Toro y Moi: Underneath the Pine

Well, what can I say? It seems Toro y Moi has taken an entirely different route with the release of his newest album, Underneath the Pine. This thing is all soul-jazz-funk to me. This ain't no disco or any kind of chillwave I've ever heard. I keep hearing this and expecting a 2 minute sax solo to break out. Almost exactly like MGMT, Chad has completely changed his sound of music. There will be no doubt a plethora of haters; however, I still find this album quite enjoyable, though it has not taken a place in my top albums like Causers of This accomplished. The use of live instrumentation is heard all throughout, with some of the most diverse tracks being "Elise", "Still Sound" and "Go With You". There's a lot here to digest here, less flashy than Causers of This, but still good in its own right. All things aside, I would say this is an underwhelming release.


Toro y Moi's Underneath the Pine gets an 8.3 out of 10. It's worth a shot, that's for sure.

This could definitely win the "Most Appalling Album Cover" award.

KiD CuDi: Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager

I'm going to be brutally frank: I don't think Pitchfork gave KiD CuDi's debut album its rightful glory. The day a Lil Wayne album gets a higher score than the lyrical geniuses of Eminem and KiD CuDi are the days when I start to progressively follow Pitchfork's reviews less frequently. Who are we kidding, Lil Wayne is horrible. His use of auto-tune is something to loathe every time you hear his retarded laugh start off a song. Anyway, enough of shitty Wayne. CuDi's new album, Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager,  is filled with witty lyrics and some subliminal messages. I'll just give you one of the many. In "Marijuana," listen to the very end of the song. "GHOST!" also features a nifty little beat which proves just how much CuDi sticks to mainstream hip-hop. A good album in all.



(Couldn't upload song on SC)

KiD CuDi's newest album Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager gets a 8.1 out of 10. Worth a shot, even if you aren't the rap/hip-hop type.

Ight CuDi, I see yah.

Anoraak: Nightdrive With You

I'm going to start this off with a bang: I haven't heard such an addicting album in quite some time. It started after I got Neon Indian's remixes album, containing a plethora of various well renowned electronic artists. The last song of the remix album, "Psychic Chasms (Anoraak Remix)", immediately struck a chord with me in harmonic unison, just as rhetoric would in a well constructed essay. I lucked out. I got this album, placed it it on shuffle and began on the ride through all the adventures it would take me through (don't worry, I wasn't on anything). Now, I feel it's time to properly give this a proper rating after listening to it numerous times. After getting to "Nightdrive With You (Adeyhawke remix)", my mind blew wide open. Current plays: 1235. Yeah, it's that good. Sleeping song, commuting song, whatever; it's spectacular for all of them. Then came "Midnight Fever", and the rest soon ensued; all with their own special time of me going "Shit, this guy was talent."


All in all, Anoraak is a man with endless opportunities. Nightdrive With You gets a 9.8 out of 10. Que estas esperando, oyelo. (What are you waiting for, listen to it.)

P.S. Get Wherever the Sun Sets afterward. Disappointment will not be an option.

Run Forrest, Run!

Tycho: Past is Prologue

More Tycho. This guy is so good at what he does. Past is Prologue is the fruition of Scott Hanson, a San Francisco artist and producer. Having more mainstream success that before, Tycho has even had one song ("Cascade") appear on Toonami on its last ever stream. As said by Ghostly International, "Hansen blends swirling melodies into vaguely triumphant arcs that crisscross between stuttering beats and vocal samples, creating rolling sonic landscapes that extend into the horizon. Known in the design world as ISO50, Hansen is famed for his bucolic, sun-drenched design style, which serves as a backdrop and mirror for his musical output." Nothing else can be said. A lush, expansive imaginary landscape of sepia-toned keyboards, warm downtempo beats, and mile after mile of sun-dappled beauty fill this album. This album, as well as his other releases, have a similar sound, which is loved by many. Listen to these on a rainy night, or anytime, and you'll be sure to pick out some odd and keen sounds. An avid listener is best for these songs.

Past is Prologue gets a 9.4 out of 10. Let's hope he releases some new music soon.

This is only the beginning of what's to come.

Alvin Band: Mantis Preying

Honestly, who has ever heard of Alvin Band? The only reason I figured them out is because a girl in my PreCalculus class told me to listen to them after we raved about Animal Collective. All I can say is, thank you Kathleen, and where has this band been all my life? Alvin Band is said to be an artist who sings in a "stream of consciousness". This means, in lay man's terms, that he sings whatever comes to mind, or so I think. His intro to the album begins with a heavy bang, sounding like a monster coming down a hall. When the first words hit Alvin Band's mouth, feelings of hearing his before occur. This is mistaken, however. The mistaken artist is Animal Collective. I couldn't believe the similarity to them after I heard the first song, and so forth. "Cyberspace 2008" really stands out as a song to not miss. The slurping, the bopping, the mood. All coexist with AC perfectly. "With the kangaroo at the local zoo" are just a few lyrics in this song, showing the stream of consciousness mode. This is not a bad thing at all.  Unto the rating.



Mantis Preying gets an 8.6 out of 10. They aren't exactly AC, but they sure are close.

This looks like it was drawn on LSD.

Toro y Moi: Causers of This

Chazwick Bundick is just a normal citizen from Columbia, South Carolina. That is, until he goes by his stage name: Toro y Moi. The explosive force of his debut album, Causers of This, has caused quite a stir in his hometown and around the country alike. Toro y Moi comes from two words originating from both Spanish and French. Toro (bull in Spanish) Y (and in Spanish) Moi (me in French) came up with the name straight from his head with no prior nickname, apparently. Toro y Moi's album combines synth-pop and the chillwave genre to embed a mellow sound into the user's mind. Credited with being another of the chillwave founders, Toro Y Moi holds a good friendship with artist Washed Out. The mixture of unique beats shows just how it's supposed to be done. This album is definitely something to listen to over and over, and should definitely be placed on a device for on-the-go.
Toro y Moi's Causers of This album gets a 9.4 from me. Go get the Australian edition with four scrumptious bonus tracks!

Delorean: Subiza

Delorean was not always as well known as they are now. Hailing from Spain, the pop singers have made quite a name for themselves in the last year, with the release of their EP Ayrton Senna (name of Brazilian F-1 racer who was killed in action on May 1st, 1994) and now their latest and probably best album, Subiza. The idea of using '80's beats has proved to be quite a success. The killer beginning track, "Stay Close", starts off suddenly with a bassy and climactic setting. It then progresses on with lyrics portraying items like relationships falling apart. "We argue then" is just one of these lyrics. The protruding and most popular track on this particular album has to go to "Real Love" and with good reason. It is a calming track with deep meaning. From beginning to end, the result is the same: catchy tunes with simple yet fun lyrics.



Delorean's Subiza album also gets a 9.8 out of 10. Go out and buy it now!

Passion Pit: Manners

I cannot wait to see these guys live. That being said, I think it is time I reviewed Passion Pit's only album to this day, Manners. What an awesome album. How do you find a way for everyone to have a liking for electro-pop? You get Passion Pit. Passion Pit are a bunch of young, fun, and outgoing guys, T toy that has gotten the most attention is the kiddie choir that pops up on two of the first four songs. Call them behind-the-curve as they double up the "higher and higher" part of the chorus from "Little Secrets", but it's more over-the-top, and that's kind of the point-- in a weird way, it's heartening how little Passion Pit concerns themselves with a fun sounding song. Manners does go for the quick knockout, pulling a similar trick five minutes later on the Hissing Fauna branch-off "The Reeling". Manners is consistent even beyond its singles-- if you like one Passion Pit song, you'll probably like them all. Or you might not like any at all.


The Reeling


Manners gets a 9.0 out of 10. Get the deluxe edition now that it's readily available.

Have some manners, will you?

How to Dress Well: Love Remains

When I first read the album title before reading the review on Pitchfork, I didn't have high hopes for this album, even though it was given a "best album" tag. The name sounded too generic to me. I thought it was going to be some pop songs about love and desire, and heart breaking and emotional pain. However, something compelled me to venture out and get the album. This would in turn become one of the best decisions I've made since I first got Tame Impala's album. This blew me away. Enough of this rant, though. Let's get to the review. Love Remains is the essence of Tom Krell. The quiet and entrancing songs are really a hit or miss for some people. To me, he outdid himself. Check out the album for your assumptions of the album, since this isn't one for everyone. Some people may be hardcore haters, saying that the artist sounds like garbage. I respect their opinions; however, I would have to disagree. The nostalgic tone of his voice really sets the high quality for this.

Suicide Dream 2


How To Dress Well's Love Remains gets an 8.8 out of 10. Sweetness right here.

Just realized it says the artist name.

Linkin Park: A Thousand Suns

Whoa is all I can say about this album. Right when I first hit play on the first song on my Foobar player, I could tell this album was something different. Linkin Park has really changed their outlook on rock music. Unlike their previous albums, this one seems to be less hardcore. That's a plus since I actually like to be able to understand the lyrics. The top song has to be "Robot Boy". The tone and mood of the singers really uplifts this piece. In all, this album is worth checking out, even if Linkin Park has never been your thing. Don't expect any epic songs, though. It definitely isn't amazing.

Linkin Park's A Thousand Suns gets a 7.2 out of 10. An average album. Check it out if you've already checked out my other albums.

I'm being sucked in!

Tame Impala: Innerspeaker

I was a bit skeptical when I first got this album after reading the rave review on it from the infamous Pitchfork. I have always seen Pitchfork as a hit-or-miss kind of blog, sometimes nailing the reviews on the money, or sometimes getting them horribly skewed. I can now say after having this album on repeat for quite some time that Pitchfork got it right....this time. From the very start, the echoing sounds bring into view an album that will rock your mind, and I'm not the hardcore rock fan. Being said to even have a little Beatles in them (apparently the lead singer sounds just like one in the Beatles, but I couldn't tell you since I haven't heard enough of the Beatles to make an assumption), Tame Impala does not disappoint. Those echoes are fantastic. The crashes, the dings, the quietness; all of it is perfectly. "I don't have a hope in hell", some of the lyrics in the first song show some deeper meaning than previously thought. Every song has its own touch of specialness, setting it apart from the last. "Runway, Houses, City, Clouds" includes some of the most impressive lyrics I've ever heard in a band. "And gazing out the window, as I ascend into the sky, but I'm the one who's left behind." Wow. Just wow. Trying to show a view on a dream to go to better and bigger places. I couldn't have done it any better. The hit single of the album has to be "Desire Be Desire Go." The use of no comma really irks me, but who really cares about song titles? Seriously, this song starts off with a bang, showing that this band knows how to jam out. The use of the electric guitar really brings the song more to life, almost feeling like they're playing right in your home. What else can I say? Go listen to the band since you know the rating's going to be high.

The rocking Australian band Tame Impala scores a 9.8 out of 10 with their debut album.  A superb album in a nutshell.

And who doesn't like psychedelic artwork? 

The Radio Dept.: Clinging To A New Scheme

The Radio Dept. is a more well publicized band, originating from Sweden. Their newest third album, having only released two others in the past fifteen years, has blown my mind away. Every single song is intertwined with the last. The smooth transitions and catchy song names (not really a person who cares for song names, but I really enjoyed these for some reason) bring to fruition a very well planned out album. Plus, the album art is nothing to hate either. Someone smoking a big fat cigar almost always wants to make me say, "Ay Tony, badabing-badabang." The use of war style lyrics helps bring out the album's true motive. The Radio Dept. shows just how a shoegaze genre should be put to work.

The Radio Dept.'s Clinging To A Scheme album gets a well-deserved 9.8 out of 10. Who knew Swedens could make beautiful music?

Tony!

Animal Collective: Strawberry Jam

I must admit, this album wasn't to my liking when I first heard it after discovering Merriweather Post Pavilion. Yet, it grew on me...immensely. First, the album art. A picture of Strawberry Jam. Very original, I know. However, it does prove something; stating the obvious helps. The album, which is a bunch of experimental sounds and very deep lyrics, is just fantastic when it is mixed together. Put it on shuffle, go on a long trip, and enjoy life. Ahh. Anyway, "For Reverend Green", with its screaming shows that death-metal type beats can be great, if placed at the right time. The short, yet insanely boss track of "Winter Wonder Land" sure is a treat to listen to, even if it isn't winter time. "I have headlights reflecting in my face" is just a glimpse of what is heard in this 2 minute and 45 second long song. To conclude, this album now is on my top Animal Collective albums/EPs, along with Merriweather Post Pavilion and Fall Be Kind.

Animal Collective's Strawberry Jam rightfully gets a 9.8 out of 10. Get this oldie as soon as possible and listen to it around five times before giving a final verdict. Trust me.

Yum, Strawberry Jam.

Neon Indian: Mind Ctrl: Psychic Chasms Possessed

Alan Palomo did not create the ever popular band of Neon Indian in a heartbeat. It took experimentation and most of all, time. Originally in VEGA, the Chicano (Mexican-American) Pomoko decided to create another band with members he met up with in a convention. The result was godly; Neon Indian. The debut album, Psychic Chasms, proved to be a success. Combining keyboard sounds with catchy, yet simple lyrics all but further set his career in stone. The hit single, "Deadbeat Summer", released in the summer of '09 included a sample from the legendary Todd Rundgren track "Izzat Love." Just like Animal Collective did with "What would I want? Sky", this short sample is elegantly placed and reaped great success. Now, the critically acclaimed album is back with a deluxe edition. Remixes are done by many other chillwave and electronic artists, well renowned all around the world. The last track of the deluxe edition is, in my opinion, by far the best remix of all the songs, even outdoing the original song, "Psychic Chasms". I'd say they definitely saved the best for last. Seeing them live is also a treat that will never go stale. The alternate cover helps in providing a simple, yet surprisingly chill outlook on the album. All in all, a superbly done alternate release.




Neon Indian's Mind Ctrl: Psychic Chasms Possessed gets an incredible 9.8 out of 10. Believe it!

Boss cover, 'nuff said.