The Last Drop

Thao & Mirah, Thao & Mirah  - “Singer-songwriter” has never come to sell me on any musician. In fact, it usually signals a chance for me  to save my cash for something else. Like gum. Or toothpaste. Anything really. Put two together and it only multiplies my antipathy. Much to my surprise, Thao & Mirah are starting to chip away at my well honed diffidence to the term. It doesn’t hurt that they have enlisted the help of my favorite artist of 2011 to date.

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tUnE-yArDs, whokill – Wow. I sat on this draft for over 6 months. And this is probably my favorite album of last year. Well, here’s to cleaning up that old drafts box.

Eccentricity. What’s not to love?! Sure, anyone can come up with a slightly off hand band name, push further into excess with an even odder presentation of the name, and then a crazy sound to boot. Take this for example. But few can pull this off with ease and grace. And subtlety. I know, not quite what one should expect from an album with “kill” in it. But there it is – choice, intention, space – saddling up to experimentation like they belong. And making a good show of it. Yes, I am spending way too much time to say that this will probably be one of my favorite records of the year. So kill me. Read the rest of this entry »

Nostalghia, I am Robot, Hear Me Glitch – It seems like everybody is getting bit by the electronic bug these days. True, that’s the beauty of technology – increasing accessibility to the masses and inviting talent and ideas to come rushing forth. But technology also has the power to mask deficiencies or provide a crutch instead of a platform for development. Nostalghia seem to be falling into the latter category, not without hope towards redemption. Read the rest of this entry »

James Blake, James Blake – Oh, to be young again! Well, at least barely legal. And overflowing with talent. A rare combination these days. Unless you count whatever Justin Bieber has as “talent” (a shag haircut does not a career make). Read the rest of this entry »

Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy – I’m a hater. By nature. I had this same sentiment with Mrs. Jay Z until actually listened to B’day. I felt similarly annoyed with Animal Collective until they ended up here. And so I continue my base sense of negativity and dismissal with Mr. West. This time, it’s for keeps.

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Big Boi, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty

Typical. How many times can we keep extoling the virtues of the best thing to come out of Atlanta since…Atlanta? Well, if either member of Outkast keeps on creating consistent heat, there’s nothing else to do but call it fire. Read the rest of this entry »

Bilal, Airtight’s Revenge - I like weird well enough. In all shapes and sizes. I especially like weird when it has been gestating for all too long. Bilal has rightly cultivated his weird over many years and Airtight’s Revenge is a fitting result of his labor.

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Sleigh Bells, Treats –  Now, I’m all up for noise. And pop. And occasionally Noise Pop. But I just don’t buy this formula. Sure, it’s fun for a while. But does it really add anything new? You can slap on many famous fans as a badge of viability, but at the end of the day do you stand on your own? IMHO, I don’t think so.

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Girl Talk, All Day – For an artist that I’ve extold numerous virtues, including a top spot for 2008, I was beginning to get worried after hearing the latest release. I thought I was witnessing the beginning of a demise in quality. In reality, it’s just a different beast than previous work.

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Janelle Monae, The ArchAndroid – “Take me back to Wondaland/I gotta get back to Wondaland”. Aptly stated by Miss Monae. Any output she creates seems to be some interpretation of fantasy. Although she states her desire to create concept album worthy pieces based on sci fi high mindedness, it usually turns out to be arthouse shenanigans that are daring and fun.  While her earlier efforts hinted at this vision for a futuristic funky world, The ArchAndroid fully realizes this cyborg/humanoid integrated reality. Now, this doesn’t necessarily make this a good album – just because you can complete a thought doesn’t make it a good one. What makes this album so successful is that the music supersedes the audaciousness of her lyrical content. Even if you don’t care for cyber love, you can’t help but feel connected to “Cold War”. “Tightrope” became a catalyst for the common man to take notice (and really anyone with an eardrum and a booty ready for shaking). The consistency and flow of the album kept everyone’s interest level.  From the frenetic spoken word opening to the trippy, dreamlike interludes to the film noir torch song ending. It surprisingly all makes sense in spite of its internal diversity. It helps that Janelle’s spritelike yet aggressive voice soars in any format. R&B divas take note – just because you can oversing every song doesn’t mean you should. Sometime restraint makes you want to hear more. And Janelle provides so many opportunities to let the listener want more. I hope this becomes inspiration for more futuristic black divas to come.