I read a preview of this album back in March and the thing they emphasized about it was that it was darker and harder than their self-titled debut. Well, I have listened to Helplessness Blues multiple times and all I can think is, "Are they fucking nuts?" It is lighter and softer, minus their own version of Radiohead's National Anthem at the end of "The Shrine/An Argument". This album is simple, delightful and fresh. It is not as evocative as their first album, and they fail to complete some very important thoughts. But it is sweet, compact and makes you ask for more.
Rating = 8.5
Tomboy by Panda Bear
In 2007, Person Pitch had it's knob slobbered all over by Pitchfork, which named it Best Album of the Year and gave "Bros" it's Track of the Year. If you look back to my Top 21 of 2007 IT WASN'T EVEN ON THERE! It was good, I admit, but it is really only three really great songs and 4 really average songs. Not a really good album. Tomboy is different though. It doesn't have any great songs, but all of the songs are really good. I know this isn't a great evaluation, but it is Panda Bear. You expect the same pedal-mushing, voice-overlapping, sonic-booming, heady music that he always does. Tomboy is a complete album, something Noah Lennox is doing for the first time.
Rating = 8.3
Belong by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
A couple of days after this album dropped I was at the Cat's Cradle watching them play with Twin Shadow. I do not like to listen to a band leading up to their show, so I didn't listen to the new album. However, I made two observations at the show. One, Twin Shadow was amazing (and over shadowed Pains) and Two, Pains' new songs didn't sound great live. So, then I listened to the album and I was truly impressed by it. It didn't matter that the songs weren't all that good live, on an album they were refreshing and guided. They used less power and more finesse. It is more heart-felt and less in your face. Ironically, I felt it did Belong (Get it!).
Rating = 8.3
Goblin by Tyler, the Creator
Awesome, hardcore, pounding, insane, ghetto-fabulous, in-your-face, mind-blowing, disgusting, creative rap music from Odd Future's ringleader!!!
Rating = 7.8
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