February: music’s month of mediocrity
Andrew Shilling
Staff Writer
“A Chorus of Storytellers” by The Album Leaf
Release date: Feb. 2
Jimmy LaValle and The Album Leaf have been together for a little over a decade now. They’ve chosen to celebrate their anniversary with the release of their fifth studio album, “A Chorus of Storytellers.” In the past, The Album Leaf has been compared to The Postal Service and Sigur Rós. However, this album’s more electronically integrated music probes new experimental territory. Many songs tend to leave the listener hanging, but all together it’s catchy and interesting.
Grade: C+
Download (don’t steal): “There is a Wind” by The Album Leaf
“These Hopeful Machines” by BT
Release date: Feb. 2
BT has been mixing progressive house tracks since the early ‘90s. His work is viewed by many as “vintage” in the world of house and trance. Right out of the gate, his album “These Hopeful Machines” became the No. 1 selling House/Dance album on Amazon.com. This two-hour rock-trance record borders on personal reformation. Set aside a few corny vocal tracks and some conventional house beats, BT is still making his audience dance and purchase records.
Grade: C+
Download (don’t steal): “The Light in Things” by BT
“New York Lounge Funk” by Dreemtime
Release date: Feb. 1
Lounge music has never sounded so good. Maybe it’s the duo’s unique electronic-funk mixes or dynamic jazz piano and horn parts, but Klive D’Farley’s work on “New York Funk Lounge” is refreshing. The vocalist and St. Louis native, Anise White, soulfully glides through the album over gospel-reminiscent harmonies and trumpet solos.
Grade: B
Download (don’t steal): “Fly” by Dreemtime
“Rebirth” by Lil Wayne
Release date: Feb. 2
So, Lil Wayne made a rock album. Why? The thought of the former Cash Money Millionaire and an electric guitar on the cover of his new album, “Rebirth,” spring endless queries. The overly auto-tuned drama is actually listenable on a couple of songs, however, when it delves into pop-punk sing-alongs, it can be impossible to get through. If there were more songs like “Drop the World,” his collaboration with Eminem, and less songs like “The Price Is Wrong,” maybe it wouldn’t have been as much of a letdown.
Grade: C –
Download (don’t steal): “On Fire” by Lil Wayne
“Prior to the Fire” by Priestess
Release date: Feb. 2
“Blah blah” guitar riffs and “yada yada” drum rhythms are strung throughout “Prior to the Fire.” When all is said and done, the new Priestess album has been done several times over. There’s an array of bands playing music just like this, and doing it far better. The lyrics are too cliché and the chord progressions too predictable. Hopefully the band is better live.
Grade: D
Download (don’t steal): “The Gem” by Priestess
