Friday, October 15 2010
Dimmu Borgir: Abrahadabra
The Norwegian band's much-hyped ninth album is sure to be the most polarizing release in their 17-year history.
The Ex: Catch My Shoe
How many bands can weather the loss of a founding member who's been a mainstay for 30 years like they haven't missed a beat? Well, there aren't many groups like Dutch anarcho-punks the Ex.
Suuns: Zeroes QC
With two sides to bridge -- the organic with the electronic -- all the way through Zeroes QC, Suuns presents itself with a tall order, and the results can be mixed.
Torche: Songs for Singles
Miami trio compiles a stopgap of savvy scorchers. They are as tectonically heavy as they are brief, which probably bars them from the radio, but makes them better pop. Go figure.
a-ha: Hunting High and Low / Scoundrel Days
In light of a-ha's impending dissolution, Warners has reissued the Norwegian trio's first two albums in deluxe editions. For most of the world, "Take on Me" was just the start. In America, it was the end, too.
Thursday, October 14 2010
Red Horse: Red Horse
The result comes off as a sort of mostly acoustic tapestry in which the trio takes turns singing and playing each other's music. Conceptually, this is a sweet idea. In practice, the three performers are not of equal talent.
The Orb feat. David Gilmour: Metallic Spheres
The sound of Pink Floyd's lead guitar sits on top of the Orb's music rather than inside of it. That's good, but not good enough.
Badly Drawn Boy: It’s What I’m Thinking: Part One, Photographing Snowflakes
Will a four-year break between albums and (somewhat) of a return to basics reverse Badly Drawn Boy's decade-long slide from revered indie-folk troubador to cheesy pop warbler? Eh, not really.
Mark Ronson & The Business, Intl.: Record Collection
Mark Ronson's new album is sometimes bogged down by interesting but ultimately pointless instrumental interludes. But like anyone's record collection, Record Collection has more hits than misses. It's future pop with a foot firmly in the past.
Sharon Van Etten: epic
Not since Neko Case first came on the scene has there been a more plainly stunning, shockingly natural singing voice than Van Etten's.
¡Mayday!: Stuck on an Island
In which we enumerate those aspects of hip-hop band ¡Mayday! that are really, really annoying.
The Weepies: Be My Thrill
The Weepies fourth studio album is more of the same easily digestible charm, even if it is forgettable.
Wednesday, October 13 2010
Herbie Hancock: The Imagine Project
A mish-mash of collaborations by the great jazz pianist with various singers covering songs about global harmony. Good intentions paving an aimless road.
Antony and the Johnsons: Swanlights
The natural world is a perfect muse for Antony Hegarty because it reflects the artist's own sensibilities: it inspires and unsettles us.
Wolf People: Steeple
On Steeple, these guys walk a fine line between revivalism and timelessness, but twist their riff-heavy rock with enough unique turns to fall closer to the latter.
Bad Religion: The Dissent of Man
Pressing on with renewed muscle, Bad Religion return to rattle heads, but don't call it a comeback.
Kendl Winter: Apple Core
New K Records signing shows her banjo chops and gift for bluegrass on fourth solo album.
Skunk Anansie: Wonderlustre
Although Skunk Anansie's first record in ten years is not their best effort, they still remind us how much they trampled over others in musical superiority.
Various Artists: The World Ends: Afro-Rock & Psychadelia in 1970s Nigeria
A ridiculously rich compilation of rocking, funky African music.
Tuesday, October 12 2010
Blue Giant: Blue Giant
The members of Viva Voce start a new band and pull off a highly entertaining country-rock album with help from the Decemberists' Chris Funk on banjo and pedal steel.
