| 4.5 superb |
| Amia Venera Landscape The Long Procession |
| Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavilion |
| Antonio Vivaldi The Four Seasons |
| Aphex Twin Selected Ambient Works Volume II |
| Ariana Grande Thank U, Next |
| As Cities Burn Come Now Sleep |
| Bela Bartok Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Sz. 83 |
| Ben Babbitt Kentucky Route Zero- Original Soundtrack |
| Bent Knee Shiny Eyed Babies |
| Bent Knee Shiny Eyed Babies is the definition of insanity, but is also the exact type of progression that is required in 2014 where an over-saturated music scene makes originally a more limited component. You can tell each of the members bring their respective influences into a unique sound, interestingly blending elements of psychdelia, baroque pop, ambient, and even a dose of progressive rock. A lot of this music ends up sounding like an insane crossover between Fiona Apple, Radiohead, Devin Townsend, and Imogen Heap-all morphed into one blast. Excellent in it's melodies and intricately placed with it's instrumentation-Shiny Eyed Babies is a bold and daring album on all fronts, daring you to sink in it's soft lush atmospheres only to pull the carpet from under you-exposing your tears and gritting teeth smile. |
| Big K.R.I.T. 4Eva N A Day |
| Bill Seaman f (noir) |
| Billy Woods and Kenny Segal Hiding Places |
| Brian Eno Ambient 4: On Land |
| Chevelle Vena Sera |
| Basically: all that previous potential that you could see in Chevelle's albums finally comes full swing here in Vena Sera. You will never hear an alternative metal trio put in as much heavy crunch like these guys. Easily, their most aggressive and best album to date. |
| clipping. There Existed an Addiction to Blood |
| cLOUDDEAD cLOUDDEAD |
| Coldplay A Rush of Blood to the Head |
| Coldplay Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends |
| Converge Axe to Fall |
| Copeland Blushing |
| Danny Brown XXX |
| Mr. Brown's tales of sex, drugs, and violence are pushed to such an extreme it eventually becomes parodic. And what makes XXX truly thrilling is how the whole thing plays out as Danny's downward spiral into insanity, depression, and it's astonishing ending makes XXX and exhilarating ride. |
| David Bazan Curse Your Branches |
| David Bowie Blackstar |
| Dead Poetic Vices |
| If there was one blatant flaw with Dead Poetic's past albums-it was the cookie cutter screaming that was wedged into their songs causing them to crackle a bit. Thankfully, Dead Poetic in a open menatality ditch the screaming (and switch three members) and create Vices-their (debatably) final and best album. rVices actually plays like these songs were from the 90's but there given a new kick (Aaron Sprinkle and his Tooth & Nail super polish). Though things really take of in the song-writing context of the songs. DP stay rooted in a rock sound but they manage to flawlessly write in a variety of styles-and make it all flow together. This is kicked up another notch with Brandon Rike's honest and earnest vocals and poetic (har har) lyrics. All this (and a Chino Moreno guest appearance) make Vices a unique record. It's interestingly shameful that the band disintegrated shortly before it's release cause Vices suggests that the band could have shot into the spotlight more. |
| Deftones Diamond Eyes |
| Deltron 3030 Deltron 3030 |
| Disperse Foreword |
| Dumbsaint Panorama, In Ten Pieces |
| Dumbsaint with Panorama prove that excellent composition and unique production can overcome whatever rstereotypes a genre may otherwise push down on you. Post-rock/metal at it's core, Dumbsaint smartly add a rvariety of prog, ambient, and hardcore music elements into a neat hybrid package. At 55 minutes, every part is rcarefully arranged. Dynamic shifts are especially notable, the soft moments are melancholy and lush, the heavy rmoments are expansive, cut-throat, with terrifying aggression. What is soon to be a score for a film, rPanaroma works remarkably well as a stand-alone experience. Highly recommended if your a post-whatever rfan. |
| Emery The Question |
| Emery presents The Question: an album that tell of tales of sex, heartbreak, drugs, violence, religion etc. Album stay rather ambiguous with it's variety of vices and struggles till it all ties in together at the mournful ending of "In A Win, Win Situation" where Toby and Devin come to their conclusions about the matter(s). An interesting and compelling listen, and one that is highly recommended. |
| Evol Intent Era of Diversion |
| Extol The Blueprint Dives |
Sometimes, progression can be a ridiculous thing. Despite, it's always healthy for an artist to venture, grow, and expand their sound even if there is a risk in completely flopping the entire art if it's not executed well. Well, on the Blueprint Dives Extol don't precisely care about the risk and pretty much shed their entire death metal sound for a rather challenging yet rewarding experimental prog. metal album. Here, all the musicians excel incredibly bringing their unique influences into the bag. The band manages to bring the off-kilter beats reminiscent of Opeth or Dream Theater and collide it with the atmosphere/vocals of Radiohead & Deftones. The album might come of a bit odd with the amount of experimentation thrown into the album-but on the flip coin that's what makes this album such a unique listen. The band is christian, however the lyrics aren't overtly explicit and can certainly be enjoyed whether you are one or not. It's a shame that the band for the most part is done but they certainly ended their career making not only their best album, but one of the most unique and challenging prog. metal albums ever.
|
| Far-Less Everyone Is Out to Get Us |
If there is one record that Post-Hardcore fans are missing out on: it's this one. Far-less will take on you an adventure like no other on their album Everyone Is Out To Get Us. It doesn't bend to the status quo in any form. It's random, spastic, badass, and stands entirely on it's own ground. Through the eleven songs Far-less mix up the pot in one of the most ridiculous ways you can ever imagine. The band pushes the envelope musically in a wickedly far manner with it's crashing guitars and pulsating rhythms. Brandon Welch's vocals sit smoothly on top of the chaos and his clever sarcastic "march-to-my-own-beat" lyrics almost fit perfectly with the ridiculous progression of the album. Also major props to Ray Felts (who unfortunately no longer part of the band) for putting on one of the most technical, yet unique drum performances ever. This whole thing probably sounds really fanboyish (as my rating is as well) but no doubt-Everything Is Out To Get Us is nearly a perfect album that functions as it pleases. And from that it remains one of the most unique albums in rock music.
|
| Frederic Chopin Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 58 |
| Frederic Chopin Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 |
| From Indian Lakes Absent Sounds |
| George Van Eps Mellow Guitar |
| Glassjaw Worship and Tribute |
| Glassjaw Our Color Green (The Singles) |
| Godspeed You! Black Emperor F♯ A♯ ∞ |
| Goldmund Corduroy Road |
| Gospel The Moon Is a Dead World |
| Grizzly Bear Veckatimest |
| Hammock Raising Your Voice... Trying to Stop an Echo |
| He Is Legend It Hates You |
Incredibly and almost shockingly amazing. HIL have blown all the doors open with It Hates
You. Taking the melodic flavor of I am Hollywood and the grit of Suck Out The Poison and
combining them and stretching their sound even farther into an epic stoner metal sound. All
the musicians here put on an incredible performance. But what really hits the spot here is
the amount of melodic/emotional depth that is shown here with Tanbouz's layered guitar
work/drop G (yes that low) crushing riffs and Croom's intense claustrophobic yet absurd
vocals (and harmonies.....and Bibis Ellison female vocals to add more intensity). The record
is gritty, weird, and oddly beautiful. HIL have really outdone themselves here and have put
them in place for one of the best albums of 09...and if not it's certainly one of the
biggest surprises this year. |
| I Am Robot and Proud The Electricity in Your House Wants to Sing |
| Incubus (USA-CA) A Crow Left of the Murder... |
| Innerpartysystem Innerpartysystem |
Here we are years later and Innerpartysystem's S/T record while incredibly under-the-radar, sounds
radiant as ever. Don't Stop never felt more like an actual anthem in our current media circus that you
see on TV. |
| Janelle Monae The ArchAndroid |
| The ArchAndroid is probably one of the most ADD-ridden album I have ever heard. Janelle Monae covers a melting pot of styles throughout the 18 track madhouse. What will intrigued you is how she actually manages to pull the damn thing of with her vocal versatility and strength. This of course ultimately contributes to her success on the album. In conclusion good luck trying to find a better more daring pop album in 2010: The ArchAndroid is basically the Pop Album Of The Year. |
| Jason van Wyk Opacity |
| Jefferson Friedman / Craig Wedren / ACME On In Love |
| Jessie Ware What's Your Pleasure? |
| John Mayer Continuum |
| Kacey Musgraves Golden Hour |
| Kanye West The College Dropout |
| Karnivool Asymmetry |
| Kelsea Ballerini Rolling Up The Welcome Mat (For Good) |
| Kendrick Lamar good kid, m.A.A.d city |
| Kendrick Lamar Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers |
| Lauryn Hill The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill |
| Loscil Clara |
| Low Double Negative |
| Ludwig van Beethoven "Pathétique" Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 |
| Lydia Illuminate |
| Yea i'll admit....I only like this album because it sounds absurdly similar to Copeland. But Lydia manages to make their own sound out with Illuminate. The songs have a nice grand waltz-like feeling with it's cinematic guitars, swaying pianos, and big grand drums-and with the quiet guy/girl duo vocals on top. They manage to make a winning sound despite some songs sounding the same.rIf they continue in this direction they probably won't shake the Copeland similarities. But quite frankly, I won't complain cause Lydia still makes it work-and Illuminate is the proof of this |
| M.I.A. Kala |
| MIA Kala brands a weird indie hipster style that mixes world culture music and samples with hazy electro beats and synths. It'll be a miss for some but if you can understand MIA's oddball artsy music slabs you will be in for a treat with Kala in which if it doesn't make you party-it'll intrigued you with the serious and political charged lyrical depth that would seem to counterfeit the music but it does the exact opposite. |
| M83 Hurry Up, We're Dreaming |
| Massive Attack 100th Window |
| Miles Davis Kind of Blue |
| Movements No Good Left to Give |
| Mutemath Odd Soul |
| Nine Inch Nails The Downward Spiral |
| Nine Inch Nails Year Zero |
| Nine Inch Nails Still |
| Nirvana In Utero |
| Oceansize Frames |
| Otto A Totland Pino |
Pino is one of those records that you can listen to wherever you go, and completely
sink into it's piano abyss. The compositions here are simple and minimal, but hit a
striking balance that is both melancholy yet relaxing. I could attempt to pull apart
different aspects of the album, however the minimally recorded 18-tracks
runs together under 44 minutes like one long piano track that hardly breaks beyond its
piano-soft dynamics (even the slightly bouncy Jonas remains submerged in it's quiet
acoustics and reverb). Instead, Pino is better described from how you personally
experience it. For myself, it's an album that allows you to enter it's world, and it doesn't
judge you for who are. It's a record that will keep you company wherever you go, provide you
comfort in it's warmth, expressing itself through it's soft-clicking keys as if it were
saying "relax, sit down, and breathe." |
| Our Oceans Our Oceans |
| Over The Ocean Be Given to the Soil |
| Periphery Periphery II: This Time It's Personal |
| Periphery Juggernaut: Alpha |
| I hate this album because it's sounds like queefing Messhugah 1/5 |
| Pool Kids Pool Kids |
| Porter Robinson Nurture |
| Portico Quartet Portico Quartet |
| Pusha T DAYTONA |
| Pyramids with Nadja Pyramids with Nadja |
| Seizures Reverie of the Revolving Diamond |
| Shad When This Is Over |
| The biggest thing out of Canada since Pamela's Double D's. Word |
| Sigur Ros Agætis byrjun |
| Sigur Ros Takk... |
| Silent Planet Iridescent |
| Sleep Research Facility Deep Frieze |
| Soundtrack (Film) Ocean's 12 OST |
| Soundtrack (Film) O Brother, Where Art Thou? |
| St. Vincent Strange Mercy |
| Submotion Orchestra Finest Hour |
| TesseracT Altered State |
| Just when you thought the band was going to crumble due to the frenzy of finding a vocalist, Tesseract lunges back in with Altered State. Pushing further into atmosphere and experimentation, they continue to forge into making their own sound. Newcomer Ashe O'Hara vocals and harmonies are absolutely stunning and gorgeous. And the band smartly holds back let his vocals shine. A true comeback for the band, Tesseract Altered State certainly hits all the marks and create an album that arguably is better than One, proving that the loss of pivotal vocalist just made room for a better one to come thru. |
| The Bad Plus These Are the Vistas |
| The Caretaker Everywhere at the End of Time |
| The Caretaker Everywhere at the End of Time - Stage 6 |
| Here we are, at the amalgamation of two and a half years building to the 6th and final installment of Every at the End of Time.With the full project in scope, we finally experience where the final steps of alzheimer's will lead us: a darkened, drone-y abyss. Easily one of the most depressing and devastating albums I have ever heard. |
| The Contortionist Clairvoyant |
| The Dillinger Escape Plan Dissociation |
| The Log.Os λόγος |
| 2011 has been an interesting year for R&B, primarily with a lot of artists experimenting with the sound. But the collective that is Log.Os tackles on the style in an incredibly unique and probably one of the most intelligent takes on it you'll here this year. Grab the album for free here http://the-log-os.com/?b0a8a040 |
| The Ocean Precambrian |
| The Out Circuit Pierce The Empire With A Sound |
The Out Circuit is the one-man project of the ex-Frodus bassist Nathan Burke. At its core, The Out Circuit is an experimental rock band going in and out of ambient soundscapes, indie rock, post rock, and at times oddball hardcore. The songs individually may feel odd, but album as a whole Pierce The Empire With A Sound provides one beast of a listening experience. If you are fan of (new) Thrice , Radiohead, Frodus and similar experimental bands I highly suggest you check this project out.
|
| The Roots Things Fall Apart |
| The Roots undun |
| The Weeknd Thursday |
| The Weeknd House of Balloons |
| An album that is as sexy as much as it is masochistic, drugged up, and depressingly addicting. |
| The Weeknd Echoes of Silence |
| The xx xx |
| Thrice Beggars |
| All the fanboys on this site are and will overhype the crap out of this. (Including myself). But if you haven't listened to it yet, it should at least behoove you to give this album a shot. It is def. worthy of that. |
| Thrice To Be Everywhere Is to Be Nowhere |
| Thrice The Artist in the Ambulance (Revisited) |
| Thrice re-do the over compressed and muddy mix of TAITA and give it new life. Instrumentals are given new air to breathe, Riley tweaks some drum parts and Dustin?s aged voice gives the recordings a new sonic depth. As much as this will be a fun nostalgia trip for all the fans who hung around for 20+ years, the songs on TAITA revised stand on their own and will probably make for a standout 2023 post-hardcore release. |
| Thrice Horizons/East |
| Tim Hecker Virgins |
| Triosk The Headlight Serenade |
| A crazy swindling mix of a jazz trio, post rock, and ambient/electronica atmosphere-all mix into one. With near perfect-brilliant results. |
| Underoath Lost in the Sound of Separation |
| At a first few listens one would think this album is a more dragged version of Define the Great Line Pt.2 . Though if given time to digest all the parts and music. The listener will (and should realize) that everything on the whole scale has stepped up a notch artistically. I will take note that i can't help but feel that the band gave some of the heavier parts a direct more southern feel to everything which comes out weird at first but surprisingly works really well. rIt's amazing and almost funny to see how much this band has grown since its beginnings. What started out as mediocre deathcorescreamoemowhatever you wanna call it to basically real solid epic metalcore with post metal atmospherics, this album (as well as DTGL in 2006) potentially will stand one as of the best heavy albums of 2008.r |
| Underoath VOYEURIST | Digital Ghost |
| Uneven Structure Februus |
Februus is designed to played on good speakers. You would be doing yourself a disservice otherwise because you'd be missing half of the pieces. Although it splits at 10 tracks this feels more like 3 parts which ultimately should be digested all in one listen. In it's duration, the album maintains an ambience that keeps the songs flowing. But unlike many artists who use a small dose of ambience to segue tracks, Uneven Structure utilizes these ambiences as their own separate entities.
This in return contributes to the success of Februus-mixing half ambience and half groove metal in a beautiful manner that ultimately puts you in a trance while at the same time making you want to head-bang to it's poly-rhythmic grooves. Vocalist Matthieu Romarin also does a good job guiding the listener through the music with his versatility. His best strength kicks in with his growls during the heavier moments on the album which help build up on the intensity. Although the entire album is a treat, it's ultimate buildup to 'Finale' really showcases US's power in aces. Soaring on a three chord progression, heavily textured while maintaining groove and constant loop, until the ambience creeps in eventually completely drowning out the band and submerging the listener in abyss. US have created one of the best metal albums of the year with Februus and this is a highly recommended listen if you remotely consider yourself a fan of post or groove metal. |
| Venetian Snares Rossz Csillag Allat Szuletett |
| Will Wiesenfeld, Baths & Geotic Bee and Puppycat Soundtrack |
| William Basinski The Disintegration Loops I |
| William Basinski The Disintegration Loops II |
| William Basinski The Disintegration Loops III |
| Willow Smith COPINGMECHANISM |
Similar in shift with Halsey's-NIN collab album from last year: Willow finally hits the mark
on copingmechanism. Chris Greatti provides a tighter yet adventurous, and darker yet
more colorful musical palette, which in turn provides an urgent backdrop to match Willow's
dramatic vocal performances. Cynics cannot deny: Willow for once sounds excellent paired
with these instrumentals and not so "try-hard" that much of her previous material suffered
from. At right under half n hour, Willow makes you feel every moment with emotional flair
and agony. And with it's short run time it'll make you want to repeat this record more and
more. Definitely the surprise of 2022 for me. |
| Yoko Kanno Zankyou no Terror OST |
| Young the Giant Young the Giant |
| 4.0 excellent |
| 311 From Chaos |
| yea 311 are a bit silly...always were. Though From Chaos is probably going to their best album balancing their old school silly rap metal-meets reggae/ska sound with a more alternative rock approach that makes some nice chill jammy songs that are simply fun. Although their softer jams (champagne, Amber, I'll Be Here For Awhile) makes you wonder and slightly beg that they would explore that realm considering it seems to be a very unlikely strong spot in comparison to the rest of their...ridiculous songs. |
| 9T Antiope Syzygys |
| 9T Antiope Of Murk and Shallow Water |
| 9T Antiope Isthmus |
| A Tribe Called Quest We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service |
| A Winged Victory for the Sullen A Winged Victory for the Sullen |
| Active Child You Are All I See |
That don't make it good for anybody,
Don't wanna be in love just with anybody,
I'm tired being just Mr. Anybody,
So baby come with me, lets just make about it
2011: James Blake, How To Dress Well, The Weeknd, maybe even Washed Out, and now Active Child to enter the futuristic R&B sound. With 80s-type synths and beats with classical harp glissandos and choir boy vocals. Yes it sounds as awesome as I described and you should listen to this. |
| Aero Flynn Aero Flynn |
| Aesop Rock The Impossible Kid |
| Aho Ssan Simulacrum |
| Akira Kosemura Diary 2016​-​2019 |
| Alan Palomo World of Hassle |
| Alaya Thrones |
The long awaited debut Thrones from the Chicago based trio Alaya was one that
has been hotly anticipated for many who first got a taste of their sound via the single
"Inside" back in December 2012. Mixing issues lead to the delay but here approximately 14
months later (50 years in the internet age) with the release finally upon us.
Thrones is proof that Alaya won't just be some flavor of the week. The band takes
the tech-y/groove elements of bands like Cloudkicker/Periphery and the melodic accessibility
of Killswitch Engage/Chevelle (esp. here on the latter, with taking that punchy yet somewhat
intimate sound) into a tight knit cohesive sound. Although slightly spotty at points,
vocalist Evan Graham Dunn is usually on point finding a nice raspy melodic pocket against
the technical playing. All-In-All, Thrones is a solid debut project that indicates a
bright future ahead for the band, and one that will appeal to both metal mainstream and
underground circles. |
| Algiers The Underside of Power |
| All India Radio Fall |
| Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto Insen |
| Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto Revep |
| Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto UTP |
Taking the experimentation of Noto/Sakamoto and expanding their piano glitch work with the Ensemble Modern. UTP_ is a stirring piece of left-field classical minimalism intertwined with shots of electronic experimentation that is sure to dazzle anyone who is into the unique and obscure. Otherwise, if your not into this: It isn't precisely a easy listen with it's formless structures and eccentric intervals. It can however grow into something much more since it's such a unique listen.
So if you want to know what happens when you get a modern Japanese composer, a German electric artist, and the Ensemble Modern all in one collaboration? UTP defines this bizarre yet incredible piece of art quite well. A must have for fans of their Noto/Sakamoto's previous work, Murcof, William Basinski, Loscil, or any other form of electronic/classical minimalism. |
| Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto Summvs |
| Potentially their final collaboration: and one that stands as their most unified creation largely in part to Noto finally matching the notes of his glitches to Sakamoto's piano passages. |
| Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto Glass |
| Anberlin Never Take Friendship Personal |
| Anberlin Dark Is the Way, Light Is a Place |
| Anberlin Vital |
| Animal Collective Strawberry Jam |
| Animal Flag The Sounds of Sleep |
| Animals As Leaders Animals as Leaders |
| Animals As Leaders Weightless |
| AAL trim down the shredage and focus more on songwriting structure with Weightless. It's apparent that this is def. a more bandcentric release and less the Tosin Abasi show. The band puts more focus on grooving riffs, tasteful leads, and abstract jazzy and electronic passages. The fast shredding still pops in here but it's done even more tastefully and fits much better in the realm of the song-and therefore makes it much more hard hitting. The album also benefits from a gorgeous production and a much more concise flow So unless you miss the shreddage of their debut there is honestly very little reason that you would like Weightless less. It is overall the better structured album, and sure many "djent" bands are doing the same groove-meets-shreds-meet electronica segue but no one right now is taking it to abstract level of creativity and making it all flow concisely and beautifully like AAL, and Weightless proves that in an unabashedly manner. |
| Animals As Leaders The Joy of Motion |
| The Joy of Motion is AAL most colorful and arguably best album to date. Sure the band is exploring different styles and even toning down on some of the heaviness. But don't be fooled, this still has enough kick to substitute your morning cup of coffee. |
| Annabel (lee) If Music Presents: By The Sea​ |
| Architects For Those That Wish to Exist |
| Ariana Grande Dangerous Woman |
| Arovane Lilies |
| Arovane & Mike Lazarev Aeon |
| Artifex Pereo Passengers |
| As Cities Burn Hell or High Water |
| Audioslave Revelations |
| Ave. To Three Way Intersection |
| An incredible combo of jazz fusion, electronica, and hip-hop in one cohesive flow that is a little too long but it'll keep you coming back for more. |
| BADBADNOTGOOD BBNG2 |
| BADBADNOTGOOD BBNG |
| BADBADNOTGOOD III |
III Albums in, BBNG remain consistent in delivering exciting and original new jazz/post-bop
for a millennial generation. Although a much more mellow experience, III is arguably
their best work yet thanks to the trio pushing into different genres seamlessly (swing,
electronica, and ambient on top of their hip-hop based roots). Thus suggesting the trio
desire to remove the genre tags altogether. Easily will be a forerunner for best Jazz-based
albums of 2014. |
| Beach House Teen Dream |
| Belong October Language |
| Belong Colorloss Record |
| Ben Lukas Boysen Gravity |
| Ben Lukas Boysen Spells |
| Between the Buried and Me Colors |
| Between the Buried and Me The Great Misdirect |
| Bibio Ambivalence Avenue |
| Bibio Silver Wilkinson |
| Big K.R.I.T. ReturnOf4eva |
| Big K.R.I.T. 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time |
| Bing and Ruth No Home of the Mind |
| Bing and Ruth City Lake |
| Black Letters Still As You |
| Blindside The Great Depression |
| Blue Sky Black Death Late Night Cinema |
| Boards of Canada Trans Canada Highway |
| Bohren und der Club of Gore Black Earth |
| Bon Iver Bon Iver, Bon Iver |
| Botch We Are the Romans |
| Bowery Electric Beat |
| Brand New The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me |
| Brand New Daisy |
| Brian B. Thomas STOPLIGHT |
| Brian Eno Ambient 1: Music For Airports |
| Bring Me the Horizon Amo |
The widely polarizing opinions of Amo have been amusing to observe, and one that the band
seems to enjoy (to an extent) as well. Make no mistake, Amo smashes together alternative metal
with sugary pop, edm, traces of their metalcore past and even a dose of nu-metal: blowing it all up in
a cinematic fashion. Elements of Linkin Park, PVRIS, and even 30 STM can all be heard through this.
If reading (some) of these names make you want to gag spare me a few more moments: Amo is
an absolute exhilarating ride. Sure the lyrics are cheesy, but it matches the over-top nature of the
music. The tracks are diverse, layered beautifully, and flow in and out of each other in seamless
fashion that is so 2019 pop-centric yet unique in it's own sense. So I think there is a question of how
you approach listening to Amo. BMTH I believed always had a poppy-core beneath their previous
projects, and on Amo it sounds like their having a hell of a time just embracing every aspect of
who they've always been, while managing to streamline it into a cohesive yet adventurous 50+ minute
experience. Tracks individually might sound a bit generic, but as part of the track flow it has so much
more punch. You can be super surious and call this audio-bile, or loosen up a little and embrace the
multiple flavors, and the cheesy/kooky nature of Amo. |
| Bring Me the Horizon Post Human: Survival Horror |
| Bruno Mars 24K Magic |
| Burial Untrue |
| Burial Kindred |
| Cage (USA-NY) Kill the Architect |
| Cage (USA-NY) Hell's Winter |
| Cat Temper Meow at the Moon |
| Chad Lawson re:piano |
| Chance the Rapper Coloring Book |
| Chelsea Wolfe Pain Is Beauty |
| Chelsea Wolfe Abyss |
| Chevelle Wonder What's Next |
| Chevelle La Gárgola |
With La Gargola Chevelle haven't sounded this properly rejuvenated since Vena
Sera. To be somewhat fair, Sci-Fi Crimes and Hats Off To The Bull aren't
terrible records, but the lack of personality and variation between songs really dragged
down those listening experiences. The songs on La Gargola consist of slight
variations between the songs that allows the record to breathe and flow properly.
Even the worst song on the album "One Ocean" has a more unique atmosphere than most of
the stuff on their previous two albums. Finally! Chevelle sound like they give a damn
again. Finally progressing their sound ever so slightly and putting some urgency in these
performances. |
| Chicago Underground Quartet Chicago Underground Quartet |
| CHON Grow |
| Chris Potter Underground Orchestra Imaginary Cities |
| Christopher O'Riley True Love Waits |
| Christopher O'Riley Hold Me To This |
| Circa Survive On Letting Go |
| Circa Survive Blue Sky Noise |
| Circa Survive The Amulet |
| Cloud Boat Book of Hours |
| Cloud Boat's Book of Hours will probably be a bit unfairly compared to James Blake (and by no means in a bad way). But those vocals soaked in the reverb are eerily similar. Thankfully, the beautiful use of guitar textures and more aerial/ambient qualities gives this album just enough separation to be viewed as a unique and most certainly solid project. |
| Cloudkicker The Map Is Not the Territory |
| Cloudkicker The Discovery |
| Cold War Kids Robbers and Cowards |
| Coldplay Parachutes |
| Coldplay Prospekt's March |
| Coldplay Mylo Xyloto |
| Colleen Les ondes silencieuses |
| Comeback Kid Broadcasting |
| Converge No Heroes |
| People going on complaining how mindless and overtly brutal/dissonant this album is. Well 1. In terms of this being brutal/dissonant-this is Converge, so what are you expecting? 2. Although it be weird to call it a grower, if the listener looked beyond this being some mess they would actually realize the amount of raw beauty Converge has portrayed here. There isn't a band out there that can pour out such an emotional intensive atmosphere like Converge. All 14 tracks here are absolute ace with a killer rhythm section, Kurt's incredible guitar riffage, and Jacob being the awesome madman he's always been. Unless you clearly don't like metalcore/thrash or whatever. No Heroes is worth your time and patience because to be honest, raw beauty never felt so good. |
| Converge All We Love We Leave Behind |
| Copeland Eat, Sleep, Repeat |
| Copeland The Grey Man EP |
| If you are a fan of You Are My Sunshine this would well work as an additional collection. |
| Covet technicolor |
| Cynic Carbon-Based Anatomy |
| Dakota Suite & Emanuele Errante The North Green Down |
| Dalek Abandoned Language |
| Daniel Blomquist measureless oceans of space |
| Danny Brown Atrocity Exhibition |
| Dark Sines The Space Time Paradox |
| Das Racist Sit Down, Man |
| Daughter If You Leave |
| Dayseeker Sleeptalk |
| Dayseeker Dark Sun |
| Dead Poetic New Medicines |
| Deaf Center Low Distance |
| Deas Vail All The Houses Look The Same |
| Deas Vail White Lights |
| Death Grips Exmilitary |
| Death Grips No Love Deep Web |
| Death Grips The Powers That B - Part II: Jenny Death |
DG almost sounded like a parodied version of themselves on niggas on the moon, saved thanks to the
creative use of bjork vocals allover the project. Jenny Death meanwhile takes a surprisingly melodic flavor.
Many of these textures guitars are slightly reminiscent of Exmilitary, but expanded as an intergral part to the
band sound, resulting in trashy-art rap rock. I still find myself questioning how serious this really is (i mean how
much darker could these guys get). And now they might not even be done. Whatever, it sure is another
thrilling chapter in the Death Grips discography. However, is this the melodic high they end on, or do they
continue into Death Grips 2.0? |
| Decahedron Disconnection Imminent |
| Deftones Around the Fur |
| Deftones Saturday Night Wrist |
| This is the Deftones reaching a pinnacle-which holds a thin line between total collapse or a new comeback. Fortunately they follow through with the comeback with Diamond Eyes. But despite all the pain that went through making Saturday Night Wrist-it's interesting to hear all the tension b/w all the songs to the space metal backdrops. Chino vocals sound rather strained here but he uses it to his strength to represent the state of where the band is at the moment. In the end though it all works and shows to be another success from the Deftones. |
| Deftones Gore |
| Depeche Mode Exciter |
| Depeche Mode Violator |
| Disperse Living Mirrors |
| Do Make Say Think You, You're a History in Rust |
| Donny Benet Le Piano |
| Doomtree All Hands |
GET UP
LIKE I
NEVER
F*CKING
GOT UP
BEFORE
The production on All Hands provides a potency and fire that finally matches the intensity of arguably the most underrated rap collective in the states. |
| Drake Take Care |
| Dream Theater Score |
| Dream Theater Train of Thought |
| Dream Theater Black Clouds and Silver Linings |
Dream Theater made another album full of their typical epic-ness (and the extra cheese to go with it). However in a returning shock they have made one of their most balanced albums yet that pretty much rules hard. Throughout the 6 epic songs, the album flows cohesively and doesn't bore for a moment. The album shows that while Dream Theater does still run on their old tricks, they still know how to push their sound continuously and remain to be one of the today's best progressive metal bands.
|
| Dream Theater Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory |
| dredg El Cielo |
| Driftless Perfect Blue |
| Dustin Kensrue Carry the Fire |
| Dustin Kensrue approaches Carry The Fire with solid workmanship. Kensrue continues to be a solid lyricist, with much of this album weight in religion, philosophy, and love, all sounding resolute. This is a carefully crafted folk rock album that dabbles with enough musical variation and synth-y flourishes that should be interesting to not only fans Kensrue's previous work, but even fans of Thrice's work post-Beggars/TAI Earth EP. Dustin sounds beautifully aged here, with a confident bluesy rasp that supports what is his most mature outing to date. |
| Dustin Kensrue Desert Dreaming |
| Earl Sweatshirt Sick! |
| Earlyguard Possible World |
| Eddi Front Marina |
| El-P Cancer 4 Cure |
| Elizabeth and The Catapult Taller Children |
| This album has all the great potential to break waves through both the indie and mainstream community. Though this is hardly a sell-out-simply catchy indie pop music that has some very jazzy and folksy twists-which is done incredibly well. Lead singer Elizabeth Ziman comes of as a crossover of Ella Fitzgerald and Feist, whether shes singing in the snarl in the pop opening "Momma's boy" or cutesy innocence on folksy "Race You" or the jazzy swing with the flaring horns on the "Rainiest Day Of Summer": this is seriously looking to be one of the more solid albums of 09. An absolute must have for fans of indie/indie pop. |
| Ellie Goulding Lights |
| Ellie Goulding Halcyon |
| Emery You Were Never Alone |
| Emiliana Torrini Me and Armini |
| Emiliana Torrini Love In the Time of Science |
| ERAAS ERAAS |
| ERAAS Initiation |
| Erik Satie Gymnopédies |
| Every Time I Die New Junk Aesthetic |
| Every Time I Die Ex Lives |
| Every Time I Die Radical |
| Falling Up Captiva |
| Falling Up Falling Up |
| fanso Acid House |
| Far-Less A Toast to Bad Taste |
| You know if Far-less decided to make a "Everyone Is Out To Get Us' pt.2 the album would have kicked major butt. Their debut was full of post-hardcore epics that were diverse enough and unique enough to stand on it's own and if they copied it there would be enough diversity to claim it a excellent album. But no, Far-less basically said screw it and made the polished, tight, and radio friendly indie album called A Toast To Bad Taste. This isn't progression people-this is called a switch up. Such a ridiculously switch up that it might take a few listens to get into. In the end though-it's Far-less-and that means awesome music. And despite the more friendly sound Far-less still manage to mix up the pot and and maintain diverse styles through the album. In the end, even if you didn't like this album. You gotta give major credit to Far-less for pretty much making one of the most incredible yin yang of albums (comparing EIOTGU to ATTBT) and pulling it of incredibly well. Where Far-less will take their sound next? Who knows. I'm convinced if they made an R&B record it'll be like the greatest album of it's time. |
| Father John Misty I Love You, Honeybear |
| Father John Misty Pure Comedy |
| Feist The Reminder |
| FKA Twigs EP2 |
| These 4 songs pretty much deliver you the best experimental R&B you'll hear this year. |
| FKA Twigs LP1 |
| FKA Twigs Magdalene |
| Fleet Foxes Helplessness Blues |
| Floating Points Reflections - Mojave Desert |
| Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The LSO Promises |
| Florence and the Machine Ceremonials |
| Flying Lotus Los Angeles |
| Flying Lotus You're Dead! |
| Foals Total Life Forever |
| Four Year Strong Enemy of the World |
| Four Year Strong Brain Pain |
| Frank Ocean channel ORANGE |
| Freddie Gibbs Pronto |
| Frederic Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 |
| Frederic Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21 |
| Freelance Whales Weathervanes |
| Frodus And We Washed Our Weapons In The Sea |
| From Indian Lakes Everything Feels Better Now |
On Everything Feels Better Now, FIL submerge themselves into the pure dream pop aesthetic that
was hinted at in Absent Sounds. Any sort of aggression into their sound have been cancelled out
by synth/guitar wash textures reminiscent of many indie darlings (Tycho, Deerhunter, Washed Out).
These synth sounds and purely analog hence it's very rich quality. This sound compliments Joey
Vannucchi beautifully effective hush vocals throughout the album, who recorded every instruments on
this album. An excellent album to accompany your autumn commutes and introspective longings. |
| From Overseas & zakè Demain, d​è​s l​’​aube |
| Frontierer Orange Mathematics |
| Future of the Left How To Stop Your Brain In An Accident |
| G-Spliff My Melancholic Girls |
| Gabriel Kahane Book of Travelers |
| Garfunkel and Oates All Over Your Face |
| Basically a female version of "Flight of the Concords" especially since they now struck a deal with HBO....coincidence? |
| Gates (USA-NJ) Parallel Lives |
| Gates (USA-NJ) Here and Now |
| Gemini Graduation |
| Glassjaw Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence |
| Glassjaw Material Control |
| Goldmund The Malady Of Elegance |
| Goldmund Two Point Discrimination |
| Good Old War Only Way To Be Alone |
| Good Tiger We Will All be Gone |
| Grandbrothers Open |
| Grandbrothers All the Unknown |
| Grandbrothers Late Reflections |
| Grimes Art Angels |
| Grimes Miss Anthropocene |
| Grizzly Bear Yellow House |
| Grouper A I A |
| Grouper Ruins |
| Halsey If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power |
| Hammock Kenotic |
| Hammock Maybe They Will Sing for Us Tomorrow |
| Hammock Chasing After Shadows...Living with the Ghosts |
| Hammock Departure Songs |
| Hammock Love in the Void |
| Hands Like Houses -Anon. |
| Anon is unabashed in embracing it's Alternative Metal ethos. I can't help but get pulled back into those late 90's to mid 2000s Alternative Metal records. Sure it sits a bit generic but the catchiness and fun and surprising diversity of this record makes Anon the thrill-seeking "get in your car and drive" fun it aims to be. |
| Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard The Dark Knight |
| Harnes Kretzer Petrichor |
| Have a Nice Life Deathconsciousness |
| He Is Legend Suck Out the Poison |
| He Is Legend Heavy Fruit |
| He Is Legend few |
| Heads. PUSH |
| Heathered Pearls Extended Current |
| Heems Nehru Jackets |
| Helios Unomia |
| Helios Caesura |
| Helios Unleft |
| Hidden Orchestra Night Walks |
| Holding Absence The Greatest Mistake of My Life |
| Holy Fawn Death Spells |
| Honey Harper Starmaker |
| Hotel Neon HOTEL NEON |
| A simple yet compelling ambient drone album that brings a strong dose of melancholy in it's serene atmosphere. |
| Hotel Neon Hotel Neon 10: Reworks |
| Hotel Neon All is Memory |
| Hotel Neon Moments |
| How to Destroy Angels An Omen |
| Pushing further in the abstract and obscure, HTDA finds a very interesting array of textures with An Omen. Finding a creepy atmospheric medium that is strangely tense and relaxing at the same time. HTDA seem content with looming in the meditative zone that prevents songs from really exploding. But instead of this backfiring, this really works well for the most part of the EP. This may not be love at first listen, but a few listens with the EP will show itself in it's rich electronic textures and production. Recommended. |
| How to Destroy Angels Welcome Oblivion |
| How to Dress Well Love Remains |
| Howard Shore The Fellowship of the Ring |
| Howard Shore The Return of the King |
| Howard Shore The Two Towers |
| Hurtwave Night Therapy I |
| I Am Robot and Proud Grace Days |
| Liem goes at it again with another collection of soft IDM goodies. There isn't much of a change here but a nice addition to Liem soft lush electronic numbers. "Friction On Teeth" is probably one of the cutest songs ever with it's blep-blip-bloop synths that slowly build into a nice ambience. All in all, another grand collection from Liem's solo work. |
| I Am Robot and Proud The Catch/Spring Summer Autumn Winter |
| I Am Robot and Proud Uphill City |
| iamamiwhoami Kin |
| Idlefon Intensive Collectivity Known As City |
| Imogen Heap Ellipse |
| Imogen Heap returns from a four year gap with Ellipse. In which Imogen takes on a more minimal/subtle and slight darker approach to her electronic-pop pieces. Aside from that, it's pretty much the same experimentation of Imogen using a large array of sound and instruments and making it all flow smooth. Although the album isn't as exciting as Speak For Yourself, the album has its merits in being much more relaxed and soothing. And shows that ultimately Imogen remains one of the most creative and best pop singers out there today. |
| In Pieces Lions Write History |
| Incubus (USA-CA) Light Grenades |
| Incubus (USA-CA) Morning View |
| Innerpartysystem Never Be Content |
| Isaiah Rashad The Sun's Tirade |
| Isaiah Rashad Cilvia Demo |
| ISIS Panopticon |
| Islands Return To The Sea |
| J Dilla The Shining |
| J Dilla Ruff Draft |
| Jaimie Branch Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die ((world war)) |
| Jake Bowen Isometric |
| James Blake James Blake |
| James Blake Overgrown |
| James Maloney Gaslight |
| Janelle Monae The Electric Lady |
| Janelle Monae Dirty Computer |
| Jason van Wyk Descendants |
| Javier Santiago Phoenix |
| Jay-Z American Gangster |
| Jeff Bridges Sleeping Tapes |
| Jessy Lanza Oh No |
| Joe Vann Found in the Smoke |
| Johann Sebastian Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major, BWV 1048 |
| Johann Sebastian Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F major, BWV 1046 |
| John Mayer Heavier Things |
| John Williams Minority Report |
| John Williams Schindler's List |
| Jolly The Audio Guide to Happiness (Part 2) |
| I love Jolly. Jolly loves me, they really do. I feel loved! |
| Jon Benjamin Well I Should Have... (Learned How To Play Piano) |
| Jon Hopkins Immunity |
| Jon Hopkins Singularity |
| Jonsi Go |
| JPEGMAFIA Veteran |
| juche juche |
| Julia Kent Character |
| Justice †|
| Justin Timberlake The 20/20 Experience |
| Kacey Musgraves Pageant Material |
| Kae Tempest The Line Is A Curve |
| Kanye West Late Registration |
| Kanye West 808s and Heartbreak |
| Kanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy |
| Kauan Kaiho |
| Kausemus Pinta |
| Kausemus No I |
| KEN mode Success |
| Kendrick Lamar Section.80 |
| Kendrick Lamar untitled unmastered. |
| Kendrick Lamar DAMN. |
| Kero Kero Bonito Bonito Generation |
| Kiasmos Kiasmos |
| Kid Cudi Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager |
| Kidcrash Jokes |
| Kids See Ghosts Kids See Ghosts |
| Killer Mike R.A.P. Music |
| Kronos Quartet Aheym |
| Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Nandacollection |
| Cynics be damned, this is an excellent J-pop record. Kyary's cutesy pop vocals are solid but what makes them truly shine is Yasutaka Nakata production that matches Kyary's hyperactive quirky vocals. |
| La Dispute Wildlife |
| Lady Sovereign Public Warning |
| Leandro Fresco & Rafael Anton Irisarri La Equidistancia |
| Less Art Strangled Light |
| Lights Out Asia Eyes Like Brontide |
| Lights Out Asia Tanks And Recognizers |
| Lights Out Asia In The Days Of Jupiter |
| Linkin Park Meteora |
| Linkin Park Reanimation |
LP explores the outer regions of their style (industrial, electronica, hip-hop) in more concrete and
partly abstract remixes, and the results largely pay off. Proving further than LP does best when they
go off the beaten path. |
| Linkin Park Minutes to Midnight |
| Linkin Park Living Things |
| After the epic, bombastic, and daring A Thousand Suns, LP takes the sounds found on rthat album and tread back to their pop song format from their early days with Living rThings. What happens here is that while most of these songs are filled with wildly rinteresting sounds and sonic explorations, the pop formatting formula make these songs held rback on their potential. Not saying that Living Things is a bad release: it's not. But it rtruthfully could have been much more interesting, especially after the absurd artistic rfreedom that A Thousand Suns basked in, showing the band's true potential.r3.3/5 |
| Linkin Park The Hunting Party |
| After the slightly lackluster Living Things and the disappointing remix album Recharged LP come back swinging with The Hunting Party. Like A Thousand Suns, LP takes a somewhat surprising left turn here churning out some of their heaviest material since their Hybrid Theory/Meteora days. What is surprising is how hungry these men sound for exploring 15+ years into their career. Ultimately a statement to being able to remain relevant as one of mainstream rock's elites. |
| Linkin Park One More Light |
Linkin Park's final album/Chester Bennington's Suicide Note.
Of course it would have that pop grandiose feel.
RIP. |
| Little Simz Grey Area |
| Little Simz Sometimes I Might Be Introvert |
| Little Tybee For Distant Viewing |
| Little Tybee Little Tybee |
| Local Natives Hummingbird |
| Loma Prieta I.V. |
| Lorde Melodrama |
| Loscil Submers |
| Submers theme is derived from the album title itself: A collection of natural flowing ambient pieces that reflect the essence of being in a submarine. |
| Loscil Equivalents |
| Lotus Plaza Spooky Action At A Distance |
| Low Hey What |
| Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 5 in C minor, Op. 10, No. 1 |
| Lupe Fiasco The Cool |
| Lupe Fiasco Food & Liquor |
| Lupe Fiasco Drill Music in Zion |
| Lupe Fiasco DROGAS Wave |
| Lushlife Plateau Vision |
| Lusine A Certain Distance |
| Lustmord [ O T H E R ] |
| M.I.A. Arular |
| M.I.A. Maya |
| It'll take a few listens and some open-mindness to take on the clusterf*ck known as MAYA by M.I.A. And if you do you'll be engulfed in her "digital ruckus" for forty-two minutes and you will love (or almost love) every minute of it. |
| M.I.A. Matangi |
| M83 Junk |
| Mac Miller Circles |
| Made In Heights APORIA: IN THESE STREETS |
| Mae Singularity |
| Majical Cloudz Impersonator |
| Marielle V. Jakobsons Star Core |
| Markus Guentner Empire |
| Maroon 5 It Won't Be Soon Before Long |
| Martin Stig Andersen Limbo (Original Videogame Soundtrack) |
| Mastodon Leviathan |
| Matthew Collings Splintered Instruments |
| Max Richter From Sleep |
| Meiko Meiko |
| Meshuggah obZen |
| If I ever end up being damned to hell for sinning too much I wouldn't be surprised if obZen by Meshuggah would be the hell's theme. In fact when I burn in eternal torment it'll still be a slight task at hand not to head bang. |
| Meshuggah Chaosphere |
| Mew Frengers |
| mewithoutYou A to B: Life |
| Aaron Weiss was once an angry man, frustrated by what would seem to be a dysfunctional relationship. Taking cues from the likes of At The Drive-In and Drive Like Jehu: AB Life is one heck of a raw listen that certainly will take a few listens to get into (basically like any other mWy album). However, once settled the album grows on you and becomes nothing short of brilliance with the dark raw musicianship which directly correlates to Aaron's intense passionate lyrics. |
| mewithoutYou It's All Crazy! It's All False! It's All A Dream! It's Alright! |
| Aaron Weiss is a happy man now, and his music tells you should be too. Who cares if they sound like jesus campfire songs-it still retains the eccentric glory of their sound-and you should all cave into it's glory. |
| mewithoutYou Ten Stories |
| Michael Manring Small Moments |
| Mick Jenkins The Water[s] |
| The next Chicago star that is about to breakout thanks to this highly unique water-based chilled mixtape. |
| Microwave Death is a Warm Blanket |
| Mike Shinoda Post Traumatic EP |
| Clocking under 10 minutes, Post Traumatic isn't really the overtly scrutinized work that Shinoda's previous work (Of LP or FM) has been, this is a broken man spilling his guts out over the loss of a best friend. Although unpolished, this showcases (unsurprisingly) some of Shinoda's most vulnerable performances to date. Critiquing this EP is sort of odd because it is clearly written as a means of therapy for Shinoda, thus recording it allows us it share in that grief, and in that aspect: Post Traumatic delivers in a heartbreaking beautiful way. This is a man dealing with an incredible loss and feeling every motion of numbness and pain, and taking the first steps into seeking solace and hope admist an indescribably dark situation. And although it is painful, I am glad I get to experience these steps with him. |
| Mike Shinoda Post Traumatic |
| Milo So The Flies Don't Come |
| Mono Hymn to the Immortal Wind |
| Monuments (UK) The Amanuensis |
| Moses Sumney Aromanticism |
| Motherjane III |
| Mount Shrine Shortwave Ruins |
| Movements Feel Something |
| Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire Kismet |
Exquire's best project to date. From LOTR sampled "Illest N*ggaz Breathin", the clusterf*ck
beat of "Tomorrow's Gone", and the dark jazz piano of "Chains". Exquire's voice and wordplay
shine immensely trough the hazy spaced out production on this album. One of the best NY Hip-
hop mixtapes you'll hear this year.
I WOKE UP THIS MORN. FEELIN LIKE THAT N*GGA. |
| Murcof Remembranza |
| Murcof Martes |
| Murcof Utopia |
| Dim the lights, get comfortable, and let the creepy sparse beauty take you in. |
| Murcof The Alias Sessions |
| Muse Black Holes & Revelations |
| Musiq Soulchild Juslisen |
| Mutemath Reset |
| Mutemath Armistice |
| On MuteMath (no longer Mute Math but whatever) Armistice's, you can feel the blood, sweat, and tears poured into making these songs. They pushed the experimental boundaries on this album without it coming of out of place. The musicians here have stepped up their game even more higher. There is a larger experimentation with electronics, soundscapes, strings, brass, and even handclaps to the point that the debut album feels like childplay. Of course that kind of expansion isn't really anything new either but MuteMath really give an incredible attention to every detail and note. Not one note or detail goes without careful attention. But because of all this depth added to their already developed sound: it'll take a few listens for Armistice to click. But once it does previous fans and even haters of the band's previous work will find the album to be a joyride. Because not only have MuteMath truly outdone themselves here but also they have set a new level for Indie/Experimental rock and are well into making a legacy with their already excellent career. |
| Mutemath Play Dead |
| Mutoid Man Bleeder |
| My Bloody Valentine Loveless |
| Nails Abandon All Life |
| Nas Untitled |
| Nas Illmatic |
| Nas STILLmatic |
| Near The Parenthesis Music for the Forest Concourse |
| Near The Parenthesis Japanese For Beginners |
| The longing for the warmth of spring's love, the chill of autumn rain when you're alone. |
| Neurosis The Eye of Every Storm |
| New Order Get Ready |
| Night Verses From the Gallery of Sleep |
| Nils Frahm Empty |
| Nine Inch Nails Ghosts I-IV |
| Nine Inch Nails The Slip |
| Nine Inch Nails Bad Witch |
| NNNNN Plates |
| Noname Telefone |
| Norma Jean Bless the Martyr and Kiss the Child |
| Norma Jean Wrongdoers |
| Norma Jean All Hail |
| Norma Jean Deathrattle Sing for Me |
| O'Brother Garden Window |
| O'Brother Endless Light |
| Observatories Flowers Bloom, Butterflies Come |
| Ocoeur Light as a Feather |
| If i had to describe Light as a Feather with one word-it would be versatility. Here electronic musician Ocoeur (Frack Zaragoza) switches up between a variety of electronic music styles including downtempo, IDM, ambient/drone, and even slight dubstep elements. Recommended listening for solid 2013 electronica. |
| Ocoeur A Parallel Life |
| Odonis Odonis Hollandaze |
| Olafur Arnalds For Now I Am Winter |
In typical fashion, Olafur writes his pieces with the intention of reeling your heart in.
What is different here is how poppy this album feels. Some of the song tempos are kicked up
ever so slightly and even allows the beautiful voice of Arnor Dan to accompany Olafur in
some of these compositions. For Now I Am Winter is an obvious departure from his
previous work, and most certainly opens up future possibilities for the young Icelandic
composer. A solid album overall, and personally is shaping to be one of my favorites from
2013. |
| Olafur Arnalds re:member |
| Olafur Arnalds Some Kind of Peace |
| Oranssi Pazuzu Värähtelijä |
| Otoboke Beaver ラブ・イズ・ショート |
| Otto A Totland The Lost |
| Our Oceans While Time Disappears |
| Outputmessage Nebulae |
| P.O.D. Testify |
| P.O.D. Satellite |
| P.O.S Never Better |
| P.O.S We Don't Even Live Here |
| Pachyman Switched​-​On |
| Palm Reader Braille |
| Palm Reader Sleepless |
| Palms Palms |
| Paper Rival Dialog |
| Parades Foreign Tapes |
| Paramore After Laughter |
| Parquet Courts Wide Awake |
| Pedro the Lion Achilles Heel |
| Pedro the Lion Control |
| Pedro the Lion Winners Never Quit |
| Periphery Periphery |
| A near 4 years in the making-it was pretty obvious that these songs were going to be magic based on Misha Mansoor (AKA Bulb) output of the solo instrumentals he was making (via guitar plug-ins and fake drums-which sounded pretty good already). But with the songs finally properly recorded with a vocalist who can sing like an angel and growl and scream with gusto-Periphery have stumbled into something that is truly groundbreaking.rQuite frankly you could call this Meshuggah with melody-but these melodies not only intertwine in all the guitars and downbeat drums-they soar and will absorb you. Quite simply this is an exceptional debut from the 6 piece from DC that will start a new revolution of new bands probably ripping them too much but it was about time something like this would come out. An excellent Metal Album for 2010. |
| Periphery Periphery III: Select Difficulty |
| perspectiv Year One |
| Petrol Girls Baby |
| PM Today In Medias Res |
| Poison the Well You Come Before You |
| Poison the Well The Tropic Rot |
| Pool Kids Music to Practice Safe Sex To |
| Porcupine Tree Deadwing |
| Port St. Willow Holiday |
| Portico Quartet Living Fields |
Quartet turned trio Portico abandon the jazz murals of their S/T, leaving their minimalist electronics as the
skeleton while adding a variety of vocalists (Jamie Woon, Jono Mcleery, and Joe Newman (of alt-J fame) to bring
out a more dream pop/modern soul touch to their sound. The music here is largely reminiscent of James Blake,
How To Dress Well, and even Jamie Woon's works. Thankfully, Portico's abstract mannerisms give them a
distinct personality next to their newly acquainted contemporaries. Living Fields is another solid lean
ambient electronic album, with a definitive artistic and trend setting sound for 2015. |
| Portico Quartet Monument |
| Project 86 Rival Factions |
| Heavy dance groovers and spastic hardcore are the two styles that pretty much define the sound of P86 album Rival Factions. Here we see the band pushing their sound in their farthest evolution and pretty much shed any trace of their old rap metal sound. Andrew has completely dropped his rap/spoken word in favor of high frantic screams and a deep Billy Joel like (I kid not) vocals (check out Illuminate for that). Randy retains playing guitar well and helps create a balance for Steve's unique bass synth tone (which basically takes full run on Caveman Jam). Guest drummer Jason Gerkin (She Wants Revenge) takes Alex Albert's style and pushes it in direction with the other three (check out the spastic fills in "The Forces Of Radio"). Despite the changes, the band still stands firmly rooted in their tough muscular sound and Andrew's poetic lyrics that makes them unique. It all sounds wacky but the band created a catchy sound and a number of songs that are (surprisingly) quite accessible. Old fans might be disappointed from the drastic change but Rival Factions has something more in vein for everybody. This is easily their most accessible, groundbreaking, tightest, and quite possibly best album yet. |
| Project 86 Truthless Heroes |
| Protest the Hero Fortress |
| Protest the Hero Kezia |
| Protest the Hero Scurrilous |
| PSY/OPSogist Suffused With Static |
| Punch Brothers The Phosphorescent Blues |
| Purity Ring Another Eternity |
| Purity Ring pull back the over-drenched witch house effects of their debut and make a more catchy, focused, poppy sound on Another Eternity. Vocalist Megan Jones drops the odd flat tones of the last album, stays on key, and sounds more confidence over these batch of songs. Purity Ring smartly progress their sound, proving this duo's relevance in a somewhat oversaturated electro-pop era of music. |
| Pusha T King Push – Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude |
| PVRIS White Noise |
| PVRIS manage to bandwagon every single postmodern mainstream and indie pop rock trend on their debut album. This normally would be a disastrous step for most artists, but White Noise ends up being an infectious, catchy as balls hooky album. The instrumentals for the most part are on point, but the winning piece here is front-woman Lyndsey Gunnulfsen who's slick and sweet vocals have a commanding presence throughout the album. A solid progression from their EP and allow PVRIS for the moment, to stand out a with solid concise album. |
| PVRIS All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell |
| Queens of the Stone Age Songs for the Deaf |
| Radiohead In Rainbows |
| Radiohead Amnesiac |
| Radiohead The King of Limbs |
| Radiohead A Moon Shaped Pool |
| Radius System Escape/Restart |
| Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt II |
| Rafael Anton Irisarri Daydreaming |
| Rafael Anton Irisarri Solastalgia |
| Rage Against the Machine Rage Against the Machine |
| Rage Against the Machine The Battle of Los Angeles |
| Real Estate Days |
| Rebecca Black Let Her Burn |
| Relient K Mmhmm |
| Relient K Two Lefts Dont Make a Right But Three Do |
| Relient K Five Score and Seven Years Ago |
| Relient K Forget and Not Slow Down |
| Robert Glasper Experiment Black Radio |
| Rolo Tomassi Time Will Die And Love Will Bury It |
| Rosetta Wake/Lift |
| Rosetta The Galilean Satellites |
| Rosetta A Determinism of Morality |
| Run the Jewels Run the Jewels |
| Run the Jewels Run the Jewels 2 |
| Rx Bandits Mandala |
| Ryuichi Sakamoto Async |
| Ryuichi Sakamoto 12 |
| Ryuichi Sakamoto / Illuha / Taylor Deupree Perpetual |
| Sadistik Flowers for My Father |
| Sadistik Ultraviolet |
| Sadistik Altars |
| Sailors With Wax Wings Sailors With Wax Wings |
| Saosin Saosin |
| Though might be too glossy/radio friendly for some-Saosin's debut album is an incredible piece of work. All the musicians are front line here with the pulsating rhythm section, the metallic guitar licks, and Cove's soaring vocals which are embellished in some of the most gorgeous harmonies you'll ever hear. It's the kind of thing that when listened to during the right mood the music just soars and takes you into the stratosphere. The only weak points here are the clunky Collapse and the over-dragged balled Your Not Alone. Otherwise-an incredible listening experience which can be sonically explosive at times. |
| Saosin Along the Shadow |
Call it nostalgia, but Saosin's Along The Shadow is surprisingly engaging from start to end. Yes,
there is no reinventing the wheel here but between Burchell's technical and melodic lead playing,
Green's more scruffy's vocal urgency, and Rodriguez fast and somewhat unpredictable drum parts
make for a feel good fun Alt Rock/Post Hardcore adventure. This is not going to win over any
naysayers or haters. But if your a fan of Saosin's older work and have the itch for early to mid 2000s
popish post-hardcore, Along the Shadow will scratch your itch. I have to admit, I thought I was
going to hate this. So I feel a bit dumbfounded with how much I enjoy this. |
| Savages Adore Life |
| Savages Silence Yourself |
| Say Anything ...Is A Real Boy (re-release) |
| School of Seven Bells Ghostory |
| Secret And Whisper Teenage Fantasy |
| It's funny when you see an artist basically outdo something that seemed like such a key influence to their sound. No discredit to Saosin really but Teenage Fantasy from Secret & Whisper takes the whole metallic guitar licks/pulsating drums/(non excessive)high pitched vocals to new heights along with more ambient experimenting that fits much better than seen in their debut-but what really makes this hit hard is with how cohesive the entire album is-the songs flow into each other beautifully and it keeps you hooked. In essence, Teenage Fantasy is basically a more experimental yet exciting and cohesive version of The Great White Whale-but it's to a point that it has not only set a potential new standard but also showing the band is on to making themselves something much more than a carboncopy so many other bands in the post-hardcore genre can't seem to shake. |
| Selffish He She Them Us |
| Sevdaliza Ison |
| Sevdaliza The Calling |
| Shad TSOL |
| Shad Flying Colours |
| Sharptooth Transitional Forms |
| Shygirl ALIAS |
| Sights and Sounds Monolith |
| Sigur Ros Hvarf/Heim |
| Sigur Ros Ba Ba Ti Ki Di Do |
| Sigur Ros Med Sud i Eyrum vid Spilum Endalaust |
| Sigur Ros Kveikur |
| SikTh Death of a Dead Day |
| Skyharbor Guiding Lights |
| Skyharbor Sunshine Dust |
| Slauson Malone A Quiet Farwell, 2016–2018 |
| Sleep Over Forever |
| Sleep Token Sundowning |
| Sleep Token Two |
| Sleep Token This Place Will Become Your Tomb |
| Sleepingdog Polar Life |
| Sleepingdog With Our Heads in the Clouds... |
| Sleigh Bells Bitter Rivals |
Rather than being just an element, Alexis Krauss's vocals are smartly put more in the front
of the album. The marriage of her vocals meeting in the middle Derek's Miller noisy production results in Bitter Rivals being more immediate, cohesive, poppy, and quick possibly their best record to date. This duo now sounds fully comfortable in their skin, and if they continue to push their creativity things can only go up for them. |
| Sleigh Bells Jessica Rabbit |
| Slipknot Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses |
| Slipknot We Are Not Your Kind |
| Spiritbox Eternal Blue |
| Spiritbox Rotoscope |
| Spoon Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga |
| St. Vincent Actor |
| St. Vincent St. Vincent |
| You could honestly judge Annie Clark by her album covers. From the quizzical stare of her debut Marry Me to her descending stare as if she was the evil queen on her self titled. This is Annie's defining moment in the realm of her sound, finally accomplished finding her perfect pocket. She takes elements of all her previous work/collabs, and fine-crafts them to near perfection. St.Vincent is the album Annie Clark cements herself as a legend among the people. |
| Stars of the Lid Per Aspera Ad Astra |
| Steven Price Gravity OST |
| Stevens/Dessner/Muhly/McAlister Planetarium |
| Story of the Year In The Wake Of Determination |
When your music is classified as one tree hill material, you get in a feud with Godsmack, and then get sued, it'll sure bring out being pissed of and what not-at least to SOTY. All of this contributes to In The Wake Of Determination-that not only is a change against the innocence of Page Avenue-but almost like a total assaulting resistance to the record. The guitars are much more beefier and and brutal in addition to the entire band removing most of the pop-punk energy for a more hardcore punk and at times metal vibe (with virtuosic solos) to SOTY.
But in the end-this is a very natural progression for SOTY. And ultimately this heavier progression makes complete sense. However there is a slightly reckless ambition this album flows on but the band shockingly uses that to their advantage. The heaviest numbers here truly show their strength of balancing aggressive attacks and super sweet harmonies provided (Meathead, Pay Your Enemy, Is This My Fate). And in all this accumulating SOTY's INWOD being their best album to date. |
| Story of the Year Wolves |
Sevenish years later in unabashed fashion, SOTY fully embrace their pop ethos that always
penetrated throughout their entire discography. The poppy nostalgia of Page Avenue, to the
shreddy parts of In The Wake.., and the thick slab definitive sound of The Black Swan/The
Constant can all be found on Wolves. With the exception of some increased synth/dub elements
(that were used a fair amount in Greek Fire) SOTY stay in their sound and lane, and they do not try to
reinvent the wheel, and why should they? Ryan Phillips continues to shred smarter and better,
Dan/Phil have some really sweet sounding harmonies thanks to fully embracing of their pop aesthetic,
leading to some of their best vocal work to date. Lyrics aim for simplicity with it's introspection, which
pairs perfectly with the music. Wolves is not only an excellent comeback record but also SOTY's
best record to date. SOTY do continue to show their teeth, at this point though you already know if
you like them this squeaky clean. |
| Strata Strata Presents The End Of The World |
| Sufjan Stevens Illinois |
| Sufjan Stevens Seven Swans |
| Sufjan Stevens Silver & Gold |
| Sufjan Stevens The Age of Adz |
| Sun Kil Moon Benji |
| Swans To Be Kind |
| Switchfoot Nothing is Sound |
| Sylvain Chauveau Un Autre Décembre |
| Sylvain Chauveau Life Without Machines |
| Takeshi Nishimoto Lavandula |
| Takeshi Nishimoto Monologue |
| Taproot Gift |
| Team Teamwork The Ocarina of Rhyme |
| Telefon Tel Aviv Fahrenheit Fair Enough |
| TesseracT Concealing Fate |
| TesseracT One |
| Much like their US cousins Periphery. Tesseract's debut One has been in the making/hyped for quite a few years now. The band sucessfully take a large mix bag of influences and compile it into a cohesive sound and mood that carries through the album. Ranging from (the obvious) Meshuggah-lite grooves to the (intriguing) ambient jamy parts reminiscent of the Deftones and even Radiohead. Drummer Jay Postones is an intrinsic player that grooves well but also throws in some nifty curve-ball drum fills. Ultimately, your judgment on the band will be based upon vocalist Dan Tompkins, who is nothing short of exceptional. Like Chino Moreno, Thom Yorke, and even Jonsi: Dan capitalizes on singing sweet elongated notes moving up and down slowly between the grooving musicians (also throws in a good number of good screams as well). Which leads to the question if this was worth the hype/wait. And without a doubt, an unequivocal yes can be exclaim, concluding that One could very well be metal album of the year for 2011. |
| TesseracT Polaris |
| TesseracT Errai |
| Textures Silhouettes |
| The Act of Estimating As Worthless Amongst These Splintered Minds​/​/​Leaden Thoughts |
| The Algorithm Octopus4 |
| The Bad Plus Give |
| The Bad Plus Prog |
| The Beatles 1 |
| The Breathing Effect I've Never Seen The Northern Lights |
| The Caretaker Everywhere at the End of Time - Stage 2 |
| The Caretaker Everywhere at the End of Time - Stage 3 |
| The Caretaker Everywhere at the End of Time - Stage 4 |
| The fading memories of part 2 and 3, have turned into the beginning of nightmares for part 4-the beginning of post-awareness. Th se a e no lo ge me ories, just fr g ments twi t d in hor r. |
| The Caretaker Everywhere at the End of Time - Stage 5 |
| The Chariot The Fiancee |
| The Fiancee is not an easy listen...at all. Which is why the album clocking in less than 30 minutes is more than enough for you to understand and encompass the raw chaotic passion here. Unlike most hardcore bands that have the vocals drown a bit with the guitars and drums. Josh Scogin takes full control of the band with his vocals and the musical ideas are built directly around his powerful vocals and rather blunt lyrics. There are no breaks and the music just simply pounds you all the way through (till the end of course). Credit also goes to Matt Goldman for letting Josh's vocals sit loud and clear above the music and still maintaining a slightly raw feel. While criticized for being too bland it's up to one to recognize that The Chariot's formula separates them from their peers. And from that, overall The Fiancee succeeds-it's just up to the listener to understand the rather gritty feel of the band and album. |
| The Chariot Everything Is Alive, Everything Is... |
| Apocalypse is here: run to Jesus!: As cliche a theme gets for christian metal, the live rawness of Josh's vocals and the musicians here match up perfectly to the theme of the lyrics. The album ticks under 30 minutes but seriously you'll probably be knocked out after listening to this monster . |
| The Chariot One Wing |
| The Cinema My Blood is Full of Airplanes |
You know, Leighton was always "cool". Even behind his rather sad and sappy songs on Lydia his low tenor flows always maintain a rather calming vibe, even during his most intense moments he remain rather restrained. But now with his collab with producer Matt Malpass on this Cinema debut-Leighton "cool" comes out a swinging and the dude is ready to party.
The Cinema's tunes are built in the sense of gorgeous indie pop production of Lydia but it's more electronic driven side and feel good vibe has made the album something you rather dance to in the street vs. crying on your pillow. Regardless, The Cinema's debut is hella fun and stands as another example of music that's not designed for, but is meant to be on radio. |
| The Cinematic Orchestra Every Day |
| The Cinematic Orchestra Man With A Movie Camera |
| The Cinematic Orchestra To Believe |
| The Contortionist Language |
| The Contortionist Our Bones |
| The Darien Venture A Kite, A Key and A Storm |
| The Dave Brubeck Quartet Time Out |
| The Dear Hunter The Color Spectrum (Complete Collection) |
| In the aftermath of Thrice's The Alchemy Index, Jon Foreman Seasons, and Mae's Morning/Afternoon/Evening. Crescenzo under his monkier The Dear Hunter take on what is currently one of the most overblown concept album/projects to date with The Color Spectrum. Overall, Crescenzo's attempt to "interpret" some of these colors are a bit ambiguous but there is absolutely no doubt the Complete Color Spectrum showcases his ability to craft a variety of different moods and feelings through the nine EP's. In a sense, just about everything you listen to here isn't really groundbreaking new-but his ability create a diverse range of solid songs make The Color Spectrum a worthwhile project to sink your teeth into days upon days. |
| The Dillinger Escape Plan Option Paralysis |
| The Field Looping State of Mind |
| The Flashbulb Soundtrack to a Vacant Life |
| The Glorious Unseen The Hope That Lies In You |
| The Glorious Unseen capitalize on their ambient-meets-post-rock here on The Hope That Lies In You-and they come away with a stunning album that is raw, honest, intense, and heavenly in every aspect. Unfortunately the fact that this is Praise & Worship will turn of non-believers. However, if one can get beyond the Christian factor (if it is a problem) the listener will be rewarded with a captivating listen. |
| The Go! Team Proof of Youth |
| The Haxan Cloak Excavation |
| The Haxan Cloak And The Nine-Stage Guide To Your Death Experience. |
| The Knife Shaking the Habitual |
| The Lonely Island Incredibad |
| The Morning Of The Way I Fell In |
| TMO remove their High School Musical quirkiness for a much more cohesive mature album. Highly recommended for fans of indie pop. |
| The National High Violet |
| The Ocean Heliocentric |
| Everyone seems so upset of the new mellow direction this album has taken-because that begs me to ask what does "progressive" music mean? Of course the term is vague but The Ocean-still embracing their classical composition roots go for a softer more classical approach that takes more nods to Radiohead/New Thrice then to their post-metal contemporaries. This is still the same epic multi-layered Ocean as we know-just much more subdued/softer/and pretty-and if you can get past that you'll see this stands just as strong as their older material. Overall an excellent progression for the band that in the long run will stand as 2010 album contender. |
| The Postal Service Give Up |
| The Receiving End of Sirens Between the Heart and the Synapse |
| The Reign of Kindo Rhythm, Chord & Melody |
| Some jackass at alt press gave this album a 1/5. You pretty much do not own a soul if you cannot enjoy this at some level. |
| The Reign of Kindo This Is What Happens |
| The Roots Phrenology |
| The Roots Rising Down |
| The Roots How I Got Over |
| The Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream |
| The Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness |
| The Spirit Of The Beehive Pleasure Suck |
| When you're too apathetic to be apathetic who gives a f*ck about 50 words. |
| The Staves If I Was |
| The Visit Through Darkness Into Light |
| The Weeknd Dawn FM |
| The xx Coexist |
| Thirty Seconds to Mars 30 Seconds To Mars |
| In this decade full of half *** alternative metal. 30 Seconds To Mars debut album sticks out above the mediocre with oddball spaced out yet extremely solid prog metal. Drummer Shannon Leto (who records everything organically) plays in experimental way and keeps the beats pulsating and interesting at the same time. In addition Jared's power chords riffage mangage to sound extremly innovative with using weird chord fills in songs such as the beginning of "Oblivion" and "End of The Beginning." which sound oddly fresh. Many of the leads part sound very dynamic and at times downright beautiful in all of the songs. Jared's voice in addition fits the band really well bending and showing perfect expression with each of the songs. The lyrics are downright weird which builds in a weird concept of space/planet Earth/Aliens? etc. but it sits on top of the explosive sound in a very unique way. There will be those who listen to this and find this cheesy and very overindulgent although you can't deny the talent this band has displayed with it's writing skills on this superb debut. |
| Thirty Seconds to Mars A Beautiful Lie |
| Thirty Seconds to Mars This Is War |
| Yea...its overblown ridiculously...and the lyrics are a bit cliche..but you can't deny the "epic" and the fun 30STM brings on TIW with it's large arena U2-esque sound that experiments with electronic passages. Oh, and this is what Tom Delonge wishes he could pull of. |
| Thrice The Artist in the Ambulance |
| Thrice Red Sky |
| Thrice Live At The House Of Blues |
| Thrice Come All You Weary |
| Thrice The MySpace Transmissions |
| Thrice Major/Minor |
| Major/Minor: The sound of Beggars on roids. |
| Thrice Daytrotter Sessions |
| Thrice strip their stripped-sounding album Beggars down to it's chilly bones, details such as the slowly creeping delay guitar in 'All The World Is Mad' and somber piano of 'Circles' brings Cold War kids to mind. Regardless, these are some really cool reinterpretations of their originals. Apparently "Kings Upon The Main" was performed at this session to and I really wish that I could hear that. |
| Thrice Palms |
| Thrice continue to be surprising on a musical level. Unintentionally, it sounds like Eric Palmquist work with MuteMath has bled into a handful of these tracks. The Beggars meets Water/Air comparisons work here too, as does drawing comparisons to piano becomes teeth and even the national. Dustin lyrically pushes into more open grounds, leaning less on religion and more with how we connect with other people. Thrice embrace the alt-rock band more than ever on Palms, but it stays diverse and it still holds onto their quintessential thrice quirk elements such as the 5/4 time signature switch to 6/4 on beyond the pines because yay mathcore jk. Really though: Palms is another solid from the SoCal band, but it?s the softer moments on the record that shine a bit more. |
| Thrice Deeper Wells |
| Thursday A City By the Light Divided |
| Thursday No Devolucion |
| Tim Hecker Ravedeath, 1972 |
| Tool 10,000 Days |
| Tool Lateralus |
| Tool Ænima |
| Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo OST |
| For The Social Network Reznor's/Ross's attempt at a soundtrack was quite successful. The claustrophobic feel of the pieces fit very well with the context of the movie. But outside of that it felt a tad bit one dimensional with it's sounds and textures. The duo improve upon that experience with their second go at it on the The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Soundtrack. Clocking in nearly at three hours: TGWTDT soundtrack is a monstrous listen. But this time, Reznor/Ross really strike a core of balancing the experimentation of Ghosts with the thread consistency of TSN. Thus, making this their best take on moody soundtrack music yet. Oh, and the Immigrant song cover kicks ass, but you already knew that. |
| Triosk Moment Returns |
| Tycho Dive |
| I become giddy with joy with that first female vocal part kicks in on the title track, and then it flows in bubbly grooves for another eight minutes. Aside from that Tycho is still the same old on Dive. But who cares? you're here for that killer production that makes you feel overwhelmingly warm and fuzzy inside. Sh*t rules. |
| Tycho Weather |
| Tyler, the Creator Bastard |
| U2 U218 Singles |
| To get to it: if your a *casual* or *radio* U2 fan this could work for you. It basically has all the huge hits, the anthem-stadium numbers that they use to shine and glimmer. Just a simple collection of their singles, all of which are solid classic numbers. |
| Uboa The Origin Of My Depression |
| Ulla Tumbling Towards a Wall |
| Ulrich Schnauss Goodbye |
| Uncommon Nasa Written at Night |
| Uncommon Nasa Oculus |
| Underoath Define the Great Line |
| Underoath Erase Me |
| Underoath Voyeurist |
| Underoath takes the strongest musical elements of Erase Me and combined it with the rclassic sound of their three post-hardcore/vaguely post-metal works (DTGL/LITSOS/and a rstrong emphasis on the dark energy of Disambiguation). U/O lyrics continue to cut thru with rheavy jabs at the christian ethos that they were once brought up on. All of this is brought rtogether in a tight 10 track album with each of the musicians bringing their best performances rto date. If you're like me and loved the really dark energy of Disambiguation, rVoyeurist should scratch your itch for that satisfyingly brutal aesthetic: but now rwith more hooks, color and experimentation, all at the same time. |
| Uneven Structure 8 (Re-release) |
| Using the tricks acquired through recording Februus, US rerecord their debut EP 8. It's pretty clear that this is nowhere as accomplished as Februus but nonetheless the ideas are interesting enough and represent more of that atmospheric feel the band probably wanted to achieve in the first recording. Vocalist Matthieu Romarin also adds some nice vocal textures to make things pop out a bit more. The EP smartly clocks under 25 minutes, maintaining just enough edge and intrigue behind all the somewhat generic groove riffs. So despite the obvious woes of sounding generic, US were still able to manage pulling themselves out of the mold into an interesting sound with 8, and def. shows the potential that was fully realized with Februus. |
| Valleyheart Heal My Head |
| Various Artists (Classical) Variations Of Chopin |
| Various Artists (Electronic) Expanse At Lower Levels |
| Varth Dader Tice Nitties |
| VersaEmerge VersaEmerge |
| VersaEmerge Fixed at Zero |
| Fixed At Zero strangely will take a few listens to absorb due the absence of the post-hardcore type sound. Instead they take the route of a pop sound that suggests that their listening to more Imogen Heap than that other band you love to compare them to. And to even put more shock to it this album all together outdoes everything they do. |
| Vince Guaraldi Trio A Charlie Brown Christmas |
| Vince Staples Big Fish Theory |
| Warmth Life |
| Washed Out Within and Without |
| Weezer The Green Album |
| Whipping Boy Heart Worm |
| White Moth White Moth |
| R. Loren expands on the musical experimentation with melding more genres into his ever-hazy sound but he gives everything on the whole more focus (which was flawed on Pyramids). A very solid "debut" album overall. |
| White Moth Black Butterfly Atone |
| William Basinski The Disintegration Loops IV |
| William Basinski Cascade |
| William Basinski and Richard Chartier Aurora Liminalis |
| Wye Oak Civilian |
| Like being in an underwater haze on a warm night. The Maryland duo really pack quite a full sound despite some of the instrumentally minimalism. |
| Wye Oak Shriek |
| Yann Tiersen Le fabuleux destin d'Amelie Poulain |
| Yeah Yeah Yeahs Show Your Bones |
| Yoko K. 012906 |
| Young Buffalo Young Von Prettylips |
| zakè (扎克) Orchestral Tape Studies |
| Zake, City of Dawn orchestre de poussière |
| Zee Avi Ghostbird |
| Zeroh tape |
| Zeroh Bred: A Dedication |
| 3.5 great |
| Acceptance Phantoms |
| Acceptance Colliding By Design |
Did anyone see this coming? I didn't think I'd find myself talking about the follow up to the cult-
classic Phantoms. There is a genuine questioning of Colliding By Design, Acceptance
certainly went into this with the intention of making a record that has progressed from Phantoms
and one could argue that they have: hooks are slicker, and the inclusion of stadium synths galore. In a
decade of endless reunions, CBD hardly feels revolutionary and I'm not sure most people will see
what the big deal is. But for the die-hards, the ones who fixated endlessly on Phantoms for
reasons they themselves don't understand will eat this record up for the reasons they loved their
debut, as stated the hooks are here, Jason's Vena undeniable vocals are here. This record is probably
better than Phantoms, but being a little over decade removed from a cult-classic, one will need
time to adjust to such an idea.
Regardless of what you might think of Acceptance, it's feels good to have another record from this
Seattle group. 12 years later we have a solid follow-up that hopefully they can build on in the years to
come. There is little reason that old fans should dislike this album. In conclusion: if you miss Anberlin
check out Colliding By Design by Acceptance. |
| Adele 25 |
| Aeges Weightless |
| Alex Kresovich Gold N' Fly: 007 |
| Anberlin Cities |
| Anberlin Lowborn |
| Anchor and Braille Felt |
| Anna Wise The Feminine: Act 1 |
| Aoria I Know You Came Here to Erase Me |
| Araabmuzik Electronic Dream |
| Artifex Pereo Time in Place |
| aswekeepsearching Zia |
| Audioslave Out of Exile |
| Audioslave Audioslave |
| Even though both sides of their sounds were carelessly slab together on this album. This debut from the alt-rock supergroup proves to be a very natural fit for the lead vocalist of Soundgarden and instrumentation of Rage Against The Machine. A bit less than a third of these tracks feel a bit unnaturally forced but when they do click their sound proves to make this combo a winner. |
| August Burns Red Messengers |
| This is you're typical above average run of the mill hardcore band. But what brings out their sound is their unique breakdown patterns that they mix up consistently. This is (not to a Meshuggah level per say) but enough to help them stand out from their peers, and enough to say that Messengers is a solid album. |
| August Burns Red Constellations |
| Autopilot Off Make A Sound |
| Backstreet Boys Never Gone |
| Barcelona Absolutes |
| Beach House Devotion |
| Beach House Beach House |
| Blindside About A Burning Fire |
| Blindside The Black Rose |
| Blindside With Shivering Hearts We Wait |
| In their four year absence since the Black Rose EP, WSHWW is a nice warm return from the old alternative metal giants. On the album we see the band taking traces from their past albums. Ranging from the continued progression into a more rock based sound of The Great Depression, the production and electronic/orchestrated dabbling in About A Burning Fire, and the immediacy of Silence. 17 years into their career, Blindside aren't doing any new tricks. More so being a band with such a sound in 2011 won't separate itself too much from the pack (though save from Christian's undeniable vocal prowess). But for old fans, WSHWW will bring a sense of nostalgia and presence at the same time. It's a triumphant return for the men from Sweden that stands strong among their past albums. |
| blink-182 Blink-182 |
| blink-182 Neighborhoods |
| So I'm 12 years old again, but instead of rocking out in my room I'm floating in space. |
| Blue Man Group The Complex |
| Bohren und der Club of Gore Dolores |
| Breaking Benjamin Phobia |
| Brian Eno Thursday Afternoon |
| Brian Eno The Ship |
| Chance the Rapper Acid Rap |
| Children 18:3 Children 18:3 |
| Chiodos Illuminaudio |
| Cloacal Kiss Easter |
| Coheed and Cambria From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness |
| Cold War Kids Loyalty to Loyalty |
| This album is a slow grower, maybe too much of a slow grower for it's own good. Cold War kids LTL makes Cowards & Robbers seem unbearably tame. The guys experiment a lot more with different instruments/styles in this album. At first the album seems overdone with the stomp grits of instruments and Willett's super strecthed vocals. Though overtime the album digested into something quite enjoyable. The album as a whole isnt as charming as Cowards & Robbers, but it certainly is almost just as enjoyable. |
| Cold War Kids Mulberry Street |
| Cold War Kids Behave Yourself |
| Cold War Kids Mine is Yours |
| Cold War Kids throw on some more colorful aesthetics to their black n' white bluesy soul punk sound-making their sound more poppy and polished. Ultimately, Mine Is Yours should not only appeal to old fans, but those who found Cold War Kids too overwhelming with their rather boxed in sound. Here, we see the quartet manage to breakout with their sound without straying their roots. Bravo Men! |
| Coldplay X&Y |
| Coldplay Ghost Stories |
| Coldplay Music of the Spheres |
| Comeback Kid Wake the Dead |
| Comeback Kid Symptoms + Cures |
| Comeback Kid Die Knowing |
| Comeback Kid Outsider |
| Consider the Thief Signs and Wonders |
| Copeland In Motion |
| Copeland Ixora |
| Maybe it's because I'm no longer trying to be a sullen late teens/early twenties soul. But the melancholy nature of Ixora is something that I don't totally relate to these days. Or maybe it is because I have overplayed You Are My Sunshine to death, becoming a record that probably should be branded on my arm, and any other attempt to out do that record would be foiled. But it is certainly a nice return from a band that has been out for a bit now. There is some nice experimentation brought in as well with the incorporation of some world elements in some of these songs. The final track "In Her Arms...." finishes the album surprisingly strong, with the urgency of the strings and woodwinds recalling some of the glory of YAMS. If you ever been a fan of Copeland or any of their peers back in their 2000s, Ixora is worth a spin or two. |
| Copeland Revolving Doors |
A pleasantly nostalgic re-living of some Copeland classics with an orchestra. In a slight surprising twist it is the older
tunes (pre-YAMS) that feel a bit more engaging from an arrangement perspective, as the YAMS and post YAMS
arrangements admittedly don’t feel as distinct from their original arrangements. All of it remains enjoyable, and gives an
idea of how their older albums would’ve sounded if they were released in 2022. Worth a spin for any Copeland fan. |
| Crosses EP |
| Crosses Crosses |
| Cults Cults |
| Cynic Kindly Bent to Free Us |
| Daft Punk Random Access Memories |
| Danny Brown Old |
| Das Racist Shut Up, Dude |
| Das Racist Relax |
| David Bazan Strange Negotiations |
| David Bazan revists his sound from Control and starts looking outward rather than in. |
| David Bazan Blanco |
| Deas Vail Birds & Cages |
| Death Grips Government Plates |
| Traces of DG's past three releases can be found all mixed into Government Plates-all while pushing further into more edgy/absurd territory. Aside from the timing of this release, MC ride who usually is balanced out with his other members, takes more of an elemental part on some of these tracks. AOTY? more time will be needed, but no doubt this is Absurd Of The Year. |
| Death Grips The Powers That B - Part I: Niggas on the Moon |
| Death Grips Bottomless Pit |
| Deerhunter Fading Frontier |
| Deftones Koi No Yokan |
| Demon Hunter Storm the Gates of Hell |
| Dessa A Badly Broken Code |
| Dirty Loops Loopified |
| Disperse Journey Through The Hidden Gardens |
| Does It Offend You, Yeah? You Have No Idea... |
| Draemings The Eternal Lonesome |
| Drake Thank Me Later |
| .....I thought this album was up? Guess someoned it. I was thinking that i would hate this album. However Drake works his melodies and beats like a charm despite his lyrics being decent at best (but certainly an improvement from his mixtapes). It's good he got a number of guest spots to help him throughout the album. Drake might live in his post-808 & Heartbreak sound for a while but on Thank Me Later he pulls it of well. |
| Drake So Far Gone |
| As one of Mainstream Hip-Hop's new faces: Drake is not too great of a lyricist....but in some sense you can forgive him for it considering that So Far Gone has some really cool electro-pop backdrops for his sing-rapping. Drake overall seems more chilled here than bounce-y (think 808 & Heartbreak). Though the bounce-y moments come in and are quite catchy. All-in-all a promise mixtape that shows Drake could be game-changing if he could work his lyrics a bit better. Here looking forward to his debut album. |
| Drake Nothing Was the Same |
| Drake Honestly, Nevermind |
First reaction: Yes Drake made a house album but also made his best album in years? By no means the deepest album,
and sometimes it meanders unnecessarily but Drake capitalizes on the chill summer night vibes and rides it with a
singular focus (minus the last track). Maybe the bar has been so low but it?s cool to see Drake switch things up and
actually focus on a consistent sound vs the unfocused nature of his albums from the last decade plus. |
| Drake and Future What a Time to Be Alive |
| Dream Theater Octavarium |
| Dream Theater Distance Over Time |
| Dustin Kensrue Please Come Home |
| Emery The Weak's End |
| Emery I'm Only A Man |
| Emery While Broken Hearts Prevail |
| Emery The Question Re-Release |
| Emery ...In Shallow Seas We Sail |
| Emiliana Torrini Fisherman's Woman |
| Eminem Kamikaze |
| Every Time I Die The Big Dirty |
| Explosions in the Sky The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place |
| eyesix Limerence |
| Fair The Best Worst-Case Scenario |
| Falling Up Crashings |
| Far-Less Broken Hearts Unite |
| Far-Less Headache |
| In response to their slow painful decay into oblivion and multiple member switches. Far-Less latest (and final) EP shows the band in a more bare-bone form. The songs are more downtempo, oblique, sparse, and Brandon Welch's vocals are exposed in raw exhibition. Due to the nature of this release and band-this release will go by largely silent-and the band won't be missed by many. But for those are still hanging around for whatever reason. This final EP suits and closes/concludes this band's short yet interesting career by tying all their past releases into one package-which strangely also shows a sign of it's completion. |
| Feist Metals |
| FKA Twigs Caprisongs |
| Flying Lotus Until the Quiet Comes |
| Flyleaf Flyleaf |
| Foo Fighters Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace |
| Foo Fighters In Your Honor |
| Foo Fighters Greatest Hits |
| Foo Fighters Wasting Light |
| Fort Minor The Rising Tied |
| Foxboro Hot Tubs Stop Drop and Roll!!! |
| Foxing The Albatross |
| Frank Ocean Nostalgia, Ultra. |
| Freddie Gibbs Shadow of a Doubt |
| Freddie Gibbs You Only Live 2wice |
| From Indian Lakes Wanderer |
| Frou Frou Details |
| Gang Colours The Keychain Collection |
| Glassjaw El Mark |
| Good Old War Good Old War |
| Grizzly Bear Horn of Plenty |
| Grouper Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill |
| Hammock Oblivion Hymns |
| Hands Like Houses Dissonants |
| Hans Zimmer The Lion King |
| Haste the Day When Everything Falls |
| Haste the Day Pressure the Hinges |
| He Is Legend I Am Hollywood |
| Helios Moiety |
| Helios Eingya |
| Hoobastank The Reason |
| How to Destroy Angels How To Destroy Angels |
| There was and has been a lot of negative commentary and whining via NIN fans about Trent's "new musical direction" he has taken from putting NIN in hiatus. Most of these people are actually really dumb because HTDA is literally the latter day sound of NIN combined with the sensual sinister female vocals of Mariqueen Maandig Reznor (whose vocal approach is just like idk um...her husband?). So unless you absolutely detest her vocals (which is absurd if you did). HTDA is a great continuation from NIN that has a few hiccups (mostly lyrical) but is a promising-enjoyable EP from the new Reznor couple/Ross. |
| I Am Robot and Proud Touch/Tone |
| Imogen Heap Sparks |
| In This Moment The Dream |
| Innerpartysystem The Download EP |
| James Blake Enough Thunder |
| James Blake The Colour in Anything |
| Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez Avenue Q |
| JMSN Priscilla |
The first thing you'll notice about JMSN AKA Christian Berishaj's new project is that it sounds pretty damn similar to The Weeknd with it's spaced out R&B sound (plus the use of strings and sax if you've noticed). However, within a few listen you'll notice that JMSN lyrical content portrays stories about love (and lack there of) that are relatable on an everyday level. Admittedly, they are pretty cookie-cutter but vs. The Weeknd's sexual indulgence/drug infested world that digs into depression, it's nice to hear something a good bit more level headed. JMSN vocals also are pretty spot on-sounding with him bringing out his inner Justin Timberlake at times.
For some, Priscilla may a bit heavy with it's 16 slow jams. But it continues to bring excitement to a genre that once was commercially stale, and ultimately JMSN more relatable lyrical content is something satisfying-being able to listen more with heart and less out of a lens or a perspective. |
| Joe Satriani What Happens Next |
| John Mayer Battle Studies |
| Battles Studies is John Mayer being John Mayer. Songwriting he does stay in his own skin but he does throw around some slight experimentation with different guitar tones and subtle recording ambiences. It's easy to call this passable especially since after such a grand album such as Continuum-but Battle Studies deserves a few listens to grow so you can pick out the little details-and ultimately it stands as another solid album from mainstream music best new bluesman. |
| Jolly The Audio Guide to Happiness (Part 1) |
| Jonezetta Popularity |
| Josh Groban Josh Groban |
| Kanye West Graduation |
| Kanye West Jesus Is King |
| With Kanye re-embracing/re-purposing his own ego through the concept of Jesus. Kanye makes his most focused colorful, inspired, concise, and life-affirming project since MBDTF. |
| Kate Havnevik Melankton |
| Kid Cudi A Kid Named Cudi |
| Kid Cudi Man on the Moon: The End of Day |
| Killswitch Engage As Daylight Dies |
| Lacuna Coil Karmacode |
| Lady Gaga The Fame Monster |
| Ms. Gaga-with all her intent found in her wacky and unique fashion sense barely reflect her pop songs-which are largely inoffensive. Solid, yet inoffensive. |
| LCD Soundsystem American Dream |
| Les Doux Dialects |
| letlive. Fake History |
| Library Tapes Sketches |
| Life in Your Way Waking Giants |
| Lights Lights |
| Lights The Listening |
| All in all: Lights makes a solid electronic-pop in it's simplest form. |
| Lights Acoustic |
| Lights Siberia |
| Linkin Park Hybrid Theory |
| Little Big Town Nightfall |
| Lorde Pure Heroine |
| Lovedrug Pretend You're Alive |
| Slow-burning bitterness = Pretend That You're Alive |
| Lukeing Forward Wandering In Urban Fog |
| Lupe Fiasco Food & Liquor 2: The Great American Rap Album Pt.1 |
| Before I rant it should be stated that Lupe has always been a solid lyricist. Whether you agree with the guy or not his flow is impeccable and one of the more complex lyricist of mainstream hip-hop. That aside, if this album was released after the ambitious The Cool. everyone would be crapping on this. But because this comes after the radio-friendly sh*tstorm that was Lasers, it would make you believe that Lupe's F&L2 is the true return to glory of his debut. Unfortunately, a very clunky middle section and watered down production still holds Lupe back from his excellent first two records. Next album will probably go one of two ways-he progresses upward to better sounds, or remains stagnant production wise chasing the former glory he once lived in. |
| Lushlife Ritualize |
| Lydia Assailants |
| Assailants sorely lacks flow and feels cut too short. However, it's a worthy addition to have if you are a fan of Illuminate. |
| Lydia Paint it Golden |
It's pretty ridiculous that this album released so quickly. Forget that Assailants was released a little over a year ago. Leighton's side project with producer Matt Malpass The Cinema just released an LP three weeks prior to this. And while the songs still float and delicately build up and down in typical Lydia fashion, it's apparent The Cinema sessions have influence this newer more feel good/optimistic and upbeat sound found on Paint It Golden.
Since Lydia's return was partly influence from the cult status it built itself with kids tattooing Illuminate lyrics on their skin, Paint It Golden will hold that same appeal to many of those fans: it may not win new fans but with two LP releases within 3 weeks it's a great time to be a Leighton/Lydia fan. |
| M.I.A. VICKI LEEKX |
| Mae (m)orning |
| Mae (e)vening |
| Matter Teraphim |
| As everyone else has said, Matter's Teraphim revels in the tricks the many post-hardcore greats did back in the 2000's. So the sound might feel a tad bit outdated, but my God these guys have urgency and heart. That with the crisp production make Teraphim alone worth a spin or two. |
| Memphis May Fire The Hollow |
| MMF: finally a band that uses these synthcore breakdowns without sounding horrible....songs make lack diversity but it's made up for solid musicianship, catchy choruses, and solid song structures. |
| Merkabah (PL) Moloch |
| mewithoutYou I Never Said That I Was Brave |
| Microwave Much Love |
| MNDR E.P.E. |
| Modeselektor Hello Mom! |
| Moodie Black The Responsive Chord |
| Moodie Black Sana Sana |
| Mothers When You Walk A Long Distance You Are Tired |
| Mount Kimbie Cold Spring Fault Less Youth |
| Moving Mountains Waves |
| Moving Mountains Pneuma |
| Moving Mountains Moving Mountains |
| Murcof Cosmos |
| Mutemath Spotlight |
| Mutemath Vitals |
| Neon Horse Neon Horse |
| Nils Frahm Screws |
| Nine Inch Nails Hesitation Marks |
| Norma Jean Redeemer |
| NSYNC No Strings Attached |
| Number One Gun The North Pole Project |
| Oceana Birth.Eater |
| Of Monsters and Men My Head is an Animal |
| Of Monsters and Men sound a bit too similar to your other favorite anthemic folk rock group, but they pack in too much heart to be ignored. |
| Outputmessage Oneiros |
| Owl City Ocean Eyes |
| Owl City is still doing his super sugar sweet electronic pop that at times can feel a bit homogeneous. However Ocean Eyes is step up from Maybe I'm Dreaming with it's bigger/deeper sounds, and more use of sonic landscapes. There is also a more cohesive flow so album doesn't completely tire one out on the first listen. Adam Young might be stuck in la-la land with his project but he continues to show hes the real deal with his melodic depth and sonic soundscapes that could evolve to something much more captivating. Don't believe me? Listen to Fireflies and tell me that it didn't make you smile. PS the album overall rating is low cause it's not br00tal or hipster or depressing for Sputnikmusic to enjoy. |
| P.O.D. Fundamental Elements of Southtown |
| Paramore Riot! |
Riot is an interesting listen. For one, this album helped Paramore break out of the "scene" to mainstream for 2309438209482 teenagers girls to go bananas about. But the breaking point here is Hayley's powerful vocals that dominate throughout the album. Powerful enough to bring out the too average rhythm section and David Bendeth's super duper silly nilly sugar coated overglossy safe production-but rather than this dulling the listen Hayley manages to make this work in her favor with her vocals. It's a safe yet fun record and Riot still soars despite the obvious flaws (and one of my biggest guilty pleasures to get personal). However their slight experimentation (Crush, Broken, Fences) suggest that the band can really create something unique if they push outside the boundaries a bit.
|
| Paramore Brand New Eyes |
| Periphery Icarus |
| The remixes are pretty meh. But it's forgivable due to the fact that these b-sides/remakes show great improvement from the debut album. This is primarily seen with vocalist Spencer Sotelo: who really comes into his own here vocally and shows much more versatility overall. The EP should not only compliment the debut album but should be good enough satisfy appetites till the next album comes out. |
| Periphery Clear |
If you hate Pediphery, Clear isn't going to change your opinions about them. The
concept presented behind Clear is one that is cool, though ultimately not executed to
their full potential. They could have certainly done more with the concepts presented here
but seem content on just banging these out. The EP still has it's highlights, in particular,
Matt's theatrical-esque "Feed The Ground" and Spencer's disco beat driven "The Parade Of
Ashes" are interesting changes presented to the band's sound. If this a preview for what may
be coming in the future the next album will hopefully present an interesting progression.
Otherwise, this is solid business as usual for Periphery. Clear obviously seems more
like a placeholder than a fully fleshed out concept EP. But for fans, this should certainly
be satisfying. |
| Person L Initial |
| Person L The Positives |
| Peter Broderick Float |
| Pianos Become the Teeth Wait For Love |
| Poison the Well Versions |
| Port St. Willow Even // Wasteland |
| Project 86 ...And the Rest Will Follow |
| Project 86 Songs to Burn Your Bridges By |
| Purity Ring Shrines |
| PVRIS Paris |
PVRIS are working with a tough sound, the whole alt-rock/post-hardcore/pop-punk style has
been copied too many times to the point of there being no substance. Thankfully, PVRIS was
able to maintain their blueprint nicely without pushing too too excessive thanks to real
solid songwriting, and Lynn Gunn vocals that demonstrate gusto with control. For their full
length, they might need to try to pull out a few more tricks-but for now the EP works just
well enough to get by as a solid/enjoyable listen. |
| Pyramids Pyramids |
| A rather interesting debut album-Pyramids is a weird junxaposition mix of post-rock, ambient drone, shoegaze, and absurd blastbeats. It's unfortunate that the blastbeats are downright cheesy and at times obnoxiously stupid. Because aside from that this is nearly flawless in its colorful array of terrifying textures. A nice interesting listen....though if they work on the stupid drumbeats man this would be truly captivating. |
| Queens of the Stone Age Era Vulgaris |
| Radiohead Hail to the Thief |
| Rage Against the Machine Evil Empire |
| Real Estate Atlas |
| Real Estate is a band that released the 3rd version of their S/T and get away with it being pretty decent. |
| Red (USA) Innocence and Instinct |
| On their second album: Red pull just enough tricks to create a more focused and slightly more experimental album. This isn't precisely game-changing but this time the band give more careful attention to the use of keyboard/orchestra patches & textures. This helps give the band a stronger unique aesthetic that fits in their sound perfectly and never comes of as smothering (Which was a problem in the first album). In addition, the band has created a more muscular and tighter sound that makes the album more enjoyable. The album is odd in the sense that it's not entirely ear-grabbing upon it's first listen due to the cliche guitar attack, but if given careful attention to the extra textures you'll realize this band isn't just some other 21st century alternative metal chugga-chug band. More so, this is a band on the verge of breaking into a sound that's more like their own. |
| Red (USA) Until We Have Faces |
| Relient K Apathetic |
| Rich Brian Amen |
| Rihanna Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded |
| Rihanna Rated R |
| When Ne-Yo said "expect a more edgy/angrier Rihanna on this one"-he really meant it. This album is dark, bleak, raw, and much more explicit from her previous work. Of course this album is still mainstream hip-hop/pop at it's core but Rihanna continues to expand her musical palate with several tracks experimenting with dark atmospheres and electro-rock. It'll certainly be interesting how this album plays out in upcoming weeks (and honestly you should know why at this point) but one thing for sure-Rated R live ups to whatever hype it had and shows Rihanna in a more mature, bolder,and slightly new controversial skin. |
| Rolo Tomassi Grievances |
| Sainthood Reps Monoculture |
| Meeting somewhere between Nirvana's In Utero and Brand New's Vices: Sainthood Reps seem to openly embrace their roots on Monoculture. Alas, like the mentioned records Monoculture plays it well by giving a good healthy variety. When they go heavy it's a familiar but certainly refreshing agro-guitar fuzz rock, but when their experimental soft-loud dynamic play out it shows incredible promise and potential that the band has yet to tap into. Monoculture is incredibly refreshing in it's production and sound and can further help Sainthood Reps develop their own sound/characteristics while still wearing their influences proudly. |
| Saosin Translating the Name |
| Secret And Whisper Great White Whale |
| During the time of it's release, The Great White Whale didn't sound sound too far from the typical pack of new school post-hardcore rats. However there were a few qualities that helped make the record feel bombastic and engaging (versus bombastic and annoying). Helping to shape the shifting guitars and drums (which are totally solid but a bit unorginal with it's riffs and fills) Jeff Schneweis (known of 'Number One Gun' fame) does a really great job mixing the record giving it a cool spooky production that fits in well with it's Moby Dick/Whale/Ocean theme. Another factor is Charles Finn, who sings pretty damn high with a piercing voice, but it surprisingly never becomes irritating, with him pushing and pulling appropriately at the right times-never pushing beyond what he can't do. I might sound cynical but The Great White Whale could have been pretty meh, but thanks to a solid production that doesn't overpolish the band it makes for a engaging and genuine listen. And while some of the screws are a bit loose songwriting wise, this is still a great debut from the Canadian quintet. |
| Shangrala This Is How We Communicate |
| Shizune Shizune |
| Showbread No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical |
| Sigur Ros Valtari |
| Silversun Pickups Swoon |
| Sky Sailing An Airplane Carried Me to Bed |
| Owl City in an acoustic style with a slightly more melancholy vibe. Still unbearably gay-and yea you should love every damn minute of this. |
| Sleep For Sleepers The Clearing |
| Sleigh Bells Treats |
| Sleigh Bells Reign of Terror |
| Remember when your kid sister was listening to all that bubblegum pop-and you wished it all sounded m3tal for your satisfaction. Well Sleigh Bells might have answered to your call a bit late but Reign Of Terror sounds exactly like that. Simple bubblegum pop tunes smashed together with heavily distorted guitars and electronic double bass beats. Some of the hip-hop flavor is missing but is traded in for better songwriting, better sounds, and a consistency thread that keeps the whole album flowing. Sleigh Bells continue to hold true to their own unique sound however they have yet to make something truly grabbing. Still, Reign Of Terror does indeed rule and will be great music to blast at your suburban destruction house party. |
| Sneaks It's a Myth |
| SOHN Tremors |
| Soundtrack (Film) Garden State |
| Soundtrack (Film) Juno |
| Soundtrack (Film) Grease Original Motion Picture Soundtrack |
| St. Vincent Masseduction |
| Stars Set Yourself On Fire |
| Stars of the Lid Gravitational Pull vs the Desire for an Aquatic Li |
| States Line 'Em Up |
| Story of the Year Page Avenue |
| Nothing groundbreaking here that for sure: but this album rocks fast, with an infectious pop punk sound and a strive for solid melodies/harmonies. Though the main problem here is that they sound way too clean with the record: those guitars need to be turned louder. Though props to Dan Marsala for solid vocals and Josh Willis for some neat tricks on his drum fills. Eventually SOTY would progress into more of their ideal sound in the upcoming records. And despite the lack of originality and lack of "heaviness" this remains to be a fun listen on occasion. |
| Story of the Year The Black Swan |
| To get right to it: The Black Swan is a solid album. In all the glory of the 13 songs there isn’t one bad number here. Dan's vocals soar and his screams are gustier than ever, the guitars and rhythm section continue to provide a solid foundation to the sound (and some surprisingly tight classic metal-like solos), and ultimately Philip's soaring harmonies gives Story Of The Year a unique sound with their hard rock-meets overdone (but amazing) vocal harmonies. However, the over-glossy production, predictability, and the amount of recycled riffs create a questionable hit or miss for listeners. |
| Story of the Year The Constant |
| The Constant is another SOTY record (i mean hey the album title even says it is!). They continue from the sound of The Black Swan but improve on it by making it much more focused and immediate in every aspect. In some sense the melodic flair is very reminiscent of Page Avenue which should please old fans. The album runs strong in its 11 cuts but they really come strong in their heavier cuts. This does question how long they can run with this sound...but The Constant is def. in many cases their tightest record and is sure to serve as a summer soundtrack for many this year. |
| Story of the Year Page Avenue: Ten Years and Counting |
| Youtube.com is filled with really terribly dumb and boring acoustic/slowed covers of pop mainstream songs with stupid melody over-embellishments. Ten Years And Counting very acoustic-y nature reminds me of that, so my head initially was not wanting like this. But the pure nostalgia and heart this album has running thru it's veins prevents it from being contrived. This makes Ten Years And Counting an interesting listening experience. The themes getting older, growing apart from people, and moving from home that were present on Page Avenue are recaptured with a more mature feel (reminiscing over reminiscing maybe). For those who don't follow SOTY, this may be above-average acoustic at best. But if you once upon a time loved/lived Page Avenue as a young-ling (like me), Ten Years And Counting may surprise you how deep the nostalgia kicks you in the shin. PS Ryan Phillips new guitar solos he adds to many of these songs are supremely excellent. |
| Sum 41 Chuck |
| Sun An Quarter Year |
| Surrogate Love Is for the Rich |
| Swimming With Dolphins Ambient Blue |
| Switchfoot Oh! Gravity. |
| Switchfoot The Beautiful Letdown |
| T.I. King |
| Taking Back Sunday Louder Now |
| Taking Back Sunday New Again |
| Taproot Welcome |
| Team Sleep Team Sleep |
| Telefon Tel Aviv Immolate Yourself |
| TesseracT Perspective |
| The Afters Never Going Back To Okay |
| On their second record: Switchfoot.....oh wait no The Afters create another album of 12 radio-ready cuts of simple catchy pop rock filled with soaring melodies and spiraling harmonies. There is a huge problem with no/lack there of originality-but what makes up for it is simple yet incredibly strong songwriting. Not one song in the batch is bad (or even average for that matter) as all the songs are accessible and strong. You want groundbreaking? Don't look here. But if u like simple catchy pop rock with simple yet strong lyrics check out this album. |
| The Algorithm Polymorphic Code |
| The modern metal/post-hardcore movement consists of a large list of bands uses a variety of quick dub-step-y electronic flourishes for what usually is a gimmicky trick into some cheap breakdown. Polymorphic Code take that formula, adds more electornica styles, stretches them out into full experimental/movements, and almost removes all the gimmicky/cheap tricks for fully fleshed out electro-metal genre-smashing. It's almost surprising that The Algorithm sound on Polymorphic Code works, and it sounds borderline innovative. The band functions best when they break the electro-metal smash dubstep mode (which is basically after "Bouncing Dot"). That isn't to say those moments are bad but when they mix it up with more styles (ambient, IDM, reggae, techno, glitch etc.) the results become much more engaging and interesting. The Algorithm Polymorphic Code is a close to excellent debut project, that's even brooding more in the avenue of potential, and symbolizes what hopefully will be a bright and innovative future career ahead of them. |
| The Avalanches Wildflower |
| The Beatles Love |
| The Bird And The Bee The Bird and the Bee |
| The Bled Heat Fetish |
| The Caretaker Everywhere at the End of Time - Stage 1 |
| The Chariot Wars and Rumors of Wars |
| On Wars And Rumors Of Wars, The Chariot return full swing here with their sound from The Fiancee-except being more jacked up. Despite slight inconsistency (and a few awkward songs) it has its share of some of their most experimental (check out the twangy Abandon) and frenzy chaotic moments dispersed throughout most of the songs. And ultimately Josh Scogin's vocals and blunt lyrics take full charge here cramming as much pain/emotion into the mic as he can. All in all-another good effort from The Chariot that fans will enjoy but they won't win much else. |
| The Dead Texan The Dead Texan |
| The Famine The Raven and the Reaping |
| The Field From Here We Go Sublime |
| The Jonbenet The Plot Thickens |
| The Listening The Listening LP |
| The Low Anthem Oh My God, Charlie Darwin |
| The Morning Of The World As We Know It |
| The Naked and Famous Passive Me, Aggressive You |
| The National Trouble Will Find Me |
| The National Sleep Well Beast |
| The Ocean Aeolian |
| The Roots ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin |
| The Shaggs Philosophy of the World |
| The Shaggs: The Best Worst Band Of All Time. Your soundoff was too short, it has to be at least 50 characters. |
| The Starting Line Direction |
| The Sun and the Ocean Distant Light/New Darkness |
| The Temper Trap Conditions |
| The Used In Love and Death |
| The War On Drugs Slave Ambient |
| The Weeknd After Hours |
| Thom Yorke The Eraser |
| Thrice The Illusion of Safety |
| Thrice If We Could Only See Us Now |
| Titus Andronicus The Most Lamentable Tragedy |
| Tosca Dehli9 |
| Overall the trip-hop disc is pretty cool but the real magic is in the 2nd disc with it's airy atmospheric minimal piano structures. |
| Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross The Social Network OST |
| Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Gone Girl OST |
| Trust Company The Lonely Position of Neutral |
| Yea they are similar to Linkin Park: but probably not as much as you think. The sound seems pretty similar but what separates the band is Kevin Palmer whisper vocal approach (Deftones anyone?) and the songs have more of a pop-punk feel to them. The mix of different influences provides (at times) quite an infectious sound/listen. "Downfall" builds on soft/loud extremes but it keeps the song rather intense. Meanwhile "Hover" has probably one of the most infectious choruses you'll ever hear. The album suffers from some of the songs sounding the same but aside from that TrustCompany have released an all around good solid album. |
| Tycho Past is Prologue |
| Tycho Awake |
| Despite the obvious fact that Tycho's sound is staring wear a bit thin, Awake presents enough of a change utilizing the guitar as more of the focal point to make your summer road trips enjoyable. |
| Underoath They're Only Chasing Safety |
| Uneven Structure 8 |
| Uneven Structure La Partition |
| Uneven Structure Paragon |
| United Nations United Nations |
| Vampire Weekend Contra |
| VersaEmerge Perceptions |
| VersaEmerge Neon |
| Washed Out Paracosm |
| Washed Out Purple Noon |
A bit of a return to form after the experimental and more soulful feel of Mister Mellow, Purple Noon isn’t going to
blow you away. But the aesthetics of his signature chillwave sound from his earlier albums are given a subtle
change into a more straight electronic pop sound, varied textured instrumentals and dare I say, slightly more
cleared up vocals? Another album to make you dream of living the isolated beach life because going to one is a
terrible idea when people don’t know how to socially distance. |
| Weezer Maladroit |
| Wye Oak The Knot |
| Xihilisk EPTwo |
| Yeah Yeah Yeahs Fever To Tell |
| Yeah Yeah Yeahs It's Blitz! |
| Yellowcard Paper Walls |
| Young Fathers TAPE ONE |
| Young the Giant Mind Over Matter |
Call it charm, or the stars aligning. But Young The Giant's debut album was full of so much
youthful charm, it was an incredibly catchy and melodic album. For a band who had such a
by-the-book indie rock sound, It had a surprising staying power that was undeniable. Which,
probably made the hype for Mind Over Matter somewhat unfair. Subsequent listens
signal an obvious progression in their sound. But unfortunately they now sit a little bit
more in the general mold of popular indie pop/rock of the 2010 era's (featuring Justin
Meldal-Johnsen grand production of synth/stadium loving sound). However, Sameer's vocals
here are absolutely undeniable and have shown a clear improvement from the debut. Despite
the similarities to their peers, for YTG, this is a fitting progression that is still
enjoyable. |
| Young the Giant Home Of The Strange |
| Youth Lagoon The Year of Hibernation |
| Album you listen to when you're pissed of and you wish you were hiding away from the rest from the world. In some abstract place, like idk Idaho or something. |
| Zee Avi Zee Avi |
| Zero 7 Simple Things |
