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Finally available on vinyl! Didn't think much of this album when we first saw it advertised - now it's heading for instant classic status. Retro sounds from Ms. Winehouse and Mark Ronson, and not in that Daptone kinda way. Check out the...
expand review big ones - "Rehab(1)" and the Ghostface(2) and non-Ghostface(3) versions of "You Know I'm No Good" - and you'll see what I mean. This stuff is hard to resist, sweet and soulful with that super dark undercurrent. For reference, I went into my local comic shop the other day and even they were bumping this album. (And comic nerds HATE almost all music that's not from "the trilogy.") Also check the Salaam Remi-produced "Me & Mr. Jones(4)," the Lauryn Hill-meets-The Supremes vibe on "He Can Only Hold Her(5)" or the "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"-sampling "Tears Dry On Their Own(6)." Forget the hype, this is just some well-crafted music. Mark Ronson = new school Phil Spector? 11 tracks total. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Another promotional (wink wink) double-pack of hard-to-find Winehouse cuts. The first piece of wax features eight live tracks, including the recent singles "Tears Dry On Their Own(1)" and "Love Is A Losing Game(2)," two versions of the Mark Ronson collab / Zutons...
expand review cover "Valerie," and her take on the Phil Spector classic "To Know Him Is To Love Him(3)." The second slab is all about the remixes, with the smoldering Truth & Soul take of "Losing Game(4)," a "Rehab(5)" mix with both Jay-Z and Pharoahe Monch, and the two-toned Baby J version of "Valerie(6)." 13 tracks total. -Van Hammersly
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Now on silver colored vinyl! Limited press 7" EP with England's most talented trainwreck covering some two-tone favorites. The slow skank of Sam Cooke's "Cupid(1)" suits her voice best, but I'm feeling the accompaniment on "Hey Little Rich Girl(2)" too. Two more...
expand review Specials covers - the uptempo "You're Wondering Now(3)" and a skippable version "Monkey Man(4)" - round things out. Plays at 33. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Two tracks of stormy tribal pop from Apache Beat, two gals and three fellows from NYC who have been getting a lot of looks from both sides of the pond lately. "Tropics(1)" is a dense slice of rhythmic post-rock with haunting synths...
expand review and raspy female vocals that'll require (many) repeat listenings. The flip features the soaring "Your Powers Are Magic(2)" - while not as catchy as "Tropics," it's just as satisfying a listen, as the band toys with a quiet-loud dynamic and singer Ilirjana lets her delivery wax and wane with the music. Limited to 500 hand-numbered copies. -Larri Byrd
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This record is on Polyvinyl. I think the last thing I bought on Polyvinyl was in 7th grade. It was probably something by Rainer Maria, 'cause I saw them live and had a crush on the lead singer. I can't say I...
expand review feel the same way about any of the guys from Architecture In Helsinki, though I am pretty envious of that one dude's beard. Anyway, if you keep up with your indie rock, you know this Melbourne collective has become crazy popular over the last few years, and that their new single "Heart It Races" has been getting love from some unexpected places. Enter this slab of remixes, which includes the much talked about "Trizzy's Rusty Tin Can Remix(1)" from Fool's Gold CEO A-Trak. I never thought I'd wanna hear the "LEMME SEE THOSE HANDS! LEMME SEE THOSE HANDS!" acapella over wistful indie tones, but I was so wrong. Also includes remixes from Pink Skull(2), Yacht(3) and Franc Tetaz(4), but you won't get past A-Trak's version. -Chris Lemon-Red
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If you're not familiar with Battles' brand of math rock (jaw-dropping) or their quasi all-star lineup (ex-Don Cab guitarist, ex-Helmet drummer, Anthony Braxton's son Tyondai), don't worry - Mirrored will get you up to speed real quick. The band's always been technically...
expand review sound, but this record sounds like it cost about a million bucks to produce and the playing is tighter than ever. They've even got vocals this time! The lead single, "Atlas(1)," has been getting a lot of attention on the other side of the pond, where they play highly technical nerd rock on drive time radio. The opening and closing tracks - "Race:In(2)" and "Race:Out(3)" - are more than just a pair of boring bookends": in keeping with the album's title and theme, they're soundalikes, weird reflections of one another full of intricate guitar work and drumming that makes my arms hurt just listening to it. Check the fuzzy, beat-propelled "Leyendecker(4)," the wacky "Ddiamondd(5)" and the way-too-short interlude "Prismism." This vinyl version includes a 12"x24" fold-out poster with the album's cover, as shot by NYC's own Timothy Saccenti. 11 tracks; 52 minutes; double vinyl. -Chris Lemon-Red
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BONUS: Included with the vinyl version of Modern Guilt is a coupon good for a free high-quality 320kbps MP3 download of the full album. Interestingly, the MP3s are advertised as being "converted from vinyl" to replicate the analog sound.
Beck's long-awaited LP with...
expand review Danger Mouse behind the boards, pressed up on 180g virgin vinyl. If you're like me and kinda fell off the Beck-wagon after Sea Change, this album will probably be the one to draw you back in. Warm beats and heavy psych influences abound here, plus great vocals from the man and even some contributions from indie-folk lightning rod Cat Power ("Orphans(1)," "Walls(2)"). Check the hazy lead single "Chemtrails(3)" - it's a good indicator of what you're in for, and of how well DM's sound complements Beck's own. Also peep "Modern Guilt(4)," whose bouncy beat betray its lyrical content, and the broken beat electronics of "Youthless(5)." 10 tracks, 33 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
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New pressing! Remastered on 180g audiophile vinyl, and it comes with a code for a free digital download of the album. Just go to the URL printed on the coupon within, enter your unique code, and you can download a zip file...
expand review with 256 bitrate mp3s directly from Matador.
Me and Stony have a mighty addiction to Belle & Sebastian. On those rough office mornings, there's nothing more soothing than a little Tigermilk. It's not the best way to convey the macho boss exterior (hit that mute button if an unexpected guest comes in), but it's that good that we'll risk taking on the "pussy music" looks from the Shipset. This is B&S second album from 1996, generally considered their best album thus far (we have a pref for aforementioned Tigermilk), and the first of their Matador high quality vinyl reissues with FREE MP3 download! I'll leave a real music critic to breakdown the inner-workings of the album and the general bizzaro-ness of the band itself, here's a sampling (in an instance you will either love it or throw up a little in your mouth): "Seeing Other People(1), The Fox in the Snow(2), Get Me Away From Here(3), Mayfly(4), etc. 10 tracks in all. -the mgmnt
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I-eee want nothing. Huge song right now in the indie dance scene (they've been playing the hell out of this on Indie103). This pic sleeve 12" is executed properly with a 12" extended mix(1) and a bmore-hybrid Sinden remix(2). As a unexpected...
expand review surprise, there's also a kick-ass breaks remix(3) from DC Recordings' below the radar producer Vincent Markowski. Well done. Recommended. -the mgmnt
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Fresh from their TTL LA instore, the Black Ghosts drop a new single with Lab affiliate Diplo on the instrumental remix(1). Easily sounds like a track MIA or Santogold would destroy. The original version(2) is no afterthought, this high energy track represents...
expand review the next fold of the electro-rock genre... super-clean, fun, great vocals... and it doesn't give you a headache. But if you like that headache-type track, they got you covered with the Phones remix(3). -the mgmnt
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Not to be confused with the disco-funk band Blackjoy, Black Joy is a Lab rookie on the recently established Project Recordings. These guys represent a crispy approach to music, fusing together rock, funk and reggae. If you're feeling groups like Plant Life...
expand review and Sa-Ra, you'll probably like "Headphone Drone(1)." For more reggae flavor, turn to the Blundetto remix(2). The nostalgic vibes created by the imagery remind me of an indy movie soundtrack, one where poetry is present everywhere. To further the feeling, read the lyrics on the back: "Magnetic winds blow, memories flow, pupils glow." I'll have my latte with a little hazelnut, please. Also, on the back of the sleeve is a code that you can redeem for a free digital download at the Project Recordings website. Nice feature for all my iPodders. -C'mish
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White vinyl pressing. Oh so catchy and ridiculously hip, what more is there to say about this song(1)? They sound a bit like The Cure to me, in a good way. For the summer jammy-jam (yes, this song takes me there), check...
expand review the Twelves Remix(2), and its dub version. I'm definitely not hating. -the mgmnt
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I'm not saying this to be a dick, but seriously: buy this single now or weep next year. BLK JKS are a four piece band from South Africa whose dark-yet-bouncy melodies, layered harmonies, impressive guitar work and rhythm section already have them...
expand review being courted by some labels which I'm not at liberty to name (but you've definitely heard of). If I'm sounding like a hype machine right now, just listen to "Lakeside(1)" and tell me I'm wrong. Diplo met these guys in an airport last year and came back telling me how awesome they were based on this track alone. I can't say I disagree. B-side features an early track, the downtempo/rap hybrid "One Must Die(2)." I'd keep going, but I think the music sells itself on this one. One time pressing of 500 copies, each in a hand-stamped sleeve. Recommended. -Larri Byrd
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Second album from Bloc Party, and that means it's time for the haters to start crying "sophomore slump!" Don't think anyone arguing that point will have a leg to stand on with A Weekend In The City, though: whereas many bands play...
expand review it safe on (or just break up before) LP numero dos, Kele and the lads have obviously taken another step in evolving their songwriting skills. Right from the jump, "Song For Clay(1)" is a posted notice that Weekend might not appease all fans: the guitars are harder, the drumming more raw and the tone more somber. But if you were feeling the really epic, anthemic styles on Silent Alarm, you'll find a lot to like here. Check out "Where Is Home?(2)" (which builds up and up at a furious pace for the duration of its 5 minutes) or the Radiohead-ish experimentation of "Hunting For Witches(3)." And someone make a re-edit using the intro of "The Prayer(4)," stat! 11 tracks; 50 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
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