Kasabian Empire

There's a fine line between stupid and clever. And it's a white line, carved out on the plastic CD cover of an old copy of Be Here Now. In this post-Britpop world of block rockin' beats, and cut n' paste guitars, Kasabian needs to take a long look in the mirror and decide whether they want to be innovators, or imitators. The drums, loops, beats, electronic bleeps and strings on this record are shockingly generic, thin and weak. And most of the lyrics are painful. There's even a lame acoustic ballad that can be best described as "sub-Heavy Stereo" - it's truly embarrassing. There's so much wrong with this record. It lacks all the shambolic verve, spontaneity, and rawness of their exciting debut. I wanted to love this album, but it's so sketchy and lifeless. It comes off stale, pompous, and lacking in soul. Maybe they aimed too high? I can't explain it. It's disappointing. I had high hopes for this band, and in a way, I still do. We'll see what the future holds. They should get Death In Vegas to produce their next album. Shake things up a bit.

The Good, The Bad, & The Queen

Damon Albarn has formed a new band with Tony Allen (of Fela Kuti fame) on drums, Paul Simonon from the Clash on bass, and Simon Tong (ex-Verve, Blur) on guitar. It's an understatement to say that I'm extremely excited about how this is going to turn out. The last Blur album, recorded on a laptop in Morocco was phenomenal. Albarn is doing good stuff with the Gorillaz, and there is an excellent Tony Allen track out there with Albarn sharing vocal duties with rapper Ty called "Every Season" and it should serve as a nice taste of what's to come. Recruiting Paul Simonon for bass duties should be a perfect fit for obvious reasons. And Simon Tong, the least known entity, is a skilled guitarist with a feel for spacey textures and forward-thinking guitar sounds. I can't wait for the results of this intriguing experiment. I'd love to see guest vocalists at some point. Oh, and the icing? Danger Mouse is producing. Hell yeah!

Bonga Mona Ki Ngi Xica

This is one of the best songs I've ever heard in my life. Bonga Kwenda is an African musician/singer from Angola, and of mixed Portuguese & Angolan descent. This was recorded in 1972. It's lyrics were subversive enough to get him arrested and kicked out of his country by the Portuguese colonial occupiers. A few years later Angola gained independence, and he was able to return. The song is a simple, sublime ballad consisting of only acoustic guitar, a conga drum, and Bonga's amazing voice, sung in his native Kimbuntu language. Close your eyes and you are lazily drifting in a small fishing boat under the stars. This song is perfection.

UHU Constellation Mixes EP

I picked this up a few months ago and re-discovered it the other day. It's super good. It's got thick synths thumping and humping all over the place like molasses sliding down teflon into a stew of neurotic beats, dissonant melodies and slithering, sizzling lead analog keyboard lines that are spine-numbing. And there's plenty of squelchy breakbeats and dubby, sparkling bleeps ricocheting all over the place for added kicks. As frantic as all that might sound, it keeps it's focus and stays on point, delivering it's intergalactic message. It's Kraftwerk by way of Bambaataa, by way of Drexciya. Four perfect slices of electro mindwarping space travel music.

Roebeck Do You Remember... EP

I discovered these guys on MySpace. This is a fantastic EP. Every song is great. Mellow beats float with acoustic guitars, electric pianos and luxurious synths. The vocals on track two are superb. It's the stand-out track and it's the direction they should go in. Modern, yet soulful, like a crisp breeze through autumn tree branches, it's natural, cozy and sublime.

Darkel Darkel

So this is one of the dudes from Air. It's really good. 1970's soft rock filtered thru lo-fi 21st century electro fuzz. Soft and warm, simple, and delicate. It's fantastic that he keeps it simple. If you like, or think you'd like, stoned, laid back French indie pop that's sung in English, this is for you.

The Klaxons

So I've been working on this review of the new Kasabian album, which has been kind of a let down for me, when I finally downloaded some tracks by the Klaxons and realized that the Klaxons are what I wish Kasabian sounded like! The Kasabian review is still coming... but in the meantime, I'm squishing my brain with the Klaxons' blend of fuzz bass, crunchy breakbeats, squelchy acid freakouts, and KLF-on-speed inspired madness.

Supergrass Road To Rouen

The opening track on the latest album by Supergrass is titled, appropriately, "Tales Of Endurance" - and over ten years into a solid career, they're still delivering the goods. With the exception of one clunker track, this album is flawless, and free of goofy antics. Measured, laid back tunes drift along with ease. There's nothing epic here, but the easy guitar tones and light, steady momentum are pleasing, mellow, and comfortable in the best way possible. Some tracks approach Al Stewart territory, by way of Air. But this is still distinctly Supergrass. But an older, gentler Supergrass. Gone are the bouncy teenage kicks, and in are reflective lyrics about the days when "We were younger..." set to lazy backbeats and soft vocal harmonies intertwined in a haze of beautiful melodies. Pleasant and satisfying.