Against Me! – White Crosses (8/10)

A raucous caricature of seasoned punk rock and roll, the follow-up album to 2007’s well-received New Wave is at times generic sounding but always unrelenting and unapologetic in its tone.  The album’s eponymous first track White Crosses is a microcosm for whole the album, where the intuitively hostile lyrics “White crosses on the church lawn, I want to smash them all!” are misleadingly played out in the fashion of a jolly Irish drinking song.

Suggested listening environment:  Gym or pub.  If you can find a hybrid between the two, please contact me at b@moetrainstracks.com.

Flying Lotus – Cosmogramma (7.3/10)

This third installment from the nephew of jazz legends Alice and John Coltrane is his best composition to date.  As a manifesto of electro-trip-hop-jazz fusion, Cosmogramma is commendable.  (As something you’d actually like to listen to on the regs, possibly not for everyone)  Occasionally, it will stumble into sounding like a semi-clusterfuck of beats and sound effects, but only occasionally.  For the most part, ‘gramma is gritty yet waxed smooth, both urban and sleek.  All in all, it’s hip and I dig.

B.o.B – The Adventures of Bobby Ray (7.7 out of 10)

When I first started writing my review for Bobby Ray it was every bit as analytical and overbearing all the other reviews that I had encountered.  And to be truthful, B.o.B. is 1. not lyrically gifted (pretty clichéd), 2. the type of “unconventional” hip-hop artist that is rapidly becoming the rule rather than the exception (see Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Kid Cudi, Wale, et al.), and 3. relatively unoriginal (i.e. the track, Kids, is such a flagrant Vampire Weekend rip that it’s damn-near a cover, and several times throughout the record he claims to be an alien, a la Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi, Outkast,…)  Yet, I came to a realization today as I was walking my dog around the city giving the album a fourth and final listen.

Against what I thought was my better judgement, I found myself singing along, putting some bounce in my step, and totally nodding my head; I realized I was completely feelin B.o.B.  Although most of his songs are contrived, they’re still incredibly catchy.  Magic, a track which features River Cuomo of Weezer fame, is undeniable fun.  Nothin’ On You is fashioned to be a number one single.  And with the support of cameos from Hayley Williams of Paramore, Eminem, Janelle Monae, T.I., Cuomo, and Lupe Fiasco, the album never ceases to keep you interested.

So, instead of dwelling on all the things Bobby Ray isn’t, I’ve decided to embrace what the album really is all about, elementary good times with hip-hop.  Sometimes you’ve just got to let go of the musical snobbery and in B.o.B’s own words, “toast to the good life and take a sip.”

- B

LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening (8.5 out of 10)

LCD’s third album is nothing unforeseen, another laser-inscribed lamentation from the reigning analog-meets-digital maestro.  Murphy once again transcends the dance-punk genre, a style in which he is now a perennial figurehead.

What to listen for:

-major Talking Heads influences, check out Pow Pow

-Dance Yrself Clean- one of 2010’s best songs to date

-my only caveat- some of the songs drag-on a smidge (the average track is 7 minutes), not something that has worked well with my unrelenting ADD

- B

Nas & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley – Distant Relatives (6.4 out of 10)

Maybe my expectations were too high; I mean, Damian Marley, spawn of my favorite musician ever (Robert Nesta Marley), and Nas, tied for my favorite rapper ever (big ups to Biggie Smalls).  What’s not to get excited about?!  I’ve already seen the duo live and I thought the show was great.  Something gets lost in translation on the album though.  You can easily acknowledge the underlying themes: roots, unity, African pride, championing tomorrow’s leaders, etc. (topics they certainly don’t beat around that bush about).  I don’t doubt that the duo are very passionate about the subject matter. Unfortunately, my impression is that Distant Relatives was recorded with only those common interests in mind, without taking into serious consideration how the two artistic styles would mesh.  Frankly, it all just sounds a little contrived.  And, while I do feel like Nas is (glaringly) the more talented of the two, neither artist can solely take the blame for the lack of cohesion in the album, because, in their own individual way, they both show up.  Frequently, the two simply don’t fit together within the confines of the songs (when Nas starts rapping over the top of some of the pure reggae tracks, it just sounds, for lack of a better word, silly).

– B.

Second Opinion -  Sorry King B.  I’ve gotta disagree on a few points.  I didn’t get to check out the Nas/Marley set at Rothbury, but I heard good things.  I’m also not the biggest hip hop head in the world, but Nas is the man.  Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock was a killer album, so I also had high hopes for Distant Relatives.

The vibe isn’t overly reggae, nor is too hip hop driven.  The Afrocentric album is in your face, and it works for the most part.  The pair trades off vocally in a primarily seamless fashion, though some tracks seem a bit off.  The use of Stephen Marley’s smooth delivery is an excellent (and IMO, underused) compliment to the album.  There are a few spots where the lyrics are kinda half-assed.  You’ll know it when you hear it.

As a whole, I’ve really enjoyed Distant Relatives.  Albeit a few lyrical cringes, I’ve been rockin’ this album out a lot since we got our hands on it.  I have a feeling that the crowds will be flocking to their sets, especially since people can be more familiar with their music through the album.

(8.1 out of 10)

- The Train

Related articles:

• Q&A: Nas and Damian Marley on Distant Relatives (arts.nationalpost.com)
• Singer Kelis and rapper Nas finalize divorce in LA (pbpulse.com)

Janelle Monae – The ArchAndroid (8.7/10)

I’d love to be a fly on the wall of Janelle’s abode.  Among other things, I bet I’d get to hear a diverse and eclectic variety of music: Etta James, Outkast, Keith Jarrett, Gnarls Barkley, Jackson 5, Lauryn Hill, The Mamas and the Papas, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, et al.  Her album, The ArchAndroid, is certainly an avant-garde, rhythm and blues fusion of many of those musical perceptions.  But don’t read into that incorrectly, Monae is an unapologetic capital-O-riginal.  To grow up as a Kansas City-born daughter to a drug-addicted father, an aspiring African American drama student living in Missouri, who moves to New York and then Atlanta to pursue her acting dreams and ultimately ends up collaborating with Outkast before moving back to NYC to pen a record deal with Diddy at Bad Boy/Atlantic, all before the age of 23; you must be some kind of paradigm.  Personally, I’m thrilled that she decided to go the singing route, because I find her musical vision both soulful and enjoyably quirky. You just cannot refute how refreshing it is to hear an upstart artist who is authentic, rolls with a true set of pipes, and completely owns it.

– B.

Related articles:

• WATCH: Big Boi Guests on New Janelle Monae Clip (spin.com)
• Watch: Janelle Monae Gives Amazing Performance of Tightrope on Letterman (beatcrave.com)
• VIDEO: Janelle Monae Kills It On “Letterman” (hellobeautiful.com)

Music isn’t and shouldn’t always be mind-blowing, nor should it always be ground breaking or poetic. At times, even the most discriminant listener needs to let their guard down and enjoy certain albums for what they are: A good time. Party Rock by LMFAO is one of those rock/rap/old school/club albums.

Party Rock, produced by The Black Eyed Peas’ Will.i.am is a party wrapped into an album. True, it may be filled with tracks like “I Am Not A Whore” (which has got a killer beat), and “Shots (with Lil’ Jon.. Yyyeaaah!!)”, but this album is loaded with ridiculous and fun songs that will get the asses movin.

Is this album extremely niche-y? Sure.

Is it very well produced and catchy? Hell yeah…

So take this album at face value, pour a few shots of Patron, and have a good time.

- The Train

Related articles:

• LMFAO’s Sky Blu, Redfoo Talk Work And Play On The Road (mtv.com)
• LMFAO “Party on the Rock” returns to St John’s, Nfld, live April 13th 2010 (newswire.ca)

Hole – Nobody’s Daughter (1.3 out of 10)

I’ve heard some shitty albums lately, but nothing as absolutely horrendous as this “Hole album.”  I put it in quotes because this piece of crap sounds as though Courtney Michelle (not Love-Cobain anymore) sat in her living room, downed a bottle of pills, clicked on Skype and recorded the audio through her webcam mic.  There was a minute possibility that Courtney could have redeemed herself musically with a killer album, but she all but killed any chance to prove she still has it.

Sure, she’s a mess.  Physically and emotionally, Courtney’s gone through a lot.  There was potential for a very revealing and cathartic album, but she bombed.  Did she even have the same band at all?

As you can tell, I was disappointed.  I guess I shouldn’t have had such high hopes!  Have a listen, then recycle.

Related articles:

• Courtney is Love no more – call her Courtney Michelle (pbpulse.com)
• Love It Or Hate It: Courtney Love (imnotobsessed.com)
• Courtney Scolds Frances On Twitter (perezhilton.com)

Fang Island, Fang Island…  Your bouncy, fist raise rousing music has infected my iPhone, my car, and everyone within earshot.  Triumphant to the point of hoisting a trophy is a feeling invoked by a listen of Fang Island’s latest self-titled offering.

Well orchestrated chords which they’ve described as “high fiving everyone,” is in full abundance throughout this excellent album.  “Daisy” is a standout track which had me nodding my head in pure approval upon first (and tenth) listen.

Fang Island, Excelsior salutes you.

Related articles:

• [Video] Fang Island: “Life Coach” (iguessimfloating.blogspot.com)
• New band of the day – No 763: Fang Island (guardian.co.uk)

Caribou – Swim (6 out of 10)

This whole electro-ambient trendy-restaurant-music genre is no longer the exception to the rule, it is the rule (and consequently the genre is rapidly growing more and more annoying).  Had I heard Swim seven years ago I would have loved it, but since I’ve heard 200+ albums over the past couple years that sound exactly like it, I found it unaffectedly boring. – Just another album to listen to while I’m reading.

- B

Related articles:

• Caribou – “Odessa” Video (stereogum.com)
• [MP3] new Caribou: “Cellophane” & “Sea Rea” (iguessimfloating.blogspot.com)
• Caribou Announces World Tour Release Swim 4/20 (jambase.com)

Rogue Wave – Permalight (6 out of 10)

Apparently this album is a refreshing change of pace for the usually melancholy Oakland-based band, but I wouldn’t know because I’ve never listened to them before.  So here’s my first impression: it sounds like music ripped straight off of the O.C. or One Tree Hill soundtracks.  And while they border on electro-pop goodness, they never fully commit.  The thing is, Permalight isn’t terrible; in fact, there’s potential, yet, ultimately, it’s still completely forgettable.

- B

Related articles:

• Interviews at Stubb’s: Rogue Wave (spin.com)

Airbourne – No Guts. No Glory. (8.4/10)

Simply said, Airbourne rocks.  No Guts. No Glory. is fist pumping, feet stomping, beer swilling music of power and glory.  Sure, it’s unmistakable how much their music emulates their fellow Aussie mates, AC/DC.  If imitation is the highest form of flattery, then AC/DC must be damn flattered, because Airbourne is a pure carbon copy.

It’s difficult to react objectively to Airbourne’s music, as one can’t get away from the AC/DC references.  Is the music original?  Sure… To the point of the composed song.  Does it sound original?  Not even close.  Do they play infectious, raucous tunes?  Hell yeah.

Grab yourself a copy of No Guts. No Glory. Your fist will be pumpin’ by the first chorus.  Great listening. (And a bad ass album cover too!)

- Train

Related articles:

• AIRBOURNE: New Video Interview Posted Online (idiomag.com)
• AIRBOURNE Interviewed By TOTAL ROCK Radio (idiomag.com)

Cypress Hill – Rise Up (6.8/10)

Rise Up.  It’s no Black Sunday.  Or even as exciting as Black Friday.  B. Real and Sen Dog still have the flow, but the classic Cypress Hill has long been put in the bong and smoked up.  The beats are OK, and there are standouts like the title track (which features Rage Against the Machine‘s Tom Morello, and Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda) which tears it up, but also a ton of clunkers (i.e. Cypress’ take on Pass the Dutch(ie) which wanted me to stick a pencil in my ear).

All bands take creative progressions through time, and Cypress had to deal with working from the top and going from there.  I think they needed to fill that huge Buddha bong with about 2 lbs more of Ganj before they recorded and put out this album.

Oi.

- Moe

Related articles:

• Cypress Hill Exhibited Metal Cred 17 Years Before New Album (noisecreep.com)
• LISTEN: Cypress Hill Featuring Linkin Park’s Shinoda (spin.com)
• Tom Morello Guests on New Cypress Hill Jam (idiomag.com)

Dr. Dog – Shame, Shame (8.6 out of 10)

One of the best albums of 2K10 so far!  A mellow blend of folk, indie rock, and garage band which rouses reflections of the Flaming Lips and Arcade Fire.  Startlingly, it’s a coming out party from the most unlikely locale, good ol’ Philly baby!  I’m embarrassed that these hometown heroes have eluded me for so long.  Suggested listening: Shame, Shame will serve as fantastic summer-driving music; windows all the way down with the warm breeze fluttering your hair around.

Related articles:

• Hear Dr. Dog’s New “Stranger” From April LP “Shame, Shame” (rollingstone.com)
• New Albums from Dr. Dog & 3 More! (spin.com)

Usher – Raymond v Raymond (6.9 out of 10)

There’s a difference between an entertainer and an artist.  Usher is undeniably a really good performer and singer, artist not so much.  To be fair, Raymond v Raymond never claims to be something it’s not; it simply strives to be a top five Billboard album, which it will be.  Its chalk full of cheesy ballads and sweet-sweet love-making music, but that can be fun sometimes.

Stats: The word “baby” is used 61 times and the endearment “girl” is employed 66 times, yet the ever-dynamic “baby girl” is surprisingly utilized only once.  (Yes I actually counted)

Peak: OMG is a good time

Valley: The track Lil Freak contains quite possibly the worst rap verse of all time courtesy of Nicki Minaj: “I keep a couple of hoes, like Santa I keep a vixen.  I got that Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Dixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blisten.” …wow.

- B.

“Rokkervil” took me by surprise.  Admittedly, I have never been a huge fan of Okkervil River (I know, I know) or Roky Erickson.  Roky’s history of imprisonment and hospitals for schizophrenia, drug use and mail obsession were intriguing enough to garner a listen.  (Well, that, The Explosives,his team up with Okkervil, and the fact that it’s Roky’s first new release in 14 years.)

Roky Erickson (w/ Okkervil River)

True Love Cast Out All Evil (8.5/10)

“Rokkervil” took me by surprise.  Admittedly, I have never been a huge fan of Okkervil River (I know, I know) or Roky Erickson.  Roky’s history of imprisonment and hospitals for schizophrenia, drug use and mail obsession were intriguing enough to garner a listen.  (Well, that, The Explosives,his team up with Okkervil, and the fact that it’s Roky’s first new release in 14 years.)

The album opens with with the obligatory lo-fi recording (these days!), and expands into a sonically endearing and heartfelt performance.  Roky’s gravely storytelling backed by Okkervil River’s solid instrumentation makes for one of my largest musical surprises of 2010.  What began as a hesitant listen, became the soundtrack for the rest of my late night.

- Moe

Second opinion: I was highly skeptical of this album also, especially after reading about this guy’s story (which I encourage everyone to do).  His back story though is eventually what supports the authenticity of his candor.  Okkervil River provides the perfect atmosphere to showcase his gravel-pit southern vocals.  Easily one of the most intriguing albums I’ve heard recently.  I’m really excited about this record, thanks Train!

Related articles:

• Roky Erickson to release first new material in 14 years (guardian.co.uk)
• Roky Erickson & Okkervil River – “Be And Bring Me Home” (Stereogum Premiere) (stereogum.com)

Goldfrapp – Head First (7.5 out of 10)

There is an epic battle raging throughout Head First between its 80’s-montage-electro-pop-awesomeness half and its ambient-Yanni-crappola half.  Ultimately, the awesomeness prevails, but not without a price.  Admittedly, at one point during my listening, I brought the laptop into the bathroom and played it while I showered/manscaped and I ended up dancing my buck-naked ass off.  So…

- B

Second Opinion:

No comment about the album (haven’t given it a good listen yet), but WOW to B’s questionable behavior!  hahahah…

- Moe

Lifehouse – Smoke and Mirrors (6.5 out of 10)

An undeniably generic American rock album that should sell competitively in Walmarts throughout the Midwest.  Although it’s lyrically shallow, a handful of songs are perplexingly enjoyable.  Might have to chalk this one up to a guilty pleasure listen and let everyone else agree to disagree.

*Expect to hear Halfway Gone during NFL games as they transition in and out of commercial breaks.

- B

rves more critical acclaim.  (He has exceeded his career usage allotment of the Cadi’/daddy rhyme pairing.)

Ludacris – Battle of the Sexes (3.5 out of 10)

Luda’s performance in Fred Clause deserves more critical acclaim than Battle of the Sexes.  (He has exceeded his career usage allotment of the Cadi’/daddy rhyme pairing.)

The Gorillaz are truly an enjoyable enigma, a band whose musical distinctiveness is to have no musical identity at all.

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (8 out of 10)

The Gorillaz are truly an enjoyable enigma, a band whose musical distinctiveness is to have no musical identity at all.  And yet, unintuitively, the final product is always consistent quality.   Collabo’s galore on this 3^rd album: Lou Reed, Bobby Womack, Mos Def, sinfonia ViVA, Snoop, De La Soul, y mas.

Truthfully, the virtual group would benefit from larger doses of vocalist/producer Damon Albarn, instead of his fleet of guest contributors, mostly because Plastic Beach really shines when the Gorillaz are rolling solo (check out Rhinestone Eyes and On Melancholy Hill).  Granted, on some tracks Albarn creates a sonic backdrop that just screams to have someone drop a verse on it.

Related articles:

• LISTEN: Gorillaz Track with Mos Def (spin.com)
• Exclusive: Watch Gorillaz’s Latest “Plastic Beach” Teaser (rollingstone.com)
• LISTEN: New Gorillaz Song with De La Soul (spin.com)