Album Reviews:

AWWBLOT: And What Will be Left of Them?:

I saw this young indie band at ‘The Railway’—a small pub near my old university. They instantly caught my interest and I found myself grinning throughout the set. I spoke to the two lead singers after the show and they said that they knew Los Campesinos!—or, at least, that one of them was related to them? That was, coincidently, the first band they reminded me of—the second Blink-182. The same youth-energy, the male and female lead singers voices play off each other (I think enjoying male and female duo’s is becoming a habit for me—X, Wussy, the xx and, now that I’m mentioning it, Los Campesinos!). I think the lyrics (and the song-writing) could be a bit more focused/tight. A−

Kanye West: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy:

Not as soulful as ‘The College Dropout’, not as meticulous as ‘Late Registration’—but certainly hard as nails. I love the flow of the album—I like the melodies and the rhymes are clever and descriptive—most of all, though, I’m glad West is finally standing up to his ego. He’s taken some time off and he’s learning that intelligence and narcissism don’t necessarily go hand in hand. He’s also decided to focus on songform (even if it’s still too stylistic)—more so than on his previous two efforts. My favourite tracks are the final five, starting from ‘Runaway’ (although I love the riff on ‘Devil in a New Dress’). I’m just glad he’s back. A

Like my end-of-year film list I’m going to attempt a best of album list and fill it in as I go along (this is only in the name of fun, for me—it’s mostly how they will appear on the list, successively, not the exact scores):

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. The Roots: How I Got Over
7. Elizabeth Cook: Welder
8. Vampire Weekend: Contra
9. Johnny Cash: American VI: Ain’t No Grave
10. M.I.A.: Maya

11.
12. Kanye West: My Beautiful Dark Fantasy
13.
14. Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday
15. Girl Talk: All Day
…
22. Arcade Fire: The Suburbs

Album Reviews:

LCD Soundsystem: This Is Happening:

I never really liked LCD Soundsystem all that much—Murphy has swapped hipster allocations with tuneful expression here—he just doesn't take it that far. You can hear this, especially, on the track ‘All I Want’— the main riff could be slightly catchier—reminiscent of The Strokes ‘Is This It’. I can't decide whether I like the longer songs or would have preferred more of shorter length (definitely quicker paced). I do like the general sonics though—they're not too douchey (although, they could have been smarter). A−

Elizabeth Cook: Welder:

Great songwriting here—some great lyrics too. Intelligent subjects matters, which—in my opinion—are hindered only by her voice. She has a great voice—don't get me wrong—it just seems a little bit childish. But hay—I'm nit-picking. A

Album Reviews:

Dixie Chicks: Wide Open Spaces:

I like the musical and instrumental talent that is obvious here. What annoys me is the haste to create catchy hooks over intelligent songs—I wish they had taken more time—a slightly slower, more serious endeavor. Like I said, I do like the general vibe and they have great voices and some great talent too—if only they were brave enough to roll with it. ** (‘Wide Open Spaces’, ‘Give It Up or Let Me Go’)

Paolo Nutini: These Streets:

Dud

Album Reviews:

The Rolling Stones: Exile on Main Street (Deluxe Edition):

I was really excited when I heard about this re-issue but I also had a nagging sense of apprehension—what if they remastered it and it sounded worse, lost it's atmosphere or they changed the tracks from the originals? I can safely say that the re-issue has been superbly re-mastered and the bonus tracks (of which, I was also apprehensive of) are some of the best tracks I have heard in years. How many of them were performed by the artists now and how much it has been professionally produced I don't know. A+

Album Reviews:

Nas & Damian Marley: Distant Relatives:

What I like about this album is that the music is mostly reggae which allows a refreshing take on rap. Damian seems to give most of the melodies (taking inspirational verses every so often) leaving Nas to juxtapose his street-poet flow over the top. I heard about this collaboration last year (I assumed it, even, before that) and I was thoroughly excited as I like both artists. I think they could have been smarter with this—Marley with his melodies and Nas with his rhymes—they seem a little lazy. I do like the general vibe though. A−

Album Reviews:

MGMT: Congratulations:

I actually liked there first CD—well, at least, a couple of tracks. They encompass everything I hate about hipsters and indie music. Oracular Spectacular (***) did have an atmosphere; which was actually quite nice. This EP is really, really bad. Period. It's grinding too which only adds to the excruciating pain. Not catchy in anyway, poor melodies, lyrics and riffs all round. DO NOT BUY! C+

Album Reviews:

Johnny Cash: American VI: Ain't No Grave:

Usually when I think of Johnny Cash I think of a series of great singles tied to a bunch of filler tracks. I was pleasantly surprised to discover a calmer, wiser Cash with this album. Not so many obvious singles here but a full, rich, intelligent outgoing which I'm sure will go unnoticed by many (dude to lack of singles herein). A

Album Reviews:

Drive-By Truckers: The Big To-Do:

I've always loved this band for their consistency but the songs here fall flat. This outgoing seems more like a celebration rather than a depressing forecast—although it still runs along the same themes as before. It's such a shocker—but they had to wear down at some point. *** (‘Birthday Boy’, ‘Eyes Like Glue’)

Album Reviews:

Lil Wayne: No Ceilings:

Straight off you can tell this is a mix-tape. Less focused and less mean than Tha Carter III but still with all the fun. I like the perkiness but miss the seriousness. A−

Album Reviews:

Lil Wayne: Rebirth:

Tha Carter III was one of my favourite albums of the '00s—Lil Wayne being, probably, my favourite rapper. His ability to produce so many mix-tapes surprised even me. With his latest work, though, there is almost nothing to admire. You can't play guitar Wayne and whoever you got to do the beats can't make a beat. I feel Lil Wayne's pain but I far prefer the sad clown Wayne. Funnier and smarter. Without the clown part you're just sad. ** (‘Drop the World’, ‘American Star’)

Album Reviews:

Vampire Weekend: Contra:

Although,at first, I sort of preferred the instantness of their first record this one is much smarter. Far more experimental (or should I say reaching), they have matured since their last venture. ‘Giving Up the Gun’ is my favourite of the singles and I was pleasantly surprised to see Jake Gyllenhaal in the video. The boys have a new found confidence in their own ability and it really shines through. A strong hopeful it will probably be in my top 10 of the year. A

Spoon: Transference:

I instantly liked this if only for it's instrumentals. A little more depressive than some of their earlier work—it's kind of refreshing. The only album of theirs that, really, merits much praise is ‘Kill the Moonlight’ which was a great album. It's hard to like these songs based on the lyrics—the melodies are cold and bleak. I do like Daniel though as he kind of speaks to me in a way—he's tormented by his own reluctance to relax. A sort of unintentional depression which he battles throughout the 11 tracks. Not long enough to continue my attention and not catchy enough to cause any major affections but I'm interested in what it stands for. A−

The Flaming Lips: Embryonic:

Wow, the first good CD from one of the most annoying bands in history. They loosen up on their prog-rock tradition a little and allow a more direct output. Although I still find everything about this band annoying it is a surprising effort considering their track record. The meaning behind each of the tracks is just made-up hipster trash (a la Animal Collective). It would still be stupid even if their was meaning. Maybe they should have consolidated the tracks? A−

Album Review:

Drake: So Far Gone EP:

Just listened to the ‘So Far Gone’ EP from up-and-coming artist Drake and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Having heard some tracks involving him, such as ‘Forever’ in which he collaborates with Lil Wayne, Eminem and Kanye West, I assumed he would be a fluke like Rihanna or the track ‘Knock You Down’ by Keri Hilson. The seven track EP is flawed but tight. The only thing I disagree with is his insistence to play ‘the game’ i.e. to rhyme about girls who think sex is attention (does he need to use ‘fucking best’?) and the fame (of which I don't think he's seen much off?). No match for his new found friends Drake at least has the brains (or the producers) to know what sounds good and not one track falters majorly. I am looking forward to the album he is apparently bringing out this year—it may be nearer the bottom off my best of year list but we'll have to see. I'm sure with more collaborations with the above he will, at least, have a few club killers. A−

I've decided to make a best-of hip hop list. I am fucking angry and tired of seeing all these stupid fucking morons on the internet posting lists with albums like Illmatic by Nas?! What the fuck?! It was average at best!! *rolls eyes :p

Best Hip-Hop Albums:

1. Public Enemy: It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
2. De La Soul: Timeless: The Singles Collection (?)
3. Beastie Boys: Licensed to Ill
4. M.I.A.: Kala
5. Kanye West: Late Registration
6. LL Cool J: Mama Said Knock You Out
7. Beastie Boys: Paul's Boutique
8. Public Enemy: Fear Of A Black Planet
9. Lil Wayne: Tha Carter III (Deluxe Edition)
10. Kanye West: The College Dropout

11. Public Enemy: Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black
12. Fugees: The Score (Lower?)
13. Public Enemy: He Got Game
14. Outkast: Stankonia
15. Eminem: The Marshall Mathers LP
16. Lil Wayne: Da Drought 3
17. Eminem: Encore
18. Missy Elliott: This Is Not a Test!
19: Ghostface Killah: Fishscale
20. Notorious B.I.G.: Life After Death
21. De La Soul: Buhloone Mindstate
22: Ice-T: O.G.: Original Gangster
23. Beastie Boys: Hello Nasty
24. The Black Eyed Peas: The E.N.D.
25. Run-D.M.C.: Greatest Hits
26. Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: The Album (?)
27. The Roots: Rising Down
28. Clipse: Hell Hath No Fury
29. Ghostface Killah: Ironman

This list could use a bit of work but I need to go back and re-listen.