CR Dicks "Dick Moves (Slovenly)"
I’m not positive you’re ready for CR Dicks new LP Dick Moves (Slovenly). A bonafide in-the-red record full of noisy garage slop. This is the real deal. This is weird, weird, weird and man oh man is it ever good. The whole album feels like it’s about to crumble under its own weight. Distorted, raw, raucous, dangerous, and fun. Let them tell you about their band and they’ll tell you it’s garage rock based on “crunk and hip-hop.” But listen to “The Ends” and judge for yourself. My advice? Turn it down a bit before you press play (unless you have the guts to go in unchecked).
Hand & Leg "Lust In Peace (Slovenly)"
Hand & Leg are a duo from Athens, Greece and Lust In Peace (Slovenly) is BRM’s first introduction to them. We sure are glad we got introduced however, as this is as tremendous a dose of “freak-rock” as we’ve gotten in some time. Blisteringly distorted bass, drums, and vocals from Iro and Stelios. The White Stripes wish they would have rocked this hard. The Black Keys can only dream of being this rock and roll. The… uh… yeah, I know. I should have done three comparisons here for maximum efficiency but I’m having trouble thinking on another bass/drum duo, especially since all I can think about it Hand & Leg now. Check out “L.I.P.”
Major Stars "Roots Of Confusion Seeds Of Joy (Drag City)"
Psychedelic masterminds Major Stars are back with another dose of face-melting madness. Roots Of Confusion Seeds Of Joy (Drag City) is like a giant wall of psychedelic sounds and riffs, with plenty of distorted guitars and evocative lyrics. You might find yourself staring off into the distance contemplating the big things as their Jefferson Airplane meets groove rock sound has you nodding your head without even knowing it. If you have even an inclination towards things rock and roll, then Major Stars are here to rock your rock and roll-loving socks right off (quick! put your socks back on before the dog starts chewing them!). Check out the epic jamming of “Spun Around.”
Connie Price & The Keystones "Lucas High (Fat Beats)"
Connie Price & The Keystones have teamed up with Zach Lucas, the son of jazz-funk pioneer Doug Lucas for a record teeming with great beats and amazing verses from some of the most beloved hip hop artists of the ‘90s. Lucas High is a musical conversation Zach never was able to have with his dad, who passed away when he was a teenager. Here, together with producers and musicians, he’s created an album full of both sampled tracks from his dad as well as new music written meant to sound like the kinds of things he was famous for. One listen and it’ll be no wonder why the likes of Busta Rhymes and Nas were known to sample his beats. Here, these beats and live instrumental backing tracks are treated to verses from the likes of Big Daddy Kane, Talib Kweli, members of The Pharcyde and Jurassic 5, as well as vocal turns by Macy Gray, and tons of other guests. This is as fun as it gets. Well, maybe it would be more fun if it came with an eggplant lasagna, but that’s not gonna happen. What is gonna happen is you are gonna check out the laid back cool of “Three Kings (featuring Brand Nubian & Macy Gray).”