2021 The Albums - Honorable Mentions

via GIPHY

In keeping our Thanksgiving weekend tradition, we are coming out of hiatus to post our year-end music lists for the year. Here is the first of three lists dedicated to our favorites of the calendar. 

Instead of presenting everything over the course of three weeks as we did last year, we are going to just get them all out now over the course of this weekend. 

Here is our first list -- Honorable Mentions -- records that were good but not strong enough to crack our top 10. As we always do, we breakdown the list in short form and then with explanations.

- L.A. Exes - Get Some

- Benny the Butcher - The Plugs I Met 2

- DMX - Exodus 

- Inhaler - It Won't Always Be Like This

- Parquet Courts - Sympathy for Life

 

L.A. Exes - Get Some

Jenny Owen Youngs leads a brand new band that brought glossy fun in the sun sounds back to rock and roll in a year where we tried our best to emerge from darkness. A blast to listen to from start to finish and includes of the best renditions of The Cranberries timeless classic, "Linger."

Benny the Butcher - The Plugs I Met 2

One of hip-hop's finest emcees fires back with the sequel to a mixtape that had everyone talking. The Plugs I Met 2 is proof that sometimes sequels don't suck and is the musical equivalent of Empire Strikes Back to A New Hope. A hell of a listen from start to finish. 

DMX - Exodus 

The Swizz Beats-produced posthumous release from one of the best to ever do it is a sad but triumphant listen. One of X's best albums and sad to see that he could not be here to enjoy the fruits of his labor which featured collaborations with U2's Bono, Jay-Z, The Lox, Nas, Benny the Butcher, Snoop Dogg among others. 

Inhaler- It Won't Always Be Like This

Dublin's much talked-about four piece were set to take over the world in 2020 but the pandemic forced their global domination back a year. As they hit sweaty clubs, the son of U2's Bono fronts the group that oozes charisma, charm, vulnerability, and seduction on a fantastic debut. 

Parquet Courts - Sympathy For Life

The New York City indie rock favorites return with one of their best records in years. A record that buzzes and captures the energy of the city they call home as well as playing off post-pandemic themes of going about your life after two terrible years. 

The Scottish Mixtape

Every quarter of the year we bring a cultural mixtape that highlights the sounds and styles of a country or certain part of the globe.

Read Our 2015 Interview with The Fratellis

We now present a mixtape that has given us whisky, a historical soccer rivalry between Glasgow Rangers and Celtic, fantastic rugby, and brilliant tunes. Scotland is home to dark anthems, rebellious rhythms, and a cannon of memorable acts that will not only go down in rock and roll history but in music history as well.

Read The First U.S Interview Glasvegas Ever Did -- It Was With Us in 2008

Take a look at our Scottish Mixtape featuring the likes of Glasvegas, Biffy Clyro, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Travis, The Fratellis and more.

Quick News

Former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The axe man is reportedly expected to make a full recovery. We wish him the best.

Kendrick Lamar's producer Soundwave has confirmed that more unreleased material from the "Alright" rapper is going to be arriving. He told Complex: "We have a lot of records, especially from this album. There are still records people haven’t heard, mainly because we can’t get sample clearances. Those songs were ones that we really loved and were hurt that we couldn’t put them on the album. They also have important messages in them, so Kendrick wanted to share those messages with the world. Why not share these records?"

Q-Tip has been named the Kennedy Center's first-ever Artistic Director for Hip-Hop Culture. In a statement he said: "With hip-hop constantly changing and evolving, it is easy to forget the history and legacy that precede it. I want to begin at the beginning of the Culture to help people see its roots, better understand its present, and responsibly create its future."

Glasvegas came out of hiding and took to Instagram to let fans know that new music is on the way. 

Hope your all good. Love ya's all. James x!

A photo posted by Glasvegas (@glasvegasofficial) on Mar 8, 2016 at 7:40am PST

Norwegian loud rockers Kvelertak will release their new album, Nattesferd, in May. Take a look at the cover, below:

Quick News

In October, The Velvet Underground will reissue their classic record, Loaded, for it's 45th anniversary via Rhino. The reissue, Re-Loaded will feature the classic album expanded as a six-disc set with stereo, mono and surround mixes, rarities, and live recordings.

Taking to Twitter, Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace has confirmed that the band will begin working on the follow-up to last year's best album, Transgender Dysphoria Blues. She tweeted:

As much as I'm enjoying playing shows, goddamn am I looking forward to starting to record a new album this fall.

— Laura Jane Grace (@LauraJaneGrace) August 21, 2015

Speaking to Louder than War, Glasvegas frontman James Allen said the band hope to have their new record out by November.

Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson said he plans to pilot the band on their world tour which kicks off next year. The singer also has announced plans to create a new fleet of airplanes in south Wales, creating up to 200 jobs, according to BBC.

Here is something just for fun, The Royal Frontier has translated Biggie's "Juicy" into Shakespearean English. Take a look HERE.

Taking to Twitter, Young the Giant have confirmed they have wrapped recording on their third album.

Working on that new new!!Just finished up at sunset sound! Still in progress, but coming together quite well ;) #lp3 https://t.co/lAdkynHCBI

— Young the Giant (@youngthegiant) August 25, 2015

Paul Weller spoke to Digital Spy about the possibility of a Jam reunion and The Modfather shut down the idea. He said: "Absolutely, categorically, fucking no. To me it would be against everything we ever stood for."

As announced earlier this week, Morrissey will release his new book List of the Lost, next month. Now, the singer has just revealed the cover:

Playlist

Take a look at June's 27-song playlist and hear / get it on Spotify!

Quick News

Glasvegas have confirmed via Facebook that they will be writing their new album this summer in Stockholm, Sweden.

After 10 years, Canada's Death from Above 1979 will release their sophomore album, The Physical World in September. Speaking to NME, drummer/singer Sebastian Grainger said, "No matter what Jesse and I do, on whatever scale of success it's sat on, there's always some kind of reference to Death From Above. It's only frustrating because it's so lazy. So we're putting out a Death From Above record and if the press is like, 'It's not what we expected,' or however they react to it, it's like, 'Well, you've been fucking asking for it.'"

Kendrick Lamar has confirmed that Dr. Dre is working with him on his new album that will be out this fall.

Rudimental have also confirmed that their new album, the follow-up to last year's fantastic, Home, will be out later this year.

Arctic Monkey fans might have to wait a little bit to hear new music from the band. Singer Alex Turner tells NME, "I've written a few things, but I'm not in a hurry. We're going to keep going [with touring] until the summer and beyond that a little bit, maybe. I don't know. I wouldn't think it'll be too soon that we do the next one."

Speaking to Rolling Stone, producer Rodney Jerkins has said there could be up to eight more posthumous Michael Jackson albums, saying, "eight more albums culled from outtakes and repackaged material could be released. We got more surprises coming. I'm sure there are a few more great things out there and, hopefully, we'll all have a chance to hear them."

Also speaking to NME, Johnny Marr talked about the follow-up to last year's release, The Messenger. The iconic guitarist said, ""If anything, the new one is a bit more rowdy. But I don't really want it to be too different. I like 'The Messanger' a lot and I don't think now is the time to go off on some radical reinvention just for the sake of it. That would almost feel too contrived. I haven’t gone off anywhere with my yoga mat to meditate and take a deep look at my inner self to share with the world. I just formed a rock 'n' roll band who play uptempo music and I want to continue that way for a long time. I'm not too into navel-gazing music!"

Bjork's 2011 Biophilia app album has become the first app to be featured at New York's Museum of Modern Art. Kudos!

U2's Bono & The Edge will be collaborating with Once director John Carney for his new film, Sing Street. Bono has been helping Carney flush out the film's story, as well as working on the music for the film with The Edge. No word on a release date for this project.

In a new interview with Radio.com, Incubus' Mike Einzinger has revealed that he and Brandon Boyd are working on new Incubus tunes together. However, fans should not hold their breath on the news, saying, "That doesn’t mean that stuff will be coming anytime soon. Though content has come from the sessions, much of it is in its infancy in terms of development; “They’re ideas but some are further along than others."

Glasvegas on Ferguson

Watch Glasvegas perform "All I Want Is My Baby" on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

Live Review: Glasvegas @ Knitting Factory

Brooklyn holds a special place in the hears of the members of Scotland's Glasvegas, it is where they recorded their near-perfect 2008 debut, so, when the band returned to the U.S. for the first time in three years to tour, it was Brooklyn that was going to get a special show. A gig that was originally slated to be performed at the brand new Rough Trade Record Store in Williamsburg was moved due to unfinished sound-proof conditions at the new venue to the Knitting Factory, just down the road. While Glasvegas were in town to tour behind their latest record, last year's Later...When the TV Turns to Static, it was those memories of recording in Brooklyn that stirred the band as the setlist was heavy on their debut material.

Arriving on stage just past 10, Glasvegas, who had just done a gig the night before at Mercury Lounge in Manhattan, looked like they were right at home. The last time they were in the area, they had sold-out Bowery Ballroom, but this seemed to be comfortable. Thursday night seemed to be a different band from a few years ago, they were not here to maintain their cool, or try and impress a major label boss, they were here to play to the fans that have stuck by them all of these years. Inside the intimate Knitting Factory, Glasvegas shook the walls with the magnificent decibel levels going off their speakers and took their stadium-ready sound and bottled it into a tiny venue. For the 300 or so fans inside, this was a treat. Singer James Allen was in one of the more talkative moods we have seen since covering this band since '08, drummer Jonna Löfgren stood while she played her kit and created so much, using so little, bassist Paul Donoghue, still missing a front tooth, slammed on his axe, while guitarist / keyboardist Rab Allen, who looked slimmer, sounded simply perfect with everything he was playing. This was a special gig, this was Glasvegas back in town to promote a new record, but knew what the fans wanted. As they ripped through thunderous renditions of "Geraldine," "Go Square Go," "The World Is Yours," "It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry," it was the unique performance of "Flowers and Football Tops," which just featured James and his guitar that had the audience in the palm of their hand. One of the best performances of this band I have seen and clearly an act everyone should see now that they are back in the States.

Opening the show was L.A. fraternity The Ceremonies. The Ceremonies perfect blend of 1980's new-wave and modern indie were the perfect opener to the night. The band, who have been creating a buzz with their latest single, "Land of Gathering," brought along a full band to support the trio of brothers sound. While they have made a few appearances in the New York area before, it seems the buzz is finally catching on as those that arrived early clearly knew the words to some of the songs and were just as impressed as I was with their live sound. This is a band who we predict will soon go from opening slot to headlining position in no time.

EXCLUSIVE! The Ceremonies INTV!

At first glance at the band of brothers that make-up The Ceremonies, they look like a group of English lads that just stepped off the Burberry runway. However, for the Cook brothers, appearances can be deceiving, as this fraternity from Los Angeles are making music that will hit you right in the heart. After the release of one EP, the band have gained attention from Scottish icons Glasvegas to open their first U.S. tour in three years. We spoke to The Ceremonies about their music, working on their full length debut, and what the rest of the year has in story for them. Take a look at our interview below:

At first look, the band looks as if they could be British, yet, you are from L.A. Does British music play a big role in your influences?

We are definitely influenced by a lot of music that came out of England in the 80s--bands like The Smiths, The Cure, Echo & the Bunnymen, Joy Division-- but we also love American artists such as Talking Heads, Beach Boys, The Doors, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Tim and Jeff Buckley, and even Michael Jackson.  Each of them have surely shaped our taste, and therefore affect our sound; however, our influences are continually expanding as we discover more music and art.  We believe that being “influenced,” by another artist doesn’t mean creating a “derivative” work--it should be about creating something original and new.

You released your EP last year, is a full length in the works?

We released our EP only a few months ago, so it’s weird to think that now it’s technically “last year”...but yes, we’ve been working to complete our LP in the studio with our producer Danny Garibay and look forward to releasing more songs in the near future.

After forming the band while some of you were in high school, years later, you are now working and signed to a major label. How has this experience been?

It’s a bit surreal because we’d been working in the studio since high school, driving by the landmark Capitol building in Hollywood almost daily. It served as this symbol or reminder of our goal to be signed—one that seemed so close and yet so far. To have accomplished that goal is incredibly gratifying and humbling, and we now more than ever feel an innate, rumbling desire to create as much art as possible and share it with everyone who is willing to listen.

How would you describe your sound and style to someone that has not heard of you before?

Given the wide history of music and today’s melting pot of genres, we’d categorize our sound and as a sort of harmony driven, melodic pop meeting unconventionality and a sort of psychedelic or art rock breed of new wave and rock n ’roll.

How did you land on the name, The Ceremonies?

We wanted a name that represented our collective mindset and central artistic notion. “Ceremonies” are communal gatherings where people come together to embody the experiences comprising the entire spectrum of emotion--from the sadness of a funeral to the happiness of a wedding. They are all encompassing acts, where we encourage listeners to engage with an artistic, genuine and holistic mindset. Our name is a symbol for inspiring a life of endless perspective, and an appreciation for the cyclical nature of creation.

The band is a family affair with all of you being brothers, is there sibling rivalry in the band?

Not much rivalry other than the occasional guerrilla warfare when we play Nintendo 64. But seriously, we really push ourselves and encourage each other to be better as fellow artists operating under a collective. Our parents instilled in us the importance of family, and we try to make certain nothing comes between us.

You hit the road this past fall with the reunited Fratellis, what was that experience like?

The tour was an emotionally gratifying and humbling experience, because it was our first time performing at larger classic rock venues with an audience that was tremendously receptive to our music and art. Also the Fratellis were exceptionally kind and supportive. One night in DC our bassist broke a string, and without hesitation, Baz, the bassist of the Fratellis, came to the rescue with his bass for our use. We’re so grateful to have gotten to know those amazing guys and still keep in touch.

Being in a band with your brothers, do you ever look at the implosion of famous fraternal bands like The Black Crowes, Oasis, Beach Boys, and think that that could be you?

Of course it could, but we’d rather concentrate on making the best work that we can in the time that we have. We find that ultimately, the creations are much more important than the faces of the creators behind them.  

Hailing from L.A. how does the city play an influence in your music?

We have a pretty hardened and unaffected mindset when it comes to the notion of “Hollywood glamour” or the LA lifestyle. Growing up here has allowed us to see through charade and has placed us closer to the heart of the entertainment industry. Given that we’re smack in the belly of the beast, the city does encourage us to work hard and hustle.

What has been the best thing about being in The Ceremonies?

The fact that we don’t limit our medium. Our music is only a piece of a larger puzzle. In The Ceremonies we work both as musicians and artists of multiple mediums. We try not to be limited by the notion of being a “band.” For example, each of us wore many hats in the music video for Land of Gathering. Matthew directed and edited it, Mark and Michael animated scenes and painted the backdrops, and all three of us were largely involved in the production design. We also just self-published a small book of our poems and illustrations, along with the lyrics to the new EP.

What do you want people to take away from The Ceremonies when they listen to you?

We encourage nourishing the imagination by means of creating and digesting art, living with open perspective, and being a genuine human being.

Where do The Ceremonies go from here?

We continue shifting perspectives; from here we go to there, where there becomes here. 

Playlist

 Take a look at January's 26-song playlist and hear / subscribe to it on our Spotify channel!

7 Year Anniversary

Seven years ago this weekend, this website started in a basement in my parent's house on the South Shore of Long Island. It has grown in ways I never ever thought possible. Gaining access to gigs, shaking hands with some of my musical heroes, landing a blogging gig at Huffington Post and at one point, the world's oldest magazine - The Spectator in England. This site has been like a child of mine and watching it grow and it being a passport to my passion has been incredible. From the bottom of my heart and all of my soul, thank you for reading and coming back. It really means the world to me and the small staff we have, we appreciate it.

Thank you again and here is to another year in the books!

Here is what some of our favorite artists have said about us in the past:

“One of the most fun-loving and forward-thinking blogs in the world, and run by one of the nicest guys in the business. Thank you Sal and Officially a Yuppie for getting in there so early with your support." Love from Chapel Club

"Best thing I've seen on the internet since the panda that sneezes.” - Matthew Whitehouse, The Heartbreaks

"Sal and his peeps at OfficiallyAYuppie.com are doing an amazing job of covering fresh, creative music and the entire NYC scene! They're not too hip for the room, but definitely have hip taste." - Doug Wimbish, Living Colour

“I read www.officiallyayuppie.com every week. Sal has his finger on the pulse of both commercial and independent music and entertainment. His blog has something for everyone and his interviews are always insightful. Plus, Sal's a great dude!” – Elliot Jacobson

“Thanks for these great questions” – Mary Foresberg Weiland

“So, does this make me a Yuppie now?!” – Mickey Leigh, Joey Ramone’s brother

“Thank you for the interview. I really appreciate the interest in my project. Be well” –Ben Kenney of Incubus

“It was good speaking with you. All the best.” Ian Mackaye

“No Crap Questions” – Rab Allen, Glasvegas

"Officially a yuppie! Thanks a great name for a site!" - Andrew W.K.

"Thank you for taking time out to speak with me and caring about us and what we do," - Anthony Green, Circa Survive

"It was a pleasure," - Peter Hook, Joy Division / New Order

"Really enjoyed this interview," - Photographer Natalie Curtis, Ian Curtis' daughter 

EXCLUSIVE! The Dig INTV!

After releasing two fantastic albums and touring with the likes of Portugal. The Man, The Walkmen, Beady Eye, Glasvegas, Editors, and The Antlers, New York City sci-fi rockers The Dig are set to hit the road this fall with Leagues in support of their latest EP. The Dig have been making a name for themselves in NYC and beyond. They still remain one of our favorite bands to follow and one of out favorite bands to watch and if they hit your town, it is imperative you check them out. Before they hit the road, we spoke with bassist and singer Emile Mossari about their latest EP, touring, and their signature sound.

Your last record, the beautiful, Midnight Flowers, was much more mellow than your debut. Did that record signify a new shift is style and sound or just an experiment?

Thanks! So glad you like it! I think that just happened naturally.  A lot of the songs we were writing at the time that we were the most psyched about happened to be on the mellow side.  

Your new EP, Tired Hearts is a collection of five songs, what made you want to release a special EP and not finish out an album?

We wanted to put something out this year and we thought that these 5 tunes fit together in a cool way so we figured we'd put out an EP.

Will these songs signify what fans can expect on the third record and is that in the works?

Not sure exactly when we will make our third full length and its hard to say what its going to sound like at this point. We hope that the music will continue to evolve and change but still sound like us somehow.

For Tired Hearts you worked with Pavement producer, Bryce Goggin, how was that experience?

It was great.  It's nice to have a 5th set of ears so we're not left to our own devices and biting each others heads off.  We have worked with Bryce on our first two records so its always great to hang and collaborate with him.  He's a great dude and has an amazing ear for making records. 

What did Bryce teach you that you did not know before?

A lot of things, We've worked with Bryce bunch and over the years so we've developed a rapport with him.  He's a bit of an oddball like us which is nice. He's made so many great records so we all trust his opinion and sensibility. I'd say one thing in particular we've learned from him is how to flip a song inside out and take a completely different approach.  Basically not to get too attached to the initial arrangement of a tune and be able to step back a bit and mess with it. 

After being on the road for most of your lives, playing your music, what is the best thing about touring and what is the worst?

Good question.  Best thing I'd say is probably staying connected to people that you normally might not have the means or reason to fly out and visit.  Whether that be fans we've made or friends and family we have all over the country.  Touring keeps you plugged in to that which is great.  Worst thing is probably eating shitty food and sleeping in van,  driving all night between gigs etc.  

When hitting the road, what is the one thing you cannot live without and always have to have?

Car games are an essential tool.  Extremely serious and competitive games we play on 12 hour drives that swallow up a lot of hours. I don't think we could live without those.

You have opened for Portugal. The Man, Beady Eye, Glasvegas, The Walkmen, The Antlers, playing with these bands, what is it like? Do you ever take any of their tricks and apply them to your set?

Definitely.  Those are all amazing bands that we we're lucky enough to play with. You learn a lot about how to interact with the crowds and lift a room.  How to connect with an audience. More than anything its inspiring just watch a great band play every night.  Especially a band like the Walkmen. They're a legendary band among bands so watching them perform is both educational and inspiring.  Ben Kweller is also an amazing performer to watch.  How at ease he is with his audience and his ability to connect with people and be so personable while he's up there.  There's a lot to be learned from that.

We have been tracking this band for a while, and your shows just keep getting better and better. What is it like being on stage and doing what you love?

Thanks!  Playing shows is the best thing in the world. Wish we could do it every night.

QUICK SPINS

Arctic Monkeys – AM

We have watched Arctic Monkeys grow-up and evolve right in front of our very eyes, from their brilliant barnstorming debut, Whatever People Say I Am Is What I Am Not to their very latest, AM. They have been around for less than a decade and manage to maintain their rock and roll identity but explore different paths within it. On their latest, AM, the bands fifth, they mature as songwriters and musicians. They haven’t played their instruments at 100 mph since their first two LP’s but they have learned to make the same impact by doing less. AM is a record that does just that. It is not the stoner-rock joyride that Humbug was, nor is it the lyrical masterpiece that Suck It And See was, it is, older and wiser, in fact in many ways it is better than all of those things. AM holds the key to the Monkeys future and proves that Alex Turner’s clever songwriting is not someone trying to do all of these things, but just is. AM could be viewed as a lazy title, but in fact, it is the symbolic outlook of the bands music, doing so much with less, AM could be looked at as “am,” and the Monkeys could be telling us this is who they are. If that is the case, we are glad they are making music in this day and age. Plus, any band referencing Scorsese’s Mean Streets deserves high recognition.

FINAL GRADE: A

Janelle Monae – The Electric Lady

If Prince is playing on your album, you know you are doing something right. Def Jam’s best signing since Biggie Smalls returns with a ferocious and fantastic album that takes us through a dance apocalypse and makes us realize we can’t live without her love of music. Combining jazz, funk, rock, soul, doo-wop, neo-soul, R&B, indie rock, pop and elements of hip-hop, The Electric Lady is a fantastic musical voyage and has a great supporting cast from Solange, Erykah Badu, Esperanza Spalding, Miguel and more.

FINAL GRADE: A-

The Weeknd – Kissland

After his “Trilogy,” Abel Tesfaye comes back much more focused, straight forward and interesting than every before. Kissland is a romantic concept record about the world The Weeknd has created in his head and the world that frightens him. The album tells that the world around us and within us in frightening but is something we must overcome and embrace, basically, it is ok to make mistakes along the way like falling in love with the wrong person, it builds us as people and our character. A very smart, clever, and very well produced latest effort.

FINAL GRADE: A –

Haim – Days Are Gone

The long awaited debut album from California’s favorite sisters is finally here and does not disappoint. After emerging as one of the most talked about new bands of 2013, Haim’s Days Are Gone is a slithering pop – rock record that combines fun-in-the-sun emotion, killer riffs, heavy beats, and catchy hooks that it will just make you want to play it over and over again. Much like The 1975’s debut, this is one of the best debuts of the year.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Chvrches – The Bones Of What You Believe

 Scotland’s electro-pop buzz band Chvrches debut is a mysterious, erotic, and dark release that combines the sinister energy from Crystal Castles and mixes it with fellow Scot’s Glasvegas’ neo-cold-wave sound and flexes heavy emotion doing so.

FINAL GRADE: B+

The Naked and Famous – In Rolling Waves

Three years after their awesome debut, New Zealand’s The Naked and Famous return with In Rolling Waves which is a much heavier sounding and heavier feeling album. In Rolling Waves hears The Naked and Famous flexing serious muscle and proving that they are not just a one-trick pony and are willing to take chances to not fall into the dreaded sophomore slump.

FINAL GRADE: B+

A$AP Ferg – Trap Lord

One of the A$AP Crew’s members goes solo for debut. The self proclaimed “Trap Lord,” Ferg shows why he is taking the sub-genre of trap style hip-hop by storm and one of the best to do it. With appearances from A$AP Rocky, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, French Montana, Trinidad James, Schoolboy Q, Waka Flocka Flame, B-Real and Onyx, he bridges the gap between old and new schools.

FINAL GRADE: B+

London Grammar – If You Wait

The buzz around London Grammar has been large since the band hit the UK festival circuit this summer and now, their debut, If You Wait is finally out, they answer the call and prove they are the band people want to talk about. While the music of London Grammar is catchy, it is the voice of singer Hannah Reid that is the star of the show. She is a vocal powerhouse that take pop / rock singing to a whole new level.

FINAL GRADE: B+

King Khan and the Shrines – Idle No More

Eight albums in with his career with The Shrines and King Khan shows no sign of stopping. While Idle No More displays nothing really new musically or anything unexpected, it is still a total blast to listen to.

FINAL GRADE: B

THEblack&THEwhite – Futures EP
The debut EP from former As Tall As Lions bassist Julio Tavarez is filled with trippy loops, hypnotic hooks, ambient vibes and heart. Futures is an EP where you can hear that Tavarez has poured his soul into this project and is a nice launching pad as to what is to come.

FINAL GRADE: B

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – Fly By Wire

For their sixth record, Missouri’s Someone Still Loves Your Boris Yeltsin, do it as a trio and rather a quartet thanks to the departure of singer / guitarist John Robert Cardwell earlier this year. Most bands would have imploded but SSLYBY soldier on and do it triumphantly where long time fans of the band will not be disappointed.

FINAL GRADE: B

Icona Pop – This Is…

After a summer of the infections and brilliant girl power pop anthem, “I Love It,” the Swedish duo of Icona Pop prove that the land they hail from is still the breeding ground of the best pop music on the globe. This Is.. is the second album from Icona Pop but it is also the biggest, in terms of production, popularity, and fun. This is an instant party starter.

FINAL GRADE: B

Kings of Leon – Mechanical Bull

Hi Kings of Leon! How are you? Welcome back, we missed you!

While the above note is not intended for a chuckle, though, it is ok if you laugh at our corniness, the note is a meaningful gesture that we are glad to see Kings of Leon return to form. After the unlistenable Come Around Sundown, a few internal problems, battles with addiction, and a dreadful documentary, Kings of Leon cut the bullshit and return back to basics and return to form as a solid Southern rock and blues band and return to the roots of being the band that we treasured and missed for so long.

FINAL GRADE: B

Sting – The Last Ship

For his first album of brand new material in a decade, Sting fires back in a big way with The Last Ship, which is really the companion piece to the Broadway play of the same name that the record is based on that he is crafting. The Last Ship is a concept record about coming of age in a seaside town and wanting something more out of life, while this may sound like the plot of Fellini’s I Vitelloni, it is actually the first part of Sting’s life. The Last Ship is a semi-autobiographical journey of one man, Sting, telling the story of his youth but as an older man looking back on the life he left behind and why he did.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Big Sean – Hall of Fame

The sophomore album from Big Sean is just as strong as his debut but also does not feature the gift and the curse aka that verse from Kendrick Lamar on “Control” which did not make the album’s final cut because of a sampling issue. However, Big Sean enlisted Nas, Common, 2 Chainz, Kid Cudi, Lil Wayne, Juicy J, Meek Mill, Nicki Minaj, Miguel and Young Jeezy to support his style and sound.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Goodie Mob – Age Against The Machine

Cee-Lo Green hooks up with his first group and crafts their first album in nine years. While Cee-Lo’s voice is still the star of the show, nothing new is crafted or made and after nine years and nine explosive years for Cee-Lo’s career, one would have hoped the rest of the group would have come out swinging to upstage the pop icon, yet, they all fail to do so and the album is left at a sub-par level.

FINAL GRADE: C 

 MGMT

At one point in the last decade bands emerged that wrote a few catchy and clever tunes and were poised to be the next coming of music. Yet, some of those bands failed to capitalize on anything beyond that and make anything listenable, however, still get attention as if they are going to do something great and grand and fail to. MGMT is one of those bands whose talent was like a firework in the sky, it bursted bright and shined but then faded into oblivion, however, some critics are still holding out for that firework to burst again because they know the band has potential. It would normally be encouraging to other artists, but MGMT realized they can release shit, and we mean it, shit, and know they will still make music headlines and have people foam at the mouth for what they are going to do. After the tragically terrible and unlistenable, Congratulations, MGMT return with a self-titled album that is not a bit more comforting to listen to but still misses the mark by a long shot.

FINAL GRADE D 

Quick Spins

The 1975

After four fantastic EP’s, the pop-rock band from England released the debut album of the year. The 1975 took the best parts of their four EP’s, added a few new tracks and found an record that would appeal to fans of New Order and One Direction (yes, we can’t believe we just posted the both of those bands in the same sentence either), but it is true. The perfect blend of dance rock and pop hooks that proves that good pop music can be played with a guitar and good rock can have pop / radio appeal. This is a record that will certainly hit one of our end of the year “best of” lists and will probably land on yours.

FINAL GRADE: A

Nine Inch Nails – Hesitation Marks

In 2009 Trent Reznor and his then incarnation of Nine Inch Nails waved goodbye to the road and vowed to never tour again. Reznor always said NIN music would be made, but the road life would never happen. Reznor always seemed to be a man of his word until earlier this year when he announced NIN were back with a new line-up to go back on tour and a new record would be released. After four years away, Reznor has changed, he is now a husband, a father, clean and sober, formed another band -- How to Destroy Angeles, and an Oscar winner. He still has some animosity but not the angst that he once had, which explains why Hesitation Marks is one of the more commercial appealing records of NIN’s recent career. Hesitation Marks combines 90’s era Depeche Mode, Berlin-era Bowie, and late Kraftwerk to mark his sound but also gives much self references of a comeback than ever before, nearly every song features “I” and features what his life is like now and where it could be going. If Hesitation Marks says anything, it is that Trent Reznor missed being himself and we missed him.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Rudimental – Home

Rudimental have become one of our favorite finds this year thanks to their PHENOMINAL live shows and fantastic taste in music, so it is no surprise of the producer, DJ, musician’s collective debut, Home, it is a party-starter and hit-repeat-on-your-iPoder album. This British band bring sounds from all over the world and make you move to the power and rhythms of far off places from all around the world.

FINAL GRADE: A-

No Age – An Object

The fourth release from these indie darlings is easily their best and most focused effort to date, An Object is pure art/noise rock at it’s finest.

FINAL GRADE: B+

King Krule – 6 Feet Beneath The Moon

The long awaited debut album from Britain’s King Krule has finally arrived and does not disappoint. King Krule’s main man, Archy Marshall, sounds like Morrissey over trip-hop and traditional dub-step and grime. It is a dark, mysterious, and magical album that also plays out like someone pouring their broken heart to a psychiatrist.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

The self-titled third album from the folk, gospel, neo-soul, bluegrass, Americana band is easily their finest since their 2010 debut and their most colorful. Filled with raw and unhinged emotion and coupled with the bands various sounds, Edward Sharpe and his band of merry men and women have found their place after all these years.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Violent Soho – Hungry Ghost

The Australian grunge rockers return with their third album and bring forth a different side to their hard pounding, angst driven sound. Hungry Ghost hears the band experimenting with more psychedelic hooks rather than just thrashing away and hears the Aussie’s crafting more sonic landscapes than before. A fine experiment and fine new direction.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Glasvegas – Later…When the TV Turns to Static

The Scottish neo-cold wave rockers return with their third album, after the experimental and fascinating Euphoric /// Heartbreak \\\, which arrived in 2011, Glasvegas go back to basics and stick to what worked for their perfect 2008 debut. Ditching the massive sound Flood gave them on Euphoric, singer James Allen produced this one all on his own and the back-to-basics approach works.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Earl Sweatshirt – Doris

Tyler, The Creator may be the face of Odd Future, Frank Ocean may be the voice, but Earl is the character, he is the one that will drive the hip-hop collective from now until forever and on his debut studio album, Doris, he proves that. Earl, who has been the subject of vicious rumors over the years over his whereabouts, mental health, and lifestyle puts it all into focus and addresses all of it and airs it out like dirty laundry on Doris. For a 19-year-old rapper it hears that the future is bright for him and his career, but it also hears that it is a cry for help, much like Eminem in his early years, Doris is a record that will make Earl a household name in hip-hop but will also prove to be his breaking point.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Washed Out – Paracosm

Chillwave superstar Ernest Greene aka Washed Out returns with his second album and continuing the sexual nature and romanticism of his debut, Paracosm furthers those themes and doesn’t alter the sound.

FINAL GRADE: B

Bloc Party – The Nextwave Sessions EP

After their triumphant return last year, Bloc Party are now back on indefinite hiatus and gave us an EP of six songs called The Nextwave Sessions before they said good-bye for a bit. While the EP furthers the sound they developed and focused on for last years release, Four, if the band had put in just a bit of effort and given us four or five more songs and crafted a full album, we would be a bit more comfortable with their return to hiatus. At least we would have gotten a full plate of food instead of a big appetizer.

FINAL GRADE: B

Crocodiles – Crimes of Passion

California’s Crocodiles return with their fourth album and after the boomerang change in sound from last year’s Endless Flowers, Crimes of Passion furthers the bands noise-pop sound and rallies that this is the direction they seem to be continuing.

FINAL GRADE: B

The Vaccines – Melody Calling EP

After two studio albums released within a year of each other, The Vaccines return with a very small EP featuring three new songs and a remix. Melody Calling may be small in tracklistings but is large in sound. The Vaccines have ditched their Ramones-esque sound and slow things down a bit and offer more melody, acoustics’ and laid back tones.

FINAL GRADE: B

Travis – Where You Stand

 The Scottish legends return with their seventh album and first via their own label. Where You Stand is traditional Travis at their finest, simple folk songs with infectious pop hooks and sublime story telling.

FINAL GRADE: B

Superchunk – I Hate Music

Superchunck return with their 10^th album and declare how much modern music is not their cup of tea. Unfortunately for Superchunk they do not do much to aid the thing they care most about. While the album is a solid effort, calling it what they do and doing what they do after so many years, not much can be said.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Babyshambles – The Sequel to the Prequel

The long awaited third album from one of Britrocks most loved modern bands does not live up to the hype. Nearly six years after their last release, the world around Pete Doherty and co. has changed so much and what made them great and cutting edge then has seemed to be dulled down. The dangerous Pete we all fell in love with has grown up and seems to have taken his music with him.

FINAL GRADE: C+

Michael Franti – All People

American spoken word poet Michael Franti returns with his latest album which he incorporates his very smart lyrics over hip-hop, jazz, funk, and raggae hooks. While his songwriting is always strong, it still seems to feel like the same thing rehashed over and over again.

FINAL GRADE: C-