History Mob Music And Function – E-40 and Too Short – The Versed called these West Coasts journeymen "upbeat but laid back" and that explains the dynamic pretty damn well. Too $horts been a semi-underground rapper since 1988, E-40 since the 1990s, including years on Lil Jon's Atlanta label ,they split the double in half and E-40 probably wins on points. Together they are prolific, the tracks are really interesting, and they rap together very well. Stuff like "One Foot" is funny and pretty well done. But lyrically, neither of these guys have much to say – Grade: B-
The Haunted Man – Bats For Lashes – I know there is a market for this woman's pleasant soprano and if her songs were better, I might be among them. But this is the latest in a long line that includes superior songwriters like Feist and Florence Welch and if you aren't a fan of this Goth girl stuff, you'll find it toogh going – Grade: C
The Burgh Island Ep – Ben Howard – Better than you'd think from this singer songwriter Jack Johnson fan. But not by much – Grade: C-
The King IS Still King – Romeo Santos – Aventura leader goes solo, releases a live at MSG album, gives up crossover dreams and doesn't lose much on the Bachata front and better on stage than Henry Santos. Apparently this is the guy to catch – Grade: B
The Abbey Road Sessions – Kylie Minogue – Well now, this is a bad idea. Take out the synths, add in the strings, re-record your hits and see if anything sticks. Nothing so terrible. Nothing so great either – Grade: C+
About To Die EP – Dirty Projectors – SIngle plus unreleased from the Sing Lo Magellan session. A little less catchy than the album. "Buckle Up" isn't bad – Grade: B
Miracle – Third Day – If Jesus had heard these born again Christians he'd have remained buried – Grade: D+