Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Dub Trio - Another Sound Is Dying
Dub TrioAnother Sound Is Dying
Label: Ipecac Recordings
Swirling metal, reggae, dub, jazz and a sphincter load of talent together with unscrupulous sounds in an elevator shaft of musical potential that also swings the fulcrum of nefarious fanaticism to produce outlandish yet cohesive results in a Melvins kinda way.
• Dub Trio Website • Dub Trio WikiHR (of Bad Brains) - Hey Wella
HR (of Bad Brains)Hey Wella
Label: DC Underground
This legendary and highly influential Bad Brains vocalist and front man extends his lengthy career (starting in 1978!) with another solo offering, utilizing their time tested signature juxtaposition of hardcore punk and reggae, with hip hop inflections. A slick and well produced release, yet I am under-whelmed.
• HR (of Bad Brains) Website • HR (of Bad Brains) WikiRepo! The Genetic Opera (Soundtrack) - Repo! The Genetic Opera
Repo! The Genetic Opera (Soundtrack)Repo! The Genetic Opera
Label: Lionsgate
The plotline may revolve around repossessing body organs in a not too distant future, but with an amazing all-star lineup including Sarah Brightman, Ogre, Alexa Vega, Paul Sorvino and Clown from Slipknot in leading rolls, this musical squeals of greatness and immediate cult status.
• Repo! The Genetic Opera (Soundtrack) WebsiteStreet Sweeper Social Club - Street Sweeper Social Club
Street Sweeper Social ClubStreet Sweeper Social Club
Label: Self Released
Visionary guitarist Tom Morello has successfully joined forces with Boots Riley in an effort quite reminiscent of Rage Against The Machine, but not quite as whiney. Heavy grooves with even heavier breakdowns propel the anthems and agendas announced by the witty hip hoppin’ lyrics.
• Street Sweeper Social Club Website • Street Sweeper Social Club WikiJahdan Blakkamoore - Buzzrock Warrior
Jahdan BlakkamooreBuzzrock Warrior
Label: Gold Dust
A raw, innovative and intense blending of dancehall, roots, R&B, cumbia, hip hop and dub from this Guyana born but Brooklyn raised musical warrior. Teamed with fellow Dutty Artz members Matt Shadetek and DJ /rupture this release strikes hardest when Blakkamoore’s intense and diverse lyrics are melded to mighty dub and dancehall DJ beats.
• Jahdan Blakkamoore WebsiteBlockhead - Bells and Whistles
BlockheadBells and Whistles
Label: Ninja Tune
Snatching snippets across time and genre, Blockhead provides a fine blend of vintage ambiance crossed with contemporary electronica. Surges of warped melodies find home amid the morphed mantras, jazzy infections and serene soundscapes.
• Blockhead Website • Blockhead Facebook • Blockhead WikiGriz - Good Will Prevail
GrizGood Will Prevail
Label: All Good Records
I hope you were expecting another bombastic trend setting release of saxophone driven electro funk from GRIZ, cause that’s what he’s spun up for you! Blasting bass and digital wizardry are cornerstones of his 13 track fourth LP, along with a smart smattering of great contributors. Be the love, share the love, and good WILL prevail!
• Griz Website • Griz Facebook • Griz WikiDubFX - Thinking Clear
DubFXThinking Clear
Label: Convoy Unltd
Melbourne born street performer, beat boxer and looping artist extraordinaire Dub FX (aka Ben Stanford) gives us a potent and powerful dose of his unique artistry with Thinking Clear, which shows off his soulful lyrical exploration of social, political and spiritual subjects while injecting the additional live instrumentation of a bass player, pianist, percussionist and a 3 piece horn section to his groovy vibes. Recorded in his own Treetop Studios and offered on his Convoy Unltd label, this release builds on his grassroots busking success that propelled him into selling over 200,000 records and receiving 100 million and counting YouTube views after performing in 40 different countries and at numerous festivals. Bravo!
• DubFX Website • DubFX Facebook • DubFX WikiTwenty One Pilots - Trench
Twenty One PilotsTrench
Label: Fueled By Ramen
Bands with 2 billion+ hit videos are hard to ignore. That being said, this groups bizarre yet amazingly attractive conflagration of alt rock, hip hop, metal, and singer songwriter swings are often as confounding as they are comforting. But it works! Trench definitely captures their signature sound and approach, but simply isn’t quite as high strung as prior releases. It is still lyrically provoking though and offers a bunch of great songs and potential mega hits.
• Twenty One Pilots Website • Twenty One Pilots Facebook • Twenty One Pilots Wiki