Mechanical Bull – Kings Of Leon – Impressive renewal of their smart and sexy guitar rock; the voice took awhile to get use to but by now they seem to have releaxed into their position of rock elder statesmen on this cool old fashioned rocker- B+
Nothing Was Forever – Drake – Drake sees his life as an ongoing story and his albums as diary interests, so, in a manner that has been reflected throughout hip hip, his depressive confusion is at odds with his charmed life. The result is always addictive hip hop, deep but we don’t quite know why – B+
Closer To The Truth – Her voice are too husky and her songs are dance by the numbers and yes, she is Cher – C
Get Wet – Krewella – EDM as written, not unlike Kaskade. And I can’t take Kaskade – C- I toldja this was a snapshot, on further listen the beats are excellent and the songs kick in hard – B
This Is…. Icona Pop – Opening with “I Love It” and following with 3 more songs off their EP, nearly 40% of this album is already available. Luckily for them the rest of it is aces and I bet “Than We Kiss” gives em their follow up hit single – A-
The Diving Board – Elton John – Sure he’s a pompous ass, but he is a pompous ass who can write good songs from time to time, even here – C+
In Utero Deluxe – Nirvana – I love In Utero more than most people. it is my second fave albums of the 1990s, and I love boots, so I recommend you search out Out Of The Womb, a terrific boot with all the original mixes. Except for “Gallons Of Rubbing Oil Flow Through The Strip” this is a complete waste – C
The Last Ship – Sting – Very tasteful wouldbe music for a Broadway play but a track here and there is OK – C-
Dream Theater – Dream Theater – I think what is most impressive is that they are doing this pomp rock at all – C-
The Bluegrass Album – ALan Jackson – One of our top country singers takes on bluegrass and does it well enough – B+
Your Grace Finds Me – Matt Redman – Christian AOR pop for true believers – C-
The Bones Of What You Believe In – CHVRCHES – Indie rockers plus synths and the hit “The Mother We Share” is worth your while, the rest works only if you like the genre – B-
Shout! – Gov’t Mule – Blues boogie from one of the Allman Brothers or maybe two two – B-
Get Happy – Pink Martini – Like a buncha gypsys got mugged at a swing party – B
Muscle Shoals Motion Picture – Various Artists – Talented folks compile album from songs they performed on – B+
Tattoos EP – Jason Derulo – “Talk Dirty” is a huge hit in the UK and should follow here – B+
Out Of Many, One Music – Shaggy – He doesn’t crossover any more, but this is first rate reggae pop music. Check out the Ne-Yo duet – B+
Sammy Hagar And Friends – Sammy Hagar – It works as high camp though he takes it very serious. Wait till you reach “Personal Jesus” – C
Move In Spectrums – Au Revoir Simone – Beautiful indie mood music – B
Breathe EP – Birdy – Only three songs but all three are perfect piano ballads – B+
Never Enough – Trixie Whitley – A new song and a goodie – B+
You’re Not The One – Sky Ferreirra – Sucked live but this song is great – B+