Tobacco - Maniac Meat

As a member of the group Black Moth Super Rainbow, Tom Fec has been working on a side project called Tobacco for a few years now. With his soft-more release under the great Anticon label, Maniac Meat is a low down electronic hip-hop sound that flows through your speakers as if you were dancing and grooving to an old 90's video game sound track. Tom Fec succeeds this summer where the Gorillaz album couldn't.

This album is strung together on smooth synths and bouncing drums, and with help on a few tracks from Beck. The first track worth mentioning is called Fresh Hex. Indeed what a proper title for this infectious beat and sound. Becks vocals shine softly through the ever exciting feel of a hex being placed over you. Feel free to let it flow through you as each song does just that. Flowing through track by track you feel obligated to keep going just to see what the end is like. This album is truly a step forward for Tom Fec. Each song is beautifully put together and interestingly sinks into your skin having you up and dancing to the rhythm. while each song on the album adds its own different feel dont forget to stop and listen to the track Creepy Phone Calls. This well produced track is worth a listen too. It makes you swell up like a balloon and fills you with tiny electroids bouncing up and down your balloon shaped body.

Synopsis: A land-mine filled to the brim with psychedelic beats and pleasures. Does anyone read these?

Score: 83
1- Listen from start to finish: 17
2- Listen again within a week: 17
3- Originality: 17
4- Advancement:15
5- Buyers Remorse: 17

How To Destroy Angels - How To Destroy Angels

Industrial-star Trent Reznor's (NIN) new band with Mariqueen Maandig (West Indian Girl), and Atticus Ross (Soundtrack to Book of Eli) bring you their first Ep. Maandig (the wife of Reznor) adds a subtle change too the artists new band. Not a whole lot of progression going on in this quick 6 song ep, however does Trent Reznor really need to change his way of music? You'd think that Maandig coming from the band would change the sound just a bit but its not like your going to tell Trent no. Luckily Reznor knows what he wants and just how to get it.

How To Destroy Angels is just another Nine Inch Nails album with a little dash of woman sprinkled on top. Really though there isnt a bad song on the Ep which excites me for their 2011 full-length release. There are only two songs though that should be mentioned BBB was one of them. The fourth song on the free ep has a catchy hook where Mariqueen repeats "listen to the sound of my big black boots." In the back ground you here a vague marching sound that adds to the three minute track. As for the other song A Drowning, the last track on the album shows you that the band has potential to become what we all hope they will, amazing. Though in the song you can hear the distinct touch of Reznor through out, the way Maandig's voice hauntingly creeps through the song adding that edge to push them into the much anticipated albums of 2011.

Synopsis: The bands first ep sounds like the b-sides to the NIN's With Teeth album.
Here is a link to get their ep for free http://howtodestroyangels.com/

Score: 61
1- Listen from start to finish: 15
2- Listen again within a week: 15
3- Originality: 6
4- Advancement:5
5- Buyers Remorse:20 (its free)

M.I.A. - MAYA (/\/\ /\ Y /\)

M.I.A. is a producer, a singer, rapper, fashion designer, and a politcal activist. She really is never to far from a hit song on the top 20 list. Now ruba-dubba dub-dub may be the worst thing you could sing in a song let alone a bath-tub. Unless your M.I.A. Steppin Up to the plate to try and hit another home run. Rapping never has been easy, trying to keep everything simplistic and flowing freely. On top of that she was prego and had a baby during the making of this cd.

For me nothing really took flight like her last albums single paper plans did, but there are some hits that we can at least run with. The beat to Steppin Up is strange and never too mundane. The constant use of power tools and repetition of words make you feel a little insane. As for the vocals they go hand in hand with the track. In-fact, she always puts thought and tact to the way she raps. On the song Lovalot she makes a political statement saying "they told me this is a free country, now it feels like a chicken factory." and also adding the hook "i fight the ones that fight me." Lovalot is one of the highlights to this cd. Next up to the plate and one of my favorite songs of hers to date is It Takes a Muscle. With a chilled drink and a relaxed beat you dont feel that you have to hustle through this one. Back to the care-free summer loving type fun the song leaves you with a great feeling and a chorus worth singing. The song Tell Me Why and Space is the next couple of tracks worthy of a good listen. Its as if M.I.A. is on a mission to keep her status as one of the biggest international pop-sensations. Wither she has failed or succeed is another question.

Out with the good, and in with the bad. Meds and Feds is a waste of time and sad. The fillers on the album make it hard for this to be a winner. While Taqkilla makes you scream for a shot of whatever. I understand that she wants to be well rounded but in her attempt it falls short and hurts the album.

Synopsis: M.I.A. is rarely missing in action in her new album. Lets hope the next one will be a little more grounded.

Score: 68
1- Listen from start to finish: 13
2- Listen again within a week: 10
3- Originality: 16
4- Advancement:16
5- Buyers Remorse:13

The Black Keys - Brothers

Auerbach(Guitar/Singer) and Carney (Drummer/Producer) are back at it again. Almost like Batman and Robin but in a lot less spandex. They haven't changed the technique to the way they write in the new album "Brothers" but they have most certainly upgraded the formula. The two are always progressing and trying to reach the top of their field. And with Blues/Rock you have to be at the top of your game to get noticed. In this case they both bring their so called "A game" to this epic release.

The start of the album is already knocked out of the park with a catchy pop song that will tap your toes and have you singing the chorus for days. Everlasting light shines (pun intended) from start to finish. If this song doesn't get played on the radio Next Girl (the next song) should be. With a beat like a heart and the desire to find someone new Auerbach and Carney bring out one of their greatest songs yet. You can feel the emotion in the way the song progresses. And for all of those who just got out of a vicious and god awful relationship dont feel guilty blasting this song from your rooftop. As for the rest of the album Tighten Up, Howlin For you, and Sinister Child all keep you dancing and never take you away from the album as a full. The slower r&b and soul type songs the album offers rarely hit a boring stage, Never Give You Up and Too Afraid to Love dont ever let you down. This album is sure to be one of the best of the year.

For not being brothers, Dan and Patrick are on the exact same page as siblings would be. and as for a band with now 6 albums behind them, several ep's, and produced one of the best rap albums of last year they should be considered some of the best musicians of our age.

Tighten Up Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpaPBCBjSVc&feature=channel

Synopsis: One of the best blues/rock adventures for your ears. Go get it.

Score: 86
1- Listen from start to finish:17
2- Listen again within a week: 17
3- Originality: 17
4- Advancement:16
5- Buyers Remorse:19

Deer Tick - The Black Dirt Sessions

After taking a hike in the wonderful outdoors, John McCauley discovered a deer tick on his scalp later that night. And ever since then his band has been named Deer Tick. Not to be confused with Deer Hunter or Deerhoof of coarse. John McCauley has a distinct voice in which you need for any folk-rock group to succeed. Almost sounding like a rough and tumble old cowboy he sings with heart and has the talent to become the next big folk singer/songwriter. Even if his voice is something to get used too. After you do get hooked there is no looking back.

The Black Dirt Sessions is an album that the broken can relate too. Always being down on your luck and never finding the path that your supposed to be on. Deer Tick soothes your broken heart with the single and best song on the album Twenty Miles. The single is a statement that Deer Tick has something more to offer then the average folk band. With the rough almost punk sounding voice of John McCauley this band can really go places along as they keep an eye on advancing. This album is a great step forward for the band. Though their earlier releases have had their moments The Black Dirt Sessions has the feel of an album almost reaching for a spot in the lime light. "Christ Jesus" the last song on the album is a song that those who reside in the dust can take to heart. The melodramatic tune makes your spine shiver with belief. As for the song "Mange" it brings you back to the country roots of such bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, but has enough individuality to make it its own song. As the piano and guitars clash on the song it shows the band has potential to be more then just another dusty old folk band. Almost more of a Grateful Dead jam band feel to it. the album is consistence and worth a listen too if your into the genre. However it never really leaves the genre or bends its limits which is the only down fall to it.

Synopsis: Deer Tick crash into the music seen with a great album that almost reaches the bands full potential. As long as they keep this up they will be a folk band with a punk singer worth listening too. Check the single out and let me know what you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK1GUVzVxOM

Score: 69
1- Listen from start to finish:14
2- Listen again within a week: 18
3- Originality: 10
4- Advancement:13
5- Buyers Remorse:14

Eminem - Recovery

Eminem is one of the most talented rappers of all time. He is exciting, strange, angry, innovative and had completely lost his way. Encore was terrible, Relapse was a disappointment and frankly I was taking him off my top 5 greatest rappers of all time lists. Thinking that he was washed up and regular. And as a fan of his, it felt like Cleveland when Lebron said PEACE! (too soon?) Well maybe not that bad. Though when i listened to Recovery, all i could think of was that it's properly named.

With every Eminem album you have got to expect vulgarity and some anger. The first track covers that perfectly. But as you progress through the song you realize there is something different or a hint of remembrance in his voice. Thank the lord. Something was back and flowing in his blood, putting a pulse in his lyrics and finally back to his normality. By the end of the second song i forgot about encore, and relapse and got up and cheered. There are only a few down points in the album and is a solid release for the veteran. It reminded me of the excitement that I felt when the Eminem Show came out. Its not as good as the Eminem Show but its good. The best song on the album is 25 to life. At least thats the song I relate to most. The singles off of it "Wont Back Down" and "Love the Way you Lie" are just the beginning. As with every Eminem record its the songs that don't get radio play that are his bests. But no way am i saying his singles arent great. The album is named Recovery because he is healthy and coming down the war path for the crown again. Do we really want to get in his way? not me.

Synopsis: Eminem is back! Listen to it.

Score: 86
1- Listen from start to finish:18
2- Listen again within a week: 20
3- Originality: 13
4- Advancement:15
5- Buyers Remorse:20

Marina and the Diamonds - The Family Jewels

Grab a backpack, a paisley soaked head band, pierce your ears, die your hair and head off to Europe. Hike your way up the grassy hillsides and take a drag out of your cigarette, stop to put your head phones on and press play! What you hear is The Family Jewels of Marina and the Diamonds.

Marina's voice is what holds this album together. It pops up and down at unexpected moments that keep you listening and for the most part interested.There are a few groovy highlights that should be recognized like the first track Are You Satisfied? and to answer, Yes. The song pulls you into the album excited for more and not knowing what to expect. Next stop should be the song I Am Not A Robot. The voice is the greatest part of the song. She rings "never committed to anything, pick up the phone let it ring ring ring." She doesn't seem to miss a beat of creativity with the way she uses her voice. The last spark of light on the album before you find out that you just listened to an Enya/Katy Perry album is the song Hermit the Frog. The European electronica fashioned beat gets you up and makes you move. Its fun, but like all family jewels they should never be bounced for too long. I know it was awful but i couldn't resist.

Synopsis: She could be destined to be the next wave of 80's music leaders. Wither thats a good thing or not I wont say. But i will say this I hate U2. I had to pepper that in somewhere.

Score: 63
1- Listen from start to finish: 9
2- Listen again within a week: 9
3- Originality: 15
4- Advancement:15
5- Buyers Remorse: 15