Wednesday, February 15, 2017

First Listen Part Two: More New Releases for February 10

Here's the rest of the new releases for this week.


Artist: Lupe Fiasco
Album: DROGAS Light
Quick Description: New album from the often-controversial rapper.
Why You Should Listen: This is Lupe Fiasco's best effort in close to a decade.
Overall Thoughts: Lupe Fiasco was always pretty socially conscious, but things got a little out there for him with his recent releases. DROGAS Light doesn't lose the commentary, but it does gain some memorable music backing it for the first time in a few releases. Songs like "Jump" and "Wild Child" are really reminiscent of the quality of his Food and Liquor days, and this is an album I can't wait to get back to. If Sallie Ford didn't come out with new music this week, this might have ended up as my album of the week.
Recommendation: Best rap album out since RTJ3, and one of the best of the week.


Artist: Mother Mother
Album: No Culture
Quick Description: Canadian rock group goes even more mainstream.
Why You Should Listen: It's hard to find a reason if you're a reader of this blog.
Overall Thoughts: I loved this band once. "Let's Fall in Love" is a favorite of mine, and this new album feels sort of modern new wavey and it just doesn't work. Mother Mother aren't The Killers, y'know? I don't have a lot of good to say, so I won't say much more.
Recommendation: Skip this one.


Artist: Jesca Hoop
Album: Memories Are Now
Quick Description: Latest release from the quirky singer-songwriter.
Why You Should Listen: You like a little strangeness to go with your songwriting.
Overall Thoughts: Jesca Hoop is a lot like Joanna Newsom in a lot of ways, except the voice is a little more normal and the songs structured a little more normally. Memories Are Now is not Hoop's best album - my vote is for Kismet - but in terms of what I expect from Hoop, it's pretty solid. A decent entrypoint if you're unfamiliar.
Recommendation: A good listen in a sea of great ones this week.


Artist: Chuck Prophet
Album: Bobby Fuller Died for Your Sins
Quick Description: Chuck Prophet does a very specific brand of rock, and this is sort of a concept album in that vein.
Why You Should Listen: You like this sort of thing, with sharp songwriting and straightforward instrumentation.
Overall Thoughts: While I have some positive things to say about this, I admit that I don't really get it. I feel like there's a joke I'm missing along the way, or some sort of schtick I don't understand. It may reveal itself on future listens, but I can't say I get this. I would normally just put this in "also out," but it's good enough to at least deserve some attention.
Recommendation: Worth a listen, maybe more.


Artist: Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
Album: Zombies on Broadway
Quick Description: Theatrical indie pop rock.
Why You Should Listen: You're looking for the lovechild of Patrick Wolf and Rufus Wainwright.
Overall Thoughts: I was ultimately drawn in by the cover here, to be honest, but it turns out this was a fun, unique listen. If you like the sort of theatrics that a lot of indie pop artists are up to these days, this deserves a listen, but there's enough here to be really accessible anyway. Give it a listen.
Recommendation: A fun listen this week.

Also out this week/recently:

* Henoheno - Piggybacks (try "Notice All Your Flaws")
* Mark Porkchop Holder - Let it Slide

1 comment:

  1. https://livehdfootball.com/ravensvsbengals/
    https://livehdfootball.com/ravensvsbengals/
    https://livehdfootball.com/ravensvsbengals/
    https://livehdfootball.com/ravensvsbengals/

    ReplyDelete