This album did not impress me on the first listen. It kinda seemed like they were softening up a little, and not adding any substance. Basically, it bored me. I gave it a few repeated listens and I gradually opened up to this record. It plays out really well on headphones, where you can hear the details of all the guitar noise. This album hits hard when it needs to, and stays mellow when it needs to. It's a really nice balance. I actually wish there was more rock music out there that I knew about that was like this, because a lot of the time, I really don't want to hear a vocalist mucking up the tracks. I just want some pure, unfiltered, rock n roll. Check out
"Lebaron",
"Memorial" (featuring Chelsea Wolfe),
"Burial",
"Deficit", and
"Cheyenne".
Dosh - "Milk Money" 2013
At this point in his career, if you know who Dosh is, you know what he does and what he sounds like. I've always enjoyed his sprawling, loop pedal inspired, creations. This album is no different, and I think I actually enjoy this one more than the last couple releases. The only dud on this album is the almost 25 minute long "Legos (For Terry)". There really is no reason for this song to be this long, and it's actually the only song on the album that is the opposite of engaging to me. Something about the way the effects are used seems too amateur to me and leaves me disinterested within a short while. The other 6 tracks are all gold though, so if you are or were ever a fan of his, I would suggest seeking this out. Check out the only thing I could find on youtube pertaining to this release: A live, home recording of one of the album's songs,
"Unto Internity".
Bike For Three - "So Much Forever" 2014
Bike For Three is the duo consisting of Buck 65 on vocals and Greetings From Tuskan on production, and this is their 2nd album together. As with any Buck 65 project, you will probably either love it or hate it, depending on how you feel about his music. I obviously love pretty much every thing he does, so it's no surprise that I like this album a lot. I find it odd how he has this ability to come off almost borderline corny at times with his lyrics, depending on your mood that day, but then you'll hear the same song on a different day in a different mood, and it will seem either compelling or endearing. I like artists that have the ability to make songs that don't feel the same every time you listen to them. I think Greetings For Tuskan stepped up the production on this one, compared to the first Bike For Three album, where I feel like at times, she sounded like a fake version of producers like Alias and Jel. This one she seems to be coming into her own as a producer more, and the results sound fantastic. Check out
"Ethereal Love",
"Sublimation",
"Conflation",
"The Muse Inside Me", and
"Wolf Sister".
Noah23 - "Browntape" 2013
This is a fun little project where Canadian underground rapper Noah23 is creating rap songs on beats made of Ween samples. Most of the lyrics are also Ween-centric, and a nice bonus for fans of the group. This comes off as a superfan making a loving tribute to some of his heroes, while trying to cope with the fact that they are no longer a band anymore. Something all of us Ween fans are going through. This one is a
free download from bandcamp, so check it out.
Sleigh Bells - "Bitter Rivals" 2013
I recently DJed a wedding for some friends, and they listed Sleigh Bells as a group that they wanted to hear. I knew I enjoyed most of their first album and none of their 2nd album, so I decided to check out this newest one, to see if I was missing anything. This is definitely a step back up from their sophomore slump, but it's still nowhere near as interesting or engaging as that first one. There's definitely a couple pop gems on here though. Check out the video for
"Bitter Rivals". This is actually probably my least favorite track on the album, with her awkward, white girl rapping, and a beat made to make you vaguely recall some of their old songs. It's a sad, failed attempt at a hit single, and with a few other worthy choices that could be potential hits, I don't know why they went there. Also check out
"You Don't Get Me Twice",
"To Hell With You" (if I was them, I would make this my next single, pronto), and
"Sing Like A Wire".
Me First & The Gimme Gimmes - "Are We Not Men? We Are Diva!" 2014
They're back again, this time with an album full of covers by famous ladies (and Boy George), done in their signature style. This album almost seems slightly more polished, and dare I say, poppy, than their previous ones. There's always a few stellar covers on each of their albums, and this one is no different. Check out
"Straight Up",
"I Will Always Love You",
"Crazy For You",
"Karma Chameleon", and
"Believe".
Electric Citizen - "Sateen" 2014
I recently caught these guys in an opening slot for The Budos Band, and they blew me away. Nice stoner rock, fronted by a female singer. They remind me of a lot of different bands at once, some of which are: Black Sabbath, Jefferson Airplane, Patti Smith, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Mazzy Star, Jimi Hendrix.. I could probably think of even more, but you get the picture. The lead guitarist is really smokin with his solos, and the drummer is just the right amount of funky and sloppy. The singer's vocals are sometimes more in the forefront of the track, and other times is more reverbed and put back in the mix more. There's no weak tracks on this album at all, just a nice blast of pure rock n roll from some fresh new faces. I'm going to have to hunt down their first album (this is their 2nd one), as I only had money to buy this new one when I was at the merch table. Check out
"Beggar's Need",
"Burning In Hell",
"Queen Of Persuasion",
"Hawk Nightingale", and
"Light Years Beyond".
