06/20 – 06/24:

Kylesa, Spiral Shadow

The latest Kylesa album found them pushing in new directions while managing not to disappoint fans looking for more of their signature sound. Kind of a tightrope act, but they pulled it off with ease. Just see if this song, the album opener, doesn’t get your blood pumping.

Kylesa, “Tired Climb”


Bajofondo, Mar Dulce

The 2nd fantastic album by the collective lead by Oscar winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla Combining electronic music, more modern "dance" and pop, a core of tango, a slow ballad with Elvis Costello singing... you never know what they're gonna do.

Bajofondo, “Tuve Sol”


St. Vincent, Actor

I am pretty excited to hear the new album from St. Vincent later this year. For now, the dreamy, hypnotic soundscapes of her most recent album will have to tide me over.

St. Vincent, “Actor Out Of Work”



Baroness, Blue Record

I don’t know if Baroness has a new album coming out soon, but I hope so. In a category similar to Kyelsa in creating a complex, unique take on heavy music. Probably what you’d call a “thinking man’s metal band” if you were into labels like that.

Baroness, “Swollen And Halo”



Jimmy Smith, Root Down

The album that spawned the Beastie Boys song of the same name. It’s a live recording, and the performances are spectacular.

Jimmy Smith, “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R99VnAwZepM”


MF Doom is Viktor Vaughan, Vaudeville Villainy

Doom has never made it easy to follow him. For awhile it was a challenge to even find him, as he released albums as Viktor Vaughan, King Geedorah, as part of Monster Island Czars and as half of Madvillain and Dangerdoom. But for those willing to keep up, the rewards are plentiful. This might just be my favorite Doom album.

Viktor Vaughan, “Mr. Clean”


Skyzoo, The Great Debater mixtape

Skyzoo is a talented rapper and lyricist, but I’m afraid he’s been reading his own hype too much. His latest mixtape is an album-length victory lap. The question isn’t what each song will be about, but how each song will talk about how great he is. A woman with a terribly fake accent so she sounds more important discussing how important he is? Perhaps by entreating the listener to throw him a parade? Maybe by insinuating that you are very special if you’re one of the few people smart enough to even decipher his complex self-compliments? Maybe by telling a prospective mate how lucky she much she would appreciate having him in her life. Whatever the method, just know, no one loves Skyzoo more than Skyzoo. Ego and braggadocio are staples of hip hop, of course, but the way he presents it here is just too much for me. It’s a shame. I’ve never had a complaint about his work before. The song below is probably the best piece on the mixtape, which you can download here.

Skyzoo, “The Definitive Prayer”



Laws, Yesterday's Future mixtape

Laws, on the other hand, scores a homerun and wins the game with his latest mixtape, a Paul McCartney tribute/collaboration in the vein of projects like Rhymefest’s Man in the Mirror mixtape. Laws rhymes over McCartney samples, uses clever cuts to duet with McCartney and pays tribute to McCartney all at the same time, while still finding plenty of room for honest, introspective lyrics on a variety of topics. It’s a great record and it’s free! How can you lose?

Laws & Paul McCartney, “Dear Boy”


Rainer Maria, Long Knives Drawn

Probably my favorite album by the indie trio. Pretty no nonsense rock music that wears its heart on its sleeve.

Rainer Maria, “Ears Ring”

Yup.

--D