Nine Types Of Light by TV On The Radio

Released: April 12, 2011
Rating:  77.14

This is my third album by the art-rock quintet from Brooklyn.  It's their fourth full length, and although they don't get too much mainstream attention, the critics are all over them: Metacritic.com recorded 39 separate major reviews and they scored an average 82 out of 100*.  That's incredible.  This is one of the cases where the reviewers and I pretty much agree. 

The thing is that sum of the parts does not do justice to the whole, so my usual scale does not reflect the albums brilliance.  It's a totally engaging mix of rock, electronica, punk, trip-hop, funk, soul and I don't know what all else.  Once I start listening, it's struggle to stop.

I don't care where your musical tastes lay, you really should check this out.  Here's a couple suggestions available on Youtube (just click the title for the link):  No Future Shock, which has hints of The Talking Heads; Will Do, which is a really beautiful love song with some awesome guitar work; or New Cannonball Blues.

Tragically TVOTR bassist, Gerrard Smith died of Lung Cancer about a week after the album was released.  Rest In Peace.  Smith was busking in a New York subway station in 2003 when he was recruited by TV On The Radio lead-singer Tunde Adebimpe.

* A word about music reviews: I find that when an album is trashed by most reviewers, I generally agree. However, when an album is universally praised, my experience is mixed.  By the way, I also tend to find the general population an unreliable source and so I never follow the charts.  However, in a quick check of Billboard, this album made a number 3 on the Top Modern Rock/Alternative Albums, a 5 on the Top Rock Albums and a 12 on the Billboard Top 200.

The Deep Field by Joan As Policewoman

Released:  April 12
Rating: 78.18

Joan As Policewoman is New Englander Joan Wasser's vehicle for putting a sound to her two biggest influences: classic soul (Stevie Wonder, Al Green and Marvin Gaye) and experimental rock (Sonic Youth).  This is her fourth full length in 5 years.  She describes her music as Punk Rock R&B or American Soul.  Who am I to argue? 

This album has jumped comfortably into my Top 5 so far this year, tied with the Foo Fighters (although a totally different sound).  In almost every song you can find very cool, subtle sounds drifting through the background. Maybe a vocal, a guitar or even a  clarinet.

I was absolutely blown away by the song The Magic.  (Do yourself a favor, once you click the link and the video starts to play, listen, don't watch.)  I also loved the trippy Flash.

I highly recommend you give this a listen.

Wasting Light by Foo Fighters

Released:  April 12, 2011
Rating:  78.18

I really like this.  I need a little guitar driven, hard rock to keep me honest.  And after 16 years and 8 studio albums, few can deliver like the Foos.  For those who might not be aware, The band's founder, lead guitarist and vocalist, Dave Grohl first achieved notoriety as a drummer, playing with Krist Novoselic and Curt Cobain as Nirvana.

My favorite song on this Album is the anthemic Dear Rosemary,  which includes an assist from Husker Du's Bob Mould.  (This live version from Letterman is very cool.)  I also love the way Arlandria moves from Ballad to Metal to Arena.

If you want to get really close to Metal, check out White Limo (from the same letterman performance.)

And!  I just got tickets to see them with Cage The Elephant!

Build A Rocket Boys! by Elbow

Released:  April 12, 2011
Rating 74.00

This is currently on my top 10 for the year, but that won't last much longer.  Don't get me wrong, it's a really good album and I highly recommend checking it out.  If I hesitate, it's only because it doesn't quite meet my expectations based on their last album, 2008's Seldom Seen Kid, which won the 2008 Mercury Prize (for the best album released in the UK and Ireland).

Background:  The 5-piece from Britain got together in the '90s and is based in Manchester.  This is their 7th Studio release.  Their sound is sort of experimental-prog-pop (I made that one up on my own.)

Check out Neat Little Rows, or Lippy Kids.  For a real treat, go back to 2008 and hear Audience With The Pope; about an obsession with a woman, for which even the pope will have to get in line..

Raven In The Grave by The Raveonettes

Released:  April 5, 2011
Score:  68.89

I'm beoming disappointed by the Raveonettes.  This is my third album by the lo-fi, fuzz-rock band from Copenhagen.  I loved 2008's Lust Lust Lust and I really liked In And Out Of Control from 2009 (although it had a couple songs I could have done without.)

Thiere are a couple highlights here, like Forget That You Were Young.  Click the hyperlink, give it a listen and let me know if you disagree.

I haven't completely given up and look forward to seeing if they can do something on their next album to get me back!

Blood Pressures by The Kills

Released:  April 5, 2010
Rating:  81.82

The March list is complete and what a month it was.  I picked up 12 CDs.  But wait, April's editions are pretty amazing too, starting with this album, my favorite so far for 2011.

The Kills are a two piece band consisting of VV (a.k.a. Allison Mosshart, from Floida) and Hotel (a.k.a. Jamie Hince, from London).

Although the official Genre is Indie, I would call it blues infused punk, but you could also consider it punk infused blues.  I first heard them in 2008 on the outstanding Midnight Boom album.  Then, while touring with the White Stripes, Jack White and Mosshart found common ground and established a separate band, The Dead Weather, that put out 2 great albums in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

I highly recommend this album to any rocker.  Check out a couple of my favorite tune,  Satellite or, if you have a Myspace account (and I recommend you get one, listen to the whole album by clicking here.

Meyrin Fields by Broken Bells

Released:  Mar 29, 2011
Rating:  80

Broken Bells, a project consisting of Danger Mouse (the greatest producer in the business today - my humble opinion) and James Mercer (lead singer for The Shins) had my absolutely favorite album of 2010.  Since this is only a 4-song EP, I wouldn't feel right to rank it among the top 10 albums, but I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.  Give a listen to the opener and title song:  Meyrin Fields.

Incidentally, I have no idea what the title refers to, since the only reference I can find to Meyrin is a small town outside Geneva Switzerland, which may be it since the lyrics refer to a small, sad town.

By the way, if you never heard any of last year's eponymous debut, check out: The Ghost Inside.  (Play it loud.)