Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords

4.0/5
They are "Formerly New Zealand's fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo" according to themselves. Flight of the Conchords gained fame with their self-titled HBO comedy series last year. Let me tell you right now, these guys are hilarious, full of casual wit and satire. "Foux du Fafa" takes playful aim at the French and "Hiphopopotamus Vs. Rhymenoceros" and "Mutha'uckas" makes fun of rap. But what takes them from 'good' to 'great' is their musical sensibility. Not only are these songs funny, but they're well-crafted and catchy. "Ladies of the World" features a soaring chorus at the end, which is of course tongue-in-cheek, but no less amazing. The highlights come at the end of the album, starting with the Prince/Jagger-esque "The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room)", the hilarious funky 70's soul of "Business Time", and the perfect satire of every facet of David Bowie's career in "Bowie". The comedy will draw you in and the music will keep you coming back.

The Shortwave Set - Replica Sun Machine

3.5/5
So being the Danger Mouse worshipper that I am, I looked up his future projects coming out in 2008 and found out he produced this little-known album by The Shortwave Set. Not only was his wizardry put to use, but Van Dyke Parks, who worked with the Beach Boys, added string arrangements and John Cale of the Velvet Underground added to the atmosphere as well. The album is pefectly bittersweet, full of pleasant, dark psychedelia. Danger Mouse's deep-down love of Magical Mystery Tour-era music really comes out. Highlights include the swooping "Harmonia", sugary "Glitches N Bugs", and the trippy "No Social". This album is does it right. (Here's their MySpace page.

The Kooks - Konk

3.0/5
The Kooks made a splash in the UK with their debut album Inside In/Inside Out, full of poppy hooks, best displayed in "Naive". Their new album follows very much the same formula, but even more polished...and to me, that's not a good thing. The album is very formulaic and unoriginal. The songs sound very much the same and I was definitely bored by the end of the predictable ride. That's not to say that the predictable ride was particularly bad. "See the Sun" is a great opener. "Always Where I Need to Be", the album's first single, is as catchy as it gets. "Gap" has an incredible guitar lick. "Shine On" is a sweet and simple pop song. "One Last Time" is a heartful tune that will certainly resonate with many (even though one of the lyrics is just ridiculous..you'll know which one when you hear it). And "Tick of Time" is a laid-back, spur-of-the-moment gem. But tracks like "Love it All" are boring and "Do You Wanna" is just plain stupid. Hugh Harris's guitar work is amazing and Luke Pritchard's vocals are mature, but may get old after a while. Hopefully they will put their talents to better and more creative work in the future.

The Black Keys - Attack & Release

4.0/5
First, let me start off by saying this is a completely different sound for blues-purists The Black Keys. It is much more polished, due to Danger Mouse taking the production reigns. Part of their original charm was the way they grabbed hold of you with their raw blues energy. This new style is different, but it's also not bad at all. That's what's so great about having the power to revisit their older albums (I recommend Rubber Factory, by the way). Attack & Release is very atmospheric. Danger Mouse adds a lot of subtle ornamentation that augments the music. The lead single "Strange Times" uses piano and a haunting choir to great effect. "Psychotic Girl" opens up with a banjo lick that sounds like the puppet/doll at the very beginning of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride (that's a good thing, haha). "Same Old Thing" sounds like an even bluesier Jethro Tull. And "I Got Mine" sounds like the Black Keys in their comfort zone: playing and howling the blues, as they should be.

Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell

3.0/5
This is definitely a solid album. It's hard to believe it's their full-length debut after being around for so long. Their first EP A Lesson In Crime was exciting and grabbed you right in the gut. Elephant Shell isn't quite as exciting, but it's a good record nonetheless from this bass-heavy indie rock outfit. Highlights include "Tesselate", "Your English Is Good", "In A Cave", and "Juno".

The Rolling Stones - Shine a Light

3.0/5
The new Scorsese/Stones concert film is a must-see, especially in IMAX. The camera work is amazing and the Stones can still put on a show. But most of the magic is due to the sights and not as much the sounds. Don't get me wrong, it still sounds pretty good, but definitely not up to par with their 1970 live record Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out. The band just sounds too polished, too...institutionalized. And Mick Jagger, though he is an excellent performer, even at his ripe old age, is really lazy on his vocals. I would rather he sacrifice some of his high-energy performance for better vocal quality, but you can't tame a beast like Jagger. (Just another minor pet-peeve: why does the piano sound so fake and cliche?). The guest appearances are superb, from Jack White, Christina Aguilera, and Buddy Guy (I will dig anything that Jack White is in). The overall sound is good--I mean, it's the Rolling Stones! Keith is very impressive, especially in "You Got the Silver." And they're at their comedic best in "Far Away Eyes." The soundtrack is good and the movie is even better.

Respected Persons in the Music Industry

These are the three guys of this decade that I have mad respect for and will quickly purchase anything they touch.


1. Jack White
He's extremely creative and original AND he's a great guitarist. His work with the White Stripes and the Raconteurs is awesome. Plus, he's a class-act, he's unpretentious, and he does it all for the love of music.

Highlights
"Fell In Love With a Girl" - The White Stripes
"Level" - The Raconteurs
"My Doorbell - The White Stripes
"Steady, As She Goes - The Raconteurs
"We're Going to Be Friends - The White Stripes
"Salute Your Solution" - The Raconteurs




2. Beck
The guy is a genius. He can do anything from sample-induced hip-hop on Odelay to beautiful heartache on Sea Change.

Highlights
"Where It's At"
"The Golden Age"
"Think I'm In Love"
"Cellphone's Dead"




3. Danger Mouse
Everything DM touches is gold. For those of you who don't know, he is the producer that came to fame with The Grey Album in which he mixed Beatles samples with Jay-Z flows. He also produced Demon Days by the Gorillaz, The Mouse and the Mask with MF DOOM, and just recently Attack & Release by the Black Keys, a band who I also have undying love for. But of course, he is most noted for being the silent half of Gnarls Barkley, which made you "Crazy" and just put out another album, The Odd Couple. And I just heard news that almost made me wet myself: Danger Mouse is producing Beck's new album.

Highlights
"Feel Good Inc." - Gorillaz
"Smiley Faces" - Gnarls Barkley
"Sofa King" - Dangerdoom
"Strange Times" - The Black Keys

Mmm

Odwalla is awesome.