Album reviews March 2011

Some recent stuff I've been spinning that I thought I would review:

Maserati - Pyramid of the Sun

Depending on who you talk to and which album you are referencing, Athens, GA's Maserati can be described a number of different ways. Most often described as "instrumental post-rock", they're still a good deal different from the reverbed-out, dramatic buildups that lead some bands of that particular genre into elliciting yawns. Pyramid of the Sun is the tribute to Maserati's tragically departed drummer Jerry Fuchs who was lost in an elevator accident in late 2009 and who's drumming can be heard on Pyramid of the Sun.

The fact that Fuchs has worked with dance-rock group !!! shouldn't come as much of a surprise after hearing PotS, as its instantly noticeable as a harder-grooving album with its strong 80s synth-pad presence and its further deviation from typical post-rock writing. Fuchs and bassist Chris McNeal come together to create tight, danceable rhythms that allow guitarists Coley Dennis and Matt Cherry to let their effected riffs truly flow and intertwine. Delays that create almost ping pong-esque bouncing along with a myriad of other effects let the guitar melodies truly shimmer, and the band layers and builds enticing sounds not unlike what other post-rock bands specialize in. However this is still a much more to-the-point affair compared to other bands of the genre, the album even carries a more fun and experimental vibe than some of Maserati's former work like 2007's epic Inventions for the New Season. If Maserati are indeed creating movie soundtrack music then think less Explosions in the Sky and more as their label Temporary Residence calls it: "A relentless, bloodshot 3 A.M. soundtrack to a car chase beneath city lights." But no matter what your taste, this is some pretty enjoyable and accessible music, proven by the fact that they've shared the stage with acts as different and diverse as jam band Sound Tribe Sector 9 and Japanese chamber-rock heroes Mono.

The only thing wrong with Pyramid of the Sun is that its leaves more to be desired, which is not to take away from the quality of the album. Its to simply say that at 8 tracks it just makes you want more of their music, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Especially if you enjoy pentatonic space-rock riffing you get on tracks like "We Got the System to Fight the System" as much as I do.

rating: 8/10

I'm not sure who I would recommend this for, but like the band sort of alludes to in their bio, this might be right up your alley if you've ever imagined David Gilmour and The Edge collaborating with Daft Punk.

Crippled Black Phoenix - I, Vigilante

Crippled Black Phoenix are a still mostly unheard European post-rock collective that makes some really great music. They've put out a few records already, but for those who still aren't familiar with them the group contains members from bands as diverse as Mogwai and English stoner-metal/doom legends Electric Wizard. An odd coming together indeed, especially when mystery around the band has apparently started rumors that they are actually a Portishead side project (which will make even less sense after you hear them).

Anyway, their latest offering is a full-length LP titled I, Vigilante that sort of picks up where their last album 200 Tons of Bad Luck left off. CBP are another band that really can't be pigeonholed. Any band with a large number of musicians from different backgrounds is bound to stray outside genre parameters, although if I had to describe their music as anything I'd call it: "minimalist folk-prog dirges". The songs tend to go long and build up a good bit, but CBP are still far from a typical post-rock band. The heavy opening riff of aptly titled opener "Troublemaker" leads the song in both a soulful and sinister direction. The second track "We Forgotten Who We Are" is one of CBP's finest yet, the latter half featuring a winding piano run that accentuates the powerfully building climax showing an epicness that this band has really yet to display. Its the perfect mix of post-rock cinematics and classic rock groove, and its something that bands should do right more often. CBP somehow manage to stay both mellow and intense throughout I, Vigilante, and the band throws some curveballs towards the end. The soulful female vocals and weeping minor duel guitars played commandingly over a bed of synth/organ on "Of a Lifetime" would seem like the perfect ender until a) you realize that this is somehow a cover of an old Journey song and its still amazing and b) the album actually ends with a rather whimsical cover of "Burning Bridges" by Mike Curb Congregation from the Clint Eastwood movie Kelly's Heroes. A little strange yes, but Crippled Black Phoenix are a band that no one should overlook, and I, Vigilante is yet another great offering from them.

rating: 8/10

recommended for fans of: Blueneck, A Whisper in the Noise, and early 70's Pink Floyd

Ghostface Killah - Apollo Kids

Ghostface Killah is one of those musical artists that almost releases music too fast for someone like me to keep up with. He seems to have an album per year quota (or at least it seems that way when you combine his releases with his prominent appearances on albums like Only Built 4 Cuban Linx pt. 2 and Wu-Massacre), the astonishing part being that each one never lacks in quality. Whether or not Ghost is your favorite Wu-emcee, the quality of his approach to pure NY hip-hop is hard to argue with.

Ghost's swift flow is given a huge helping hand by the construction of actual songs, much like the way it was on albums like 2006's superb Fishscale. Tracks like "Superstar" and "2getha Baby" contain memorable hooks, beats, and choruses that elevate the raps to "song" status while always retaining the feel of true gritty hip-hop. Its this balance of accessibility that will draw many to this album like much of his former music. And as always, lyrical themes stick closer to girls that some of his gritty, crime-story spitting cohorts. The lyrical and musical highlight of the album comes in the form of "In the Park", Ghosts' ode to the origins of hip-hop and call to modern rappers to remember where they came from.

Apollo Kids is truly great

through and through, but with such an impressive back catalogue its hard to say how it stacks up to some of Ghosts' finer records and whether or not it truly stands out as "essential". Although it is that time of year again, so if you're needing your Ghost fix then you already know that this is essential enough to warrant a trip to the record store.

rating: 8/10

recommended for fans of: Nas, Method Man, Chef Raekwon

sorry to be so repetitive with the ratings but they were all of consistent quality this time around. Who knows, maybe next time you'll get lucky and I'll find something that truly disgusts me.

Thanks for reading!

C McD