Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
An iconic poet/musician whose soulful spoken-word style helped give rise to rapping, Gil Scott-Heron presents his second “comeback” album this week — an atmospheric, down-tempo disc of diversity that is produced by XL owner Richard Russell.
Crafting powerful folk abstractions and interwoven, trance-inducing vocal dynamics, Pillars and Tongues issues a new LP and download; metal behemoths Arsis boast more tireless harmonized shredding; dance-pop quintet Hot Chip shines with a diversity of synth sounds; and internationally beloved electronic producers Massive Attack end a seven-year album drought. (more…)
Tags: Anti, Arsis, Astralwerks, Beak, Bluebrain, Blur, Endless Nest, Galactic, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Gil Scott-Heron, Hot Chip, Huun Huur Tu, Indie Recordings, Lujo, Martina Topley-Bird, Massive Attack, Mazzy Star, Nuclear Blast, Pillars and Tongues, Portishead, Shining (Sweden), Smog Veil, This Moment in Black History, TV on the Radio, Ubiquity, XL
Posted in Best Albums | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
Though best known as Brother Ali’s DJ, BK-One further establishes a name for himself on Rádio do Canibal with the help of beat-making buddy Benzilla and an all-star cast of guest MCs. A playful commingling of samba and bossa nova with a funky foundation help make one of the most unique hip-hop albums of the year.
Additionally, synthetic/organic electronica duo Air issues its most realized album to date, A Place to Bury Strangers releases a hard-hitting post-punk/new-wave sophomore effort, and a half-dozen other noteworthy artists make our list of honorable mentions. (more…)
Tags: A Place to Bury Strangers, Air, Astralwerks, Bellini, Benzilla, Betty Davis, BK-One, Black Thought, Blue Oriny, Brother Ali, Califone, Clean Feed, Dead Oceans, Haiku D'Etat, Horse the Band, Jason Stein, Joy Division, Light in the Attic, Murs, Mute, My Bloody Valentine, Oliver Ackermann, P.O.S, Raekwon, Rhymesayers, Slug, Sonic Youth, Temporary Residence, The Black Heart Procession, The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Vagrant
Posted in Best Albums | No Comments »
