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Deerhoof Deerhoof Vs. Evil (Polyvinyl)
Endlessly inventive, this sounds like rock/prog/pop from the future. Hooks come and go and one never knows what’s coming next. A record like this could easily fall apart but Deerhoof has a track record of making challenging records that though sometimes inconsistent never bore.
Destroyer Kaputt (Merge)
I didn’t like this record initially. I didn’t mind the stylish early 80s synth pop groove and liked the arrangements, production and attention to detail but Dan Bejar’s limp and tentative singing were a turnoff. However, I soon fell under the record’s charms and concluded that Bejar’s talky vocals were really the only style that would work on a record like this. “Kaputt” and “Song for America” are standouts.
King Crimson Thrak (Discipline)
Though spotty, this record has a couple of stellar highlights including “B’boom,” which is filled with incredible drumming and dynamics. Thunderous and technically accomplished.
Killing Joke Absolute Dissent (Universal)
Speaking of thunderous, KJ keep the intensity high on their latest album. “The Great Cull” showcases Jaz Coleman’s heavy and howling vocals very effectively. Incredible. “The Raven King” and “Here Comes the Singularity” are other highlights.
The Damned Phantasmagoria (2 CD remaster) (Universal)
This 1985 release marks the group’s first outing without songwriting and guitar dynamo Captain Sensible. His absence is very noticeable coming after the incredible “Strawberries” a few years earlier. Though this album could best be described as very good, “Street of Dreams” continues to thrill and “Edward the Bear,” has surprisingly aged very well. The bonus disk is excellent, including various remixes (not a big deal) but obscure b-sides like ‘Night Shift,” “Wiped Out,” “Let There be Rats” and “Would You?” A live EP is also included and three BBC Radio 1 Session tracks that sound very different from the album version — “The Shadow of Love,” “Is It a Dream?” and “Street of Dreams” — round out the package.
Brian Eno Small Craft on a Milk Sea (Warp)
Liking this more over time — the ambient material especially, which sandwiches the album. The middle, which leans more techno with elements of rock, doesn’t work as well. Still an extremely solid outing.
Motorhead The World is Yours (UDR)
Lemmy, riding high on the heels of a new and well deserved documentary, returns with more in your face rawk. The album, which celebrates Motorhead’s 35th year, includes a DVD, and can be bought on Amazon.com for just $11.99. While still aggressive and driving, the group thankfully provides hooks a plenty.
The Posies Blood/Candy (Rykodisc)
With songwriting chops and hooks galore if you’re a power pop fan then this record should do the trick. Nice to see ex-Stranglers lead singer and guitarist Hugh Cornwell make an appearance on vocals on the album opener “Plastic Paperbacks.” (Cornwell just kicked off a 20-date U.S. tour this week.)
Terry Riley A Rainbow in Curved Air (Sony)
Recorded in 1968, this keyboard intensive instrumental album focuses on slowly changing sonic textures, reminding one of Philip Glass. The two tracks that make up the album each run about 20 minutes. Innovative and highly original.
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band Vol. 3 – A Child’s Guide to Good and Evil (Sundazed)
Very inconsistent but the group has three things to recommend here. 1) The band’s name itself. 2) The album’s name itself and 3) The bizarre as all lamb chuck track “A Child’s Guide to Good and Evil.”
