Muzak

Between today and the last time I posted anything I've had the pleasure of listening to a few new(ish) albums, four to be exact:


Daft Punk - Tron Legacy Soundtrack


This album is exactly what it says it is: A soundtrack. It's a movie score, not a sci-fi infused electro album full of bangers, even though that's what I wanted it to be. Did you see Inception? Remember the over-the-top music filled with epic strings and loud drums? This is basically what it is, with distinct sounds of Punk's synths mixed in. It works, imagining light-cycles and disc-battles to the music is made easy with the tone the music sets. Most of the 'album' is simply film score, making it not the most exciting thing to listen to. If you're looking for the next Homework, this isn't it. There are however, a couple choice tracks that may not quench, but at least temporarily satisfy a thirst for fresh music from the robotic duo.

You can grab the leaked album here: nodata.tv. If it asks you for a password at any time, it is nodata.tv.

Check out:

"Son of Flynn", "End of the Line", "Derezzed", "Disc Wars", "TRON Legacy (End Titles)"



Smashing Pumpkins - Teagarden By Kaleidyscope Vol. 2: The Solstice Bare


Let me start this off by saying that I'm a huge Pumpkins fan, and have been listening to them for years. When Billy Corgan 're-created' the band and released Zeitgeist I was excited. And then I listened to Zeitgeist. All my excitement faded and turned to worry. What was this human/martian hybrid doing with my beloved Pumpkins? Kaleidyscope isn't any different. These four songs (apparently out of a possible forty-four to be released later) are a continuation of the same streak of shit started with Zeitgeist. Thirty-seconds into the first track "The Fellowship" and you can tell something is wrong. There's something bizarre and inherently wrong with hearing Billys voice over a storm of electronic music. There aren't any tracks worth checking out, skip this immediately.


Neil Young - Le Noise


Neils newest album helps to drive home the argument that he was in fact, the undisputed "Godfather of Grunge". His newest album is soaked with lo-fi guitars, heavy bass, and has enough Rock and Roll to attract even the most stubborn folk-haters. The first track "Walk With Me" sounds ready-made for large-scale stadium rock. Not to worry, there is enough of the softer Young we all know and love. The somber "Love and War" reminds us of the debt war creates, and the families who must pay it. Neil's passion on the issue of War was shown in his Living with War album that was released a few years ago, and it's obvious that passion has not dissipated.

Check out: "Love and War", "Walk With Me", "Rumblin", "Peaceful Valley Boulevard".


Kanye West - My Dark Twisted Fantasy


Kanye is back with another album, thankfully deciding to skip out on the R&B auto-tune-fest that was 2008s 808s and Heartbreak. I still don't know if that whole thing was a joke or not. Anyways, with Fantasy Kanye has returned to the music that helped make him the biggest name in Hip-Hop. If there were any doubts about Kanyes lyrical prowess, or his affinity for creating great beats, this album should put those to rest. Admittedly I used to think the size of his head did not match up with the quality of his output, but he is certainly making a case for himself with Fantasy. I still think he's slightly over-rated (see pitchfork), but there is no doubt this is an epic hip-hop album. The guest-list reads like an all-star line-up of musics biggest names: Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Bon Iver, the RZA, John Legend, and Rick Ross all make appearances on the album, along with others. Definitely, definitely check this one out, as it will surely be one of, if not the biggest albums of 2010(11?).

Check out: All of it.

*edit: There are a few songs I don't really dig ..namely "All of the Lights", "Hell of a Life", "Lost in the World".