Any time a band declares they’re going in a new direction and practically begs their fans to give it a chance, I get leery. That usually means something really amazing or truly awful is about to go down with their next album. For a band like Snow Patrol, who has excelled at fairly middle of the road, melodic indie pop/rock since their 2003 breakthrough Final Straw, I feared it would be the latter. Snow Patrol falls into that category of […]
Posts tagged "Spin Cycle"
Spin Cycle: Michael Jackson’s “Immortal”
Cirque Du Soleil and the Estate of Michael Jackson have collaborated to produce the show “MJ Immortal”. Mike D. takes a listen to the soundtrack, which features some clever reimagining of the King of Pop’s biggest hits.
Spin Cycle: Drake’s “Take Care”
Does Drake successfully avoid the sophomore slump with his new album “Take Care”? Andrew Ratliff reviews the new work by the Canadian singer/rapper/actor.
Spin Cycle: Betty Wright & The Roots’ “Betty Wright: The Movie”
Ms. Betty Wright and the legendary Roots crew have joined forces for a soul triumph. Check out our review.
Spin Cycle: Childish Gambino’s “Camp”
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Donald Glover has been Childish Gambino for a long time so don’t live under the impression that he gained more fame from Community and decided to become a rapper. Be clear about one thing, Childish Gambino is the real deal and this is, without a doubt, Donald Glover’s Dark Twisted Fantasy. It can’t be coincidence that Camp comes out around the same time Kanye’s masterpiece dropped last year. If you didn’t know that Donald Glover was a rapping maniac before, […]
Spin Cycle: Gym Class Heroes’ “The Papercut Chronicles II”
Titling their latest album as a sequel to their debut seems like a curious move for Gym Class Heroes. Back in 2005, The Papercut Chronicles was safe hip-hop for the Fueled By Ramen set – the Heroes wove strands of aggro punk and emo into their stylistic tapestry, and the results were more Fall Out Boy than Kanye West. (This, of course, long before Fall Out Boy ironically acquired Kanye’s penchant for hubris, outsized ambition, and Jay-Z cameos.) They’re a peculiar […]
Spin Cycle: Christmas Album Round-up 2011
Hear those jingle bells ringin’/ Either someone’s breaking into your house or the holiday season is approaching. Join Drew as he listens to a few of the season’s most interesting Christmas albums.
Spin Cycle: Me’shell Ndegeocello’s “Weather”
Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Meshell Ndegeocello’s new album “Weather” continues her streak of masterful and intriguing musical adventures.
Spin Cycle: The Dreaming’s “Puppet”
This one was an absolute surprise. I’ve been a fan of Christopher Hall since his Stabbing Westward days and was excited at the prospect of what his new band, The Dreaming , would bring. Etched In Blood, The Dreaming’s 2008 debut, was stripped of the electronics that made Stabbing Westward stand out and decidedly more in your face rock but Hall’s distinct voice and heartbroken lyrics still made his new band rise above the rest. Cut to 2011 and a firm line-up […]
Spin Cycle: Rapper Big Pooh’s “Dirty Pretty Things”
All three original members of Little Brother have released solo albums in the past month or so. Latest up to bat is Rapper Big Pooh. How does his album “Dirty Pretty Things” fare?
Spin Cycle: Thomas Dolby’s “A Map of the Floating City”
Thomas Dolby has a new album out. Yes, THAT Thomas Dolby. Check out our review, wont’cha?
Spin Cycle: Wale’s “Ambition”
DC rapper Wale joins Rick Ross’s Maybach Music team for his second album “Ambition”. How does he fare? Read our review.