Top 5 Albums of 2012

No.5                                Royal Headache- Royal Headache



        
     This album really came out of nowhere for me; here was a punk band that played pretty basic punk music with one very notable element that made them stand out... the singer. That, and the fact that the music, while simple, was catchy and had enough interesting moments to keep me coming back again and again. I'm super excited to see where this band goes in the future, especially if the vocals continue to be this inspired and captivating.

No.4                             Spiritualized: Sweet Heart Sweet Light

    This album came into my possession at a time in my life when I was feeling pretty down. And like a shot of pure light into the gloom, songs like "Hey Jane" and "Life is a Problem" simply spoke to me. But the most surprising thing? Even after that rough spot; I still found inspiration and beauty in this album. Because, simply put, it's an incredible album and easily one of Spiritualized's best.



 

No.3                              Perfume Genius: Put Your Back N 2 It 


 
   Few albums and songs make me feel sad or depressed in a genuine way; but the latest album from Perfume Genius does just that. If Sweet Heart Sweet Light was the pat on the back and reassuring hug. Then Put Your Back N 2 It was the long sob leading up to it. This album is beautiful through and through, from the sparse, moody piano playing, to the soft and weeping vocals of front man Mike Hadreas. It was hard picking a spot for this album, because no other release this year has made me feel the way this album does... sad. But not the sad that makes you lose hope and eat a gallon of ice cream. Instead it's the kind of sad that helps you realize that there is a lot more to life than simply being alive; and that's something this album did for me.

No.2                             Kendrick Lamar: good kid, m.a.a.d city


     What an amazing year for Kendrick Lamar. Not only was he featured on some very successful and great projects, but his label T.B.E kind of took the rap game by storm with releases from Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul. His crowning achievement however, is the conceptual masterpiece that is "good kid, m.a.a.d city" a rap album that, to me, really sets the bar for concepts in hip-hop albums. From track the opener "Sherane" to the closer "Compton", Kendrick takes the listener through his life growing up with gangs. drugs and the violence that comes with them. But it's not all hardcore attitudes and macho posturing; tracks like "Poetic Justice" and "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" take a look at love and the affect that Kendricks music has on the people who he raps about. From top to bottom, this is an incredible piece of music and one that I'll be playing well into 2013 and beyond.

No.1                                    Death Grips: The Money Store

    This will come as no surprise if you read my review for this album and the followup "No Love DEEP WEB" But hey, when music pushes boundaries and gives me hope for the future of creativity in a genre... it needs to be praised. Death Grips are doing things that nobody expected ( and in some cases, wanted ) hip-hop to do. The music on "The Money Store" is bright, noisy and ultra aggressive, to the point that it almost seems like they went overboard a little; and in a lot of ways, they did. But that's what makes this such a captivating listen from start to finish; the feeling that at any moment, everything could go horribly wrong and just sound like a ton of abrasive nonsense, but it doesn't. In fact, Death Grips have an incredible ability to balance aggression with subtlety and nuance. Filling their songs with nooks and crannies that only repeat listens can reveal. And with just under a hundred full listens since it was released in May... the rewards for finding those nooks and crannies has culminated in not only my favorite album of 2012, but one of my favorite albums of all-time.

 






     

Top 3 Most Disappointing Albums of 2012

While I'd say 2012 was a pretty fantastic year for music in general. There are a few albums from artists I love, that just didn't meet my expectations. Here are my top 3 that fit that description.

                                         
                                  No. 3: G.O.O.D Music Presents: Cruel Summer.

          Sure, I didn't think watch the throne was especially great or anything. But at least on that album
Yeezy & Jay Z seemed to know how to put an album together; whereas "Cruel Summer" comes together like an assembly of random feature tracks ( in a way, it is.) But where the real problem lies is in the actual quality of the tracks themselves. "Mercy" and "Clique" are the only two worthwhile moments on here ( and R. Kelly on the opener ), but the rest of the album is pretty average in both rapping and beats. Which is odd for Kanye West, since he's usually pretty strict on what beats he lets on any given project. In short, I was expecting a better show from G.O.O.D Music on "Cruel Summer", but what I got was an underwhelming album with very few worthwhile moments.

                                       No.2:  The Avett Brothers: The Carpenter.
           
           Before I start, let me just say this... I do like the Avett Brothers. In fact, I think their last album "I and Love and You" is a great piece of modern folk, and the rest of their back catalogue is reasonably good too. But sadly, "The Carpenter" was just not enjoyable for me...
Aside from the pretty and rather poetic opener, none of these tracks struck me as being as good any song on their last release. And the song "Live and Die" is cringe worthy. So yeah; I wasn't felling this album at all... and I know I probably just lost some cred somewhere in the indie circle, but hey, I'm just being honest.

                                                     No. 1: Crystal Castles: (III)

            *Sigh*, I loved this band's first album so much. It was bright, colorful and bursting at the seems with ambition. But (III) doesn't come close to being as interesting or enjoyable. The dull, repetitive, and sometimes amateur sounding beats and the cacophonous reverb completely soil any chance of this album resonating with me for longer than a day or two. While at first I was drawn to (III) for tracks like "Kerosene" and "Child I Will Hurt You". The rest of the album is such a drag... making those few bright spots utterly meaningless.

Like I said in my review of the album; I don't think CC have lost their ability to craft worthwhile electro-pop. I just think they may be heading in a direction that I'm not into. And if that's the case: so be it.


But this is just my opinion; you may find these albums to be some of your favorite, and I totally respect that and encourage you to check all three of these albums out.


 

Top 5 Favorite Singles of 2012

Kicking of my year-end lists with my favorite singles from the pas year. Enjoy!

No. 5

         For as vulgar and cliche as this song is; it has a killer chorus and Theo and Big Boi swagger about like champs. Though I wasn't really digging the rest of Big Boi's latest release: I can safely say that this song will be getting repeated listens well into 2013.

No. 4

     


         Sure, A$AP Rocky isn't the greatest rapper you'll come across. But he knows what beats he sounds good on, and "Goldie" is proof ( if his mix tape didn't prove that already.) And guess what? Rocky actually has a pretty great flow on here too.

No. 3

         

         The Vaccines have always had great singles, and "Teenage Icon" is no exception. The verses jerk and pull before bursting into the infectious chorus and there's a nice guitar interlude towards the finish.

No. 2

       

       Good lord is this song great. It's dreamy and warm, with just a hint of nonchalance. Mac's second full length "2" was pretty great and had a couple other singles that would have easily taken this spot. But "My Kind Of Woman" wins because it's the reason I gave "2" repeated listens.

No. 1

     

       When I was thinking about what my favorite singles were for 2012, "Hey Jane" has always been my number 1. It's just so epic and brings Spiritualized back to their roots; in fact, all of their latest album does. Not only is this a fantastic opener to a great album; but it's also my favorite single for 2012.

Side Note: I implore you to check out the official music video for "Hey Jane" it's an amazing video.

Crystal Castles: (iii) ALBUM REVIEW

Ever since their debut self titled album came out in 2008; Crystal Castles have been every hipsters favorite electro-punk band. And I won't lie, that debut album is really effin' awesome. With Tracks like "Untrust Us" and "Crimewave" it's hard not to love. But their second album ( also self-titled) left me feeling a little disappointed. It lacked the spark that made the debut so enjoyable; and instead, a lot of the tracks on that album felt too subdued and buried in effects. 

And that feeling has only been reinforced with the latest project from this Toronto-based duo, an album that is, yet again, self titled. 

And it's apparent from the start that CC have chosen to go with a sound more reminiscent of tracks like "Celestica" and less like the aforementioned tracks from their debut. And that's kind of sad, since it's songs like those that got me into this band in the first place. But still, not every track on here is a bummer. Take the track "Kerosene" for example; it possesses all the things that make a CC song great, with glitchy vocals and a pretty good beat. 

But songs like "Plague" and "Affection" are either too simple or bury the vocals in a sea of reverb. Which is upsetting, because I think the singer, Alice Glass has a lot of personality, and it's a shame that the production stifles that a bit. 

Aside from a few standout moments ( like the closer) (iii) just doesn't do it for me like the debut, or even (ii) did... I know that these guys can still pen a good tune, and the cohesiveness of this album shows that they are  getting better at putting a concept together. However, (iii) suffers from some pretty big problems, and is a very bland listen because of them. 

6/10

Action Bronson: The Symbol Track Review

"The Symbol" is from Action Bronson's latest mixtape "Rare Chandeliers" and the song and video both pay homage to the grind house style; with a pretty sick guitar lead playing throughout the sample. And lets not forget the video... simply put: It's fantastic.

The mixtape as a whole is pretty good too, though I'm not entirely on board with AB at this point. I look forward to hearing future projects from this guy, especially if they have tracks like "The Symbol" on them.

Mac Demarco: 2 Album Review

You may recall my review of the track "My Kind of Woman" from Mac Demarco's "2".

You may also recall that in that review I said that while there were a couple decent tracks on it; the album as a whole was underwhelming. Well, I'll admit; in the time since that review I've been going back to the album again and again... and I actually like it... a lot. 

I just couldn't resist the care-free and totally chilled-out atmosphere found on "2". With it's dreamy and sometimes danceable rhythms, and killer melodies; it's a very enjoyable listen from start to finish.

The album starts off fantastically with the track "Cooking Up Something Good", it's a quirky and slightly funky tune, and it starts things off brilliantly. The next song "Dreaming" is pretty self explanatory sound-wise, with Mac's twangy and reverbed out guitar leading the way. 

The track "Freaking Out The Neighborhood" is a slick and insanely catchy song with a killer guitar lead. In fact a lot of tracks have great guitar leads and solos ( "Ode To Viceroy" especially) that create a lot of 

standout moments. 

You can check out my review for the track "My Kind Of Woman" if you want a more in depth view. But it still stands as my favorite song on "2"; and that says a lot considering that I've become pretty enamored with the entire album. Especially the closing track "Still Together" which finds Mac strumming an acoustic guitar and reaching the upper registers of his range; creating a very "In The Jungle" kind of atmosphere.

While at first I didn't really see anything special in this album ( aside from the singles) I'm glad It finally clicked with me, and turned out to be one of this years most enjoyable listens for me. 

8.5/10

Big Boi : Lines (feat. A$AP Rocky & Phantogram) Track Review

"Lines" is the latest single from legendary southern rapper Big Boi ( most will know him from Outkast.)
And unlike the last single "She Said Okay" this track has a much more serious tone; and a slightly trippy beat and hook from Phantogram. It's a pretty nice track overall, and even A$AP Rocky drops a pretty decent verse.

This track along with "She Said Okay" will be on Big Boi's forthcoming album "Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors" which should drop sometime in December.

Dirty Projectors: Swing Lo Magellan Album Review

After the surprising success of their last album Bita Orca, the Dirty Projectors are back with their latest album Swing Lo Magellan. A album that seems to follow in the tradition of every other DP album before; angular and intricate guitar leads backed by harmonized vocals and oft times inscrutable song structures.

But aside from a few exceptions, Swing Lo Magellan is actually the bands most straightforward and instantaneous album yet, in my opinion at least. Whereas I found myself growing bored with a good chunk of the material on Bita Orca; Magellan just has such a great flow and sense of melody, that I can't help but be entranced. 

The album starts of with the track "Offspring Are Blank" which is probably the most "Orca" like track on here; but only until it busts out in a loud guitar in the chorus. The following track "About To Die" is where things really take off for me, the drum beat that starts the song is just so odd and the chorus on this song is fantastic.

The tracks "Gun Has No Trigger" and the title track are standouts as well; the latter taking on an almost Velvet Underground sound and mood. And "Gun Has No Trigger" has some of the darkest lyrics on the album. The whole album just has a very oddball, yet approachable vibe to it; it's hard not to get swept up in it.

My only gripes would be the track "Maybe That Was It" which is a slightly meandering song with no truly notable moments, and the "rawkin" chorus on the opener is a little out of place.

Still, this is easily the most enjoyable time I've had with a Dirty Projectors album, and I'm glad I gave it a chance even though I didn't love Bita Orca.

8.2/ 10

Earl Sweatshirt: Chum TRACK REVIEW

Usually when I hear that a member of Odd Future has dropped a new track ( save for Mr. Frankie Ocean, of course) I need to prepare myself for some disappointment. Because it seems that ever since Tyler, The Creator, dropped his album "Goblin" last year; the group and it's off-shoots have been releasing mostly sub-par material. Which is sad, because these guys have a lot of potential.

Chief among them is Earl, who, fresh out of juvie ( not THAT fresh) has started dropping new tracks, and "Chum" is the first notable new release from Earl this year.

The track is simply great, with a somber piano loop playing over a fuzzy beat. It actually reminds me a lot of the early stuff OF was putting out back in 09, which is a good thing. Unlike so many newer OF projects, the production on this track is free of cheap synthesizer sounds and fruity loops drum beats.

And since this is Earl we're talking about; the rapping is pretty great too. "Chum" is a very personal track for not only Earl, but for OF in general. Detailing how the loss of his father has affected his outlook on life and maybe why he was acting out in the first place. It's refreshing to hear something of real substance being produced by OF, and not the same old stuff from guys like Hodgy Beats and Domo Genesis.

I'm excited to see whether or not Earl's next full length will contain more tracks like "Chum". Since in a lot of press releases this year, he's been stating that he plans on moving past the juvenile and shock style music that he put out in the past.

Craft Spells: Gallery EP Review

In 2011, Craft Spells released one of my favorite albums of the year; their debut Idle Labor. It had a lo-fi sounds reminiscent of bands like Wild Nothing or Beach Fossils; but with a decidedly more New Order approach circa "Power, Corruption and Lies". A combination that proved to be very rewarding and re-listenable; with catchy hooks and danceable grooves.

Now we have their latest EP titled Gallery. And the band sticks to their guns, mostly, putting together 6 dreamy, infectious and now cleaner sounding, songs. 

The EP starts out great with the track "Still Left With Me" which is every bit as weepy as the title suggests. Next the track "Warmth" offers up a sparse, but no less catchy chorus and great synth lines.

Every track on here is good, but it's when their great that you get to see just how much they've improved from the debut. The track "Burst" is that very example; it's bright and full of color, and the production is fantastic. 

This is a great step forward for Craft Spells; and I'm excited to hear their next full-length.

7.0

Blast From the Past: Of Montreal: Tim, I Wish You Were Born A Girl

This wonderful little tune comes from Of Montreal's debut album from 1997. The title says it all; it's a song about wishing that your best friend was a girl... And my god is it catchy. This band, and bands like Neutral Milk Hotel and The Olivia Tremor Control, are what make the Elephant 6 Collective such a worthwhile group of people; I recommend you check out more stuff from not on this band, but the others in the collective as well.

Mac Demarco: My Kind of Woman Track Review

This little ditty comes from Mac Demarco's second full length release "2". It's a song about a girl... and while that's not especially original in any regard, it's still one heck of a tune. Mac has a knack for churning out care free songs about life, and while "2" isn't entirely great; songs like "My Kind of Woman" are keeping me interested in what this guy does in the future.

Wild Nothing: Nocturne Album Review

Dream pop is a very tricky genre. On one end of the spectrum you have bands like Beach House, with their emphasis on creating heavenly atmospheres over straightforward pop songs. And then on the other side you have a band like Wild Nothing; who use their dreaminess to cover their pop songs in a sea of synths and re verb-laden guitars.

This is the band's sophomore release; but unlike so many sophomore outings, this one actually improves the band's overall sound and is a stronger product then the debut.

And with songs like the opener "Shadow" with it's bouncy melody and soft, Billy Corgan Esq crooning, establishes the mood for the rest of the album, and is a superb song as well.

The title track is another standout, presenting a more dreamy sound and is just as rich with melody as the opener. In fact, every song here contains a strong sense of melody. And while songs like "Through the Grass" and "This Chain Won't Break" don't exactly have the greatest hooks; you'll still find yourself humming the melodies for days.

Other highlights include "Only Heather" "Rheya" and "Paradise". The former being my personal favorite; it combines all of the band's best elements into one 3 minute slice of perfection.

Overall, this is a very strong album. Sure, it's not the most original album on the planet; but it's a darn good one and is well worth checking out.

7.8/ 10

Kendrick Lamar: good kid, m.A.A.d city Album Review

Ever since he made waves with his last album Section .80; Kendrick Lamar has been quickly climbing my list of rappers who have the potential to be true legends. And with his latest release "good kid, m.A.A.d city", he  earned his spot.

Now it's pretty easy to look at Kendrick on the surface and make some pretty misguided assumptions. First, he's young ( 25 if I'm not mistaken.) Second; he's from Compton, a city who's rappers are notorious for rapping about nothing but weed, violence, and making money, in the most braggadocios way possible. 

But if you let his age and where he's from keep you from listening, you'll miss one of the most potent and cinematic hip-hop albums of the last few years.

The album starts of slow and moody with the tracks "Sherane" and "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe."

But then comes a track that to me, is pure genius; the track "Backseat Freestyle." A track that, again, on the surface, seems like your typical rap track where the mc brags about having money and a big... yeah. But with the help of the skit at the end of "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe", you see the story Kendrick is trying to tell, one about his childhood, and the life's of others, growing up in the hood.

And that sentiment is only furthered on the next track "The Art of Peer Pressure." It shows us that the Kendrick we heard on "Backseat Freestyle" was just trying to fit in with people he considered friends. Until he finds himself in a dire situation later in the track.

The tracks "Money Trees" and "Poetic Justice" are more upbeat, and the beat on "Money Trees" actually samples Beach House of all things. And to my surprise, Drake actually fits in well on the track "Poetic 

Justice."

Then comes the two title tracks "good kid" and "m.A.A.d city." While the former is a great track; it's the latter that really comes hard, with Kendrick rapping in a way that makes him sound like the 16 year old boy he used to be. And the song has a killer beat to boot, with the first half reminding me slightly of "Mercy" of all things.

"Sing about me, I'm dying of thirst" is a twelve minute journey, where Kendrick raps about how his music effects not only the life's of the listener, but of the people he raps about. And while I wasn't too big on the track "Real", I do appreciate it's message and overall place on the album. And finally, "Compton", a perfect closer to the album. Considering how cinematic the entire album has been up until this point; it's only fitting that the last track plays like the song you would hear behind the credits of a movie.

I thought this was an incredible album, through and through. If Kendrick can keep his knack for concept albums and keep his lyrics and flow even close to how it is on this album; I have no doubt that he'll go down as one of the greats.

9.8/10

Band Watch: Pile

Just today, the Post-Hardcore 4-piece Pile have been brought to my attention. And I must say, I like what I'm hearing.

They have a new album out titled "Dripping" which is a mix of hard edged rock guitars and slow, often beautiful melodies. Not to mention the lead singer reminds me ever so slightly of Jeff Mangum at some points here.

Here is a link to the band's bandcamp page, check em' out!
http://pile.bandcamp.com/music 


Also, I want to make note that an album review is in the works. So stay tuned for that!

Kendrick Lamar: "Backseat Freestyle" Track Review

Kendrick Lamar is a rapper from Compton, California. And when he isn't reppin' his city, he's dropping amazing tracks like "Backseat Freestyle",a track that has me really hyped for his next album "Good kid in a m.a.a.d city".

The track starts of with Kendrick comparing himself with Martin Luther King, saying, "Martin had a dream/ Kendrick have a dream", and from that point on the track is one long trail of fire. Kendrick sounds hungry on this track, and for a rapper of 24, that's a grand thing to behold. He's got the game in his hands, I only hope his album has more songs like this one.

Check it out

Death Grips: The Money Store/ NO LOVE DEEP WEB Album review: Double Feature: Electric Boogaloo

Let me just preface this double feature with a little warning. The music that this band produces is very graphic, offensive, and downright frightening at points... So be wary.

That being said; Death Grips is a alternative rap trio from Sacramento California. The group is comprised of rapper Mc Ride, drummer Zach Hill, and beat maker Flatlander. And let me tell you, these guys are doing something utterly amazing and altogether terrifying with the music they create.

But allow me to explain what makes Death Grips such a captivating, yet polarizing group in the world of underground music. First off, the vocals... Good God, the vocals. Mc Ride, at first, seems less like a rapper and more like a crazed hobo who hijacked a studio to scream his utterly insane rants. Ride is equal parts over-the-top and poignant, with his lyrics detailing the exploits of an unlikeable, villain esq person, who is bent on being as cruel as possible and teetering on the brink of insanity. Which is a great concept in this day and age, where gangster rappers like Lil' Wayne and Wakka Flocka are praised for glorifying greed and violence. However, the character that Mc Ride portrays in his songs, is so extreme that nobody could possibly find any reason to praise or idolize him... which to me is utterly brilliant.

Next we have Zach Hill ( of Hella fame ) and Flatlander, the two music makers in the group. And really, they add just as much, if not more chaos to the mix. With Hills's jittery, off-kilter drumming and Flatlander's penchant for creating some of the noisiest beats you'll ever hear,  these guys set the apocalyptic stage on which Mc Ride preaches his dark sermon.

But beneath all of the noise and screaming, Death Grips manages to make music that is surprisingly catchy and, as I've said before, captivating. Especially on their major label debut The Money Store, the first of two albums they released this year under their record label Epic.

The album starts with the track "Get Got", a song about police paranoia with an infectious hook. It also is one of the rare moments when you'll find Ride rapping in a calmer tone of voice. The following track however ( "The Fever") ramps up the intensity tenfold, with a beat that sounds like a siren, and Mc Ride screaming in your face. Tracks like "System Blower" and "The Cage" hark en back to the band's first mix tape Exmilitary, and the track "Double Helix" is another track where Mc Ride is being relatively low-key.

But the two tracks that really stand out on The Money Store are "I've Seen Footage" and "Hacker". The Former sounds eerily similar to Salt N Peppa's "Push it" though with a lot more police brutality and critiques on the Internet age. While "Hacker" is a very jittery song that apparently Lady Gaga can't handle.

Simply put, The Money Store is brilliant. It combines so many different sounds and images together and does it exquisitely. It also happens to be my favorite album of the year... so far.

10/10

Now on to the band's second and far more controversial release, NO LOVE DEEP WEB.
But why all the talk? Well, it was released for free months before the record label was allegedly going to release it, and upon it hitting the Internet on October 1st, the band slapped on a rather graphic album cover; a man's erect penis with the album title written on it in black sharpie... yeah.

But I don't want to linger too long on the context, you have Google for that. Instead, let me tell you about what to expect from this album.

Unlike The Money Store where the beats are noisy and the hooks rather prominent. NLDW is a more subdued album musically, save for moments like the track "No Love" and "Whammy" Zach and Flatlander seem to let Mc Ride take over this album, which is a great move when the lyrics are on point.

That is my only real complaint however; Rides' lyrics on a couple of tracks here are a little shaky. Like the track "Deep Web" or the hook on "World of Dogs". Whereas The Money Store managed to obscure any lyrical flubs with an infectious hook or subtle production move, NLDW puts Mc Ride front-and-center, revealing some inconsistency. But when he's on, HE'S ON. Like my favorite track from the album, the hellish "No Love" or the ear worm "Bass rattle stars out the sky".

NLDW may not be as strong as TMS, but it still has the same appeal and shows how versatile Death Grips is.

8.5/10

Frank Ocean: Channel Orange Album Review

Say what you will about the rap click Odd Future, ( believe me, I have ) but it's hard to deny the impact they've had on underground music in the last couple of years. They've manged to garner a lot of attention ,and for obvious reasons; they can be highly offensive, overly aggressive and sometimes, downright genius.

But out of all of Odd Future's members, it's Frank Ocean who seems to be looking for mainstream success the most. With his smooth R&B sound reminiscent of Marvin Gaye, and the fact that he's the most consistent member of the click in terms of quality. And "Channel Orange" only cements that fact.

The album opens with a short instrumental before going into the first real song "Thinkin' Bout You", a soulful tune with Frank Ocean singing the hook in an ear-splitting falsetto. It's a great way to start things off. Unfortunately, the next song "Sierra Leone" is kind of a dud; which is too bad, because the next track "Sweet Life" is really great. In fact this track, and the track "Super Rich Kids" make a nice pair, since their subject matters are very similar, "Sweet Life" talks about how maybe being rich and having "the beach" isn't all its cracked up to be, while "Super Rich Kids" takes a more juvenile approach with Earl dropping a verse about crashing his fathers car. Not to mention that both of these tracks, and really the entire album, have really stellar hooks.

But my favorite tracks all group themselves in the middle of the album, with "Pyramids", "Lost", and "Pilot Jones". "Pyramids" is by far the most ambitious song on the album; it's a 10 minute epic that goes from the death of Cleopatra, to a stripper working in a club called The Pyramid. But it's the way Frank Ocean transitions from one section to another that makes the track truly memorable. "Pilot Jones" is a hazy song that is either about a girl, or weed... or both. And finally "Lost", which easily has the best hook on the entire album, tells a story about a girl who is lost in the world, cooking dope and just getting caught in the rush without finding a place for herself. 

Overall "Channel Orange" is a really great release from an artist who is sure to make a name for himself not only in the modern day R&B scene, but also surpass his mates in Odd Future. Which, to be fair, isn't that hard of a task lately.

9.0

Black Breath: Razor To Oblivion EP Review

There was a time back in the days of my youth, where the only music I wanted to listen to, was metal.
Sure, my musical pallet has grown more complex over the years, but every now and again I get an itch that can only be scratched by the sound of drums being played at ludicrous speeds and guitars chugging away at some very down-tempo chords. Or, to take the cover of this EP literally, the sound of Death reaping his way across a battlefield... A pretty epic sight, am I right?

Luckily, this EP from Washington band Black Breath; offers up four punked-out thrash songs that don't disappoint in bringing on the heavy riffs and brutal atmosphere that makes metal music just so darn appealing.

It all starts off with the title track, which sounds like an evil mix of Motorhead and early Iron Maiden, while"Beneath the Crust" takes a slower, more Judas Priest kind of tone.

But there's no mistaking these guys for an old school revivalist act or anything. Since the vocals offer only the best in modern day thrash screams. A style I'm usually not big on, but here it works with the harsh tone of... well, everything else.

At 14 minutes, this isn't the most significant release the band has to offer, ( Their latest album will be getting a review at some point ) but it's a great starting point.

8/10

Royal Headache: Self-Titled Album Review

At first, Australian band Royal Headache, seem like your average pop-punk band with a lo-fi sound. That is until you hear the lead singer... who's voice sounds like he should be fronting a fiery soul band from the 60's. It's these vocals, and the overall talent the band has for tight hooks and catchy melodies, that makes this debut such a fun listen.

Take the first track "Never Again" for example: A passionate punk tune with the lead singer's soulful vocal soaring over the mix. Or the track "Surprise" which seems to signify that the band knows the true strength of their frontman; putting together a song that sounds just like the band I imagined the singer to be fronting.

Now I can go on and on about vocals, easily the band's most interesting aspect. But then I'd be leaving out a large chunk of what makes this band enjoyable in the first place. As I mentioned above, these Aussies really know how to put a catchy tune together, ( "Girls" "Never Again") but they also pull out two very well done instrumentals, "2 Kinds of Love" and "Wilson Street". The latter of which is easily one of the strongest tracks on the entire album.

And when it comes to slowing things down, Royal Headache offers again; two very strong tracks, "Down The Lane" and "Honey Joy". 

It's really great to see something unique, catchy and actually kind of joyful come out of the punk scene. With Royal Headaches debut, you get 26 minutes of pure enjoyment, no filler, not a song out of place. A rare thing indeed.

8.6/10

Cloud Nothings: Attack on Memory Album Review

You know, it warms my heart when I hear a solid, straight up, no frills rock'n'roll album.

And luckily, Cloud Nothings have delivered just that, with their latest full length release "Attack on Memory".

Now if you know anything about these guys you'll know that their last two albums were very lo-fi, and more in tune with the indie pop sound. However, thanks to production by the one-and-only Steve Albini, ( Nirvana, The Pixies, Slint) Cloud Nothings are sounding better than ever. With sharp guitar sounds and drums that will leave your ears ringing, Mr. Albini has brought with him a much needed energy boost to the band's music.

The album starts off with the slow burner "No Future/ No Past" an angsty song to say the least. With the lead      

singer repeating in a mantra like fashion "Give up/ Come to know/ That we're through" And in the songs last minute he screams out the title... it's a pretty amazing opening

.

Next we have the track "Wasted Days", a nine-minute jam of sorts that completely justifies it's length. The tracks "Fall In" and "Stay Useless" are more upbeat, but the latter is easily the best song on the album, while the former sounds slightly sterile in comparison to the other tracks on the album.

 "Separation"  is an energetic instrumental with what sounds like a piano playing very sour notes in some spots. "No Sentiment" and "Cut You" are also very solid tracks, but the real star near the end is the song "Our Plans". A song that seems to poke fun at the notion that, just because a band is well loved or well respected, that they can do no wrong. A very easy trap to fall into in this day and age.

In the end, "Attack on Memory" is simply a solid rock album, in a world where solid rock albums are few and far between. 

7.5/10

Beirut: The Rip Tide Album Review

Back in 2006 Zach Condon, ( under the monkier Beirut) released the band's first full length album "Gulag Orkestar." An album that came as a surprise to many western listeners, especially in the world of Indie music. But why? Well, to start, Zach was not playing your average pop music; instead he opted to bring the sounds of Balkan brass into the otherwise jangle-filled apathy-ridden indie scene. And with songs like "Postcards from Italy" and "Rhineland (Heartland)", it was hard to dislike.

Now it's 2012, and Beirut is on their 3rd full length release, "The Rip Tide." An album that signals a rather interesting change for the band. One, the horns found on their previous two albums have been toned down dramatically; replaced with bouncy synths, and more piano than the last two albums. Two, Zach's weary, mournful vocals have become more of focal point.

While some fans may see this as Beirut simplifying their sound, ( and to an extent they are) I see it more as the band pursuing their pop sensibilities. And  the end result is an album full of more memorable songs, from the opener "A Candle's Fire" to the closer "Port of Call" there's not one bad song on this LP.

The first two tracks both feature rich horn swells, and the track "Sante Fe" even has a nice little opener featuring the afore-mentioned synthesizer, giving the track a very upbeat quality. The next track "East Harlem" slows things down a bit with Zach on the pump organ while he sings the line "another rose wilts in east harlem" as he describes the rigors of a long-distance relationship. His lyrics on this album are more upfront then they were on "Gulag" or "Flying Cup Club" and while they aren't always poetry, it's nice to see more confidence from Zach. 

Other highlights are the tracks "Vegabond" with it's bright piano chords and warm horns. And the track "Port  of Call" is the perfect closer, evoking feelings from the bands first album. Especially with the energetic ukulele strumming and Zach's signature croon.

Overall, I feel like Beirut has done something really special here. Sure, it's not as richly detailed as their other two albums. But that's just fine with me, because they've managed to put together what is, to me, their most immediate and catchy album yet. 

8.5/10