Stone Rolling by Raphael Saadiq

Released:  May 10, 2011Rating:  76.00

I beg your forgiveness for getting so far behind.  I'll try to get back to current.  Which for me, is about 1 month post release date.  This gives me enough of a chance to listen and develop a fair opinion.

If you have any affinity for old fashioned R&B, Stone Rolling is a must.  By any measure, it's a great album from the 45 year old Oakland, CA native.  It makes an easy leap onto my top 10 for 2011 (so far).

Saadiq plays most of the guitars, drums and keyboards here.  My favorite song on the album is the '70s style Good Man. But don't miss the '50s inspired Radio.

Saadiq, who was touring with Prince and Sheila E. almost right out of high school, went on to found Tony! Toni! Tone! in 1988 and this is his 5th solo release.

Smother by Wild Beasts

Released:  May 10, 2011
Rating:  72.00

The critics are absolutely raving about the third studio release from the English quartet.  Formed in 2002, the band was originally called Fauve.  (This reference was enough to convince me to buy the album:  Fauvism - les Fauves is French for "the wild beasts" - was a movement in the art world in the early 20th century; whose best known leader was Henri Matisse.)

I really like this album for its trippy, theatrical ambiance.

You can hear the entire album at Myspace Music - click here - by simply signing up for an account.  (I highly recommend  anyone interested in listening to new music , or old music, legally and easily sign up with Myspace.  Their music section is amazing.)  For a single, I'd recommend the dark and moody 5th cut, Plaything.  You can hear a brief interview (about 2 minutes) followed by an in studio version of the song here.

Past Life Martyred Saints by EMA

I picked up eight CDs in April and it was a smokin' month, with four of my top ten so far this year.  The Kills look like a favorite to finish the year in front.  There were also great releases from the Foo Fighters, Joan As Police Woman and TV On The Radio.  Elbow is back with a solid album and the Gorillaz showed what can be done on an iPad.  So let's get May rollin':

Released:  May 10, 2011
Rating:  73.33

Past Life Martyred Saints is the debut album for singer, songwriter and guitarist Erika M. Anderson (a.k.a. EMA).  The South Dakota native moved to Los Angeles in the '90s and has played in a variety of bands.  Allmusic.com compares her to Patti Smith and Cat Power; I'll buy that.  The sound is lo-fi and the emotions seem to be intense.

There's a lot of good stuff here and only one song that left me flat.  Give a listen to Milkman (it's a pretty cool video too) or the low key. lo-fi Grey Ship.

The Fall by Gorillaz

Released:  April 19, 2011
Rating:  71.43

Ever since Gorillaz' second lbum, Demon Days (Produced by Danger Mouse), I've been huge fan of Jason Albarn.  With the last Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach, ex-Clash members Paul Simonon and Mick Jones have been part of the band.  And although Gorillaz was originally conceived as a virtual (animated) band, they toured extensively in support of Plastic Beach.  During that tour The Fall was recorded entirely on an iPad.

While not my favorite Gorillaz album, I liked it more than the critics.  Check out a couple of the standout tracks: My personal favorite is Revolving Doors with an amazing voal by Albarn; or the very spacey Shy Town. 

Here We Rest by Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit

Released: April 12, 2011
Score: 70.91

Jason Isbell was a guitarist with the Drive By Truckers from 2001 to '07.  He's been a solo ever since, putting out a style of country-influenced rock, reminiscent of Jackson Brown and the early Eagles.  This isn't my usual diet, but it's got a laid back, homey kinda feel. The second song on the album Go It Alone is absolutely smokin'.  And Codeine is a country classic (fiddle, lost love, etc.)

I don't seem to be as high on this as the critics, who generally loved the album.  But I do really like it.

Full disclosure:  I went to see these guys a couple weeks ago in San Francisco (at the Great American Music Hall, with my good friend Bill White) and had a great time.  It probably favorably influenced my opinion.