Gorillaz release a new album while one of their members puts out a solo release
It’s the middle of the April and guess what? It’s snowing in Chicago. I woke up and the white stuff was on the grass outside. What the hell? If this isn’t undeniable prove that God hates Chicago, then I don’t know what is.
Anyway, that aside, this is what’s up this week.
Gorillaz – “The Fall” [Virgin Records]
So…they’re back! The animated hip-hop group Gorillaz have invaded with another display of virtual goodness with The Fall. Actually, the album has been out since December of 2010 through download. But today marks the release of the physical album. Songs like “Phoner to Arizona” and “Revolving Doors” serve to give listeners a more subdued sound than their previous efforts. Still, the titles alone will tell people what tripped-out shit they’re about to experience.
Brian Setzer – “Setzer Goes Instru – MENTAL!” [Surf Dog]
I think the title says it all.
Brian Setzer — founding member of the Stray Cats and the Brian Setzer Orchestra — has stuck out on his own with a collection of instrumental tracks. Orginally, Setzer did have vocals for
these tracks, but took them out because the music was that awesome, apparently. Even without vocals, tracks like “Go Go Godzilla” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky” can stand on their own.
tUnE yArDs – “w h o k i l l” [4ad Records]
What if Janis Joplin had ditched her blues-rock style and went the artsy, avant grande route? Most likely, she would’ve sounded like tUnE yArDs. Like Nine Inch Nails, this is a Merrill Garbus project. Her stage shows include making drum loops, beatboxes, and mixes on the spot with a back – up band behind her. The music itself is dichotmy of cheery pop sounds and dark lyrics, which will make you happily depressed or depressively happy depending on the day. For a good example of the weirdness, take a look at the video for the single “bizness”.
Del The Funky Homosapien – “The Golden Era” [The Council]
Californian rapper Del has achieved enormous success with several projects. First, he came onto the scene in the 1990s with “Catch a Bad One” which had the sickest bass line I’ve ever heard. Then he collaborated with the Dan the Automator on not one but two seminal projects: first, Deltron 3030, then Gorillaz on the single “Clint Eastwood” off their debut album. Now, Del is back on his own and providing people with three albums’ worth of his rhymes. The set includes one new album and two albums of tracks that were only available online. Enjoy!
Les Nubians – “Nu Revolution” [Shanachie]
It’s been a while since we last heard from Les Nubians. Since the French singing duo released their spoken word joint “Echos: Chapter One” in 2005, nothing much has been heard from them. With “Nu Revolution”, the tracks are more upbeat, and the single of the same name is becoming a hit in the lounge circuit. Les Nubians is proving to everybody that Neo-Soul ain’t going nowhere.
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