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Still trapped in the house…and rocking it.
Luther (BBC One)
My one non-music note this week is this amazing and intense crime drama from across the pond. Starring Idris Elba (The Wire) as DCI John Luther, a brilliant yet entirely unhinged detective, this series pulls no punches and gives no moment to breathe. It is the best TV show I have seen since Breaking Bad. Brilliant.
Cymbals Eat Guitars – Lenses Alien (Barsuk)
Yes, it has been leaked. I found a stream on a site that has since removed it. Check my full review in the recordings section.
Jello Biafra & The Guantanamo School Of Medicine – Enhanced Methods Of Questioning (Alternative Tentacles)
The Dead Kennedys may have moved on from Jello but fans can smell bullshit. Biafra’s first full-time band since DK is a powerhouse. This EP follows their savage debut with the same brand of wit and fury the world has come to know from Biafra.
Black Math – Phantom Power (Permanent)
Don’t you just hate it when you find a band that you feel like you should have heard them earlier? So much time wasted NOT listening to Black Math! To compound this self-disappointment, they’re from my backyard and have two releases from Chicago’s own Permanent Records (also an excellent store, if you’re in the area or L.A.). Heavily influenced by Big Black and dark 80’s pop, this sophomore full-length gives the senses plenty to absorb.
The Men – Leave Home (Sacred Bones)
I’d like to thank Chris Davis for this suggestion a couple of weeks ago. Punk from New York with an album called Leave Home? The similarities end there with The Ramones. This is more way more aggro.
Drive Like Jehu – Drive Like Jehu (Headhunter)
I got on a bit of a Rick Froberg kick this week and it started raucously with DLJ. Their two records are solid if not spectacular.
Drive Like Jehu – Yank Crime (Interscope)
Hot Snakes – Peel Session (Swami)
Probably my least favorite of the many Froberg projects, I only enjoy Hot Snakes in small doses, which is perfect with this four song EP featuring two strong tracks from their debut and final studio albums.
Obits – I Blame You (Sub Pop)
Obits – Moody, Standard And Poor (Sub Pop)
A solid top 20 album from this year. My fave Froberg since the S/T Drive Like Jehu.
