February Album Reviews

Lily Allen: It's Not Me, It's You, Rating 6.2

Lily Allen's sophomore album "It's Not Me, It's You" falls a little flat compared to her debut album "Alright, Still." There are some strong tracks throughout the album that I really enjoy but there are also just some plain silly tracks. Allen's lyrical focus on this album is a lot more serious and political then "Alright, Still" but for some reason it just seems like a weird resource for these opinions. I'm sorry Lily, it's not you, it's me. I plan on leaving most of the tracks on my ipod and will enjoy them as them come on random but I don't ever see myself saying, "I really want to listen to It's not Me, It's You right now."

M. Ward: Hold Time, Rating 7.7

I don't know what it is but for some reason I want to be M. Ward. Maybe it is his incredible guitar skills, his soothing voice, his overall style or maybe it's just the fact that he is in a band with Zooey Deschanel. As far as "Hold Time" goes, it's not a great album or musically ground breaking in any way but it makes me smile and tap my toes. "Hold Time" seems like it will be the perfect album for this upcoming spring. The songs are fun and make me happy so that is why this album got a 7.7.

Various Artists: Dark Was The Night, Rating 8.8

"Dark Was The Night" is the latest two disc charity compilation from the Red Hot organization who is the leading international organization for fighting AIDS. Imagine you were throwing a birthday party for yourself and you invited all your best friends. Not only does every single friend show up but a few friends brought along a couple of their friends and they ended up being super cool too, pretty much making this the raddest birthday party you've ever had. Well that sums up "Dark Was The Night." With artists/bands like Bon Iver, Fiest, Grizzy Bear, The National, Yeasayer, Iron & Wine, Sufjan Stevens, Spoon, Arcade Fire, Sharon Jones, My Morning Jacket and Conor Oberst just to name a few how can this not be amazing. All the songs are unreleased recordings so it's all new stuff. A good mixture of new originals and some covers. This one is a no brainer. Buy it, love it and support a good cause.

Dan Auerbach: Keep it Hid, Rating 5.9

This is the first solo effort of the Black Key's guitarist/singer Dan Auerbach. Being a Black Keys fan but also realizing that the Black Keys having musically backed them self into a corner or minimal blues rock I was very excited to see what Dan's solo effort would bring. Guess what, more songs that sound like the Black Keys. I don't know why I am that surprised, the Black Keys are a two piece band and when you take away the drummer the sound probably isn't going to change all the drastically. The Album is just okay...meh.

Various Artists: War Child Presents Heroes, Rating 6.4

Legendary artists/bands pick one of their songs and a new hip artist/band to cover it, awesome right? Well...War Child Heroes is a great idea not executed to it's fullest. I'd say of the 15 tracks on the CD about a third of them are REALLY good, a third are alright and a third are just boring. Fortunately the really good third makes it worth while. Beck's cover of Dylan, Hold Steady's cover of Springsteen, TV on the Radio's cover of Bowie, and Duffy's cover of Wings are extremely good. the big disappointments are the Yeah Yeah Yeah covering The Ramones and Peaches covering Iggy Pop.

P.O.S.: Never Better, Rating 8.2

First I have to admit this is the first P.O.S. album I've listen to in full and feel a little ashamed of that fact. I've heard his songs on the Current and have seen him live with DoomTree and really dig his style but have only now come around to listening to his music. I don't know if his other albums are this good but man I picked a good starting point. P.O.S. for lack of a better term is punk-rap. His songs are political, angry, in your face and at times hardcore. The beats on this album are worth it alone. Go out and buy this album and help support the local music scene. I actually saw this album for sale at the Plymouth Target...weird, but good.

Ben Kweller: Changing Horses, Rating 4.8

Ben Kweller decided as his album title states to changes horses for this one and try his shot at an alt country album. The alt country seen is a little tired and just overdone now, I'm not sure what Ben thought he'd be able to add to the genre other than a mediocre album, which is exactly what he did. I personally think this album is about 7 years too late. I do have to say in all fairness, Ben Kweller is an amazing live show and I will continue to go see him when he comes to town.

Black Lips: 200 Million Thousand, Rating 6.1

I've listened to this album through a couple times now and I think this one will grow on me over time. Black Lips have a low-fi garage rock sound that reminds me a lot of The Stoogies or Radio Birdman. If you like distorted guitars, distorted vocal harmonies and just flat out raw rock and roll give this album a shot. I think if you were to ask me about this album later in the year, I'd rank it a little higher.