Album Review: Kendrick Lamar-To Pimp A Butterfly

The Butterfly Flies

Kendrick Lamar: To Pimp A Butterfly
(9.7/10)









Mainstream music today is often criticized. People will tell you that popular music today does not hold any true meaning or that all the songs are about the same things, but these people probably do not listen to Kendrick Lamar. While maintaining radio success with smash hits such as Swimming Pools and Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe, Kendrick spouts out some of the best lyrics in hip-hop today. The man's lyrics are just rapid. They keep coming and they truly take a long time to fully digest, but the man has a lot to say. His debut album Section .80 established him as a force right away. Tightly executed songs such as A.D.H.D and Ronald Reagan Era showed Kendrick's lyrical skills. Good Kid, M.A.A.D City showcases Kendrick's amazing storytelling ability. He draws you in to this character he paints through the album, and it really keeps you begging for more. I know many people revere this album as a hip-hop classic, which in this day and age is truly an accomplishment. So the big question was what does he do next? How will he top the legendary Good Kid Maad City? Honestly, I'm not sure how he pulled it off, but Kendrick Lamar has outdone himself once again. To Pimp A Butterfly is a resounding achievement that will be talked about for years to come.

The album starts out with the funky Wesley's Theory which is led by crazy bass grooves by Thundercat and a dramatic vocal performance by George Clinton. This track immediately pops out because it doesn't sound anything like a typical Kendrick track. On this track he ditches the trap influenced beats for funkadelic-jazzy beats, and this continues throughout pretty much the whole album. The stylistic change is pretty applaudable. These aren't the most mainstream sounds, so bringing these instrumentalists and sounds to a wider audience is actually very commendable. The rapping on this track is also very good. Kendrick makes obvious references to Wesley Snipes, but he also digs into more personal stories. The hook is a little cheesy for a Kendrick song, but honestly I still dig it. The next track For Free? sounds like a crazy poetry slam over vast free-form jazz. It is one of the most jaw-dropping songs on the album initially. It definitely has a lot of bars in it, but at first I couldn't tell if I dug it, but actually this track is a grower and now it is a favorite of mine. The lyrics on this song are just overwhelming and the song is only 2 minutes. Kendrick can do a lot of damgage in a short period of time. King Kunta is a braggadocios funk-rap tune that is very energetic. The tune is rather simple lyrically for Kendrick, but honestly it's still so well put together. It sounds so natural, but also so unique. Nobody is making this kind of music, and for that reason I love this song. After this song Kendrick starts unveiling this poem. Throughout the album he reveals more of the poem, and the poem is strategically placed to fit the songs it follows. It is actually really impressive. The whole thing is revealed in the finale Mortal Man. Institutionalized is a very creative song that shows many different forms. The song starts with a mid-tempo hymn by vocalists, but eventually goes into a wandering rap track which is led by a sprawling personal narrative by Kendrick, a goofy hook, and a pretty inspired Snoop Dogg Performance. Overall, this is another solid track. These Walls is a song about sex, but not in the way one may think. Kendrick shares some pretty revealing personal anecdotes about himself which actually portray sex as a very shameful thing. Maybe not, but Kendrick at least seems ashamed of what he's done. The song details his relationship with a girl who had a husband in prison. Overall, it's a pretty creative track. u is an absolutely heart-shattering song. It starts with a grim hook and some pretty lyrics towards someone. Kendrick puts his heart and soul into this one and you can really hear it in the second half of this song. He sounds so emotional and you can hear the pain and sorrow in each and every word he spouts. Overall this track is very challenging, but possibly the most rewarding on the whole album. Alright calls back a more simple approach. While I do like it very much, I would have to say it hinders the progression of the album a little bit. This song is more trap influenced, but Kendrick definitely spits some bars on here. Still an amazing song. For Sale? is another wandering track that is actually pretty catchy. It does not have too much content on it, but I would never skip this track. It's pretty fun to listen to, and after all it's just an interlude. Momma includes 3 minutes or so of minimalistic beats under a Kendrick rap, and it's not a favorite of mine, but the fun singalong Kendrick does at the end pushes it over the top to make it a solid track. Kendrick's lyrics yet again are potent are powerful. Hood Politics actually has a pretty annoying hook, but the verses are undeniably amazing. Kendrick makes a very detailed comparison of hood life and political life and it makes a lot of sense actually. Kendrick describes the scandalous nature of both occupations. How Much A Dollar Cost? is another sprawling track that sucks you in immediately. This track is lead by a piano motif with some overdubs of other instruments. This track is deep lyrically. I think it really means how much does money really mean in our society. Is it worth the pain and frustration it costs some people? Complexion is a song of empowerment. This song attempts to lift up minorities in the world with a beautiful hook. Complexion don't mean a thing! It truly doesn't mean anything, and Kendrick wants people to know that while race is still an issue, it really shouldn't be for either side of the equation. Blacker The Berry is a slick rap song which reveals some nasty stereotypes that Kendrick may want the African-American community to avoid. The song is a lyrical monster. The song empowers the community, but it still questions some of its actions. I think that overall this song is really thought-provoking and it is a favorite of mine for sure. You Ain't Gotta Lie is a nice track about being yourself. We shouldn't hide ourselves just to fit in with a crowd. Kendrick exposes the fact that many people today do this. i is a total empowerment song. It tells us that no matter who you are, you deserve to love yourself. Mortal Man is an excellent closer. It ask the audience if they will stay loyal to Kendrick after things become different. He parallels this by using examples of the public shooting down their former heroes. The song is another lyrical monster and it closes out the album beautifully. We finally hear the full poem here, and we also hear an interview of Kendrick and famous West Coast rapper (RIP) Tupac Shakur. This interview is haunting, yet beautiful. It almost feels like the passing of the throne. I don't know how they made that interview, but I do know one thing; it's great to have King Kunta here with us.

Overall this album is immense. It is a true lyrical journey, but it also includes great instrumentals drawing from jazz, funk, trap, and electronic music. The amount of work put into this LP is staggering. The way the message cuts through so well in every song blows me way. Kendrick Lamar hasn't just solidified his name as a rapper today, he has solidified his name in the Hip-Hop history books. If you don't like Kendrick, check this thing out! It's not really like anything he's ever done. If you do, obviously still check it out! This album is not going to be for everyone, but for me it is an unbelievable piece of art that reflects our society beautifully.

Best Songs: Wesley's Theory, For Free, u, How Much A Dollar Cost, Complexion, These Walls, Mortal Man

Worst Songs: None. (Literally None)

Album Review: The Cribs-For All My Sisters

What's A Man Without His Sisters?

The Cribs: For All My Sisters
(9.1/10)

The Jarman brothers are back! The Cribs, who formed in 2001, are back from a 3 year hiatus. The band consists of 3 brothers: Ryan, Gary, and Ross Jarman who are some of indie pop's finest song writers in the game. The Cribs have had an extremely big impact on my life because of their first three records: The Cribs, The New Fellas, and Men's Needs, Women's Needs Whatever. For me these records beautifully blend elements of abrasive punk with catchy indie pop melodies. The songs feel so badass, but they still leave you singing for hours after. Those albums have stayed in my listening rotation for years upon years. Around this band's fourth record they started trying a lot more things. Ignore The Ignorant saw the addition of Johnny Marr, which helped the band add a second, dirtier layer to their songs. This album was another fantastic addition to their career, but it did not hit classic status for me. Their follow up to that album, In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull, is their most abrasive and challenging record yet. This album saw the band coming back as brothers after the departure of Johnny Marr. This record showed The Cribs could still make a classic record, and for me it was another step in the right direction. This record was stellar to me, so my hopes for this one were high. Let just say, For All My Sisters does not disappoint.

This album showcases a more poppy side of the band, but that's not a bad thing at all. These songs still rock, but now the tunes are more catchy than ever. Exquisite guitar riffs, catchy choruses, and loads energy help propel this album to extreme heights. The opener Finally Free showcases this energy really well. The track starts out with loud crashes before it bursts into a groovy guitar and vocal led song. The song feels like a vintage cribs song, and I have absolutely no complaints there. The next track, Different Angle, has one of the best Cribs' guitar riffs to date. The song is so catchy and would fit easily on any of those first three records. I do think this song is a little bit repetitive, but whatever, it's not a huge deal. Burning For No One is a dancy, yet punchy Cribs track. This track didn't hook me at first, but it's laid back feel really draws you in eventually. I think that the lyrics here are also pretty awesome. Gary likens himself to a candle on a table burning for nobody. This sounds kind of lame, but it's actually an amazing, catchy chorus. Mr. Wrong uses the classic Ric Ocasek synth tone. This tune's chorus destroys, but the rest kind of feels like a B-Side from Brazen Bull. Still no complaints though. I would never skip this song, and I love the Weezer-ish vibes I get from this tune. An Ivory Hand was the lead single from this album, and I loved it instantaneously. It's got a some pretty interesting lyrics, and it sounds exactly like Susanne by Weezer (not an insult). The song is a lot more than a Weezer rip-off though. I think it's got that Cribs charm we've all come to love. I think this song also does not really sound like anything The Cribs have ever done before, so yeah Bravo! Simple Story is a cool stripped back song featuring Ryan and his guitar primarily. I love this track. It feels so human and emotionally, and it sounds good on a record that sometimes feels almost too polished for The Cribs. Ryan has always been my favorite member of the band and this is why. I feel he conveys the most emotion through music, and I think that the band is so real for him. Anyways, this is a fantastic track! City Storms sounds like a classic Cribs song, but the chorus is a little bit overly generic for me. Regardless another great track, and the distorted vocals are a nice touch. Pacific Time is one my favorites! It is a slow burner that doesn't move much, but it also builds nicely and overall the singing sounds great! This is another unique Cribs track that can't really be compared to anything else they've done. Summer Of Chances feels like something off Men's Needs. This song is possibly my favorite song. It's got some pretty thought provoking lyrics and it has a little more edge to it than a lot these songs. Another ace song. Diamond Girl is unbelievably catchy! It might be my least favorite on here, but honestly it's not bad at all. This song sounds like a throwback 80s pop-rock song in a very good way. It doesn't have much edge, but it's honest and it still is pretty good. Spring On Broadway is an amazing penultimate track. The instrumentation starts out accoustic, but then goes fuller with an electric full band sound. This one also is reminiscent of their last album. Not the catchiest tune on here, but there's a lot of substance on this song. Pink Snow is a stone cold classic closer. It's a 7 minute song that perfectly describes the band. It rotates in between soft, somber parts into loud shout choruses. The song is also the most abrasive song on here. Although the pop sound is nice, I still love to see The Cribs rocking out. Overall the record wraps up beautifully and I think this thing is another classic album.

I will say I have a couple complaints though. This thing never really pushes past mid-tempo which bothers me. They used to play these faster songs that just seemed so lively! Another thing is that the album is too clean. The Cribs are meant to have a little dirt on their sound. I think Ocasek did a great job, but there's obviously my preferences. Still, this record is unbelievable. Another milestone moment in the career of this band. After 3 years this band gave us something even their sisters will love. It's great to have this band back! 14 years in and it feels like they aren't finished yet! The brothers reached deep on this one and connected to themselves (their sisters). I have to say this is a top-tier Cribs record that will not be forgotten anytime soon. 

Album Review: Ratking-700 Fill

Washed Away Rats

Ratking-700 Fill
(5.1/10)








When I stumbled upon this group about this time last year, I was so happy to find such an eccentric and daring young hip-hop group. This group had character, courage, and ambition that set them apart. This New York rap duo was off to a promising start having released a successful EP and album, but I see their latest project 700-Fill as a drop off. So It Goes was an amazing debut album for me that showed the many sides of this group. The beats had plenty of flavor and the rapping was pretty cool as well, but many of these things have disappeared on 700-Fill. This group sounds toned down. The energy and effort levels both seem to be lower. Also Ratking seemed to settle of this project. On So It Goes they had a very unique sound that was comparable to very few groups, but on this one they sound much more generic. Many of these songs kind of blend into each other, and lyrically not a lot of theses bars impress me. This album was not good at all to me, and that's coming from a fan. I will say though, this record was not all bad. American Gods, the opening track, is one of the more introspective tracks on here. It keeps my attention and I think that with a little more punch it would have been a fantastic track. Eternal Reveal is has a very chilled out beat that overall just sounds great. The way Ratking uses this beat to make a relaxed song really impressed me. The closing track Makeitwork by far the best track on here. This is the energetic Ratking that I missed on this project. The beat felt energetic yet laid back all at once, and the rapping was pretty cool too. These guys actually do have pretty unique flows too, so that is also commendable. I don't think this album was a disaster, but for me Ratking took a serious digression on this mixtape. I think that these guys still have plenty of time to right the ship though.

Overall, This project is not the worst thing i've heard this year, but in a time with so much good experimental hip-hop coming out, this thing does not even compare. While So It Goes was a top 10 rap album of the year last year for me, this one would be lucky to not be top 10 most disappointing. If you absolutely love Ratking get it, but you are a more casual fan like me, then you have to skip this one.

Best Songs: American Gods, Eternal Reveal, Makeitwork

Special List: Top 5 Albums That Changed My Life

5 Albums That Changed Me

Music is special and holds a special connection with us as a society. Obviously some of my favorite music has changed me as a person, and I would like to share the albums that have shaped who I am. Some of these albums are just really good, some of them hold a deeper meaning to me, but they all have made a grave impact in my life. Enjoy!

5. Weezer-Pinkerton

This album makes me shiver it is so good. It is a desperate mess of finely crafted tunes. On their debut, Weezer showed a much happier side, while on this album they maintained many of their pop sensibilities, but they really stepped up here lyrically, instrumentally, and especially emotionally. This album can be almost embarrassingly personal sometimes, but that's one of the reasons I love it so much. It is so human and so real. It is so much more sincere than anything they have released, including the masterpiece Blue Album. It really blows their robotic bubble gum pop music of the 2000s out of the water. This album has not just influenced me, but it has clearly influenced many. It's grown into a legendary cult album and It will only grow more popular with time.

4. Radiohead-Ok Computer

This album is not my favorite Radiohead record, but has certainly impacted me the most. While Kid A is a great executed experimental record, I think it lacks the personal connection of Ok Computer (that being said it's still a masterpiece). There is something so dreamy about this record that connects with me. This record displays fantastic musicianship as we see both haunting, dark moments, and beautifully happy moments. This record also just has some of my favorite songs on it. Yorke's lyrics are haunting, Greenwood's riffs are amazing, Phil's percussion is outstanding. Overall this record just flat out destroys. It has changed me because it opened my eyes to what music can sound like. I no longer just blankly enjoy everything I hear, and this album is a main reason for it.

3. The Dismemberment Plan-Emergency & I

I think this album was the defining album for my musical tastes today. I sadly don't have many to share the glory of this album with, but that's their loss. This band is quirky, fun, and very intelligent. As I delve deeper into their discography, I am constantly surprised at how seamlessly they churn out these curveball indie pop tunes. At the peak of their game, Travis Morrison was possibly one of my favorite songwriters. He kind of just rambles on, but this allows him to become the listeners annoying best friend. He shares so much in such a little amount of time. On Back and Forth he essentially explains how the universe works in about 5 minutes. The man is a genius. This band is also willing to do very strange things. They will challenge their listeners at times, but the rewards are endless. This album has opened my ears significantly. I love it so much, and it has taught me to never give up on an album, or just in general to never give up in life. You might find something you like in an unknown place.

2. The Strokes- Is This It

This album was monumental for me. It is one of the main reasons I got into music in the first place, and I think many people are right there with me. It's the first record I ever loved front to back, and it wasn't the last record of theirs to earn my praise. The Strokes truly do have an amazing skill for making the most catchy indie-pop tunes; this is especially present on this album. Someday, Last Nite, Hard To Explain, Soma, The Modern Age, Etc. are all classics that flow so well into one another. The hooks are infectious, the guitar interplay is magnificent, and the basslines are pretty fantastic as well. This band really has it all. Julian's vocals are rough, but beautiful in their own way. He is an amazing singer, but his voice never sounded as commanding as it did on this record ever again. Overall, this album is pretty much perfect. It helped save Indie Rock in the 2000s and it has only grown more revered over time. This is the record every band at the time was trying to make. Everyone wanted to be The Strokes, including me. I have looked up to these guys ever since in a way, and while they aren't on top of their game anymore, they will always have a special place in my heart.

1. Modest Mouse- This Is A Long Drive For Someone With Nothing To Think About

The very first Modest Mouse is not my favorite album on this list, nor is it my favorite Modest Mouse record, but it has been a very valuable piece to me. That's also not to say this record isn't amazing because it is, but the music itself cannot compare to the lesson it has taught me. As I get older, I realize simple pleasures are fading away. Soon I'll have to go into the real world and fend for myself, and this is a very stressful thing for me to think about. At some point of my life I will forget that sometimes the best thing to do is to just stay put. However, whenever I put on this album I remember just what is important in life. If this album has taught me anything it's that living in the moment is always the right thing to do. Sometimes you just have to ground your mind, and stay in one place, and this album always does this for me. This album never takes you on too vast of experiments. All the tracks kind of just blend together, and I mean that in the best possible way. When I listen to this album, I am somewhere else where my worries are gone. I am in a car driving across the world, or I am at a music festival seeing my favorite band. The album is truly a journey. It takes you away from your reality, and takes you somewhere else. This album thrills, relaxes, and worries me all at once. I kind of see it as a microcosm of my own life right now, and to me that is truly reassuring to see someone else having these thoughts. While there are some silly songs on this record, the serious songs are legitimately legendary. Dramamine, Custom Concern, Beach Side Property, Too Tundra, Talkin' Shit About a Pretty Sunset, and Mechanical Birds all blow me away and make this journey of an album all the more fulfilling. I guess this album just takes me out of my messed up crowded mind for a good 70 minutes, and that's just what music is for.

Album Review: Will Butler-Policy

Not Much Of A Departure












Will Butler-Policy 5.7/10









The Butler's have been consistently making a huge splash in the indie/alt rock music for the last decade or so. Win and Will are in a band called Arcade Fire which has produced some of the most popular as well as the most powerful albums of the last 10 years. This band's has meant so much to me and many others over the years and I am truly glad to have them in my life. When I heard Will would be doing a solo project I was skeptical, but excited to see how his work would stand out from his work with the band. I am sad to say, I do not think it sticks out much at all. Don't get me wrong, the man can write a song, and a lot of the songs on here have a cool political theme to them (see title of album), but I still think Will is a little all overt the place on here.

First off, Will uses that classic Butler croon in his voice a lot on this album. I don't really have a problem with this when Win Butler does it, but Will is simply not as good of a singer. He is not as powerful, and overall he should use this element more sparingly. My second big complaint about this thing is that there are a lot of half-assed songs on here. The opening track sounds like any other bluesy indie jam, I'm sorry, but I do not need to hear this again, especially not from a very talented musician. Something's Coming is also crazily forgettable, and Sing To Me is a good idea, but it is too repetitive and it simply cannot hold on after a very short amount of time. The closer also is pretty lackluster. It is driving and grooving, but it does not have much going for it after that. For what seems to be a thematic piece to the album, it is not very coherent to me at least.

This album is not without its moment though. Anna has got a some catchy synth and bass leads very reminiscent of Reflektor (the last Arcade Fire album). This album sees a lot more instrumental progression, and it also sees Butler's songwriting at its peak as well. This track feels as big as Arcade Fire, and is truly a milestone accomplishment for Butler. What I want is another great track with a powerful guitar riff. This one really reminded me of The Suburbs, especially in the lyrics. It seems to cover a lot about the suburban "needs" or attitudes of our society today. Overall this is a smart song that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This album has a lot of variety, but not a lot of punch. Frankly, if this album does anything, it shows that Will Butler can't quite live up to his brother's reputation. Will sounded like he was trying to do way too much to be effective, in result he lost the thread that tied this album together. Overall, I am not going to rule out a successful solo career for Will Butler, but this one just doesn't do it for me.

Album Review: Modest Mouse-Strangers To Ourselves

The Lone Stranger

Modest Mouse-Strangers To Ourselves
9.4/10












What can I say about this band? They just simply hit the spot for me. There are fewer bands as big in Indie rock and there is certainly a reason. Isaac Brock's very personal and thought provoking lyrics, Jeremiah Green's eccentric drumming, and former member Eric Judy's ability to groove on the bass drew a lot of people in. This band has been around since 1993, yet still continue to be a prominent voice in music today. Radio hits such as Float On, Dashboard, Missed The Boat, and Ocean Breathes Salty have gained this band a lot of recognition throughout the years, and that is very cool to see. Modest Mouse is a band of very humble beginnings, doing things like playing in small bars, and touring the US in a van. This band's early work is not in anyway commercial friendly, but for me at least, it spawned some of the best songs and albums ever created. The critical successes of their earlier work has often clashed with the commercial successes of their later albums. Many of their old fans will discredit these later albums because of the more hook centric and production heavy style. It's actually quite unfortunate that some people would let a little catchiness and cleaner sound ruin a band for them. While I do think Lonesome Crowded West, This is a Long Drive For Someone With Nothing to Think About, and Building Something Out of Nothing are bonafide classics, I still give Modest Mouse a fair chance in newer projects. I did thoroughly enjoy Good News for People Who Love Bad News, as well as We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank. For me these newer records still exemplify top notch songwriting and they still have a fun energy about them, so when I heard about this record I nearly jumped out of my seat.

I have been waiting for this record for years! Their last album We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank was released in 2007, so it's been a very long time. This wait was kind of hard to swallow for me. I mean 2007!!? That was 8 years ago. I began losing hope in one of my favorite bands. It seemed like they just didn't care anymore. However, it turns out I may have been misguided to judge Modest Mouse for waiting this long though. Following the tour of We Were Dead, this band had to deal with a lot of stuff. First off, Johnny Marr departed the band which did not impact them tremendously, but they probably lost some momentum due to this. In addition, this band deserved a break from the extensive tour they just pulled off. But most importantly, their founding bassist Eric Judy quit the band. This really set back Modest Mouse. There aren't many who can play bass like Eric Judy. He is a truly unique talent. He also helped Isaac write some songs as well, so the songwriting process probably was held back. To put it simply, a lot of work was done in the 8 years leading up to Strangers to Ourselves, and I think their effort really shows.

This record is pretty similar to their last two efforts, but for me, it is better than both. I am probably in the minority by saying this, but I think this record tries way more new things, and is more consistent than either of their last two records. The album starts out with the quiet and somber title track Strangers to Ourselves. This track wanders around in a very beautiful way. There is a lot more than meets the surface going on in this track. There is many background synths, strings, percussion, etc.. Overall it's a nice intro, but definitely not a standout track. Lampshades On Fire is a catchy tune that I'm sure you are familiar with. It tells a tale of carelessness in our society. The message for this song kind of sums up the entire album. Overall it's a solid track, but yet again not a favorite of mine. Shit In Your Cut is where this thing starts picking up. It starts of with a drum machine and heavy guitar riff. This track is big, bold, and daring. It doesn't really sound like anything they've done before, and Isaac Brock writes some fantastic lines on this track. Pistol is one of the most strange tracks Modest Mouse have recorded to date. It features a strange vocal performance and very questionable set of lyrics, but still this track rocks! The heavy bass and sheer amount of things happening at all times help this song succeed. It kind of reminds me of Mellow Gold-era Beck song. Ansel is a very happy sounding diddy that will have you singing for sure. This track includes some cool extra instrumentation including steel pans. While this track sounds happy, it's actually very depressing. Brock tells the story of his brother's death, it's kind of touching actually. The Ground Walks With Time In A Box is a badass tune. This track is a favorite of mine. It's got a driving bassline reminiscent of The Moon & Antarctica and it is a lyrical monster. Read the lyrics to this track, seriously insightful and relevant lyrics. This song deconstructs into nothing much like another Modest Mouse favorite The Stars Are Projectors. Coyotes is a pretty simple acoustic tune, not bad, but pretty unremarkable. The message is essential to the album though. Pups To Dust is straight throwback Modest Mouse. This track has a guitar riff very similar to something we'd hear off the early albums. This song doesn't take itself too seriously, but it's still an amazingly touching piece of music. Wicked Campaign ventures into new territory for the band. This song is a synth driven song featuring back up vocals by The Shins' James Mercer. This track, while different, builds beautifully and is truly a gem. Be Brave is really nice as a lyrical piece and it brings a level of aggression to the album we have sorely missed. God Is an Indian And Your An Asshole: No Comment. The Tortoise and The Tourist is an incredible song. So much emotion is put into this song, and it is the overall thematic piece of the album. It best describes our carelessness with our environment. Mind blowing song right there. The Best Room is a song that starts out kind of lazily, but then ends with an absolutely beautiful attitude. This track is another favorite. On Sugar Boats, this band sounds like a band playing in a circus. It kind of highlights the quirky side of Isaac both vocally and lyrically. Lastly, Of Course We Know is an absolutely perfect way to end the record. This song is pretty much a companion piece to the title track, but it packs a way bigger punch. This track also is pretty fresh sounding for Modest Mouse. The track rounds out the album just about perfectly.

Overall, this album is an incredible ride. It is absolutely incredible that a band as old as Modest Mouse is trying this many new things. The album doesn't just excite you for present Modest Mouse, but it excites you for what they still might have in store. This album is not for everyone, but I think true Modest Mouse fans will love it, and I hope for their sakes, it brings in some new fans. This album is a must listen! Best album of 2015 so far for me.

Best Tracks: Tortoise and The Tourist, Pups To Dust, The Ground Walks With Time In A Box, The Best Room, Shit In Your Cut, Sugar Boats

Skip: Nothing (Worst Songs: Ansel, Coyotes)

Album Review: Sufjan Stevens-Carrie & Lowell

Soft, Simple, and Powerful

Sufjan Stevens: Carrie & Lowell
8.8/10








Welcome back Sufjan Stevens! It's been a while since 5 years since Sufjan released his last album The Age of Adz, and he is finally back with some brand new material. In his career, Sufjan Stevens has ventured into many different musical explorations. It is really hard to tag his music as anything in particular, but I think Folk, Art-Rock, Baroque Pop, and Indie are some pretty accurate representations. Regardless, I think Sufjan Stevens is a marvelous composer. He has arranged music ranging from softly somber, to exquisitely celebratory, and yet everything he does still is true to himself. While I am not a diehard fan of Sufjan, and I do not often listen to his music, I still have a great appreciation for the work he has done throughout his career. He has crafted many great albums through the years, so it comes to no surprise that Carrie & Lowell continues the tradition. The album is a sentimental, quiet record dealing with the harsh truths of reality. This album is absolutely soul-crushing. You can hear every ounce of emotion Sufjan poured into this thing. This album was inspired by the passing of Sufjan's mother Carrie. You can hear personal anecdotes all over this thing, and it kind of feels like Sufjan is returning home. He is reflecting on his childhood and adulthood, and he is speaking very close to his heart. Often times the best way to fully embrace going home is to return back to your roots. This album shows Sufjan dropping all the excess instrumentation for simple, minimalistic at home music. I have to say that it works just fine.

While I am a fan of his flashy, more extravagant music, I cannot bash him for this. This record is personal. He did not do this record for the music necessarily, but he did it to feel the presence of a lost one once again. It's really beautiful actually. The album starts out with three really nice tracks in a row. Death With Dignity is kind of a microcosm of the record itself. It is a pretty acoustic tune that really highlights the vocal talents of Sufjan. It's also a pretty catchy way to start a record. While this track is not one of my favorites, it does draw me in right away. Should Have Known Better is by far the catchiest tune on here. It's a somber song that features Sufjan singing about his remorse and regret about mistakes he has made in life. This track is so simple, but effective. All of Me Wants All of You is another particularly gripping song. Sufjan sings of companionship and love on this track. The way he does it though is not self righteous. He just simply comes off as a lonely man who might need some help. I think that all of us have been there at some point of our life. Fourth of July is another great track. It features some great lyrics and very engaging chorus. John My Beloved is another favorite of my mine because of just how thought provoking it is. This song is long, it has no chorus, and it has little to nothing happening instrumentally, but still it grips you. Sufjan's lyrics continue this theme of loss and grief, but not in an in your face way. Overall the album is definitely beatiful, but it is definitely not without its flaws. One thing that I dislike about the album is that the songs blend into each other too much. A lot of these songs sound so similar and some of them are so minimalistic that it doesn't always have me on my toes. Also I feel like it is too long. I know Sufjan had a lot to say, but on a record with this little happening in the background, I think that it was not appropriate to have that many 4-5 minute songs. Other than that, I do not really have much to say. This record was filled with emotions, and it definitely lived up to the hype. I think it is not without its flaws, but what is so bad about that? This record is so human, and after all, humans have flaws.

Check out this album if you love Sufjan, if you don't this probably will not sway your mind. The album connected with me, and I cannot wait to listen to it more.

MUST LISTENS-Should Have Known Better, All of Me Wants All of You, Eugene, John My Beloved

SKIPS-None (If I had  to pick one "The Only Thing")

Album Review: Chevron-Lifeshake

           Chevron: Lifeshake: 8.2/10

Lifeshake is a Wildly Colorful Electronic Album

This is another album I just happened to stumble upon. Someone at my school had turned me on to a couple of Chevron songs, so I just decided to check this album out. That's the thing though: this is not really an album, at least not in the traditional sense. Jonathan Valentine's career was abruptly ended, thus initially canceling this project. Valentine is a hard working musician who specializes in the areas of experimental more IDM electronic creations. He has released an album and a couple EPs to critical acclaim, but suddenly this spring of new music from Valentine just stopped. Perhaps he was working too hard and just grew tired or maybe he just needed to start over under a different alias. I'm not entirely sure either way, but I do know that the mere existence of this project is pretty cool. This album has been described as an "approximation" of what the album would have sounded like, which I think shows just how precise Valentine likes to make his work. Saying this is an approximation is pretty much saying that he would have added many more instruments/layers onto the tracks on here, but this thing is already loaded with layered instrumentation and complex, catchy rhythms. Basically what I am saying is this "approximation" is better than most electronic albums I hear today. 

The album starts out with The Ballad of Rave which takes the listener on a journey. This song is filled with so many different colors, while still maintaining a fun, party-like atmosphere to it. This song definitely sets the tempo for the record, and it is truly a treat. The Ballad of Rave is not the only "banger" on the album. The album also has two more amazingly fun yet intricate songs entitled "Soul Cellar" and "Bangalore Torpedoes" these songs display arrhythmic rhythms, but still keep you dancing. Bangalore Torpedoes is a favorite of mine because the layers fit together so nicely, and I really think that the computerized drums and synths blend together beautifully. This album isn't just filled with club electronic music. It also includes elements of electronic glitch music. This is music that is kind of wandering but still has a powerful punchy sound to it at points, similarly to a DVD or CD that is glitching. Regardless, Free exemplifies this the best. Free kind of just wanders around and repeats itself in a very mystical way, it's almost as if the song is just repeating itself over, but in a good way. Breytingar is another glitch track, but I do not like this song at all. Its repetitive nature does not feel as natural as free for me. This album also blends cultural instruments into it, most notably on Sitari ST where a Sitar plays over electronic grooves. It works better than you may think, but it does drag on way too long. While this album does have a lot to offer, I do not think it is always executed to its best. I think that sometimes the grouping of tracks hurts the album. It goes from fast/club, slow/glitch/, to sad/emotional. While the grouping can be cool, it also hurts the album for me. I think that the track listing should have been more intertwined with its variety of tracks. Also I think that some songs do not move past their initial idea. Sitari ST was probably the best example. The song kind of just loses my attention after a while, and that is truly unfortunate. 

Still this is a great record! The last 3 songs, while being electronic, are so human. I feel so much emotion in these songs, and I can understand why this record would have been hard too make. This album is best described by its album cover. It is truly just a palette of colors! There is so much going at any given time, and there will be certainly be something for you on here. Overall while this record had its slow moments, I certainly continue listening, and I will encourages others to do so as well.  

Album Review: G-Unit-The Beast Is G-Unit

The Mighty Unit 

Beast Is G Unit- G-Unit

7.5/10 *VERY FUN LISTEN*

I feel entitled to do this. My love for "The Unit" shows no bounds. It all started Sophomore Year, when my friends and I would joke about 50 Cent's street cred, but little did I know I was about to discover one of my favorite people in the world. 50 Cent is not just a rapper, he is a lifestyle. He is the vision of the true underdog story. He went from struggling in the streets to being a titan of the rap game, and a very well to do business man. Every part of me wants to be as cool and experienced as 50 Cent, but I sadly will never reach this level. 50 also is just a really open person. He tries to dip his feet in just about every aspect of the business and entertainment fields, which I thoroughly respect. It's not just 50 who gives G-Unit a spark. Perhaps at this point of their career, the rest of unit are truly the stars. 50 Cent has obviously already reached mainstream success and he is still relevant today, but the other members of the group still have a lot to work for. Kidd Kidd is a newcomer who is hungry to make an impact in the group. Young Buck has returned to the group after feuds with ringleader 50 Cent, and now is ready to lift off. Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo, the original members (as well as 50), are just trying to stay relevant, and not lose some of the hype they have built over the course of their career's. The whole unit has the spirit of underdogs, but they are vicious and they will not give up. You better watch how you speak about them, or they will make you look ridiculous. 

The first thing that jumps out about this EP immediately is that the group has matured. G-Unit used to not have varied song topics, and they still really don't, but now they have added some new themes into their songs. Themes that particularly appear a lot are redemption and growing older. The lyrics still are not great, but the overall attitude of EP is frighteningly tough and that is just the way it's supposed to be. The EP opens with Ballin' which is essentially a trap-rap anthem with a piano motif thrown in there. The song's hook includes 50 Cent singing with auto-tune vocals. That was a pretty bad choice actually. 50 can't really sing, but when you are listening to G-Unit, vocal quality is really the last thing you care about (watch videos of their live show). While that may have been a bad choice, the rest of the unit lays it down on this track. Particularly great verses from Young Buck and Tony Yayo. Buck is seriously sounding so hungry for success which is great to hear. The next track I'm Grown showcases 50 Cent's rap skills much more. He has a brief verse, but his flow is pretty on point during this verse. I think when 50 really wants to be great, he will be. Yet again, solid rapping by the unit, especially Kidd Kidd who makes a name for himself here. While I do really enjoy this one I will say the hook is not the best. Regardless it is a pretty great tune. Bring My Bottles is a straight up club song that people will love. Young Buck yet again brings his A game on this one, and while overly generic this song is killer. Doper Than My Last One is a showcase for Lloyd Banks. The dude can straight up spit. Great flows throughout the song, cool hook, and some great introspective lyrics as well. The next song Boy Boy honestly doesn't grab me at all. Rapping was kind of bland, and this is really disappointing considering the spark G-Unit usually provides. I will say this beat was perfect. It was reminiscent of that gangsta-grimey 50 we all know and love from the earlier albums. The last track Choose One is my favorite on the whole album. Young Buck and Lloyd Banks are back in full form on this one and it closes the EP very well. The hook is tough, rough, and flat out brutal. The lyrics were focused and this song was not dragged on like a couple others on this EP. 

Overall, this EP was pretty solid. There are some fantastic moments on here, and the more unknown members of the group should garner some attention for this (especially Lloyd Banks). While I could have used more 50 Cent, G-Unit does not disappoint me. I know this music can be simple and even dumbed-down, but for me, it hits the spot just perfectly. 

Kanye West "All Day" Track Review

Has Kanye Lost His Mind?

                All Day-Kanye West (7.6/10)

No seriously, what is Kanye West up to these days? Barring some obvious recent incidents (*cough* *cough*, I still love you Beck), Kanye has been pretty quiet. Ever since his explosive album Yeezus and his marriage to Kim Kardashian it seemed Kanye West needed a break, which is pretty understandable. Before this break, Kanye was making himself look bad constantly with very heated radio interviews and many public rants, which while this is typical of Kanye, he probably did not want to make too much of a scar on his reputation. That's what I thought. Kanye West has a new album coming soon, and because of this he is more relevant than ever. While I thought Kanye might finally be settling down, it is clear based on his recent behavior that this man has no boundaries. This man will say what he wants, and that is totally fine by me. I think Kanye's persona makes him a much more appealing rap artist anyway (the man is almost like a cartoon character). It seems the older this man gets, the crazier he becomes. He has committed career suicide multiple times, but yet he always survives. How is this? Is Kanye just a crazy man riding on his antics to succeed, or is his music truly a breath of fresh air to the genre?

Judging on this new song, the answer could be a little bit of both. In All Day shines, fails, and tries many new things; the end result is quite satisfying to be honest. I would have to say my only complaint of Ye's last album was that sometimes his lyrics got a little bit lazy, and this seems to continue on to this song. Kanye drops a very lazy chorus that did not excite me in the slightest. Listening to the beginning of this song bummed me out big time because it seemed like Kanye's effort level was very low, but things turned around very fast. Once the verses come in we hear Kanye rap like he hasn't in years. Kanye has always been at his best when he can blend humor and seriousness into one track, and this track certainly succeeds at this. There are multiple lines in this song that had me genuinely laughing very hard. Kanye never really fails to make me laugh. I also love the feature from Allan Kingdom. His part of the hook is great, and how the vocals bend pitches towards the middle is also rather nice. Lastly, what needs to be said about the ending? This is just Kanye experimenting, and it really kind of knocked me off my socks, especially after the pretty simple song. What I don't like about this song can pretty much be described in two words: subject matter. While Kanye did have some awesome lines on this, the track lacked any emotional depth whatsoever. This is not something I usually say about Kanye's song because he usually has something important to say, but this song kind of seems like Kanye's Chief Keef imitation. The song is pretty much about how great he is, which at times becomes tiresome. Still this track is fun and will probably be getting a lot of play through the course of this year. 

Overall, All Day is a fun song. It not my favorite Kanye song, but it definitely has me excited for Kanye's new album. I thought some of this song was excellent, and some was sub-par, but it still shows a lot of potential for what might be another great album from Kanye West. 

Album Review: Lady Lamb "After"

What Comes "After" The Beginning

Lady Lamb: After
8.2/10














Finding new music is a major part of my life. Often there are very ideal "empty patches" of time, in which some of my favorite artists do not put out music. In these open stretches, I am able to discover new bands, or other artists. If I am lucky I will be able to find some of my new favorite bands, but it does not always work out that way. I am happy to say this time I hit the jackpot.

Lady Lamb, formerly known as Lady Lamb The Beekeeper, is the project of hardworking musician Aly Spaltro. Spaltro comes from a humble beginning as a clerk at a video rental store, but she was poised for greatness from the beginning. She worked hard all through the night recording and making new ideas for her music, and eventually her work paid off. In 2014 Spaltro was signed to Mom+Pop, making her dreams as a musician seem very realistic. After is her second album; it was preceded by her debut album Ripley Pine (which I admittedly have not checked out yet).

My first impression of this record was that is was very pleasant sounding. Spaltro's voice is luscious souding, and slides down your ears with ease. The guitar arrangements were also very pretty, but at times they could be heavier as well. Lastly, the lyrics seemed very personal to her. I thought that this record was very meaningful, and that is just amazing when someone can convey so much emotion through music. Now that was my first impression, but as I continued listening to this album, I continued to love it. A lot of these songs have layers that I did not hear until I listened thoroughly. Violet Clementine for example goes through many stylistic changes. There are changes in tempo, timbre, and even tone of the song. The song often shifts from a soul crushing lullaby to a badass, take no prisoners tune of sorrow. The way Spaltro incorporates her vocal melody into this song within the changing instrumentation is also very cool to me. Spat Out Spit includes a funkier, more percussive based feel than most songs on this album. This song is also definitely a standout for me. Around the song Dear Arkansas Daughter this album goes through a dramatic tone change. While the opening notes of Vena Cava scream fun-loving summer-y music, these last three songs really tear me apart. The song Ten blew me away at first. I think that song could be my favorite on here because you really get to hear a more intimate side of Spaltro than on most songs on here. I do have to say, sometimes the dark tone change turned me off of this record. I would say the more fun songs (first half) are stronger actually. I think that in these songs Spaltro took more risks with the instrumentation, and she was more creative. Regardless, I enjoyed the album all the way through and I am excited to see what is in store for Lady Lamb.

I really think this album is solid, but I will not lie that it is a little bit front-loaded. A lot of these songs are legitimate gems, I think that some of the less creative arrangements hurt the album as whole. I'm still happy to have Lady Lamb in my life though. My biggest question is where does she go next. Will she delve into more experimentation, or will she continue with this indie-folk persona she is building now? I think she will be ok either based on the musicianship she exuded on this LP. If you haven't heard Lady Lamb, check her out right now! Her new album After is out right now!

Best Songs: Violet Clementine, Ten, Billions of Eyes
Skip: Atlas, Milk Duds, Penny Licks

Introduction

Welcome To My Blog

My name is Griffin Boyle and I'm 17 years old. I love music. It has been a passion of mine since third grade, when I first started taking up drum lessons. It has allowed me express my emotions in ways I never would have dreamed possible. Everyday I have some kind of connection to music, which I think is unbelievable. How many other things can you say that about? Sure, Math, History, and Science are important things in life, but they do not have the same emotional connection with a person as music. From an early age people already establish a taste in music. We have preferences, but unlike these other subjects I mentioned earlier, there is no such thing as right or wrong. You can go anywhere you want on your musical journey, and you will not be wrong be doing so. People will tell you otherwise, but music truly is 100% subjective. You can like any type of music, for any reason at all, and that is completely ok. Music also is cool because it often knows us better than we know ourselves. Through the course of my life, I cannot even tell you how many songs have changed my perspective on things. I did not even realize how messed up/happy I truly am until I heard some of my favorite songs. Music reveals truths in life, sometimes they are scary truths, but nonetheless they are important. The last thing I truly love about music is that it takes you somewhere completely different. When I am playing or listening to music, I am in a whole different world. I am walking in someone else's shoes and it feels very freeing. Only music can truly give us these overwhelming feelings. Only music can make us understand so much, in such a little amount of time.

Enough of my yabbering! I have decided to make this blog to connect with people over music. While I do love sharing my opinions about music, I also want a platform to socialize to the public with. Other reviewers have influenced me a lot, but I plan on being a little unique. I really want to do what you guys want, so I will review literally any album you guys want me to, even If I hate the artist. I do not want to be closed minded and I know that this will be an exercise that will help out that issue. I also will be open to reviewing past albums, or even maybe writing hype articles about albums that haven't even happened yet. I really just want to please people because I find that is the best way to please yourself.

I plan to post three times a week. Mostly album reviews, but sometimes maybe just newsworthy stories will make my posts. I will always try to cater to what people want, and be on the look out for new material soon. I cannot wait to get started on this project.

Griffin Boyle

P.S-March is a fantastic month for new releases, be on the look out!
sorry for possible grammar
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