Music Review of Vampire Weekend's Self-Titled Album

"Vampire Weekend" are an American four-piece indie band from New York that was formed in 2006. There are four members in Vampire Weekend, which include Ezra Koenig (Lead Vocal and Guitar), Rostam Batmanglij (Guitar, Keyboard and Backing Vocal), Chris Tomson (Drums and Backing Vocal) and Chris Baio (Bass and Backing Vocal). Vampire Weekend's music genre are mostly indie pop and a little bit of African music influence, which is called Afro-pop. It's very obvious in their music that they don't belong to any rock genre. Many people would have wondered how they have decided on their band being called Vampire Weekend, it's a question to be answered. According to LimeWire Music Blog, Vampire Weekend was derived from one of Ezra's amateur films, which was also of the same name. You've guessed it.

Vampire Weekend is something you don't hear everyday. If you're looking for something fresh, something friendly to the ears, something cute, then you're at the right place. You'll love Vampire Weekend.

Vampire Weekend is really cute at "Mansard Roof". Some non-stop drum beats, clever percussion, catchy and cute guitar hooks. There were some moments that their guitar playing styles reminded me of The Strokes. Mansard Roof is a very short song, but it will definitely haunt you in a good way. After listening it for the first time, I always I always hit "previous" button. Reason? Mansard Roof is suitable for anyone at anytime.

"Oxford Comma" has a catchy and steady drum beats to it. It's a song that will surely but slowly grow into you. And what I found out was that, this song is actually a very good song to sing along. Imagine you're having a karaoke session with your friend, Oxford Comma would definitely be a darling for anyone to sing. It's not a fast track where anyone couldn't catch their breath when singing, and it's not those tracks that require high pitching voices. During the break of this song, the guitar solo was cute yet great. I found myself smiling whenever that part comes along. "Lil' Jon, he always tells the truth.." :-) I'm having Vampire Weekend Comma.

"A-Punk" is a fast track. The guitar on this track is fast and definitely piercing. I can't really imagine myself playing guitar on A-Punk. It's like you couldn't stop even for a second! There was an instrument that sounded like a flute, or even organ, or even some DJ equipments everytime Ezra went, "Look outside at the raincoats coming, say OH..." in a repetition manner. And it's really good. From the lyrics, i'm guessing that Vampire Weekend are singing about a girl whose lover is no longer around. A cute and fast track which can't be missed.

"Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" is somewhat similar to Oxford Comma. It started off slow and soft, later on when it picked up the tempo. It's not loud, just that it sounds much fuller in its music. If you listen carefully, you'd realize the numerous instruments being played in this song. But Vampire Weekend just made it sound so simple, and so good to listen too. Being not so familiar with the African sound and don't really know how it sounds like. Somehow, I can feel that this song has the African influence mixed with the Western Modern music, making it one of the memorable tracks on Vampire Weekend. Oh you know the part that I like? It's when Ezra sang in the chorus, "But this feels so unnatural, Peter Gabriel too.." I love it even more when Ezra did it twice. And oh ya, the cello in Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa would sound better even if compared to a bass. Yet again, everyone would definitely love this track, from young to old, girls to boys. Magnificent! The ending part where you'd find the whole Vampire Weekend moaning in a melody-like voices and howls, it's simply too good!

"M79? got me thinking that this would be a really great rock tune. However I was proved wrong, not only it was not a rock song. It was a track with really cute music that leveraged on the instruments like violin and violin, which would normally be seen or heard in an orchestra performance. But this time, you have it in Vampire Weekend. :-) It's really amazing to see a four-piece indie band from New York capable of writing and producing such instant hit and classic. Just imagine playing this track in a prom, I think the crowd would appreciate that the fact M79 is neither a rock song nor love song. It's just a fun song with really good music for everyone to enjoy. I can't help myself but imagining what would it be like to have M79 included in The Sound of The Music or even Mary Poppin. Definitely a song that will be remembered for a long long time. Oh ya, even my parents find M79 gorgeous!

"Campus" is another really catchy song with some clever lyrics. The bass keeps repeating in the verses and when it comes to the chorus, "How am I supposed to pretend, I never want to see you again, how am I supposed to pretend, I never want to see you again..." The guitar playing style which really resembles The Strokes', was on again. But this time is louder than those of Mansard Root. Not only that, it has some electronic elements to it which made it stand out as well. The fact that I like this song is that I find it really has some good music going on and it really blend in well with the singing.

"Bryn" started off with some really high pitched guitar sounds accompanied with steady drum beats. The longer I got into Bryn, the more I love Bryn. Throughout the whole track, the guitar can only be heard after both verses. And there were some instruments being played in the background in a constant note and key, my guess would be an organ. Somehow, I don't know why, but it keeps bugging me to think that the sound of the guitar found in Bryn is similar to the sound of a Bagpipe.

Vampire Weekend continued with "One (Blake's Got a New Face)". This track has some disco/club feel with it. The drum beats on this track is somewhat like those you'd hear in a march. Sound kind of patriotic. The real thing is that when listening to this song, my mind tells me as if I were in a club or disco, just chilling and dancing. The rest of the Vampire Weekend did a good job as well where they did a backup vocal whenever Ezra sings at the chorus, "Blake's got a new face.." But hey, at times I really do sing "Blake's got a new face" in the shower, in my bedroom or even driving. Such a powerful phrase!

"I Stand Corrected" has a fairy tale feel-like at the beginning and it started slow. And honestly, it sounded like "Little House of Savages" by The Walkmen. The beginning of these both songs are so similar. Overall, it sounded like a sad song. The tempo began to pick up when the chorus came in, "I stand corrected.." The break has a really sad sound to it when Ezra went, "Lord knows I haven't tried, i'll take my stand, one last time, forget the protocol, i'll take your hand, right in mine." Accompanied by the violin, I can feel the sadness in this this song. One of the songs that let me feel in.

Before the last track, "Walcott" has some really strong and fast piano going on. And no, this is not the player of the football club, Arsenal. It has got nothing to do with Theo Walcott. It's just a song named Walcott. From the lyrics, I can tell that Ezra is singing about a desperate boy named Walcott who is desperately wanting to get out of Cape Cod, or rather, hoping to get out of Cape Cod. There are some evil lyrics to be found in Walcott, "The Lobster's Claw is sharp as knives, evil feasts on human lives, the Holy Roman Empire roots for you." Sound evil enough? One of Vampire Weekend's strengths is definitely their creativity!

The normal Vampire Weekend album ends with "The Kids Don't Stand a Chance". It's a rather slow and catchy track and you can hear the drums echo here and there throughout the whole track, as mentioned earlier. It's really not that bad, and most people would not have noticed it. The Kids Don't Stand A Chance has a slow but catchy bass at the beginning. I like the guitar, it sounded sloppy and lazy. Just nicely suit the tempo of this track. Organ and violin can also be heard here and there, making this song more than just great. The last 1:48 minutes was pure instrumental, and need I say more? It's perfectly played and arranged! Especially the violin.

Rating: Vamipre Weekend is definitely a band to watch out for in the years to come. They are one of the few bands that created and added new sound to their music. Compared to those being played on the radio and even TV, Vampire Weeked stand out in miles. :-) Everything sounded fresh on Vampire Weekend. From start to finish, they were just having fun and playing some really awesome and amazing tunes. Before this, I thought they were just another indie band with nothing new to offer, but they proved me wrong, big time. It's really very seldom that we stumble upon such band. As musicians, they really have awed me from head to toe. And as listener myself, it's really an once in a blue moon occasion where I listened to something that I have never listened to before in my circle of genre. However, the only thing that is preventing Vampire Weekend from being a perfect album is that they lack a hit anthem. Franz Ferdinand had their hit anthem when they released their debut, it was called "Take Me Out. Arctic Monkey's very own anthem from their debut was "A Certain Romance". But that's not going to stop me from looking forward to listen to Vampire Weekend every morning upon waking up from my bed. You might say that I'm crazy, but I'd still listen to Vampire Weekend no matter what, everyday. An amazing band that added new music influence from other continent to their music, definitely one of the best album in 2008. 8.5 out of 10 may be too high of a rating, but honestly, they deserve more.

Stand-Out Tracks (My Picks): Mansard Roof, Oxford Comma, A-Punk, Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, M79, Campus, Bryn, One (Blake's Got A New Face), Walcott and The Kids Don't Stand A Chance.

Music Review of Grand Archives' Self-Titled Debut Album

"Grand Archives" are an American five-piece indie band from Seattle, Washington. They are Mat Brooke (Vocals, Guitar and Harmonica), Ron Lewis (Guitar, Piano and Organ), Jeff Montano (Bass), Curtis Hall (Drums) and Thomas Wright (Guitar). Their main music genres are indie rock and folk rock. Before they were known as Grand Archives, according to Three Imaginary Girls, they called themselves Archives and Mat Brooke was a former bandmate of Carissa's Wierd and Band of Horses.

The Grand Archives opens with the soothing and somewhat cute "Torn Blue Foam Couch". It's more like a pop rock track where Mat sings effortlessly accompanied by the orchestra-like music. As always, Torn Blue Foam Couch starts off by climbing up stairs and building up tempo. It ends very beautifully where by all the instruments come together, just like an orchestra performance. A down-to-earth opener!

The swaying harmonica and whistling at the beginning of "Miniature Birds" is really good. It just reminds me of my childhood. The music on this track is sunny and jovial, you'd move your head from side to side listening to Miniature Birds. Grand Archives also make an impact on this track's chorus where Mat goes, "It didn't take that long..." and the rest of the band just come up with the beautiful music, especially the keyboard. And at times, they join the singing with Mat. Another notable mention is the French horn and trombone used in this track, it just completes this track!

"Swan Matches" is a slow ballad that features Jen Ghetto as guest appearance. When Jen comes in, Mat and her do a duet, "And I remember how fast we ran, i remember how fast we ran, we flew over fences, we dodged all the moving cars, and the dry Arizona faces, the dry Arizona faces..." The guitar on this track is , i can feel that Grand Archives just strum and pluck the guitar according to their music instinct, totally without a music sheet. Total adult folk getaway.

"Index Moon" is another ballad that sees Mat sings passionately. The guitar by Grand Archives on this track is slow and at times draggy. When it comes to the verses, the music just get into a softer tone. When it's the chorus, the music just comes alive in the background with Mat's singing. If you listen carefully, you would find there's a subtle voice in the background that goes, "Woo... Hoo...". Index Moon is such a good track, it's slow, but it'll not hold you long enough till you get bored waiting for the chorus to come. Just lovely. Try it!

"George Kaminski" if i'm not mistaken, is one of the characters that appears in Japanese manga and anime Case Closed, also known as Detective Conan. This track is pure acoustic, with the guitar and harmonica playing along, Mat will just sing along. Throughout this track, it's hard to grab the lyrics that Mat sings, i have to look at the lyrics if i were to understand the words. George Kaminski also sounds sad at times through the voice of Mat. This could be the only track that turns out to be the best if performed in an unplugged jamming session.

"A Setting Sun" can be regarded as the best track off The Grand Archives. If you look at the lyrics, it's very smart written, "Could you be quick or be, could you be quick or be tired, the tock, the tick of it, atop the funeral pyre, we're in the thick of it, so bite the brick of it all..." Now we all can see the flow of the lyrics, the rhyme of the words that Grand Archives use. And throughout A Setting Sun, you wouldn't be surprised if you find yourself enjoying this song and moving your head from side to side as an act of appreciation to the music crafted by Grand Archives. Really amazing stuff here!

"Breezy No Breezy" is just pure instrumental. It sounds sort of creepy yet weird. The guitar and horn stand out the most here. Breezy No Breezy also sounds mysterious, it can be used as background music in a movie, especially in a part where a person is trying to solve a mystery or puzzle in a funny way. Just very cute.

"Sleepdriving" is driving slowly. In the chorus, there's a repetition of the lyrics where Mat sings after the backing vocals by the rest of Grand Archives. It's like a trailing way of singing and the effect of it is quite significant, creating an echoic wall of sound. When the break comes along, violin can be heard as Mat sings in little phrases. And as the end draws closer, the whole song got louder and the whole Grand Archives join in the fun and sing along side Mat. What this track has is the quality of a slow burner, which is like "Run" of Snow Patrol. It'll burn you up slowly, and of course softly.

The title of "Louis Riel" is also the name of a Canadian Politician who founded the province Manitoba and was the leader of the Canadian Prairies. This track is ought to be sad, but it sounds really happy and cheerful. The organ is really pumping and gets the listener going on. When the chorus comes, Grand Archives are supposed to tell a long story, but they just go with, "Ba, da......" Sera Cahoone also appears briefly on this track. Such a happy track here!

"The Crime Window" is the crunchiest track on The Grand Archives. You can feel as if there were a group of choir singing together with Grand Archives. Along with the horn, the singing was really energetic and powerful! This is the song that can be the anthem for Grand Archives' concert. It'll get the crowd and their fans dancing and singing together, "Sweet jolly jammers and a dugan charge, burning down the prarie on a victory barge..." It wouldn't be long if you realize you're tired by the end of this song. Lovely entertaining!

"Orange Juice" is a short and sweet track. Just a nice song to perform in a warm pub or bar. It's light and cute with the trombone playing in the background. What a sweet way to end the album, sounds like Grand Archives are closing the album on a happy note.

Stand-Out Tracks (My Picks): Torn Blue Foam Couch, Miniature Birds, Index Moon, A Setting Sun, Louis Riel, The Crime Window and Orange Juice.

Music Review of Math and Physics Club's Self-Titled Album

Math and Physics Club are an indie pop (Or Indie Rock) band based in Seattle, Washington. They are Charles Bert (Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), Kevin Emerson (Drums), Ethan Jones (Bass/Keyboards), James Werle (Lead Guitar), and Saundrah Humphrey (Violin). They were formed in 2004, and have released three EPs and one full length album through Santa Barbara-based Matinee Recordings. Their genre also includes twee, and according to PitchforkMedia, their music were described as "music to hold hands to." Suitable for most lovey dovey couple!

Math and Physics Club is so fun to listen to. You could listen to the voice of Charles all day and enjoy the music at the same time. No complaints about his voice (and the rest of Math and Physics Club) and the simplicity of their music, and yet impressive songs and lyrics has left a vivid mark on my mind.

The album opens with "Darling, Please Come Home" which is such an infectious track that I think it's one of the best tracks on the album. The guitar of this track keeps repeating in a tempo and pace that is so friendly to our ears and I can't help it but mocking to play a guitar whenever I listen to this song. When Charles sings, "Darling won't you please come home..." I knew they had me, they had me thinking about this song all the time. Amazing and lovely opener! I keep imagining myself saying, "Darling, won't you please come home..."

"I Know What I Want" is perfect when you are proposing! The music playing of this song is just so soothing and take note of the lyrics of this song, "How did you know me so well? You smile but you won't ever tell... It's you... I know what I want.." You can hear Charles' lovely voice which is a bonus to this song! He sings so effortlessly while the rest of Math and Physics Club join in with their guitar, bass, drums and even violin. It's a short song but it definitely worth your time for listening to it.

Stop complaining about the dates that end up in rain and check out "April Showers". Somehow, I can feel that Charles is singing about a date of his. Singing about how wonderful rain can be (you can replace "Rain" with "Shower" ) if you were with someone that you love. Charles goes, "There's no place I'd rather be, than with you right next to me, huddled up under my umbrella, though the rain keeps falling down..." You can hear lots of guitar plucking in "April Showers" and it's like Math and Physics Club are playing in a cave whenever I heard the guitar plucking sound/part. Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba... April Showers... Though I prefer October Showers, my birth month!

"Holidays and Saturdays" is a slow-paced song and it shows Math and Physic Club's versatility. They're already very good with mid and fast-tempo songs,"Holidays and Saturdays" is just another song to show that they can even perform slow-tempo song. Picnic in the park, croquet on the lawn, staying up and talking until dawn... These are the things that we do on weekends, aren't we? A nice way to slow down the tempo of the album.

"La La La Lisa" brings the tempo back! It has a few starts and stops in between but nevertheless, it still makes a good song. I wonder who is Lisa (a girl he met/saw in a club?), Charles sings about her as if he's so much in love with her, dying to hold her hands, dying to kiss her, dying to be with her. It goes, "I would have died for just one kiss, I had the chance just to hold hands..." It's just so smart of Math and Physics Club to write such witty lyrics. When Charles sings, "La La La La La La..." There must have been many things going on between Lisa and him.

"Look At Us Now" starts off with acoustic guitar and violin. Lovely! Nice opening to get me wondering for more. "We were in love, but look at us now, ba ba ba ba ba..." It is as if they were so much in love, until now. "Look at us now...," Charles added. Then there are guitar solo followed by violin solo, what a play in such a short song!

"You'll Miss Me" is another slow tempo song on the album. It's one of my favourite songs on the album. I just love the guitar, bass, piano, violin and even the vocals on this song. It found its way to my heart even at the first listen. Charles goes, "Never should have left this carry on for so long, but I dare say that you'll miss me..." and then he goes again with, "La da da da da la da da...." I gotta say, it's just so good! :-D Each time after the chorus, the piano comes in exactly at the right time. Really impressive!

"Cold as Minnesota" has a very tasty and groovy bassline to it. The bassline itself is the best asset of this song. Accompanied by handclaps after the break, it's one of the most dance-able songs on the album. This song is as if Charles were getting mad at someone, "Step outside in the cold, I don't want you here tomorrow when I wake up", but Math and Physics Club made it a groovy track that is so delicious to our ears. I can't say no!

From the lyrics of "Such a Simple Plan", it seems to be a sad song. But again, Math and Physics Club made it an enjoyable and dance-able track. Charles sings about a girl who's having a failed relationship, "Summer turned into June, she spent morning night and noon in a tiny room, typing away to another sad romantic..." It ends with, "She cries and reads herself to sleep instead". Such a simple plan but with a deep meaning!

Math and Physics Club ends with "Last Dance", a poppy and cheerful song that you want to tap your feet and dance to. The two guitar-playing were well arranged and timed. One is the lead guitar, the other a rhythm guitar. "Why does it have to be sad? Now darling don't be mad, let's put the past behind, and hit the floor before the last dance... To make you fall for me" Next time when you're having a party, please dance with your partnet and remember the lyrics from "Last Dance". You'll have the best last dance ever!

Rating: I can imagine myself singing a couple of songs take from the album. "Math and Physics Club" is really created for a couple. All their songs and lyrics are meant to be listened and enjoyed by couples and lovers! If you ever have a chance to sing to your loved ones in front of a big crowd, you'll know which album to look for! Simple but heart-melting, I can't help it but give it 7.8 out of 10.

Stand-Out Tracks (My Picks): Darling, Please Come Home, I Know What I Want, You'll Miss Me, Last Dance and Cold as Minnesota.

Plan B - The Defamation of Strickland Banks Album Review

Strickland Banks, known as Plan B, is a British singer and actor. He has explained that the reason behind his stage name is that he originally intended to make commercial R&B but didn't feel comfortable in the genre. So he changed his style up, added some hip hop and rap, and this time was successful. Hence, Plan B. He has a unique sound, which has been labeled Eminem meets Damien Rice. His lyrical content touches on intense topics such as drugs, rape, murder and under-age sex.

The Defamation of Strickland Banks is his second studio release and it reached #1 on the UK album chart. The cover depicts an old theatre, the kind where the individual letters are put up on the sign manually. This is fitting as the record tells a story from the first track to the last, and the title of the album says it all.

The beginning of the story starts with a love song, Love Goes Down, illustrating a seemingly contented relationship. Next up, in Writing's on the Wall that relationship develops issues and appears to be falling apart. Stay Too Long follows, which was the lead single and hit #9 on the UK singles chart. The scene is a bar, and Plan B is drinking heavily, resulting in fights, and cheating on his girlfriend with a random girl. A court case ensues in She Said, which is Plan B's testimony, defending himself against statutory rape, with his girlfriend in the audience.

In Welcome to Hell Mr Banks enters jail and fakes braveness, surrounded by murderers, robbers and rapists. The songs that follow delve into the dark emotions that Plan B experiences in jail. Hard Times and The Recluse focus on his loneliness and hopelessness. Traded in my Cigarettes is about obtaining a weapon to protect himself. Prayin' is a vulnerable prayer to God as he killed a man in self-defense, and Darkest Place is the hurt and angry letter to God which follows.

I Know a Song is another love song, but a sad one without hope. Finally, What You Gonna Do, places Plan B back in court, in a follow-up trial, but this time his girlfriend is not in court and he is a different man. If you didn't pay attention to Plan B's lyrics you would be forgiven for being oblivious to the dark and intense themes he broaches on. His voice is pleasant-sounding and his style a bit old-school which works well with the vinyl-looking album artwork. The heavy content the record deals with is a stark contrast with the sweet-sounding melodies.

It is a very cleverly made album and a brilliant idea, however, I don't know how many listens you could realistically give the depressing Defamation of Strickland Banks a good listen. Also when you pick the songs apart without listening to them in sequence, they don't have the same effect obviously, and the individual songs might not be strong enough on their own.

Still, props for the idea and effort without a doubt.

The Black Keys New Album, "Brothers", is More Polished, But Still Rocks

Full disclosure. I love the Black Keys. With their first seven albums they cemented their, "can do nothing wrong" (except when collaborating with rap and hip hop artists - Blackroc never happened) cachet with me. There are very few bands that make it to that level with me: Velvet Underground, Nirvana, The Pixies, Heartless Bastards, Beastie Boys, so coming in to this review of their latest album, Brothers, please understand I have a baked in bias. I expect it to be sweet.

Upon a first listen it looks like the boys learned some things from their collaboration with Danger Mouse on the last effort, Attack & Release, and perhaps even from rubbing elbows with geniuses like Raekwon, RZA and Q-Tip on the terrible Blackroc album. The sound is rich. It's full. And completely saturated in soul. It's not the stripped won duo raw rock of the Fat Possum gems, and I'm cool with it.

Brothers opens with Everlasting Light, and I have to tell you something right here. I love Marc Bolan. Dude did it right. I hold a great deal of reverence for Electric Warrior by T Rex, so when Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney step right in with the Mambo Sun homage, I'm sold again. I'm paying the sticker price twice because that's how much it's hittin' home. Mr. Auerbach's pipes are in fine form, the guitar and drums perfect and now backing vocals slide in.

The table is set for the show piece, the one cut, the "single" of the album: Next Girl. "Oh my next girl will be nothing like my ex girl...I made mistakes back then, I'll never do it again. Oh my next girl will be nothing like my ex girl...it was a painful dance but I got a second chance."

I'm not one to analyze lyrics, but that is wicked writing there, piercing right to the core of break up, tenuous relationship, and hurtful love. God this is a good song.

The album is starting to really wash over me. Tighten Up is whistling by. Patrick is pummeling me in Howlin' For You.

The Only One washes me away into cool still waters...it's beautiful. Ten Cent Pistol comes in like Primal Scream, then simply kills it with this intriguing murder story told on top of a highly produced lush sound. This might be the best song on a loaded album.

Gotta love the line in The Go Getter, "Hold on and don't let go, pretty girls help soften the blow." Unknown Brother is like a Hasil Adkins and Bill Withers collaboration: dirty guitar on a soulful feather bed. Never Gonna Give You Up is a Jerry Butler cover, and The Keys do it nicely. Don't confuse this R&B gem to Rick Astley's rick rolled meme. This is why I love The Black Keys. They can cover of an old school song and do it right, keeping the original soul and charm, but adding a twist that tells me the future might just be okay.

Studio-released albums by The Black Keys:

The Big Come Up (2002)

Thickfreakness (2003)

The Moan EP (2004)

Rubber Factory (2004)

Chulahoma (2006)

Magic Potion (2006)

Attack & Release (2008)

Brothers (2010)

Suff Daddy - The Gin Diaries Album Review

Every once in a while you come across an album which becomes your soundtrack to something - driving, dancing, solo street-walking, late night train-riding, smoking, or in the case of German producer Suff Daddy's latest project entitled The Gin Diaries, drinking. Something to be consumed with your favourite poison, after a night of your favourite poison, or even the groggy, painfully bright hungover morning after accompanied by nausea at the slightest movement, compliments of your favourite poison.

Though The Gin Diaries is a short piece of work, with thirteen tracks averaging a little over two minutes per track (save for 5 O'Clock Suff, Jimmy Jazz and Deep Shit), it is strangely just the right amount that you need to get you by, whether you are enhancing your buzz, slowing it down, or recovering from last night's excess of it.

Suff is very clearly a lover of his jazz, and like any great Hip Hop producer, he incorporates it into the bulk of the cuts on the album just enough to have that balance of the hard snares and meaty kicks working harmoniously with the soft, buzzy, occasionally cosmic synths (or the Fender Rhodes excellence of guest Jim Dunloop on Jimmy Jazz) and groovy samples he laces these joints together with. Take note as well of the strings which carry Worst Case Scenario to greatness.

Commendably, when diverting from the jazz influence, Suff really does his thing on cuts like Vienna, which sees a continuous synth riff (which would honestly get annoying if the song was more than its length of 1:11) accompanied by chimes, altogether reinforcing the mid-album buzz you should be having by then. Following this is Hospital, another joint which features simple sample-chopping of a piano loop and accompanied by the beeping of a heart rate monitor found in - yep, you guessed it - a hospital! Pat yourself on the back and have another swig for your efforts!

Though mostly an instrumental album not unlike the beat tapes of the legendary J Dilla (who is an obvious influence of Suff Daddy's style), several artists do provide their vocal talents here, like Miles Bonny on the extremely smooth 5 O'Clock Suff, which lays the foundation for the soul-inspired songs found later on the album, Oh B?b? and Deep Shit, which respectively feature the velvety vocals of Fleur Earth and Mar.

Okay I might be overemphasizing with the drinking thing; truth is, The Gin Diaries does not require your inebriation, but your inebriation may require it. The album's consistency is in its chilled mood, and though it is not extremely diverse in how Suff Daddy executes this mood, it's much more than enough for you to not feel like you're listening to one single 35-minute song. An album of multipurpose and a quick fix of cool, Suff Daddy's The Gin Diaries should instantly become one of your favourite drinking buddies.

The Black Keys New Album, "Brothers", is More Polished, But Still Rocks

Full disclosure. I love the Black Keys. With their first seven albums they cemented their, "can do nothing wrong" (except when collaborating with rap and hip hop artists - Blackroc never happened) cachet with me. There are very few bands that make it to that level with me: Velvet Underground, Nirvana, The Pixies, Heartless Bastards, Beastie Boys, so coming in to this review of their latest album, Brothers, please understand I have a baked in bias. I expect it to be sweet.

Upon a first listen it looks like the boys learned some things from their collaboration with Danger Mouse on the last effort, Attack & Release, and perhaps even from rubbing elbows with geniuses like Raekwon, RZA and Q-Tip on the terrible Blackroc album. The sound is rich. It's full. And completely saturated in soul. It's not the stripped won duo raw rock of the Fat Possum gems, and I'm cool with it.

Brothers opens with Everlasting Light, and I have to tell you something right here. I love Marc Bolan. Dude did it right. I hold a great deal of reverence for Electric Warrior by T Rex, so when Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney step right in with the Mambo Sun homage, I'm sold again. I'm paying the sticker price twice because that's how much it's hittin' home. Mr. Auerbach's pipes are in fine form, the guitar and drums perfect and now backing vocals slide in.

The table is set for the show piece, the one cut, the "single" of the album: Next Girl. "Oh my next girl will be nothing like my ex girl...I made mistakes back then, I'll never do it again. Oh my next girl will be nothing like my ex girl...it was a painful dance but I got a second chance."

I'm not one to analyze lyrics, but that is wicked writing there, piercing right to the core of break up, tenuous relationship, and hurtful love. God this is a good song.

The album is starting to really wash over me. Tighten Up is whistling by. Patrick is pummeling me in Howlin' For You.

The Only One washes me away into cool still waters...it's beautiful. Ten Cent Pistol comes in like Primal Scream, then simply kills it with this intriguing murder story told on top of a highly produced lush sound. This might be the best song on a loaded album.

Gotta love the line in The Go Getter, "Hold on and don't let go, pretty girls help soften the blow." Unknown Brother is like a Hasil Adkins and Bill Withers collaboration: dirty guitar on a soulful feather bed. Never Gonna Give You Up is a Jerry Butler cover, and The Keys do it nicely. Don't confuse this R&B gem to Rick Astley's rick rolled meme. This is why I love The Black Keys. They can cover of an old school song and do it right, keeping the original soul and charm, but adding a twist that tells me the future might just be okay.

Studio-released albums by The Black Keys:

The Big Come Up (2002)

Thickfreakness (2003)

The Moan EP (2004)

Rubber Factory (2004)

Chulahoma (2006)

Magic Potion (2006)

Attack & Release (2008)

Brothers (2010)

Suff Daddy - The Gin Diaries Album Review

Every once in a while you come across an album which becomes your soundtrack to something - driving, dancing, solo street-walking, late night train-riding, smoking, or in the case of German producer Suff Daddy's latest project entitled The Gin Diaries, drinking. Something to be consumed with your favourite poison, after a night of your favourite poison, or even the groggy, painfully bright hungover morning after accompanied by nausea at the slightest movement, compliments of your favourite poison.

Though The Gin Diaries is a short piece of work, with thirteen tracks averaging a little over two minutes per track (save for 5 O'Clock Suff, Jimmy Jazz and Deep Shit), it is strangely just the right amount that you need to get you by, whether you are enhancing your buzz, slowing it down, or recovering from last night's excess of it.

Suff is very clearly a lover of his jazz, and like any great Hip Hop producer, he incorporates it into the bulk of the cuts on the album just enough to have that balance of the hard snares and meaty kicks working harmoniously with the soft, buzzy, occasionally cosmic synths (or the Fender Rhodes excellence of guest Jim Dunloop on Jimmy Jazz) and groovy samples he laces these joints together with. Take note as well of the strings which carry Worst Case Scenario to greatness.

Commendably, when diverting from the jazz influence, Suff really does his thing on cuts like Vienna, which sees a continuous synth riff (which would honestly get annoying if the song was more than its length of 1:11) accompanied by chimes, altogether reinforcing the mid-album buzz you should be having by then. Following this is Hospital, another joint which features simple sample-chopping of a piano loop and accompanied by the beeping of a heart rate monitor found in - yep, you guessed it - a hospital! Pat yourself on the back and have another swig for your efforts!

Though mostly an instrumental album not unlike the beat tapes of the legendary J Dilla (who is an obvious influence of Suff Daddy's style), several artists do provide their vocal talents here, like Miles Bonny on the extremely smooth 5 O'Clock Suff, which lays the foundation for the soul-inspired songs found later on the album, Oh B?b? and Deep Shit, which respectively feature the velvety vocals of Fleur Earth and Mar.

Okay I might be overemphasizing with the drinking thing; truth is, The Gin Diaries does not require your inebriation, but your inebriation may require it. The album's consistency is in its chilled mood, and though it is not extremely diverse in how Suff Daddy executes this mood, it's much more than enough for you to not feel like you're listening to one single 35-minute song. An album of multipurpose and a quick fix of cool, Suff Daddy's The Gin Diaries should instantly become one of your favourite drinking buddies.

Album Review - Mary J Blige - Stronger With Each Tear

If you are any kind of Mary J. Blige fan like me you were eagerly anticipating her new album Stronger with Each Tear. I would love to give this album a great review but that wouldn't be honest and you know?Vincent Purdie don't be lying for nobody so let's get to it.

The first song, Tonight produced by Akon sounds just like?every song produced by Akon. Now if that's your thing then God bless but I don't play Mary J. Blige looking for Akon beats and over production. And all that Rihanna like chanting at the beginning of the song is too much my taste as well.

Her current single, The One, with the Canadian rapper Drake is cool I guess but to clubby for ole?Vince and I ain't crazy about a whole lotta club/rap music so the record failed for me but the young folks like it I suppose.

Said and Done is another up tempo club song that has a bit more of a soulful flavor but the production still seemed more concerned with dropping bass than catering to Mary's voice.

Good Love with T.I. is another up tempo cut with the rapper T.I. you know the boy in jail for having all them guns. Well, this is another one for the party people and not?Vince sorry to say.

The only two songs that cater to the folks who enjoy the pre-pop Mary J. Blige don't appear until the end of the album. Color and In The Morning are powerful and beautiful songs that are well written and even better performed by the queen of hip-hop soul herself. It is too bad the rest of the album wasn't more like these two songs and these will probably be the only songs I get my girlfriend to put on my mp3 player from this album. Listen to some samples around the net, you might like it more than I do and if so go ahead and buy it with no taste err I mean no guilt.

Until next week y'all, God bless you and keep the music playing.

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Nightmare - Avenged Sevenfold Album Review

From thrashy breakdowns to very melodic choruses, Avenged Sevenfold captures your attention at the beginning of every one of their songs and keeps a tight hold on it every step of the way. From top to bottom, track by track, Avenged Sevenfold's newest album, Nightmare, is by far my second favorite (rivaled only by Kings of Leon's Only by the Night) album that I've picked up in recent times. Seriously, Nightmare could be a greatest hits album in and of itself. I am pleasantly surprised at how much I actually enjoy listening to this album, and I never found myself skipping any songs, because I loved them all.I have never enjoyed to this band as much as I do since listening to this album. They have earned the attention of my ears in a major way with the release of this album. With the loss of one of their bandmates last year, they have also gained my heartfelt sympathy. After Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan's death in December of 2009, this is a great comeback for the band. Mike Portnoy did a wonderful job with recording the drumming. Nightmare is a true homage in all respects.

The diversity of the songs included in Nightmare are truly just one piece of the amazing pie that Avenged Sevenfold created this time around. Each and every track has its own unique feel. The title track, "Nightmare", starts the album off with a chime melody that turns from happy to eerie to angry seamlessly. You'll know you love the album the second you listen to this title track. But the greatness of A7x's Nightmare doesn't stop after the title track. "Nightmare" is creepy. "God Hates Us" is very thrashy and has quite an angry feel to it (with a title like that, it's no surprise.) "Danger Line" has a beautiful chorus, and the bridge has an almost old-western-gunfight-scene feel to it. Track 8, "Victim" reminded me of Pink Floyd a bit (don't ask why).

Nightmare is a rare gem. An album that has top-notch quality songs around every corner doesn't come around very often, but when it does happen, it is truly something to behold. You have to listen for yourself to hear what a great job A7x has done with this one. My job is just to tell you what I think, and either recommend that you either check this one out, or skip it. I cannot stress enough how much of aCHECK THIS ONE OUT Nightmare is.

I thoroughly enjoyed Nightmare from beginning to end, and would recommend anyone, A7x fan or not; rock genre fan or not to pick this one up. Seriously, if you don't, you are missing out on a wonderful piece of art. Top notch music writing, planning, and production went into the making of Nightmare. But what sets this one apart from the others is the amount of passion that went into this one. You can feel and hear the passion exuding from your speakers.

Borrow or Buy?

This one is definitely a buy. I could listen to this thing over and over (and I have). Plus, if you borrowed it, your buddy would be musically deprived of this stunning

Jazmine Sullivan - Fearless - Album Review

Hey now, this is Vincent Purdie and first I'd like to say thank you for reading?my article. Hope you enjoy it.

This is the first of my weekly reviews. Now, it's just my opinion. You certainly are entitled to your own but I sure know me some music so I know if you try me out you'll find out my taste is very close to the majority of the readers who like R&B and Soul music. Let's get started.

When my?girlfriend asked me to listen to this week's artist, Jazmine Sullivan, I ain't had no problem cause that sure is a good looking young lady right there.

The first song had a nice little beat to it, had?me groovin' but then, this fool started talking about I Bust Your Windows out your car. I jumped up and grabbed my 38. Hell you gonna' bust the windows out my car and get away with it.

But as I listened more I heard about how some young dude had messed this young girl up so bad that she needed to do something to make him feel the same kind of pain she was feeling. Now, I don't condone that type of behavior but old Vince does understand. The song almost had me feeling real bad for the girl until the end of the song, when that devilish laugh of hers came out.

The most of rest of the album is just as intelligent, soulful and clever. I didn't care for the One Night Stand and Switch. They seem like after thoughts to fill the album out but you might like them so give them a chance.

The stand out song of the album is not Need U Bad believe it or not. The song that will forever have the world mentioning Jazmine Sullivan with the likes of Aretha, Gladys and Patti is the amazing In Love with Another Man. This alone is worth the price of the entire album and it's a shame that this one don't get no radio play but take it from Vincent Purdie, soul music don't get no better than this from any artist in any era. This is classic soul music.

This album gets from me a solid four and a half shot glasses out of five.

Plan B - The Defamation of Strickland Banks Album Review

Strickland Banks, known as Plan B, is a British singer and actor. He has explained that the reason behind his stage name is that he originally intended to make commercial R&B but didn't feel comfortable in the genre. So he changed his style up, added some hip hop and rap, and this time was successful. Hence, Plan B. He has a unique sound, which has been labeled Eminem meets Damien Rice. His lyrical content touches on intense topics such as drugs, rape, murder and under-age sex.

The Defamation of Strickland Banks is his second studio release and it reached #1 on the UK album chart. The cover depicts an old theatre, the kind where the individual letters are put up on the sign manually. This is fitting as the record tells a story from the first track to the last, and the title of the album says it all.

The beginning of the story starts with a love song, Love Goes Down, illustrating a seemingly contented relationship. Next up, in Writing's on the Wall that relationship develops issues and appears to be falling apart. Stay Too Long follows, which was the lead single and hit #9 on the UK singles chart. The scene is a bar, and Plan B is drinking heavily, resulting in fights, and cheating on his girlfriend with a random girl. A court case ensues in She Said, which is Plan B's testimony, defending himself against statutory rape, with his girlfriend in the audience.

In Welcome to Hell Mr Banks enters jail and fakes braveness, surrounded by murderers, robbers and rapists. The songs that follow delve into the dark emotions that Plan B experiences in jail. Hard Times and The Recluse focus on his loneliness and hopelessness. Traded in my Cigarettes is about obtaining a weapon to protect himself. Prayin' is a vulnerable prayer to God as he killed a man in self-defense, and Darkest Place is the hurt and angry letter to God which follows.

I Know a Song is another love song, but a sad one without hope. Finally, What You Gonna Do, places Plan B back in court, in a follow-up trial, but this time his girlfriend is not in court and he is a different man. If you didn't pay attention to Plan B's lyrics you would be forgiven for being oblivious to the dark and intense themes he broaches on. His voice is pleasant-sounding and his style a bit old-school which works well with the vinyl-looking album artwork. The heavy content the record deals with is a stark contrast with the sweet-sounding melodies.

It is a very cleverly made album and a brilliant idea, however, I don't know how many listens you could realistically give the depressing Defamation of Strickland Banks a good listen. Also when you pick the songs apart without listening to them in sequence, they don't have the same effect obviously, and the individual songs might not be strong enough on their own.

Still, props for the idea and effort without a doubt.