New Music Radar-August 2009

JD here! Well after a long hiatus I have finally decided to stop being lazy and post something. Today’s post is something a little different from my usual album reviews. I am going to post some of the newest music out there from both new emerging artists and some old favorites. This is going to cover everything from alternative rock to rap to some new metal (which Mike has been so kind as to assist me with). So please take the time to check out all these songs and leave some comments and let me know how you like the post and if there is anything I can do to improve it.

Here We Go…..

Amazing Baby – Head dress

This is a band that I recently discovered on Sirius/XM radio’s Alt Nation. I was immediately interested in their sound and did some research and found out they are from the same Brooklyn Psychedelic/Alternative scene as MGMT.  They blend together late 60’s psychedelic sounds, Zeppelin-esqe chunky guitar riffs, and modern indie rock to create something that is refreshing and surprisingly unique.  Head Dress is the lead single off their debut album Rewild, but other tracks to check for are Pump Yr Brakes, Invisible Palace, and Dead Light.

Pearl Jam- The Fixer

The Fixer is the lead single from Pearl Jam’s upcoming 9th studio album Backspacer. The song is up-tempo and dare I say the “poppiest” song the boys have ever released. However, in this case the pop infused rock works great. Eddie Vedder’s lyrics are simple yet powerful. The chorus of  “Fight to get it back again, Yeah Yeah Yeah” is the meaning of catchy and has been stuck in my head ever since the song came out. Finally Matt Cameron’s drum skills seem to be properly utilized as he provides some great fills and time changes. As per usual with Pearl Jam I am very biased, but i think the track rocks and once again they bring something new and unexpected to the table.

Lupe Fiasco – Shining Down Ft. Matthew Santos

One of my favorite hip-hop acts of the day returns with what might be his third and final album and if the lead track is any indication it will be another classic album. Lupe brings back Matthew Santos who sang on his smash hit Superstar. The futuristic space beat is simple yet complex matching Lupe’s delivery perfectly. He remains one of the best lyricists in the game and is by far one of the most overlooked.

BM Linx- The Outlaw Jimmy Rose

Another band that I came across on Sirius/XM Alt Nation. These boys sound like a strange collaboration of The Killers, Muse, and Jet (with Jet being the weak link). This song is a straight rocker and I found myself using my entire in car air drum set within the first 30 seconds of the song. The fuzzy bass line and distorted guitars drown out the somewhat corny lyrics that slightly draw back from the song. The have another song called Kids on Fire that is well worth the listen if this first song interests you. It has a bit more of the Muse feel to it with some electronica elements.

Incubus- While all the Vultures Feed

This is a new song that was released on their greatest hits collection Monuments and Melodies. It sounds as if it was written around the time of A Crow Left of the Murder, which happens to be my favorite Incubus album, so its probably why I’m drawn to it. Brandon Boyd’s voice is spot on as always and the guitar tones are brilliant. There is really not much to say about this song other than if you like Incubus you will definitely like this song.

Passion Pit-The Reeling

Passion Pit is not a band I would typically be a fan of but this song is just too much fun not to like. It’s electronic dance rock at its best. A ton of synth, a simple drum beat, and a falsetto voice seem to be all you need for a good time. I’m not sure how their other songs off of Manners are sitting with me at the moment but this song definitely stands out above the rest. Also I have to throw a little love out to Jimmy Fallon because I discovered them on his show on the video below.

Drake- Successful

The summer of 2009 will go down in the hip hop world as the Summer of Drake. This kid exploded onto the scene out of nowhere as part of Lil Wayne’s Young Money crew. Drake used to be an actor on a Canadian teen television show called Degrassi, which for some strange reason I have watched (gotta love girlfriends) so when he was suddenly everywhere I had to ask, “Why is Jimmy off Degrassi rapping with Lil Wayne???” His mixtape has been the most talked about release of the summer even among the indie rock crowd and his highly anticipated album is sure to be a chart topper, especially with the Lil Wayne boost. While I wouldn’t call him the best new rapper out, he has a smooth delivery and his wordplay is above average and witty. He can also carry a tune which broadens his appeal to the R&B crowd as well. Having Trey Songz on the track is another boost in this department, as I think he is one of the best young R&B singers out. Other songs to check out from Drake are  Best I Ever Had, Lust for Life, and A Night Off.

MIKE

Winds of Plague- Soldiers of Doomsday

I will never apologize for enjoying music that elbows you in the neck and melts your face off your skull. So, a song that I think deserves mention in this list is Winds of Plague’s new song “Soldiers of Doomsday” from their new album “The Great Stone War”. Wow. Brutality.