YTD recordings listened to: 228
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 135
Not good music: 78
Honorable Mentions: 7
Buys: 5
Possibles: Boyd Rivers, Chris McGregor, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Dave Arner Trio, Bill Horist, MAKU Soundsystem, Zomby, Retox, About Group, Jessie Mae Hemphill, Bone Dance, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Debruit, Slidhr, The Whammies, The Chewers, Alexander Hawkins, Cheryl Pyle, Toxic Holocaust, Equal Stones, Comeback Kid, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, Spacesuits, T.O.M.B., Fofoulah, Lozen, Erase Errata, Mohammed Abozekry, Dawn Richard, Torche, Leo Welch, Astral Swans, Mastery, Leviathan, The Skints
@@@ Sam Prekop: The Republic (Thrill Jockey, 2015) I’ve seen this album mentioned elsewhere but I saw it on Aquarius Records’ new arrival list and decided to check it out. The Republic 1 opens up the record expansive and ambient with an oscillating sound up front and thin strings of sound floating behind it. And here’s a wave of weeeeeee and static. Very nice work. There are nine pieces titled Republic 1, Republic 2, (as well as other pieces )etc and they all employ the same aesthetic — minimalist arrangement with a repeating figure and garnish. High quality ambient electronic.
@@@ Kendrick Lamar: To Pimp a Butterfly (Interscope, 2015). A friend of mine asked if I thought this record is as good as its press. I didn’t think the first album was as good as everybody said it was. The first tune is a retro-funk jam featuring George Clinton and the second tune features sax and a chunks of jazz beats while Lamar comes on and raps about how free his penis is (or not). I remember this from his first record, he’s mad horny. Heavy George Clinton influence in these arrangements with some vintage Prince style guitar. The sounds here are top notch, great beats and pretty incredible arrangements, but outside of the tune clipped below, I don’t find his lyrics aren’t as compelling as the sounds.
@@@ Follakzoid: III (Sacred Bones, 2015). I peeped these guys before, they mix psych and electronic music in big jams. Sort of like somebody dragged Pink Floyd to the club and gave them some Molly. Big space noodle guitar with basic boom-titch beats. An interesting mashup.
http://soundcloud.com/sacredbones/sets/follakzoid-iii-full-album
@@@ Amnesia Bleach: The Light (Not sure, 2015). A mainstream rock tune being marketed as an indie affair. Big vocal hook in the chorus, 1980’s guitar sounds mixed with big power chords and straight rock drums. Don’t forget the uplifting lyrics — don’t lose hope, fight, the battle has been won, yadda yadda yadda.
Deep In the Music 