Steve LampirisThe blues-rock duo are back (that was a quick turnaround from Brothers, wasn’t it?) with a new single from the upcoming El Camino, which is out December 6. The album was co-produced by Danger Mouse so expect it to be great. The single is called “Lonely Boy” and features a ridiculous video. I won’t spoil it. Just watch it below. As for the song, well, it continues the band’s attempt to escape the limitations of…
Quickie album review: Patrick Stump, “Soul Punk”
In which the former Fall Out Boy singer/guitarist/genius behind-ist channels his most obvious influence (Michael) and makes a soundtrack to a John Hughes film that’ll never be. A synth brush allows Stump to paint in broad strokes which, in turn, lets all of the (catchy as hell) melodies bouncing around in his head to come through. The absence of power chords allows his underrated vocal talents to soar on ohh’s and ahh’s to the top…
Quickie review: Lou Reed and Metallica, “Lulu”
The Halloween release date is appropriate: Here, the ‘Frisco boys are pretending to be a metal-ized Velvet Underground. Having tried everything across this record to filter “Heroin” through their ’80s thrash, their ’90s blues-based hard rock and their 2000’s attempt at a return-to-form, they clearly want to be the ’60s legends so, so badly. But guess what? Getting Reed to sing on your record doesn’t make your band VU mk. II. But that doesn’t stop…
So the Lou Reed+Metallica (or “Loutallica”) album can be streamed in full
The Lou Reed / Metallica album, Lulu, can be heard in full over at the album’s official site. It’s, uh, as plodding as the cover art is confusing – which is to say, quite a lot. Think Velvet Underground + Load/ReLoad and you’re pretty close. Any by Load/ReLoad, I mean the overlong, do-nothing riffs of “Outlaw Torn” and “Fixxxer.” Kirk has said that this is “one of the best things we’ve ever done.” Gonna have…
Stream the new Mastodon album, “The Hunter,” one week early
Yes, the prog-sludge-whatever-metal icons are back with their follow up to 2009’s Crack The Skye (which I loved). The Hunter comes out Sept. 27 but you can hear it right this second by going to the band’s official site. As for initial thoughts, I have to say that I do enjoy the band’s steady move towards melody and coherence. Sure, they’re not as heavy as they were but whatever sheer power they’ve lost (or, rather,…
Quickie album review: Revocation, “Chaos of Forms”
Usually metal bands start off simple and build in complexity. Apparently Revocation didn’t get that memo. They’ve stripped away all the progressive wankery of Existence is Futile and made a lean monster of a modern thrash record. The slow-fast start-stop solo action in “Cradle Robber” recalls heyday Metallica. The riffs are catchy and satisfying (especially “Robber” and “No Funeral”), and the songs are well-constructed. More importantly, though, they’re memorable – something that’s severely lacking…
Quickie album reviews: Jay-Z and Kanye West, “Watch The Throne”
The two biggest (and, honestly, most important) names in rap come together to brag. A lot. As has always been the case, Kanye has some great lines (“Luxury rap, the Hermes of verses/ Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive”) and Jay-Z has some better ones (“Cocaine seats, All white like I got the whole thing bleached/ Drug dealer chic”). Since Kanye didn’t produce the entire album, it isn’t as cohesive as his best work. …
Foo Fighters: “Wasting Light”
Album name: Wasting Light Artist name: Foo Fighters Genre: Alternative Rock Released: April 12, 2011 Label: RCA ZME Rating: 8/10 Website: foofighters.com —————————— What year is it? It certainly can’t be 2011 because the Foo Fighters have Pat Smear in their line-up. And they made a record, Wasting Light, that’s loud as hell. And they tapped Butch Vig as a producer. And they had Alan Moulder mix the album. And both Bob Mould and Kris Novoselic appear…
Wiz Khalifa: “Rolling Papers”
Album name: Rolling Papers Artist name: Wiz Khalifa Genre: Rap Released: March 29, 2011 Label: Atlantic/Rostrum ZME Rating: 6/10 Website: wizkhalifa.com I’m about to defend a Wiz Khalifa album. Well, kinda. For the few of you who haven’t navigated away, hear me out. WK is a an average rapper at best, no one – myself included – is going to argue that. But the key to appreciating any song by him is to understand that…
Stream the new Foo Fighters record right now
Yup, the new FF record can be streamed at the ‘official’ site of the band’s forthcoming album, Wasting Light. I’m currently five tracks in and, ya know what, the choice to track the record to analog was a good one. A great one, in fact. It just sounds so fucking pure. In addition, producer Butch Vig got some seriously heavy performances outta these guys; they needed it. And the Alan Moulder-helmed mix sounds wonderful. Apart…