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.

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.

Caribou – Swim (6/10)

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.

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 (6/10)

The thing is, Permalight isn’t terrible; in fact, there’s potential, yet, ultimately, it’s still completely forgettable.

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.  Grab yourself a copy of No Guts. No Glory. Your fist will be pumpin’ by the first chorus.  Great listening.

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)

Dr. Dog – Shame, Shame (8.6/10)

Suggested listening: Shame, Shame will serve as fantastic summer-driving music; windows all the way down with the warm breeze fluttering your hair around.

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 vs Raymond (6.9/10)

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.

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.

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.)

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 (7.5/10)

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.

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

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (8/10)

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)

MGMT – Congratulations (8.5/10)

Congratulations, Congratulations is good, REALLY good.  Despite my best efforts to debunk the duo and finally expose them for the postmodern hipster fakes I have secretly (until now I guess) suspected them to be, they fucking did it again.

MGMT – Congratulations (8.5/10)

Congratulations, Congratulations is good, REALLY good.  Despite my best efforts to debunk the duo and finally expose them for the postmodern hipster fakes I have secretly (until now I guess) suspected them to be, they fucking did it again.  And, actually, the album’s quite brilliant.  But, I WILL catch you next time, MGMT (or once again, you’ll be the one who’s exposing me).

Prime lyric- “If you’re conscious you must be depressed, or at least cynical.”

- B

Related articles:

• MGMT – “Flash Delirium” (stereogum.com)
• MGMT’s New Album (Congratulations) Available To Stream (musicbyday.com)

Next Page »