Old – Danny Brown – Danny’s second strong release in a row is a companion piece to an album it has nothing to do with: Tyler, The Creator, Wolf, and like Wolf it is about life after fame and like Wolf, it is all drugs and rap, but this is a consistently well rapped album, smart as hell rhymes, and while I guy who once got his dick sucked on stage might wanna be a bit more easy going, it has one song track after another – ALBUM OF THE WEEK – B+
Frame By Frame – Cassadee Pope – Former Hey Monday lead singer tries her hand at “The Voice” competition and wins it all and all we get is this lousy MOR crap – C-
Ponder The Mystery – William Shatner – Metal bands add songs, Shatner adds over wrought speak sing tracks, gets old before the first song is over – D+
lousy with sylvianbrair – Of Montreal – If Kevin Barnes wasn’t a prolific whack inspired to take his very well written songs and lob psychedelic grenades in them, he would be a major star. The songs are fine, the arrangements not so much though good to hear him playing with a band – B+
Tender Mercies – Papa – The latest in a line of modern rockers that begins with Cold War Kids and goes on and on. With a difference, more songs about 20 somethings can craft one catchy rocker after another. Caveat: so can lots of people – B
You Can’t Make Old Friends – Kenny Rogers – He should know when to fold them – D+
The Speed Of Things Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr – This is smarter than your average indie pop because they are better at harmonies, but they need more songs as pretty as “Knock Louder” and less as weird as “Mesopotania” – B
We Need Medicine – The Fratellis – Helen Bach thinks this sells out Costello Music‘s, Glasgow rock for an American everyman bar band , I think it is a strong rebound from Here We Stand. We should both agree that Jon Fratelli is an outstanding singer – B+
Brand New Machine – Chase & Status – These excellent Drum and Bass producers, mixers, DJs, just broke pop in the UK and will be touring with Pusha T and you can hear why: this stuff is very very good, the bass resounds all over the place and try “Pressure” with headphones. Nut a little goes a long way – B
Silver Bell – Patty Griffin – I have nothing against this tasteful and tuneful acoustic chick folk music but except when she puts her body into it on “Boston” it is awful boring – C+
Bitter Rivals – Sleigh Bells – I really love this band, I once saw em kill it at Prudential Center, not an easy place to bring the noise, but this is too much more of the same. Exception? The title track is killer – B-
Talking Dreams – Echosmith – Melodic pop with a good chick singer and her three brothers. One strong after another with playful melodies, bright colors and immediacy – B+
High Rise – Stone Temple Pilots – It has been so long since Tiny Music, it is time we all admitted that was a complete fluke, This is more what they do: average corporate rock with a nondescript lead singer, who sucks with his own band, sucking with theirs. Somewhere, Scott is rolling in his grave (or something like that) – D+
Bamgerz – Miley Cyrus – Sure, you thought this was gonna suck as well, but the truth is “Wrecking Ball” was the worst of it, the ballads aren’t terrible and the dance is OK. Try “4By4” for where Miley isn’t as generic as you think – C+
My Name Is My Name – Pusha T – At BB Kings, Pusha couldn’t keep up with Fabulous but this album does it well, the thing is Pusha T has a great voice, he sounds angry and in pain. Here’s a clue, when you are listening to a rap album, go for the Rick Ross featured track, if the rapper isn’t blown off his own track by Rick, he must be good. Pusha T holds his own – B