June Album Reviews

Dirty Projectors: Bitte Orca, Rating 8.5

The Dirty Projectors are yet another great experimental rock band out of Brooklyn, NY. I swear creativity must flow through tap water there. "Bitte Orca" certainly doesn't fall short of creativity and it demands your attention. Dirty Projectors have 3 amazing singers two female and one male that make some really interesting harmonies. I have a feeling people will give this album one listen and dismiss it. Some of my favorite new bands took a few listens to fully appreciate and then love it such as TV on the Radio and Yeasayer.

Mos Def: The Ecstatic, Rating 8.2

Mos Def's debut release "Black on Both Sides" is and amazing album but every since then Mos Def is not doing it for me...then came "The Ecstatic." Mos Def uses music from all over the globe on "The Ecstatic" from India to Iraq to Mexico and American funk. His laid back flow keeps you engaged though the whole album. This could be the hip hop album of the year.

Regina Spektor: Far, Rating 6.0

More of the same from Regina, piano driven quirky songs (including one where she sings like a dolphin) and a strong voice. A few of these songs will make the iPod but all in all not a great album.

Sunset Rubdown: Dragonslayer, Rating 7.6

Yet another "Wolf Parade" side project. I don't know if these dudes in "Wolf Parade" know what it's like to make bad music, seems like everything they touch is gold. "Dragonslayer" is filled with long epic rock songs that just pull you in. This is one to play loudly in the car, you'll be so sucked into the songs you'll be at your destination before you know it.

Bibio: Ambivalence Avenue, Rating 8.0

This album was a nice surprise from a DJ/producer I've never heard of before. "Ambivalence Avenue" can easily be summed up as an elctro-folk-funk-dance album, haha. An easy listen from start to finish. "Bibio" has the same feel as "Air" or lighter elctro groups. I'd put this album to read a book but might have to get up between chapters to dance.

Wilco: Wilco (The Album), Rating 7.7

Well the name of the album kind of says it all. Wilco's new album almost feels like a journey through their career. Listening to "Wilco (The Album) I find my self saying "oh this song is very "Being There" or I could hear this track on "Yankee Foxtrot Hotel." I'd give this album to someone who was looking to get into Wilco and tell them to let me know there favorite songs. From that I'd be able to tell them what era of Wilco they might more. All in all a solid effort by Wilco, not their best album by far but one of the better ones.