Sonik Kicks by Paul Weller

Released:  March 27, 2012
Rating:  70.77
Genre:  British Trad Rock
Guitarist/vocalist/songwriter, Paul Weller, released his first recording as the leader of the English band, the Jam in 1977.  This is his eleventh studio Album since beginning his solo career in the early '90s.  He still has some of that punk/new wave sound goin' on, but with a definite 21st century spin.

Give a listen to a few of my favorites by clicking the song title:

• The Brit pop Kling I Klang
• The orchestral By the Waters (live recording)
• The psychedelic Around The Lake

Noctourniquet by The Mars Volta

Released:  March 27
Rating:  73.85
Genre:  Neo Prog

This is sixth album in 9 years (my second) for the former members of the Texas band At The Drive-in.  Holding true to the axiom that my favorite albums tend to get a mix of critic reviews, Noctouniquet received critic scores from 4 1/2 stars to 2 Stars.

According to Spotify, the related artists range from Led Zepplin to Bjork, to Tom Waits, Pink Floyd and Yes. I don't get a clear sense of any one thing, so try to imagine all of these artists, tossed in a blender, and what comes out is the Mars Volta.  I may be mistaken, but I also hear a little Tommy Shaw (from Styx) in the vocal.

I don't think there's a better way to describe their music, except maybe for a few examples.  Click the song titles for a hyperlink to youtube to hear the full song:

Aegis (intense)
In Absentia (industrial noise rock)
Imago (my favorite - mournful)

I researched both the band's name and the album name for this entry.  The short answer is:  Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez are not your ordinary rockers.  Mars Volta is a combination of Mars ("we're just fascinated by science fiction ") and "Volta is taken from a Federico Fellini book about his films, what he characterizes as a changing of scene, or a turnaround; a new scene to him is called Volta. Y'know, changing of time and the changeover."  Noctourniquet is a "mental mantra to stop the night from bleeding, because nighttime is synonymous with darkness and bad things happening."

Rocket Juice And The Moon by Rocket Juice And The Moon

Released:  March 26, 2012
Rating:  73.33
Genre:  Alternative Afro Funk

This is another Damon Albarn project (Gorillas, The Good The Bad and the Queen, etc.)  This time he's teamed with bassist Flea (from the Red Hot Chili Peppers) and drummer Tony Allen (from the Nigerian Fela Kuti's band).  They also have a number of guests, including Erykah Badu, The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (from Chicago) and a host of African hip-hop artists (none of whom I know by name.)

It's a long album:18 songs and nearly 53 minutes.  It's difficult to draw comparisons to more familiar music, but, if pushed, I hear hints of Sly and the Family Stone, Senegal's Orchestra Baobab and even James Brown's Funky Drummer.

This whole album is worthy of a listen and I feel challenged to select on a few cuts, but let's go with Hey Shooter, featuring Erykah Badu, Poison, with Damon Albarn on vocal, and the killer drum on Rotary Connection.

Port of Morrow by The Shins

Released:  March 20, 2010
Rating:  74.00
Genre:  Indie Pop

It's been 5 years since the last Shins album, Port of Morrow.  In the intervening years founding member, vocalist/guitarist James Mercer (and the only member from the original band on this album) has worked on a number of side projects, including my favorite album from 2010, Broken Bells with Dangermouse.

Thanks to a couple of really spectacular pop-folk-rockers, this album onto my top 10 with a score that has a very goo chance of staying there.  It takes on a lot influences from other contemporary artists,
including Canadian alt performer AC Newman, country rockers Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and any myriad of modern folk rockers.

Check out the excellent Bait And Switch (which has perhaps one of the most insipid choruses I've ever heard - I'm just a simple man/Cursed with an honest heart - but I love the music and the vocal.)  Or try Port Of Morrow, which reminds me of last years Rome, by Dangermouse and Daniele Luppi (this is the live performance from Letterman). 

Open Your Heart by The Men

Released:  March 6, 2012
Rating:  72.00
Genre:  Post-Punk

 Because in every life, a little punk must be heard. 

Fast guitars, hammering drums and shouted vocals.  I'd give them a favorable comparison to the mid '70s bands Wire or The Sex Pistols .  They have blown the critics away, with a meta-score of 86 on this album. Although I've probably not put them on that level, this is still great album for the punk fans out there.  This is a blast. 

The Men, from Brooklyn, formed in 2008 and put out their first album in 2010. This is their third since then (I think).  There are at least four different bands that have gone by this name, so on-line research can get a little confusing.  Even some of the websites mix them up or combine the histories.

In any event, click the links to check out a couple of the songs:

• Open Your Heart
• Turn It Around

Always by Xiu Xiu

Released:  March 6, 2012
Rating:  70.00
Genre:  Alt Rock


This is a terrific album. While there’s nothing that grabs me like the title track from 2010’s Dear God, I Hate Myself, there’s a lot to love here.

Formed in San Jose, CA, Xiu Xiu released their first album in 2002. Both the music and the vocals are intense, dramatic and dark.  They took their name from a pretty dark 1998 chinese film (Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl.) 

Factory Girl is arguably their darkest song to date (watch out for the language) and the opener, Hi, are excellent examples of what you're in for here.

If it wasn't for the exrtemely disturbing 5th track, this could have gotten into my top 10 so far this year.

Black Radio by the Robert Glasper Experiment

Released:  February 28, 2012
Rating:  68.33
Genre:  Jazz and R&B

A quartet featuring jazz pianist Robert Glasper, bassist Derrick Dodge, drummer Chris Dave and Casey Benjamin on sax and vocoder. The album is described by Angelika Beener, in her liner essay, as "representative of the veracity of Black music" which has been "...emulated, envied and countlessly re-imagined by the rest of the world...."  It melds jazz, hip-hop, adult contemporary R&B, neo-soul, even rock into a journey of sorts.  With covers that include Erykah Badu on Afro Blue (made popular by John Coltrane) Lalah Hathway on Sade's Cherish the Day and a very interesting take on Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit (this is cool live take) and some very nice original material, like Move Love.

This is a really laid back listen and should be the background to every dinner party this spring and summer.

Soul Is Heavy by Nneka

Released:  February 28, 2012
Rating:  69.33
Genre:  Soul

Nneka's father is Nigerian (she was born in Nigeria) and her mother German (she currently lives in Germany); she sings , mostly, in English with strong influences from R&B, reggae and hip-hop.

The reviewer from MusicOMH.com probably has the most accurate description:  There's a lot to recommend in Nneka's third album, though if it was slightly shorter, it could be considered a great album rather than merely a good one."  The album is 15 songs and almost an hour long.  There are seven songs I'd call great and the rest are good to very good.

A couple highlights include the reggae Lucifer (No Doubt) or the 70's style R&B tune Shining Star (this one is the official video.)  Click the hyperlinks to stream the full songs.

Visions by Grimes

Released:  February 21, 2012
Rating:  67.69
Genre: Witch House or Grave Wave

Okay, so it's it's a style more than a genre.  But I couldn't resist when I discovered it as a description of Grimes (the alias of Vancouver native Claire Boucher.)  It's also a pretty apt description of the slightly haunting, intense, electronic dance music, accompanied by a wispy vocal track.

It's not for everyone, but if you're feeling a little adventurous, or if you just like House Music or electronica, I could suggest you check out the official videos for Nightmusic or Oblivion.

Animal Collective by Shearwater

Released:  February 28, 2012
Rating:  70.91
Genre:  Alternative

Starting off as a Side Project for Okervill River's Will Sheff, Shearwater's been around since 2000 and this is their seventh album, but it's my introduction to them..  It's a solid record with a lot to love.  I'll be interested to see if it has staying power for me.  The opener Animal Life (click the link for the official video) is great folk/pop/rock.  You As You Were (again, click the link for the official video).

Vocalist Jonathon Meiburg's voice is a beautiful falsetto, and their music has been compared to Nick Drake and The National.  I'd be really appreicate other's opinions.

The Russian Wilds by Howlin' Rain

Released:  February 14, 2012
Rating:  74.00
Genre:  Pure Classic Rock

Howlin' Rain is unapologetically steeped in '70s, blues based, hard rock.  There're hints of Aerosmith, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Grand Funk and Steely Dan; with smokin' guitar solos and pounding drums.  The quintet, fronted by Ethan Miller (from Santa Cruz, CA) debuted in 2006. This is their second line up and third album, produced by Rick Rubin

Check out a couple of highlights:

Phantom In The Valley starts off like Quicksilver Messenger Service, then morphs into Abraxas era Santana; 

Cherokee Wolf could have been done by Big Brother and The Holding Company; and

Collage is a actually a cover of the James Gang from 1969's Yer' Album, full of Crosby, Stills and Nash harmonies.

Arrow by Heartless Bastards

Released:  February 14, 2012
Rating:  72.00
Genre:  Indie Rock

With elements of blues, hard rock, garage, punk and country, the Heartless Bastards, currently a quartet (they've been through several line-ups, but always ) lead by guitarist/singer Erika Wennerstrom.  Originally from Dayton, Ohio, they were "discovered" by Pat Carney of the Black Keys, and are currently headquartered out of Austin Texas.  Which is where they met Jim Eno, percussionist for another of my favorite bands, Spoon, who produced the album.  (Music is a small world...)

A couple highlights/good examples are Parted Ways (with an Eagles influence - official video); The Arrow Killed the Beast (which feels a lot like an Ennio Morricone soundtrack for a "Spaghetti Westerns"); and Down In The Canyon (which opens with a riff that sounds a lot like early '70s Black Sabbath).

Sweet Sour by Band of Skulls

Released:  February 14, 2012
Rating:  72.00
Genre:  Punk Blues

February's off to a great start with a couple of go old fashioned rockers.  Here's the second:
It's not surprising I really like this English trio. They're compared to the Kills, Duke Spirit, the Black Keys and even the White Stripes.  Two of those had albums in my top 10 for 2011.  (I'm gonna to have to look into Duke Spirit, of whom I've never heard.)

This is their sophomore effort and the critics are pretty upbeat on them.  I think I'm a little higher than they are.  One of the things that's so interesting about this album is the different tempos.  The opener (the title track) is hard driving, the second is a kinda subdued; the third has a lot of energy; and so it goes for 10 tracks.

Click the hyper links to check out  a couple of my favorites, including the title track Sweet Sour (it's the official video, skip past the ad, and see four preteens that can really dance, but we hope we're not raising) or the smokin' hot Wanderluster.

Blues Funeral by Mark Lannegan

Released:  February 7, 2012
Rating:  73.33
Genre: Alternative Singer/Songwriter

Mark Lannegan came of age with Screaming Trees, out of Seattle, in the mid '80s and began his solo career in 1990.  This is his seventh solo album and the first in 8 years (and the first for me.) 

Do not be fooled by the album cover or the album title.  Lannegan has a raspy, baritone voice and his influences are all over the place. It's all got a dark moodiness to it, but their isn't much blues and even less related to embroidered flowers. 

Harborview Hospital has an Edge-style guitar; my favorite, Riot In My House, has an awesome rock guitar from Josh Homme of Queens of The Stone Age;  Grey Goes Black is just hot pop rock.

The first half of the album is outstanding and I thought for a while this could be my favorite in 2012, but the second half drags a bit.

Be Strong by The 2 Bears

Released:  January 31, 2012
Rating:  70
Genre:  Alternative Dance

I don't know if it's proper to call this a debut, since it's more of a side project for Joe Goddard of Hot Chip and producer Raf Rundell.  The critics generally loved this album, though it seems that club music and electronica routinely get over-rated.  Don't get me wrong, there are some great tracks here, with just a couple fillers that lower the rating.  OIt is definitely worth checking out.

The influences are all over the place:  London Club, Caribbean, Techno, 80s, even some garage rock.  My favorite song is the Motown influenced Get Together.   The bass heavy title track, Be Strong is also excellent.

Out Of Frequency by The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

Released:  January 31, 2012
Rating:  75.38
Genre:  Scandinavian Indie Pop


This is the sophomore effort for the pop band from Copenhagen, and it's a blast.  There is no pretext to pass as serious as they put a 21st century spin on the late-'60s world of Burt Bacharach and Sly Stone.

There's reggae, middle eastern pop, Motown, prog and disco. You'll also find hip-hop beats, Southern soul, and loads of horns.  The opener, Gold Rush Part 1 could be the intro track to a remake of the Mod Squad and Cloak and Dagger would have been a great James Bond song.  Lead vocalist Mette Lindberg has a voice that's a cross between Björk and Duffy.

Give a listen to a couple of my favorites:

Major (and you'll know why Amy Winehouse them open for her) Heart Attack, or the title track, Out of Frequency.  (For a special treat, catch this accoustic take on Out of Frequency.)

Something by Chairlift

Released:  January 25, 2012
Rating:  69.09
Genre:  '80s Influenced Alt Rock

I hear influences of everything from Madonna to Annie Lennox (The Eurythmics), the Bangles to Cindy Lauper and Deborah Harry (Blondie).  Even a little Chrissie Hynde (the Pretenders) and a few things I can't place.

This is the second album from the Brooklyn (formerly Boulder, CO) two-piece band.  According to the press I can find on them, they formed in 2005 to write background music for haunted houses; and you can still here that in some of their slower tempo stuff.

Again, the reviewers seem somewhat higher on them than I am , but that's not to say it's not a really good album.  Check out Sidewalk Safari on YouTube by clicking the link.

Attack On Memory by Cloud Nothings

Released:  January 24, 2012
Rating:  70.00
Genre:  Noise Rock

Rolling Stone often under rates albums, While AMG often over-rates them.  In this case, they both gave this album the same rating and, by strange coincidence, it's the exact same rating I gave it.  However, the critics as a whole seem to be a lot more enthusiastic, with a metascore of 82.  The first half is easily the stronger. but it's definitely worth a listen.

Cloud Nothings is the band name under which an individual by the name of Dylan performs.  From Cleveland, Ohio, this is their third album in three years.  Produced by Steve Albini (who has produced Nirvana, The Pixies, The Stooges, Manic Street Preachers, PJ Harvey and Bush) his influence is very apparent.  The opener, No Future/No Past is so reminiscent of Nirvana, it's eerie; I love the intense, extended (nearly nine minute) angry jam on Wasted Days and the PJ Harvey-style Stay Useless is very cool.

(Click the hyper links to hear the full songs on youtube.)

Area 52 by Rodrigo Y Grabriela w/C.U.B.A.

Released:  January 24, 2012
Rating:  75.56
Genre:  World Music

If Carlos Santana teamed up with Otmar Leibert, and asked Ry Cooder, right off of the Buena Vista Social Club sessions, to produce them, this is what you’d get.  It just kicks! 

Click to see the album trailer on youtube or you can hear the whole album free on Spotify.

Most of the songs are reworked from their own catalog, recorded with pianist/arranger Pete Wilson and C.U.B.A. (Collective Universal Band Association) in Havana, with producer Peter Asher. Guest artists included Anoushka Shankar, flamenco and jazz bass legend Carlos Benavent, former Testament and White Zombie drummer John Tempesta, Le Trio Joubran, and Los Van Van drummer Samuel Formell Alfonso.

Guitarists Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero started, independent of one another, playing heavy metal in some of the toughest clubs in Mexico City though they also played together in the metal group Tierra Acida.  They went on to become the most recognizable flamenco duo in the 21st century.

 

 

We Don't Know Any Better by Black Taxi

Released:  January 17, 2012
Rating:  76.92

Frankly, I don't recall where I heard about this band, but it doesn't matter.  This is right up my alley.  and likely to stay in my top 10 for most of the year.  They remind me of the Virgins (who released one of my favorite albums back in '08) and I suppose it shouldn't be a total surprise, since Black Taxi is also a Brooklyn-based club band.

All I remember is they got on my 2012 list quick.  The problem was that I couldn't find the CD.  My local Dimple store didn't even have them listed and Amazon only had them (and still only have them) as an MP3 download.  I ended up at the band's website, ordering directly from them.

This is great, upbeat, fun party/dance/work out/housework/whatever you like music.

Click to check out the official video for my favotite song Tightrope and a live recording of Do What You Gotta Do, which opens with a riff from Yes and heads into Devo-esque dance tune.  (You can also hear a clean version on Spotify.)