Modern Guilt by Beck

Stuckski:

For the life of me I can't stay awake long enough to actually pay close attention to the music here. This album is like fuckin' NyQuil on my brain.  All the beats are slow and plodding, dragging me down farther and farther into drowz.zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

RATINGS:

Stuckski:  5/10 (10/10 if you want music to play before you go to bed)

Tongue N' Cheek by Dizzee Rascal

Stuckski:

Wow..sorry Kurt.

As a rule I prefer UK Grime to most anything the U.S. hiphop scene produces (I say 'as a rule' because there are definitely exceptions). Dizzee Rascal has a great lyrical style, and I love his faster songs. There are not enough of them in this album for me to really enjoy it. The highlight is the Armand van Helden produced Bonkers, which is one of my favorite tracks ever. Aside from that it's a struggle to find something positive to say about this  album. I guess Dance Wiv Me has some nice little riffs..meh.

RATINGS:

Stuckski: 4/10 (Almost completely earned by Bonkers)

The Essential Bob Dylan by Bob Dylan

Stuckski:

A good mix of Dylan hits. I always enjoy him as an easy listening option. I assume you know who he is/what kind of music he makes. My favorites are Maggie's Farm, Mr. Tambourine Man and All Along the Watch Tower.

I've heard people argue that Dylan is a better poet than a musician, but I've gotta say I love the harmonica and guitar accompaniments.

RATINGS:
Stuckski: 7/10

Get Warmer by Bomb the Music Industry.

Stucksksi:

I've been sitting here trying to think about something to say about Bomb the Music Industry. Something aside from the fact that they're awesome. Or that all their music is free. I also don't want to go on about how they're one of the paragons of the DYI movement.  So you know what, fuck it. Go to this link, download their albums, and experience the revolution yourself: http://quoteunquoterecords.com/btmi.php

(P.S. if you need some convincing, check out these tracks)

kurtkurtkurt:

BTMI is one of my favorite bands right now. They're everything right with music. Get warmer was a great album. Download it and everything they've made.

RATINGS:

Stuckski: 9/10
kurtkurtkurt: 9/10

F-Minus - F-Minus

kurtkurtkurt:

Just letting Stuckski carry the blog for a bit I suppose...

F-Minus is straight up Hardcore Punk. Coming in at a total of 16 minutes 27 seconds this 19 track album doesn't have a song lasting longer than 2 minutes. In fact most of them don't make it past the 1 minute mark. This is something I've always enjoyed about (some) punk bands, lack of verse/chorus structure. Songs wind up being "Verse, Verse, Verse" or "Chorus x4" or "Bridge."

Anyways good for if you're in an angry mood.

edit:
Here are the first 3 songs put into one video.

Stuckski:

Sometimes a wall of sound is a good thing. I like.

RATINGS:

kurtkurtkurt: 8/10
Stuckski: 6/10

Cage the Elephant by Cage the Elephant

Stuckski:
I was interested in this band for one reason . That's the intro for possibly my favorite First Person Shooter ever, Borderlands. What a great intro, amirite? Seriously, if you haven't played this game you should go out and shoot yourself...and if you survive go and buy it. This from a guy who doesn't even really like shooters that much!
OK, OK...before this turns into a review/masturbatory session over Borderlands let's get on with the review.

Cage the Elephant is very much reminiscent of the White Stripes at times. The singer definitely has some Jack White influences in his vocals. Holy shit I just realized there is a Jack Black and a Jack White...if they ever meet will the universe implode?

But yeah, this album starts fairly strong, but I lost interest as the album wore on. It seems like they put all their effort into the first five tracks and then just sort of phoned in everything else. The highlights are definitely Ain't no Rest for the Wicked and the opening track In One Ear. Both feature the kind of talking/singing vibe.

kurtkurtkurt:
If I were to review this album off the two songs Stuckski linked to (which I am) I'd say. "Hey, this band isn't that bad."

Hey, this band isn't that bad.

These songs are both upbeat, danceable, and catchy. Also I, like Stuckski, adore Borderlands (which may bias my score).
RATINGS:
Stuckski: 6/10
kurtkurtkurt: 7/10

Paid To Cum 1978-1981 LP

Stuckski:

Hey avid readers! We're back after a summer break. And that's all we're going to say about that.

Sometimes there is an LP that is hard to dissect because it is pretty much one whole. Often this is the case for concept albums and -to a lesser degree- rock operas. Paid to Cum is also hard to pick apart for a different reason: it's essentially just a best of album. It leaves the impression that if you were at a live show it would be awesome, but as an LP it lacks that something special to set it apart. I'm not saying it isn't a good album if you like classic punk (which I do), just that there is nothing there that will set it apart from any of the many other punk bands from that era. There is not a bit of the reggae tones that feature in their other albums here (except for the excellent I against I , and then only the faintest hints of it). I guess what I'm saying is this: If you like punk you'll like this; if you don't than this album won't change your mind.


RATINGS
Stuckski: 7/10