Each week I will listen to and review/preview a handful of the more interesting music albums released that week. The genres I will mainly focus on are Rock, Pop, Indie, Hip-Hop, Rap, and Electronic.
Red Hot Chili PeppersI'm With You - Anthony Kiedis, Flea and those other two guys whose names I can never remember release the first Peppers' album since 2006's Stadium Arcadium. If you've visited L.A. over the past few months (and, most likely, other large metropolitan areas), you have probably noticed the rash of posters with a robot, the band's logo and the release date of the album up and down Hollywood Boulevard and other busy, touristy-type streets. Well that date has finally arrived and the new album is out. According to a recent interview Flea did with Spin, on their new disc "life and death is a major theme." Now let's find out if this new album brings renewed life to their catalog or if it will die a quick death.
The album opens with some fun songs that sound like a throwback to their late 90's hits. "Monarchy of Roses" starts slowly but quickly builds to become an enjoyable song with its quirky guitar rhythm and a lively vocals. "Factory of Faith" is another vintage Peppers song with Flea's thumping bass paving the way for a catchy hook that will have you tapping your toe. "Brendan's Death Song" shows they can still produce a credible ballad without forgoing any of their own style. "Ethiopia" is a song that borders between being a haunting and an annoying melody with a bass line that sounds like something out of Final Fantasy II (Scott Pilgrim fans will know what I'm talking about).
Overall, I'm With You is the Peppers best album is their best album since Californication. Anthony Kiedis' vocals are as crisp, with his natural added level of snark, as they were in the band's heyday. Flea and those other guys do a nice job of composing and laying out catchy melodies and infectious hooks. There are a couple of duds near the end of the album ("Even You, Brutus?" and "Meet Me at the Corner") which could have been left off for a more precise album. In the end, though, this release should bring new life to their past records as it shows the band can still reclaim the magic that made their albums from the 90's sparkle.
Score: 7.5/10 Song(s) to Sample: "Factory of Faith" [sample it below] and "Ethiopia"
Stereo MCs Emperor's Nightingale - C'mon, how many of you out there had a clue the Stereo MCs were still together? I certainly wasn't aware of it. The band that brought us the hit "Connected" nearly twenty years ago (jeez, I feel old) releases a new album of updated beats and electronica-heavy pop songs. Their current sound is like a House-y version of OMD or The Petshop Boys current incarnations relying on drum kit beats and synthesizer infused rhythms. There are some decent dance tracks on the album although the music as a whole sounds somewhat dated like techno from a decade ago. Where the band could once be viewed as visionary, they now sound more derivative. If you like bands like Monaco, this album will make decent background music but Emperor's Nightingale doesn't really bring anything new or can't miss to the scene.
Score:6.5/10 Song(s) to Sample: "Manner" [sample it below] and "Far Out Feeling"
AṣaBeautiful Imperfection - Aṣa (pronounced "Asha") is a French singer/songwriter of Nigerian descent. This is Aṣa's second studio album with her first reaching the Top 15 on the French charts. Aṣa's songs are all in English and have a sultry, neo-soul sound to them. There's a retro-chic coolness to most of the tracks, whether they be the slower ballads or the jazzier up tempo ditties. Although some of songs don't shy away from making a strong political and social statements, the album doesn't feel heavy-handed at all. It's an infectious and enjoyable release whose lows are just as enjoyable as the highs.
Score:8.5/10 Song(s) to Sample: "Why Can't We", "Be My Man" [sample it below], and "The Way I Feel"
