July Album Reviews

Lee Fields and the Expressions: My World, Rating 7.1

I first heard of Lee Fields when he was featured on the song "Stranded" on a Sharon Jones and the Dapkings record and I really enjoyed his soulful voice. After doing a little research on Lee i found his voice has been featured in tons of songs in the 60's and 70's Soul and Funk era but never anything solo. Well 2009 is finally Lee's year. My World is a strong soul record that fits nicely into my collection. Fields' voice can goes from nice and smooth like Sam Cooke to rough and dirty like Otis. This album is was a refreshing surprise for 09.

Delorean: Ayrton Senna EP, Rating 7.2

This four song EP by Delorean is nicely put together little dance party that leave you wanting more. Good beats, good vocal loops, good guitar work and great hand claps drive Ayrton Senna. At first listen I wasn't that impressed with Delorean but I wasn't giving it the attention it needs. Listen to this on a nice stereo and good head phones and you'll hear all the layering and it makes it so much better.

The Fiery Furnaces: I'm Going Away, Rating 6.4

Too be honest The Fiery Furnaces have never really won me over. I find them interesting enough to continue to give their albums a listen and I usual find a few tracks that will make it to my iPod. "I'm Going Away" is no different. This is probably their most mainstream or "listenable" record which I know has upset a lot of true fans.

The Dead Weather: Horehound, Rating 7.9

Jack White does it again! He is the golden child. I am always a little worried when so called "super groups" are created but this one just seemed to make sense. With members of The Kills, White Stripes, Queens of the Stone Age and Raconteurs how can this band not rock hard. And it does just that. White is all over this album, drums, vocals and guitar. A must for any fan of the White Stripes or The Kills.

Wale: Back to the Feature, Rating 8.1

Another great mixtape from rapper Wale. Last years "Mixtape about nothing" a Seinfeld themed hip hop album by Wale quickly became one of my favorites. This time Wale teams up with 9th Wonder and he hits it out of the park again. If he's saving his best stuff for his first official album, it scares me to think how amazing it has potential to be.

The Rural Alberta Advantage: Hometowns, Rating 8.0

Rural Alberta Advantage (RAA) is the band that keeps on giving. They've given me a reason to be ok with the fact that Neutral Milk Hotel will never do another album, because you can hear their influence in "Hometowns." They've given me a reason not to have to listen to The Decemberist's again, because they are similar in style but better. Now both bands I've mentioned have singers that people tend to love or cringe when hearing them and RAA is no different. Acoustic rock done right.