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Ear Candy
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Last Updated:
Mar 19th, 2008 - 07:43:02 |
Billy Corgan 4 stars
The Future Embrace
Warner Brothers
In recent weeks some classic artists from the alternative revolution
have returned to active playlists with new material: Nine Inch Nails,
the Foo Fighters, Audioslave and now Billy Corgan. Whereas NIN, Foos
and Rage Against Cornell attempt to drudge aggression, emotions and
sounds as a replica to the era they once ruled (and now don’t), Corgan,
on his first solo venture, hits beautifully by delivering the
unexpected.
Embrace most resembles Adore-era Pumpkins but much more introspective,
gentle and mature. Rather than firing up the loud-soft-loud mix of
power rock, Corgan works through electro-splashed pop that should
challenge your audio system without blowing out any eardrums. “The
Camera Eye” is instantly desirable as Corgan’s energy simmers atop a
dark melody without ever bubbling over, while “A100” begins with an
impersonal, crunching, mechanical riff only to switch in chorus to a
comforting, confidential corner. The surprises are subtle and sweet …
and that’s what’s most surprising of all. -BJH
The Black-Eyed Peas 3 stars
Monkey Business
A&M
Besides a thing phor the “ph,” the Peas also show a love of
sampling: besides taking cuts from Jack Johnson’s “Gone” and assorted
surf and hip-hop tracks, Monkey Business boasts guests James Brown,
Sting and Justin Timberlake. The result is a dance-ready album
including a self-love ode to the ass (“My Humps”) as well as
genre-bending “Bebot,” sung entirely in pinoy. Phunky. - KC
Bob Seger 4 stars
Smokin’ O.P.’s
Capitol
Seger used to put out real ballsy records. Smokin’ O(ther) P(eople)’s
Songs was one of his best. Filled with soulful covers, you can hear why
Detroit music hipsters raved about this record for years. With a
stellar band and Bob’s gut-bucket, heart-wrenching vocals Smokin' more
than lives up to the hype. Where are the rest of Bob’s early releases? -WW
The Circus Devils 4 stars
Five
Recordhead
Robert Pollard and Todd Tobias return with hallucinatory sci-fi rock
project The Circus Devils. Multi-instrumentalist Tobias keeps things
primal-n-futuristic while Pollard’s lyrics allude to the horrors of the
human race in a way both cryptic and imaginative. Much like Gang of
Four’s attempt to wise us to the consumer world, the Circus Devils
forewarn of a world consuming us. -BB
The Hurt Process 3 stars
A Heartbeat Behind
Victory
The Hurt Process, touted as the UK’s hottest new band, give the
listener a ride through all the music genres that end in “O” — guitar
dynamics and aggression for the guys, catchy choruses for the
girlfriends. A number of the album’s cuts are well written, dare I say,
pop/rock songs. Track of Choice: “Boogie Nights in Michigan.” -KS
Island Gruve Supper Club 4 stars
Mighty Fine Everlasting Music
Terminus
These guys may not be the Wailers, but the spirits of Marley and
Tosh have blessed them with the ability to make quality reggae. The
soothing melodies and wavy bass lines make you forgive the palpable
excitement the band exudes on spoken conversation tracks. The Supper
Club create a musical experience that is both relaxing and
invigorating. -JM
Symbolyc One & Illmind 3 stars
Art Of Onemind
BBE
The Texas-New Jersey collaborative production from Symbolyc One and
Illmind is interesting to say the least. It’s historically tough for a
couple of producers from different regions to put out a full-length
project, but this disc is decent. Onemind isn’t exactly a mind-blowing
experience, but these two show their potential at times, especially on
tracks with the Strange Fruit Project. -KF
local
The Dirtbombs 5 stars
If You Don’t Already Have A Look
In The Red
This is The Dirtbombs collection fans have been anticipating for years
and not-yet-fans should happily embrace. Mick Collins and Co. have
always thought of themselves as a singles band, and Look gathers them
all on two discs of soulful, sweaty, danceable rock bathed in warm
distortion. -KND
in my ear
Nomo
Since four members of Ann Arbor-based eclectic
funk-soul-world-afro-menagerie jazz group Nomo live together, this In
My Ear comes straight off of the house’s turntable. It’s only
appropriate that a band with such a varied set of influences have a
record collection non pareil. Dance to their crazy rhythms when they
play Tastefest on 6/30 at 5:30 p.m. on the Jazz & Blues Stage.
Phil Ranelin
Vibes From The Tribe
Konono No. 1
Congotronics
LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem
M.I.A.
Arular
Various Artists
New Thing!
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Naturally
The Congos
Heart of the Congos
Various Artists
World Psychedelic Classics 3
Sun Ra
Singles
Wolf Eyes
Stabbed in the Face
dmrc top 10
1. White Stripes — Get Behind Me Satan • 2. Coldplay — X & Y • 3.
Motion City Soundtrack — Commit This • 4. Dream Theater — Octavarium •
5. Avenged Sevenfold — City of Evil • 6. Common — Be • 7. Oasis — Don’t
Believe the ... • 8. Bob Seger — Smokin O.P.'s • 9.
Finch — Say Hello to Sunshine • 10. Kraftwerk — Minimum Maximum
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