______________________New 5.24.2011
Against Me! _ Total Clarity (5.23)
Raspy punk rockers stick with what works for them; fast-paced politically charged punk. See “Exhaustion & Disgust,” “How Low,” “ Holy Sh*t!”
Aidan Moffat and Bill Wells _ Everything’s Getting Older [CD]
Scottish vocalist and instrumentalist play interesting pop aided by adventurous production.
Art Brut _ Brilliant! Tragic!
UK/German quintet’s fast paced post-punk doesn’t seem to live up to the hype, but has it’s moments. See “Lost Weekend,” “ Bad Comedian,” “Sealand.”
Black Tusk _ Passing Through Purgatory
American heavy metal trio via Savannah, GA play brutal, complex metalcore.
Boris _ Attention Please
Wild, genre-bending experimental rock act via Japan release two records on the same day.
Boris _ Heavy Rocks
Wild, genre-bending experimental rock act via Japan release two records on the same day.
Brad Paisley _ This Is Country Music
Well-played/written, but cheesy country from one of the genre’s biggest names. See “Old Alabama,” “Remind Me,” “One of Those Lives.”
Brendan Perry _ Ark
Unique electro-tinged concept record from the male half of Dead Can Dance.
Cave In _ White Silence
Methuen, MA indie/metal heroes return from hiatus and rock as hard as ever. See “Summit Fever.”
**Darwin Deez _ Darwin Deez
NYC indie act brings an interesting approach to a crowded genre. See “Bed Space,” “Up In The Clouds,” “Radar Detector,” “Bad Day.”
**David Bazan _ Strange Negotiations
Legendary Pedro The Lion leader shows off what years of writing songs can do for you. See “Wolves At The Door,” “Eating Paper,” “Don’t Change.”
DELS _ GOB
London rapper’s creative flow and otherworldly beats will definitely be too much for many delicate American ears. See “Trumpalump,” “Shapeshift.”
Destroyer 666 _ To The Devil His Due
Satanic speed metal.
DJ Paul Nice _ Shaolin Buddha Beat Mix
CD only, you'll have to check it out for yourself.
Dot Dot Curve _ I’m Still Here
Abrasive, raunchy, hardcore synth-rap.
Duff McKagan’s Loaded _ Sick
G’n’R bassist takes the lead, makes an album full of straightforward guitar based alt-rock.
Efrim Manuel Menuck _ plays “High Gospel”
Spacey, ambient pop from Montreal noise-rock legend. See “august four, year-of-our-lord blues,” “chickadees’ roar pt. 2.”
Face Candy _ Waste Age Teenland (5.23)Improvisational Jazz-rap act from MN continues despite the death of founding member Eyedea.
Fireworks _ Gospel
MI pop/punkers are pleasant but derivative on their fifth studio effort. See “Life Is Killing Me,”
For the Fallen Dreams _ Back Burner
Metalcore/screamo via Lansing, MI in the vein of Underoath, Atreyu. See “Deep Down Inside,” “Don’t Give Up, Don’t Give In.”
Foster The People _ Torches (5.23)
Blog/NPR sweethearts from LA play hooky indie rock that lives up to the hype. See “Pumped Up Kicks,” “Waste,” “I Would Do Anything For You,” “Warrant.”
Friendly Fires _ Pala
UK dance/rockers play dramatic music that blends elements of techno with indie rock. See “Pull Me Back To Earth,” “Blue Cassette,” “Hawaiian Air,” “Pala.”
Jadakiss _ I Love You: The Mixtape (A Dedication to My Fans) (5.23)
Too many love songs find Jada sounding old. See “Lay Em Down,” “Toast To That,” “Inkredible Remix.”
Jessica 6 _ See The Light (5.23)
Eccentric dance record full with catchy, club-ready tunes. RIYL Robyn. See “Prisoner Of Love,” “See The Light,” “Good To Go.”
**Johanna & The Dusty Floor _ Northern Lights
Gorgeous, stylish, lush pop rock. See “Forest Of Sorrows,” “To Come To You,” “Cloudbusting,” “Gone and Dusted Away.”
**Joseph Arthur _ The Graduation Ceremony
Artful American folk from this underrated, multitalented Akron, OH native. See “Horses,” “Almost Blue,” “Midwest
Lady Gaga _ Born This Way (5.23)
Gaga’s latest pales in comparison to The Fame.
Mac Dre _ Dre Mix
Yet another posthumous release from this beloved Bay-Area rapper.
Maybach Music Group Presents: Self Made, Vol. 1 (5.23)
Rick Ross and Wale carry this collection of dark, predictable but solid mainstream rap tunes.
Motopony _ Motopony (5.23)
Stylish alt/rock. See “King of Diamonds,” “I Am My Body,” “Euphoria.”
New Kids On The Block & Backstreet Boys _ NKOTBSB (5.23)
Thankfully this is a compilation of greatest hits from both bands, not a collaboration.
Planningtorock _ W
Janine Rostron’s experimental electro rock brings in elements of jazz and freak-folk for a difficult but rewarding listen. See “Doorway,” “The Breaks,” “Black Thunder.”
She Wants Revenge _ Valleyheart (5.23)
Cali rockers play their signature brand of dark, dreary electro rock. See “Kiss Me,” “Holiday Song.”
Stephen Marley _ Revelation Part 1: The Root Of Life (5.23)
Note-perfect reggae, as expected. See “False Friends,” “No Cigarette Smoking,” “Old Slaves.”
Thizz Nation _ DJ Fresh & The Whole Shabang
West Coast DJ Khaled mixes high quality production with a slew of Cali rappers.
Thurston Moore _ Demolished Thoughts
Acoustic based folk/pop from the revered Sonic Youth leader. See “Illuminine, “ Space.”
Young Dirty Bastard _ Food Stamp Celebrity
The oldest son of Wu-Tang's wildest tries to prove he's not just imitating his pops - the great ODB.
White Denim _ D
Psychedelic, punk-influenced blues rock via Austin. See “Drug.”
