RJD2 - Deadringer (2002)

Hip-Hop

     I suppose this could be considered RJD2's first solo album, although he had produced and mixed albums before this one.  RJ is pretty well known in the hip-hop community, and is probably even mainstream on most college campuses, which is where I first heard him, and his body of work is massive if you consider all his collaborations and instrumental albums.  I'm still in the process of catching up on his latest stuff, but so far this debut is my favorite.  Most of the album is instrumental and sampling, but there are a handful of tracks with special guests including Blueprint, Copywrite & Jakki Da Motamouth, which are all gold.

RJD2 - Fuck Hip-Hop (feat. Jakki The Motamouth)

Mammal - The Majority (2008)

Rock, Funk

     Australia really knows how to pump out some good jams.  At least thats been my experience.  Mammal is apparently highly respected in the land down under, and it doesn't surprise me.  The band gained popularity from their live shows, and their first album was actually a live album, which is pretty unusual.  The Majority is the first full-length studio release from the band, and since their unfortunate breakup in 2009, will probably be the last.  During Mammal's relatively short career (2006-2009), they were mainly kept alive by the fans, who allowed the band to exist and release material without a record label.  The album itself is great, and contains seriously catchy songs with heavy funk and hip-hop influences.  Here's my favorite track...KILLER

Mammal - Burnout

How To Destroy Angels (2010)

Industrial, Electronica, Female Vocalist

     After recently 'retiring' from Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor began working on this project with his wife Mariqueen Maandig, who provides vocals for the album.  It's a short EP, 6 tracks, and from what I've heard is a precursor to a full length album, which will hopefully be released sometime this year.  The couple are also joined by infamous composer and producer Atticus Ross, who has worked with Reznor on previous NIN releases, not to mention The Social Network soundtrack, for which they won the Academy Award for Best Original Score.  Very cool EP, and I'm hoping for a full-length sometime soon. Did I mention how incredibly hot Trent's wife is? She's in the video posted below, which is also incredible.

HTDA - The Space In Between

Les Claypool - Of Fungi & Foe (2009)

Alt Funk, Slap

     I could write 10 pages about Claypool and wouldn't even come close to doing the man justice.  Most know him as the brains behind the alternative rock trio Primus, which could very well be the most original band to come out of America in the last 25 years, and is how he became known for his unique style of bass playing which blends tapping, strumming and slapping.  Claypool's solo stuff is just as satisfying as Primus, and magnifies how good he really is.  This album came about when Claypool was asked to contribute a soundtrack for a video game called Mushroom Men, which was released on the Nintendo Wii in 2008. Apparently that got his creative juices flowing, and in less than a year Claypool released Of Fungi & Foe, the sequel to his 2006 album Of Whales & Woe.  If you're already a fan expect more classic Claypool, and if not you're in for a treat.

Les Claypool - Primed By 29

OSI - Blood (2009)

Progressive, Alt Rock

     Found this record last week and I've  listened to it everyday since.  OSI stands for Office Of Strategic Influence, which is a reference to a temporary government organization apparently formed after 9/11 to spread propaganda. Not sure if it's true or not but that's the story behind the name.  Anyway, the album is a fusion of progressive metal and electronica, two genre's that don't really mix well, but OSI are an exception.  This album is said to be harder than their previous two, personally I like the more mellow songs, but the whole album is great.  Here's my favorite track.  There's a 1:30 intro, but be patient, it gets good. Check your Facebook or something...

OSI - Terminal

Abstract Rude - Rejuvenation (2010)

Hip-Hop, Underground

     I would say that this is definitely one of the best hip-hop albums released last year.  Rude has a lot on his plate, along with releasing solo albums, he is also a member of Haiku D'Etat, Abstract Tribe Unique, Aceyalone, Project Blowed and Myka 9, all hip-hop groups revolving around the Rhymesayes Entertainment label.  Since I discovered Rude 2 years ago I've been following him closely and so far I haven't been disappointed.  He's a very progressive artist and if you're into alternative hip-hop this album is a must have. Here's the title track.

Abstract Rude - Rejuvination

Meat Puppets - Too High To Die (1994)

Country, Rock

     The Meat Puppets are another one of those bands that get enormous respect in the music industry, but are practically invisible to the general public.  Arguably Kurt Cobain's  biggest influence, many popular Nirvana songs were originally written by the Puppets (Plateau, Lake Of Fire, Oh Me) and they accompanied Kurt onstage during the '93 MTV unplugged Nirvana set, from which they gained some short-term mainstream exposure.  Too High To Die is their most commercially successful album and my personal favorite, and is a perfect uplifting mix of psychedelic rock, country, and punk.

Meat Puppets - Roof With A Hole

Electric Wizard - Black Masses (2010)

Sludge

     Sludge is my new obsession.  One of my favorite albums last year was Electric Wizard's latest, Black Masses.  Legends in the sludge/stoner scene, these guys have been consistently delivering super heavy riffs since 1993, and along with Kyuss, have many albums that are considered to be landmarks of the genre.  Sludge metal is definitely a tough sell, songs can get pretty long and vocals are often distorted and muffled, but it's really all about the riffs. Heavy fucking riffs. And love it or hate it, Black Masses is heavy shit.


Electric Wizard - Patterns Of Evil

Doomtree (2008)

Hip-Hop, Underground

     Here it is, the second self-titled album by the midwest hip-hop collective, Doomtree.  I foolishly thought there was no way they could top their debut. I was wrong. Very very wrong.

Doomtree - Drumsticks

Doomtree - False Hopes (2007)

Hip-Hop, Underground

     Albums like this are the reason I follow alternative hip-hop.  I was about to go to bed when I put this on, and I ended up listening to the whole thing.  Maybe I'm late to the party on this one, after all it is 4 years old, but the fact that no one told me about Doomtree is unforgivable.  Not surprisingly this collective group is based out of Minnesota, where it seems the majority of good hip-hop is coming from these days, and are somehow connected to Rhymesayers Entertainment, a label founded by Atmosphere members Ant & Slug.  Seven individuals make up the group, the most notable probably being P.O.S., and even he flies under the radar.  Anyway, I was blown away by this debut, and I'm gonna look for their second album tomorrow. Highly Recommended.

Doomtree - Veteran

White Lies - Ritual (2011)

Alt Rock, New Wave

     This album is hit or miss.  I've had it for awhile and listened here and there but wasn't really impressed.  This past weekend I gave it another listen and thought it was worth posting.  I'm not really into this whole wave of new retro 'fag rock', but for some reason this album stands out. Maybe it's because they're British. Somehow the album is modern and nostalgic at the same time. The Shining twins are all grown up.


White Lies - Bad Love

Bad Religion - The Dissent Of Man (2010)

Classic Punk, Melodic

     After a three year absence Bad Religion is back with their 15th studio album The Dissent Of Man.  It took me several attempts to finally get this band, and I'm glad I persisted.  An indisputable influence on modern punk, Bad Religion embodies everything American Punk is supposed to be.  Forget all that emo shit, this is the real deal.

Bad Religion - Won't Somebody

Melvins - Nude With Boots (2008)

Rock, Alternative 

     Often referred to as 'the god-fathers of grunge', the Melvins were a pioneer band in the early 80s that ignored the glam rock scene to develop an experimental sound that would eventually be popularized by bands like Nirvana, Alice In Chains & Stone Temple Pilots.  The early Melvins albums are very ambient and puzzeling, with some good jams mixed in, but the more recent releases have been much more listenable.  The Melvins are one of the few bands from that golden age of underground that are still around today , and have been releasing albums on a semi-regular basis.  Nude With Boots is the second newest album from the trio, and is probably my favorite to date. Full of great jams with classic guitars and massive drums. Enjoy.

Melvins - Billy Fish

Lateef & Z•Trip - Ahead Of The Curve (2007)

Hip Hop, Collaboration

     I'm lovin' this album.  DJ Z-Trip, the original master of the mashup, collaborated with Lateef The Truth Speaker, along with over 12 other artists to deliver Ahead Of The Curve.  Neither Z-Trip nor Lateef get the recognition they deserve, but they're certainly two of the best MC's working today, and this album proves it.  Lateef's lyrics matched up with Z-Trip's fusion style instrumentals generates momentum the mainstream rappers dream about.  Joined by Slug, Jurassic 5, Lyrics Born, DJ Shadow, Del The Automator, Gift Of Gab, Dilated Peoples & many more, Lateef and Z-Trip showcase what they're made of.

Lateef & Z-Trip - On My Side (feat. Slug & DJ Sharp)

Lard - The Power Of Lard EP (1989)

Punk, Industrial

     Lard was a side project formed in the late 80s by Jello Biafra, frontman of the infamous punk band Dead Kennedys, a band I could never really get into. Jello Biafra however, is a fucking god. He has done an impressive number of spoken word albums, similar to what Henry Rollins is doing now,  not to mention work with the Melvins, another favorite of mine, but when I heard Lard for the first time last summer, I was in shock. This particular EP only consists of 3 tracks, but I feel they're among the strongest songs the band produced. Most of you probably won't want to venture outside of this EP (Jello can get pretty avant-garde when he wants to) but for the more curious listeners, there are 2 full-length Lard albums to check out. This EP is still my favorite. The Power Of Lard will be played at my funeral.

Lard - The Power Of Lard

Iron & Wine - Kiss Each Other Clean (2011)

Folk

     I meant to post this album awhile ago but kept forgetting.  Iron & Wine is the stage name of singer/song writer Samuel Beam, and Kiss Each Other Clean is his 4th CD.  While I wasn't as impressed with this album as I was with The Shepherd's Dog (which I'll post eventually), it's still a very solid release.  If you've been to any of the major festivals, chances are you've seen him, I've heard he makes it to Bonnaroo pretty much every year.  Anyway, Iron & Wine's sound is very vintage and Samuel's voice is instantly recognizable.  I'm not usually a big fan of folk music, sometimes the lyrics can get pretty corny, but Iron & Wine is so full of imagery you're bound to be inspired. Walking Far From Home is the first single.

Iron & Wine - Walking Far From Home

Clutch - Strange Cousins From The West (2009)

Blues Rock

     This is the 9th full-studio release from legendary underground rock gods Clutch.  To say Clutch is a jam band would be doing them a great disservice, as their sound has changed quite a bit over the years.  Their first few albums are very raw and psychedelic, while the latest releases have adopted a much more bluesy sound.  One of the most attractive things about Clutch, is that their subject matter is very refreshing. Unlike most of the top 40 rock bands, you won't hear Neil Fallon wining about his girlfriend or his struggle with addiction.  Instead, on this album anyway, the band explores witchdoctors, The Amazing Kreskin, minotaurs, and the legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Sounds like whisky.

Clutch - Sleestak Lightning

The Streets - Computers & Blues (2011)

Hip Hop, Garage, Birmingham

     Although Hip Hop was primarily spawned in the US, there are plenty of artists keeping the culture alive overseas. The Streets is the stage name of Mike Skinner, a UK rapper based in Birmingham, which apparently serves as a source of inspiration for him.  Really enjoying this album, and I'm slowly getting around to his others.  It's a shame foreign music isn't promoted much here in the US, especially Hip Hop, which seems to be burrowing deep these days. Anyway,  I had a hard time choosing which song to post, so I posted a couple.  Should be more than enough to convince you. If you like these I highly encourage you to check out the rest of the CD. Sounds like encouragement.

The Streets - Going Through Hell

The Streets - Lock The Locks

Snog - Last Of The Great Romantics (2010)

Alternative, Electronic, Apocalyptic

    David Thrussell is a disturbed, conspiracy obsessed recluse, who lives in the woods of Australia. In between mutters and curses he makes music.  Most Snog albums are a gamble because I usually only find 3 or 4 songs I can get into, and I rarely ever recommend them to anyone.  This latest album is an exception, and a prime example of how artists can evolve into something different, but still embody everything they originally set out to represent.  Last of the Great Romantics is light and catchy with sinister undertones, and seems to mirror the 5 stages of grief. Can't stress this one enough. My favorite album of 2010.

Snog - The Fires

HaLo - Heat Writer 2 (2011)

Hip Hop, Retro

     Mr. Ben Ready, aka HaLo (pronounced Ha Low) recently unveiled this dated album, which was released on 9th Wonder's label Jamala Records. Between vocals and production HaLo has gathered more than 10 guests to appear on the album, including 9th Wonder, Soul Counsil and Skyzoo.  Sounds like SNES.

HaLo - Cold Chillin'

Fake Problems - How Far Our Bodies Go (2007)

Rock Anthems, Folk Punk

     I haven't listened to either of their last two records (this being their first) but after hearing what they delivered on this album, I'm making it a priority.  I didn't even know the genre existed, but Folk Punk is actually a really good description for this style of music.  There are definitely elements of both folk and punk, along with country and rock, which the band has mixed in a way to produce an irish anthem like sound.  Really cool stuff  I'm glad I stumbled on.  Sounds like flags waving.

Fake Problems - To Repel Ghosts