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
Metallica – Hardwired… 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.
Common – Black 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 Keys – Here
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+
Justice – Woman
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
