LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening (8.5/10)

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.

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

Villagers’ Debut Album Available for Streaming

Starting on June 1, NPR.org will stream Villagers’ anticipated Domino Records debut ‘Becoming A Jackal’ for one week, leading to the album’s US release on June 8. Overseas, the album is already earning rave reviews: The Telegraph UK gave the album 5 stars, stating “with his gorgeous debut, [Conor J.] O’Brien joins Damien Rice and Bon Iver as standard bearers for a looser, stranger 21st-century form of singer-songwriting.”Starting on June 1, NPR.org will stream Villagers’ anticipated Domino Records debut ‘Becoming A Jackal’ for one week, leading to the album’s US release on June 8. Overseas, the album is already earning rave reviews: The Telegraph UK gave the album 5 stars, stating “with his gorgeous debut, [Conor J.] O’Brien joins Damien Rice and Bon Iver as standard bearers for a looser, stranger 21st-century form of singer-songwriting.” In a glowing 4-star review, The Irish Times said the LP is “is, and effortlessly so, one of the best Irish albums for many a year.”

O’Brien, who will kick off a solo East Coast tour on June 17, performed a stripped down version of album track “Home” for Yours Tru.ly recently. Watch the video for a taste of what’s to come: http://bit.ly/villagersyt

Yahoo! Music also caught up with O’Brien to film him play album track “Ship of Promises.” Watch it here: http://bit.ly/villagersyahoo

“Becoming A Jackal” MP3: http://bit.ly/cskVDQ
“Becoming A Jackal” music video: http://bit.ly/aA4UY3

Villagers US Dates:
Thu. Jun 17 – Brooklyn, NY @ Union Hall
Sat. Jun 19 – Boston, MA @ Armory Cafe
Mon. Jun 21 – Washington, DC @ DC9
Tue. Jun 22 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church (side chapel)
Wed. Jun-23 – New York, NY @ Joe’s Pub

Villagers On The Web:

Starting on June 1, NPR.org will stream Villagers’ anticipated Domino Records debut ‘Becoming A Jackal’ for one week, leading to the album’s US release on June 8. Overseas, the album is already earning rave reviews: The Telegraph UK gave the album 5 stars, stating “with his gorgeous debut, [Conor J.] O’Brien joins Damien Rice and Bon Iver as standard bearers for a looser, stranger 21st-century form of singer-songwriting.”

Related articles:

• Villagers: Becoming a Jackal | CD review (guardian.co.uk)

LMFAO – Party Rock (7.5/10)

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.

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 (1.3/10)

I’ve heard some shitty albums lately, but nothing as absolutely horrendous as this “Hole album.”  I put it quotes because this piece of crap sounds as though Courtney Love (not Love-Cobain anymore) sat in her living room, downed a bottle of pills, clicked on Skype and hit record.  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.

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)

NEW MIA Track: XXXO (Listen Here!)

MIA is slowing getting tracks out for her new album, and Tracks brings you her latest… XXXO!  She’s got 2 great albums to follow up on, and it sounds like she’s bound to put out another club banga!  If you haven’t seen her live yet, she’s a must see. Her dancing is a bit suspect, but she puts out incredibly danceable tunes!

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)

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).

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 (8.6/10)

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.

Jónsi – Go (9.3/10)

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