Pokey LaFarge – Self-Titled (9.5/10)

Pokey’s LaFarge’s self-titled album sounds as though it was plucked from the dark, smoky room of a Southern speakeasy that’s drowning in bourbon and swankiness.

Pokey LaFarge recently signed a major record deal to be Jack White’s label mate at Third Man Records, with album production by Old Crow Medicine Show frontman Ketch Secor. How can a revisited sound can sound so new and fresh? Not only is his storytelling intriguing and engaging, but his musical chops are refreshing and envigorating.

Our staff hasn’t said this in quite a while, but this album is a true “front to backer.” There aren’t any standouts. The entire album is a trip through prohibition’s shining moments, and leaves you feeling more satisfied than a fresh batch of shine.

Pokey Lafarge’s self-titled album is sure to make your front porch chilling, barbecue havin’, down-home good time soundtrack this long, long summer. By the end of the year, Pokey may very well be sitting on his front porch with a Grammy or two next to him. Ladies and gentlemen, tip your hats to one of 2013′s Top Albums of the Year recipients.

Take that to the bank, Jack.

- Train

M.I.A. Joins Roc Nation Management!

Self proclaimed “bad girl” MIA just joined the Roc Nation family as a managed artist.  The Tracks have always been a huge fan of MIA since we saw her back in 2005 at Lollapalooza (see pic).  She’s brought her Sri Lankan fusion style to the scene for years, and the Roc Nation team seems a perfect fit to get MIA’s music to more people.

 

In 2000, the Sri Lankan born, London bred Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam was encouraged, by electro-clash icon Peaches, to make music on a Roland MC-505 Groovebox. Maya pulled lyrics from journals she had written during a 4 month trip to the Caribbean island of St Vincent. In 2005, she released Arular, selling 130,000 copies in the U.S. and reaching mainstream charts in Europe and the U.K. It was considered as much a political statement as a musical one.

In 2007, Kala was released. Once again, it received unanimous international critical praise. It topped multiple “Best of the Year” lists in publications around the world, which cite its deft mixture of politics, social consciousness, and inimitable genre-blending.

In 2008, the single “Paper Planes” brought Maya worldwide mainstream acclaim and was nominated for a Grammy for Record of the Year in 2009.  The song was also featured in the film Slumdog Millionaire, in addition to M.I.A contributing vocals to the Oscar nominated track from the film, “O… Saya.”

 

2010 saw the release of, /\/\/\Y/\, which received early praise from the media with Rolling Stone commenting, “M.I.A’s latest is as challenging and awesomely out-there as the title of her album /\/\/\Y/\.” /\/\/\Y/\ went Top 10 on the Billboard 200 album chart and #1 on the Dance/Electronic chart.  On Dec. 31, 2010, she put out the acclaimed mixtape VICKILEEKX.

 

Now, as M.I.A. readies her fourth studio album, her new track “Bad Girls” made its debut on Pitchfork.com January 30^th and was released worldwide on January 31^st. “Bad Girls” was produced by Danja (Timbaland, Diddy, Madonna, Nelly Furtado, Pink). The “Bad Girls” video was directed by Romain Gavras (M.I.A.‘s “Born Free” and JUSTICE’s “Stress”) and premiered on Noisey – VICE’s music channel on YouTube on February 3rd.  Expect a full length release from M.I.A this fall!

Named one of the ten defining artists of the 2000’s decade by Rolling Stone and one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Time magazine, M.I.A. has been nominated for an Academy Award and two Grammys (“Paper Planes” and “Swagga Like Us”).