>> – Beak – Drone rock from one of the best experimental bands around. I saw Geoff Barrow's side project at Bowery Ballroom a coupla years ago, and they blew me away there. This is is even better than the first album: it is background grim rhythm which, at its best, on "Yatton" lets its repetitive notes build into a song before subsiding. My only complaint is that Geoff doesn't do enough with the drums… for obvious reasons I guess – Grade: A-
Top Of The World – Slightly Stoopid – It starts off not terrible ska-y feelgoody LA stuff, then goes downhill. What the hell is Barrington Levy wasting his time here for? Grade: C-
The Mighty Death Pop – Freaky Tales – Black Pop – Insane Clown Posse – With a name like that it should have some skills to offer. It doesn't – Grade: D+
Southern Air – Yellowcard – This is a shameful load of crap, the worst rock album of the year. This is why no one takes the genre serious any more – Grade: F
Of All The Things I Will Soon Get Tire Of – Joyce Manor – Next to Yellowcard, this album is Born To Run. But away from it, the question is, where the hell is "Constant Headache"? Oh, and why are they named Joyce Manor? the answers are, this is their second power-pop punk extravaganza, their best moment is on the first, and they were named after an apartment complex down the road. – Grade: B+
Just Tell Me What You Want: A Tribute To Fleetwood Mac – Business as usual trib with a few great covers, Trixie Whitley, Best Coast, Karen Olston, Antony and Best Coast leading the pack and Billy Gibbons beating it. And a lotta dross, Plus, only one Christine McVie cover – Grade: B
Listening – Ben Taylor – There was a time when I took this singer songwriter seriosuly. maybe the only scion worth bothering over. That time is over – Grade: D+
Based On A T.R.U. Story – 2 Chainz – The list of featured stars is unreal, showing much respect to the team player. Who doesn't deserve it. The Dream comes out with his dignity in tact, but everybody else, Drake, Lil Wayne, Minaj, Kweezy, are phoning it (literally, I bet). The former Tiny Boi, who will enter Billboards 200 at # 1 next week, is just a bore and when your verse goes "Yeah, I love strippers…" there ain't a damn thing going on – Grade: C