Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...

Raekwon the chef. Cookin' that meth all the time. And coke. Can't be too good for him.

Here we have Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., one of those critically acclaimed Wu-Tang solo releases. Nuh uh, not in my opinion. It's overrated. Raekwon's lyrics are alright, but not as good as I expected (having listened to 36 Chambers). Honestly, the guest Wu-Tang members on this album have better verses than the Chef (Inspectah Deck, Ghostface, & GZA). The guests save this album. Really.

The beats are great. I don't see how they're "cinematic" though, as I've read in some reviews. RZA really knows what he's doing.

Oh yeah, and this album is long. Really long. Unnecessarily long. Do not want.

After listening to this album, I can safely say that Raekwon is not my favourite Wu-Tang member.


Listen to:
- Guillotine (Swordz)
- Verbal Intercourse

Portishead - Dummy

Definitive trip-hop. This is easily one of my all-time favourite albums. Some of the atmospheres created are incredibly dark and scary. Beth Gibbons' vocals are so fucking frightening. Although sometimes a little more laid back. But her voice is truly amazing, and it adds a hell lot to this masterpiece. The production is thick and quite bass-heavy. Hell yeah. The bass lines, sampling, and the general instrumentation is really catchy too. And of course, this is all placed over the seriously awesome beats. They're slow and trippy (hah).



Listen to: well... goddamn, I can't even choose. I like every track a hell lot, except It Could Be Sweet. Hm... the tracks I listen to the most are:
- Sour Times
- Strangers
- Pedestal (fuck yeah trumpet solo)
- Glory Box

Organized Konfusion - Stress: The Extinction Agenda

This is one fucking sweet hip-hop release. Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po are pretty much lyrical geniuses. Pharoahe has a sick flow too. Really jazzy beats, which (as you may know lololol) I really dig.


Check out:
- Bring It On
- The Extinction Agenda

Void of Silence - Human Antithesis

War-themed doom metal album, with Alan Averill of Primordial fame on vocals. It's got a consistent dark atmosphere (which is obviously important in doom metal) with some good guitar work.

It's solid, but not really amazing. Kinda overblown by the metal community.

Maybe a couple more listens will change my opinion?

Gospel - The Moon Is A Dead World

Stunning progressive post-hardcore/screamo.

This album is chock full of blistering emotion. The progressive touch (odd time signatures, etc.) add quite a lot to the music. Nothing wrong with the vocals; they're fine as they are.

I hate to use this word since it's overused, but it's a really thorough way to describe this CD: epic.


Listen to:
- A Golden Dawn
- Yr Electric Surge Is Sweet

Bark Psychosis - Hex

One of the earlier post-rock releases.

It has some cool atmospheres and instrumentation throughout, although I feel that sometimes some of the ideas get really repetitive. Not enough variation within each song.

Tipper - Tertiary Noise

Great electronic music.

Glitchy breaks/hip-hop beats. Simple yet awesome.

What more could you want?


Listen to:
- Deez Bass Lessen
- Swipe (Dub)
- Liquid Shoes
- Lock the Geometry

Cap'n Jazz - Analphabetapolothology

Passionate emo/indie rock/post-hardcore. If you always gave "emo" music a negative outlook, well check this album out because it will alter your thoughts.

The first CD is chock full of awesomeness. Outstanding guitar work, unique vocals (not for everyone though), solid drumming. As mentioned, very passionate.

Unfortunately the second CD isn't nearly as good as the first one. It feels like it doesn't have the same vibe as the first disc. But it's still decent.


Recommended listening:
- Little League
- Oh Messy Life
- Take On Me (a-ha cover)
- In The Clear

Jóhann Jóhannsson - Fordlândia

Great modern classical/ambient from none other than Iceland.

The epic pieces (first and last track) are the highlights of this album, and, I'd hate to say it, but every other track pales in comparison to the aforementioned tracks. "Fordlândia" (track 1) is just absolutely breathtaking.


Listen to: Fordlândia

Poppy Seed Grinder - Humanophobia

A great release from my favourite Czech band (yes, I like PSG more than Lykathea Aflame), with the most ridiculous name.

It's got pretty much everything I really look for in a brutal death metal/deathgrind album: high-speed parts, slower and crushing breakdowns, sick/groovy guitar rhythms, etc. PSG vocals are a nice addition, since they're fucking extreme. Brutal-as-fuck gutturals and grindcore-esque highs. And of course, the signature pinch harmonic PSG riffing style is prominent. It's cool but it can get overboard sometimes, haha.