The Whole Love – Wilco – Two acts of aural masturbation bookend a handful of over sonic quasi country -some good, both "Sunloath" and "Dawned On Me" are pretty, but mostly MOR alt-country doo dah dahs. Grade: C
The Sideline Story – J Cole – The Jay-z siging for Roc Nation has pals Missy Elliott, Drake, Trey Songz, and the mainman on board on his first full length album but that doesn't save it from being just a pretty good album. "Nice Watch" is pretty good, the backing track is fabulous, the raps powerful in places. But it doesn't come together . Perhaps, J Cole feels he needs to follow his muse. Let him, but who will be waiting when his muse arrives? Grade: B
Future History – Jason Derulo – Jason is a talented no doubt and this pop hop album peaks very high with the two singles. But he doesn't sustain it. Grade: B+
Vice Versa – Switchfoot – Rock ordinaire masquerading as child of grunge. Grade: C-
Chickenfoot II – Chickenfoot – The worst song of the year? "Three And A Half Letters". The worst song written about unemployment ever. Grade: D+
The Hunter – Mastadon – The first time I heard Crack The Skye I thought I'd found the missing link between 80s and Yes. A seriously excellent metal band. All that The Hunter misses is the thrill of the new. It is as purely excellent as metal gets: a thundering maelstrom of sound. Sure, it's more of the same but the same was great to begin with. Grade: A-
Sweetheart Of The Sun – The Bangles – Sounds like the Bangles without the great songs. Grade: B
All The Way – Allstar Weekend – The first song on the album is pretty, the rest of this soft rock teen pop isn't up to much but its harmless. Grade:B-
Return To Santa Monica – Everyclear – Nobody denies Art's right to make money off his old catalogue, but this re-recording of former hits is a little sad. Grade: B-
Music Is Better Than Words – Seth Macfarlane – When you're rich and famous, vanity productions are taken seriously. So take this lousy American Standard album by the Family Guy seriously if you wanna. I'll pass. Grade: D+
Will The Guns Come Out – Hanni El Khatib – Great guitarist, writes excellent blues rockers. Grade: A
1978 December – Sonia Leigh – More hell on heels. Grade: B