Sun that the musician's Paisley Park estate will be turned into a museum. Paisley Park was Prince's compound outside Minneapolis where the singer was found dead last week.

Johnny Marr announced that his autobiography, Set The Boy Free, will arrive later this year. Take a look at the news and cover via his Instagram page:

Johnny has announced the details of his autobiography. #settheboyfree will be published on 3rd Nov. www.johnnymarr.com

A photo posted by Johnny Marr (@johnnymarrgram) on Apr 21, 2016 at 3:50am PDT

Indie rock band Viet Cong have changed their name to Preoccupations after receiving backlash through the years.

Jack White's Third Man Books will release TOTAL CHAOS: The Story of The Stooges / As Told by Iggy Pop later this year. The book, by author Jeff Gold, features contributions from writers like Johan Kugelberg, John Savage and others to get the story of The Stooges. Take a look at the cover, below:

Holiday Playlist Vol. IX

Every year the holiday season seems to start earlier and earlier. Normally we post our annual holiday playlist on December 1 but since we can't beat the  machine, we are joining it and going in a few days earlier. 

Here is a list of songs that won't make you suffer this holiday season. Find 'em and take a listen!

-       Summer Camp – “Christmas Wrapping”

-    The Killers - "Dirt Sledding" 

-       Poly Styrene – “Black Christmas”

-       The Crookes – “It’s Just Not Christmas Without You”

-       The Fall – “Hark the Harold Angels Sing”

-       REM – “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”

-       Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – “In This Home On Ice”

-       Jackson 5 – “Jingle Bells”

-       Maps – “Stay Another Day”

-       Mother and the Addicts – “Oh No! It’s Christmas Time Again!”

-       Galaxie 500 – “Listen, the Snow is Falling”

-       Patsy Kaye & The Beatniks – “Beatnik's Wish”

-       Billy Idol – “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”

-       James Brown – “Santa Claus, Go Straight to the Ghetto!”

-       My Morning Jacket – “Christmas Must Be Tonight”

-       Parenthetical Girls – “Post-Christmas Time”

-       My Morning Jacket – “Wonderful”

-       John Zorn & Mike Patton – “The Christmas Song”

-       Dog is Dead – “Christmas Wrapping”

-       Summer Camp – “All I Wonderful Christmas is You”

-       Anya Maria – “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”

-       Blackalicious – “Toy Jackpot”

-       Darker My Love – “Snow is Falling”

-       Bishop Allen – “You’ll Never Fade Away”

-       The Soundtrack of Our Lives – “Jingle Hell (Stuck in the Chimney)”

-       Johnny Marr and the Healers – “Free Christmas”

-       Ray Charles – “Winter Wonderland”

-       Parenthetical Girls – “There is Always Tomorrow”

-       Tracy Thorn – “Tinsel and Lights”

-       Sufjan Stevens – “Sister Winter”

-       The Head & The Heart – “What Are You Doing New Years Eve?”

-       Heartless Bastards – “Blue Christmas”

-       Andrew Bird – “Auld Lang Syne”

-       Los Campesinos! – “The Trains Don’t Run (On Christmas)” 

For Past Holiday Playlists See Below:

Holiday Playlist Vol. VIII - Click HERE
Holiday Playlist Vol. VII - Click HERE
Holiday Playlist Vol. VI - Click HERE
Holiday Playlist No. 5 - Click HERE
Holiday Playlist Vol. IV - Click HERE
Holiday Playlist Vol. III - Click HERE
Holiday Playlist 2.0 - Click HERE
Holiday Playlist Vol. I - Click HERE

Quick News

Keith Richards has confirmed that The Rolling Stones will record a new record. He spoke to The Quietus and said: "Yes! We must go in the studio! I was at a meeting with the lads three or four days ago where everybody said, 'Yes! We must go in the studio! Where or when I can’t yet say but in the near future. At last I’ve got the boys wanting to get into the studio. They all have to want to do it at the same time. That’s the thing with guys – you can’t drag 'em in at gunpoint – but I’ve got the message that they want to. I’m hopeful, y’know?"

Rihanna has confirmed to NME that her new album isn't finished but it will be "something great" for fans when it arrives. A time frame as to when the record will come out is also unknown.

Benga formerly of Magnetic Man and Skream and Benga has confirmed via Twitter that the real reason he retired from music was not to start a family, like he suggested last year but instead it was due to his bipolar disorder. He said:

Who wants to do my lead interview on my mental health issue I would like to get this heard now. I'm asked so much about my retirement. 💫🙌

— BENGA (@iambenga) September 16, 2015

I might as well explain it on here. My bipolar was brought on by drugs and the schizophrenia was the result of excessive touring. 👊🙌

— BENGA (@iambenga) September 16, 2015

Which is why I dont want sympathy but to raise awareness. Because if I had help early the damage could have been controlled!

— BENGA (@iambenga) September 16, 2015

Gorillaz artist Jamie Hewelett will feature his work in a new gallery exhibit called "The Suggestionist" in London beginning next month at the Saachi Gallery.

Johnny Marr will release his first live solo album, Adrenaline Baby, next month. The songs were recorded during his Brixton and London gigs of the 2014 Playland Tour. Take a look at the tracklisting, below:
01 Playland
02 The Right Thing Right
03 Easy Money
04 25 Hours
05 New Town Velocity
06 The Headmaster Ritual
07 The Messenger
08 Back In The Box
09 Generate! Generate!
10 Bigmouth Strikes Again
11 Boys Get Straight
12 Candidate
13 Getting Away With It
14 There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
15 Dynamo
16 I Fought The Law
17 How Soon Is Now?

Underworld will reissue their album, Second Toughest in the Infants, in November. The reissue was remastered at Abbey Road and will feature the remastered LP, along with remixes, B-sides, unreleased tracks and a 60-page booklet.

Ride will reissue their 1990 album, Nowhere, as a CD/DVD featuring the remastered album and a DVD of a 1991 London gig. The reissue comes out in November.

Is Nas going to release The Lost Tapes 2 next year? Mass Appeal CEO Peter Bittbender spoke to The Drip and mentioned that it will be coming. He said: "Nas is working to deliver this next record to Def Jam, which will be his last [for them]. I haven’t been too involved in that, so I can’t tell you when it’s coming. Once that’s out, then Lost Tapes will follow shortly after. It’ll definitely be a 2016 release, hopefully earlier in the year than later. The music’s amazing. It carries on what he built with the first Lost Tapes. The fans are gonna love it."

Fiction Plane will release their first album in eight years, Mondo Lumina, in November. Take a look at the cover, below:

Quick News

UK band Brother aka Brother UK aka Viva Brother seem to be making a comeback. The gritpop band split up in 2012 after releasing one record, appear to have live dates on their Facebook page and are reuniting. They band apparently finished recording their second record before breaking up but never released it, no word if that will arrive now.

Keith Richards will release his first solo album in over 20 years called Crosseyed Heart in September via Republic. Richards is currently on the road with The Rolling Stones.

Warren G will release a new EP next month called Regulate...G Funk Era Part II. It is the long awaited sequel to his classic 1994 album. The EP will feature unreleased recordings from the late Nate Dogg as well as contributions from Young Jeezy, Bun B, Too $hort, and E-40. Take a look at the cover, below:

This month Bon Iver will close out the Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival that he curated with The National's Aaron Dessner and in a recent interview with Grantland, Bon Iver main man Justin Vernon says he is not sure he will continue on the moniker that gained him acclaim. He said, "I definitely care about the Bon Iver thing a lot, but it’s kind of my thing and there’s only so much time you can spend with yourself before you just become an asshole. So you gotta push it. As far as putting a record together, I don’t really know what’s happening. Our show is our main focus. We don’t have anything booked after this. We don’t have any plans. We’re not being secretive — we just don’t have any plans. It’s just about, Play the show and put all of our energy into one show — for once in my life, let’s just play one fucking show and care just about this one show for a goddamn change."

Speaking to NME, Johnny Marr said he is taking a break from music to focus on writing his untitled autobiography which is due next year. The former Smiths guitarist said, "I always knew it was going to be a matter of downing tools to get the book done. You can’t write a book backstage with soundcheck going on. The important thing is that the people who like what I do still like me the same once they know everything. I take writing seriously, but I also want it to be entertaining, because I don’t want to be too self-important or pompous.”

In a recent Twitter Q&A Robyn addressed a fans question about a new album and she said it is being written and not sure when it will be done. She said:

R: I´ve started to write new songs, but I don´t know when my next album will be done. https://t.co/TOcEV5yHkJ

— Robyn (@robynkonichiwa) July 8, 2015

The Weeknd will release his new album, his fifth overall, Beauty Behind the Madness, next month via Republic. Take a look at the cover, below:

Playlist

June's playlist of 27 musical musings is now up on Spotify. Take a listen!

Playlist

Take a look at April's 26-song playlist and hear it on Spotify!

Quick News

One of Seattle's most famous sons, Jimi Hendrix, will be immortalized in his hometown by having a park named after him. The park has secured a developer and will be finished and unveiled this fall.

Black Sabbath have confirmed that their FINAL show ever will be this fall at OzzFest Japan. The band, who reunited in 2012, released their latest record, 13 in 2013, toured extensively through that year and are looking to have their swan song this year. The band are reportedly going to release new music this year as well.

Snoop Dogg is developing a drama with HBO set in the 1980's L.A. about a family struggling with Reganomics, the crack issue, and violence. No word as to when the show will arrive.

Johnny Marr has confirmed that "the time has come" for the iconic Smiths guitarist to tell his story. Marr will release his autobiography in the fall of 2016 and will reportedly discuss everything from his childhood in Manchester to his time withe The Smiths to his solo work and the various bands he has played in.

Brandon Flowers is enlisting some heavy hitters for his sophomore album, The Desired Effect, which arrives in May. Flowers has Killers member Ronnie Vannucci Jr., as well as Ethan Farmer, Bruce Hornsby, Tony Levin, Kenny Arnof, Angel Deradoorian, Joey Waronker, and Danielle Haim, Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant, contributing their talents. Take a look at the tracklisting below:
01 “Dreams Come True”
02 “Can’t Deny My Love”
03 “I Can Change”
04 “Still Want You”
05 “Between Me And You”
06 “Lonely Town”
07 “Digging Up The Heart”
08 “Never Get You Right”
09 “Untangled Love”
10 “The Way It’s Always Been”

QUICK SPINS

 

Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly

Two days after the 20^th anniversary of Tupac’s Me Against the World, Kendrick Lamar surprise released his sophomore album a week ahead of schedule and if anyone ever doubted that the Compton rapper could be the second coming of Pac, all doubts are officially pushed aside. Beautiful, raw, honest, intense, To Pimp A Butterfly is a modern poet putting social commentary and storylines over beats provided by the likes of Flying Lotus, Thundercat, Terrace Martin, Pharrell, Dr. Dre, among others. Clocking in at 80 minutes, which is long for any record, especially by today’s standards, Lamar lets his feelings about celebrity, love, the hood, and black culture out with a vengeance. Combining hip-hop, funk, jazz, psychedelica, and rock, Lamar defies the sophomore slump and proves he will not be pigeonholed. With lyrics about Trayvon Martin to Michael Jackson to Nelson Mandela, as well as his “interview” with Tupac, this record is a lyrical document of our times by a one-man verbal wrecking ball.

FINAL GRADE: A+

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds – Chasing Yesterday

Another sophomore album that refuses to be pigeonholed comes from the former Oasis axeman and songwriter, Noel Gallagher. Chasing Yesterday is Gallagher coming into his own and putting his past behind him, while the only yesterday he may be chasing is selling out massive stadiums around the world, he goes for that sound but on a different level. Chasing Yesterday is a bit more eccentric and intimate that his 2012 solo debut. Fusing jazz and rock, Gallagher goes for something new and it works.

FINAL GRADE: A

Twin Shadow – Eclipse

For his third album, George Lewis Jr. aka Twin Shadow goes from being the male version of Robyn to his own dance leader and new wave leader. Eclipse is a record about coming into your own and Shadow does that with enough tracks that will make you click repeat over and over again.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Ghostpoet – Shedding Skin

Using late night tales and the sounds of the London underground scene, Ghostpoet returns even more mysterious and romantic on his third album, Shedding Skin. A surreal, beautiful and very modern British album from one of the UK’s best exports.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Sufjan Stevens – Carrie and Lowell

Sufjan Stevens has built a very successful career being a musical unicorn who clearly gives zero fucks about what you think of him and his style. He is a funky storyteller from Detroit that breaks all musical rules and boundaries while doing it all on his own. Carrie and Lowell is his love letter to his parents and after a five year wait for fans, he returns to his indie-folk roots to go back to basics.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Incubus – Trust Fall EP

The mighty alternative rockers return with a new EP, which is actually the first part of their new record, the second part arrives later this year to make a complete record. After the epic disaster of their last album, 2011’s If Not Now, When? the Calabasas band go back to their boundary pushing roots and combine more electronic hooks and guitar than they have in recent past. This is a step for the future of the band that is headed in the right direction.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Flash Bastard – WILD

This Canadian band describes themselves as glam punk and glitter rock, but Flash Bastard are so much more than that. They are probably the most fun you will have listening to any record released in 2015 thus far. WILD is their latest offering and the title lives up to the name. Now, if only this band can tour with The Darkness and Steel Panther, all would be alright in the world.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Lieutenant - If I Kill This Thing We’re All Going to Eat for a Week

Foo Fighters bassist Nate Mendel ventures into the solo world for the very first time under the name Lieutenant. Mendel is usually the quiet one in Foo’s but this time he busts out into his own. Bringing along former Sunny Day Real Estate bandmates for the ride, he shows off his hidden songwriting skills and shows why, aside from Dave Grohl, he has been the only constant member of Foo Fighters, which after hearing this record, could be because he is the backbone to any musical act he is apart of.

FINAL GRADE: B

Cannibal Ox – The Blade of the Ronin

14 years after their terrific debut, Cannibal Ox return with their sophomore album, The Blade of the Ronin. The Bronx duo stay along similar ideas from The Cold Vein but are missing out on the flawless El-P production that record had.

FINAL GRADE: B

James Bay – The Chaos and the Calm

After a series of solid EP’s, English singer / songwriter James Bay finally arrives in album form with The Chaos and the Calm. Combining the best tracks from his EP’s as well as new songs, the man with the tall hat shows why he is one the best young songwriters today with his tender and touching side.

FINAL GRADE: B

Airborne Toxic Event – Dope Machines

Four records in and California’s Airborne Toxic Event are still making solid records. Dope Machines hears the band depart from the orchestral rock sound they were known for and hears them venture into more electronic stadium-style hooks and with enough power that will get any crowd chanting along. Just hear the single “Wrong,” and you will know we were right about this review.

FINAL GRADE: B

Atari Teenage Riot – Reset

The digital hardcore OG’s return with their fifth album and their second since their reunion and bring forth the filth, fury, and social commentary that only they can. Reset is the soundtrack to the internet lead by the Wikileaks generation.

FINAL GRADE: B

Reptar – Lurid Glow

The fantastic Athens, Georgia, indie rockers take the spirit of the Athens bands before them – REM, B-52’s, Of Montreal, and bring their own blend of silly creativity on their sophomore album. Now that the weather is getting better, this is a record to play while hanging in a park or driving around with friends.

FINAL GRADE: B

Hot Rod Circuit – Sorry About Tomorrow

The emo titans of the early 2000’s are back and pick up where they left off. Sorry About Tomorrow will surely please old fans who have been waiting for new music from this band since their hiatus in 2008.

FINAL GRADE: B

Marika Hackman – We Slept At Last

Since 2012, we have been following the career of English singer / songwriter Marika Hackman and after three years of waiting, we get her beautiful debut. The young and talented songstress plays a minimal style that lets the listener focus on her lyrics rather than her voice or the production around her.

FINAL GRADE: B

Modest Mouse – Strangers to Ourselves

It has been eight years since Modest Mouse released a new album and in that time so much has happened. Some members left, including Johnny Marr, various ideas were tossed around like high profile producers and collaborations like Big Boi. But in the end, the band returned with a record that captures their disjointed eight years away perfectly. Strangers to Ourselves is far from the best work they have done but in many cases, also, is not the worst. It does feel a bit all over the place and chaotic in sonic style and feels more along the idea of “Hey, let’s just get this out and work on the next record.” While they have been away for so long, they weren’t forgotten and this could just be an appatizer to hold fans over for something else.

FINAL GRADE: B-  

Ratking – 700 Fill

The New York City hip-hop collective stormed onto the scene last year with So It Goes, now, they follow their acclaimed debut with a surprise mixtape. 700 Fill still contains that raw, raucous, and rambunctious rap that we have loved about the group but with minimal production and just letting the lyrics do the talking.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Of Montreal – Aureate Gloom

The freakishly fabulous Of Montreal return with their 15^th album and the band keeps it as strange and as weird as ever.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Ringo Starr – Postcards from Paradise

Ringo is back with album No. 18 and it is exactly what you guessed it would be and sound like.

FINAL GRADE: D

Quick News

Wu-Tang Clan's final album, Once Upon A Time in Shaolin, that secret album that has been in the works since the 90's has hit the auction block. Now, in an interview with Scluzay, RZA says that whoever wins the auction has to release the album to the public after 88 years. RZA said, "Anyone who knows the Wu-Tang Clan knows that we often apply numerology, mathematics and symbolism to the things we do. There were 8 original members of the Clan when we made Protect Ya Neck and M.E.T.H.O.D Man. The individual numbers of this year also add up to the number 8. The broker of this work carries the number 8 in its name. The number 8 on its side is a symbol of infinity, as it was used on our album ‘Wu-Tang Forever’. You can call it mathematical coincidence, but it’s always had great symbolic significance for us. For us it also addresses the issue of music’s longevity in a time of mass production and short attention spans. Nothing about this record revolves around short-term gains, but rather around the legacy of the music and the statement we’re making."

Were The Smiths going to go disco before they broke up in 1987? According to Johnny Marr they were. In a Q&A with The Guardian, Marr was asked, "Tell Us A Secret," the guitarist replied, "The Smiths were planning a disco album." He did not elaborate further.

Two Manchester, England, icons are joining forces. Former United icon, David Beckham, has agreed to be in an upcoming video from City supporter Noel Gallagher. Gallagher asked Becks on The Graham Norton Show and the former player agreed saying, "Obviously there's a big Manchester divide between United and City, but when I used to play for England I remember Noel being at one of the games and I went up to him and shook his hand, so of course I'll be in one of your videos."

QUICK SPINS

 

Foo Fighters – Sonic Highways

The size and scope of the Foo Fighters latest album, Sonic Highways, is so big it required an HBO documentary series to tell the tale of the making of the album, which Dave Grohl told the musical tale of America’s best cities. This is their love letter to American music, no doubt about it. A different song recorded over a week in a different city, while Grohl cherrypickes his lyrics from the interviews he is conducting with musicians in those cities to craft a song inspired by metropolis they are in. While the creative force and idea of the record propels Sonic Highways at the speed of light, musically it takes on the concept of the music they are in but they make it all their own. For these eight songs that are a way for them to say “Thanks America,” Foo Fighters go from being America’s biggest rock and roll band to the best.

FINAL GRADE: A

Arca – Xen

Arca, the Venezuelan born producer made his name last year when he appeared as one of the producers on Kanye West’s Yeezus. Since then, he has gone on to produce FKA Twigs (a fellow 2014 Best New Artist nominee) fantastic debut and is currently working with Bjork on her new album. In all of this, he found time to record a debut that is so unconventional, so smart, and so ahead of it’s time, Xen will be a record we talk about in years to come as we see it was the blueprint and jumpoff to what alternative music will sound like.

FINAL GRADE: A

Idris Elba Presents Mi Mandela

Nearly a year after Nelson Mandela’s passing, Idris Elba, the best actor to ever portray the iconic leader on screen has crafted a tribute record of sorts using various African musicians, as well as Mumford and Sons, James Blake, Mr. Hudson, and Cody ChestnuTT, to bring a much more pop sound to an already fantastic musical landscape. This album represents the world in song and needs to be heard.

FINAL GRADE: A

Bryan Ferry – Avonmore

The musical mastermind, Bryan Ferry, returns with a new record of songs to add to his iconic arsenal of alternative music. This time around he brings Nile Rodgers, Johnny Marr, Flea, Ronnie Spector along for the ride.

FINAL GRADE: A-

TV on the Radio – Seeds

TV on the Radio have always delivered records that sound as if they come from another cosmic part of the universe, Seeds is no exception. The band’s latest, their first recorded since the passing of bassist Gerard Smith, doesn’t sound like a band reflecting too much on their past but focusing, as always, on the future and what is ahead. Which in many ways, is probably what Smith would have wanted. The production of member David Sitek is as funky and freaky as ever and the energy this record packs is a colorful punch to fans around the globe.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Mary J. Blige – The London Sessions

Linking up with Disclosure got R&B icon realizing that the UK is where it is at – it is something we have felt for a while now, too. The London Sessions is her homage to the musical spirit of the iconic city and how it never ceases to stop creating, stop wondering, and stop being hungry. One of Blige’s best records and a new chapter in her illustrious career.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Lagwagon – Hang

For their first record in nearly a decade, Lagwagon pull all the stops and show they still can pack a serious punch.

FINAL GRADE: B+

KMFDM – Our Time Will Come

At one point in their massively long career, KMFDM called it quits, yet, since they have been back they have been harder, stronger, faster, and better than ever. Our Time Will Come is the industrial legends 19^th album and while they show no signs of stopping, we thank them for not slowing down.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Circa Survive – Descensus

The fifth album from the Pennsylvania prog/emo-core band hears Circa Survive sounding as big and as energetic as ever. This is a band that has been putting out quality music for a decade now and it keeps getting better and better.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Erasure – The Violent Flame

The 16^th album from the iconic British New Wave titans hears them pulverizing dance floors again as if it is 1984. The Violent Flame gets a modern twist produced by XL Records mastermind, Richard XL and brings that classic Erasure sound to a whole new level.

FINAL GRADE: B

Royksopp – The Inevitable End

The fifth and final album from Norway’s beloved electronic artists Royksopp is the perfect swan song for a band this strong and this talented to go out on. With guest appearances by Robyn, Man Without Country, Jamie Irrepressible, and others, Royksopp wave goodbye in grand fashion.

FINAL GRADE: B

AC/DC – Rock or Bust

For over 40 years, Australia’s biggest rock export have saluted those about to rock and been to the highway to hell and back and are now returning basically what feels like an excuse to tour. Rock or Bust is the 15th record from AC/DC and while musically it doesn’t do anything new, it is the first album without Malcolm Young on bass and is the shortest record from the band. It just feels complacent and it feels as if they need a shake-up, sort of what Black Sabbath did with 13, in order to get back to their musical heights.

FINAL GRADE: C

Rick Ross – Hood Billionaire

While Rick Ross has a sleek new look, he still sounds the same. Hood Billionaire maybe the latest album from Rosey, and with his star-studded guest list featuring Jay-Z, R. Kelly, Project Pat, K. Michelle, Yo Gotti, Boosie Badazz, Big K.R.I.T., Snoop Dogg, Fat Trel, Whole Slab, French Montana, Big KRIT, Lex Luger, Timbaland, it still doesn’t save this album from sounding like anything else he has done before.

FINAL GRADE: D

Bush -  Man on the Run

Gavin Rossdale’s latest incarnation to his English grunge band doesn’t sound too different from when he resurrected them a few years ago. While their greatest material ended at the turn of the century, this new Bush should not only be called something else, they should be looking to sound like something else, too.

FINAL GRADE: D