Blog: She's Making Whoopee in Hell Tonight...

M.I.A. /\/\ /\ Y /\ (Maya) Released July 13, 2010 Short Notes: Or: On The Value of Lowered Expectations Brandon: B- It's not at all surprising that critics were wildly divided over this record. It's a radical departure from her quirky but club-ready sound on her first two (outstanding) records, more abrasive, processed, and artificial. I've only followed parts of the story of M.I.A. the artist, who's global fame has put her [...]

M.I.A. /\/\ /\ Y /\ (Maya) Released July 13, 2010 Short Notes: Or: On The Value of Lowered Expectations Brandon: B- It's not at all surprising that critics were wildly divided over this record. It's a radical departure from her quirky but club-ready sound on her first two (outstanding) records, more abrasive, processed, and artificial. I've only followed parts of the story of M.I.A. the artist, who's global fame has put her [...]

Los Campesinos! Romance is Boring Released January 26 (Wichita Recordings) Short Notes: Scotland's answer to Vampire Weekend? LIN: C+ I think the Budweiser commercial using the opening of Los Campesinos!'s "You! Me! Dancing!" is brilliant. (I tried to find a copy of the ad online, but couldn't. If any readers can find it, post in the comments, please?) The build-up has just the right amount of tension that when it breaks it releases a flood [...]

Los Campesinos! Romance is Boring Released January 26 (Wichita Recordings) Short Notes: Scotland's answer to Vampire Weekend? LIN: C+ I think the Budweiser commercial using the opening of Los Campesinos!'s "You! Me! Dancing!" is brilliant. (I tried to find a copy of the ad online, but couldn't. If any readers can find it, post in the comments, please?) The build-up has just the right amount of tension that when it breaks it releases a flood [...]

LCD Soundsystem This Is Happening Released May 18, 2010(DFA/Virgin) Short Notes: This may be happening...but is it a good thing? Lin: B+ I've only recently come to the point where I'm willing to say I like dance and/or electronic music. Part of the reason is exactly what that statement usually implies: I started my musical journey in a much different place and shunned the sounds that didn't correspond with that ethos. But it's also my [...]

Kylesa Spiral Shadow Released November 9, 2010 (Season of Mist) Short Notes: Metal for the non-metal people, but it's plenty hard in its own right. Lin: A- This, more than any album, was the one I looked forward to reviewing the most when we compiled the master list of 2010 albums. It appeared on many of the year end best ofs, both general lists and those that specialized in metal. And while I've gotten more [...]

Katy Perry Teenage Dream Released August 24, 2010 (Capitol) Short Notes: This is how major label pop ends: not with a bang, but with a whimper consisting mostly of whipped cream shot from aerosol cans attached to large breasts. Lin: C My office has taken to this game of rickrolling each other with Rebecca Black's "Friday." I've heard the original so many times now and many of the remakes/parodies. The original video has over 140 [...]

Justin Townes Earle Harlem River Blues Released September 14, 2010 (Bloodshot) Short Notes: Steve's kid grows up. Brandon: B+ I've got a soft spot for Justin Townes Earle. He's Steve Earle's kid, and named after his dad's good friend (and SMWiH hero) Townes Van Zandt. He's also best known around these parts for his revelatory cover on pretty much my favorite song ever: The 'Mats' "Can't Hardly Wait". But honestly, my first [...]

Justin Townes Earle Harlem River Blues Released September 14, 2010 (Bloodshot) Short Notes: Steve's kid grows up. Brandon: B+ I've got a soft spot for Justin Townes Earle. He's Steve Earle's kid, and named after his dad's good friend (and SMWiH hero) Townes Van Zandt. He's also best known around these parts for his revelatory cover on pretty much my favorite song ever: The 'Mats' "Can't Hardly Wait". But honestly, my first [...]

Jonsi Go Released April 6. 2010 (XL) Short Notes: Sigur Ros frontman makes a pop record, mostly. Lin: B+ A solo album essentially in name only, where the best moments are those that come closest to his main band. It's more accessible than Sigur Ros, probably, but accessibility was never their problem. There's still the majestic chord progressions and non-English singing, but the songs are shorter and generally less complex. It's real easy to say that if [...]

Joanna Newsom Have One On Me Released February 23, 2010 (Drag City) Short Notes: The big indie star neither of us get. Lin: C- There is so much hubris on display here that I don't know if I should respect it more or less. First, the inevitable: a triple-disc? Over two hours worth of music? Of all the albums our preliminary 'To Review' list, this was the one I was dreading the most. I do not like [...]

Jamey Johnson The Guitar Song Released September 14, 2010 (Mercury Nashville) Short Notes: "Outlaw" country in the 70s vein gets a post-millennial update. Lin: B+ Of all the country albums we've reviewed and (presumably) will review, this is the most capital-C Country of them: there's no "alt" or "pop" here, just grounded in the early 70's outlaw scene of Waylon, Merle, and George and brought through the years by the likes of Alan Jackson [...]

Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan: Hawk Released August 24, 2010 (Vanguard) Short Notes: Dusty, Druggy Americana from former Belle & Sebastian and Screaming Trees members. Lin: A- In many ways, it's harder to write a review of a good album than a bad one. Part of it may just be my own negativity, but I find it's often easier to see what a song is lacking than what it does well. I've listened to Hawk [...]

Hot Molasses Molassachusetts EP Released January 2010 (available on Band Camp) Short Notes: Scrappy Boston pop outfit put out a formative EP. Molassachusetts by Hot Molasses Lin: B+ First off, I ought to note that both Brandon and I are friends with a few members of this band -- I was in Boston at the end of March of the release of their newest EP and slept on one of their couches, after all -- so [...]

Harvey Milk A Small Turn of Human Kindness Released May 18, 2010 (Hydra Head) High On Fire Snakes For The Divine Released February 23, 2010 (Koch Records) Lin: A- (Havey Milk) Alright, so, this album is right up my alley, though if you don't like it, I'll understand. Big, thick, crunching chords. Vocals halfway between singing and growling, a rougher Danzig being the closest comparison. Lyrics as bleak as a dead forest in winter (check [...]

Grinderman Grinderman [2] Released September 14, 2010 (Anti) Short Notes: Nick Cave is gross. And we like it. Grinderman 'Heathen Child' from Trim Editing on Vimeo . Lin: A I love Nick Cave, having nearly everything he's put out -- from the Bad Seeds, from Grinderman, from The Birthday Party and the Boys Next Door. So this is probably worth taking with a grain of salt. I was never able [...]

Gold Panda Lucky Shiner Released September 7, 2010 (Ghostly International) Short Notes: Twitchy sound collage with a retro (8-bit) vibe. Lin: C+ I think of albums like this as driving albums -- night driving in the high plains of Wyoming or the long expanses of I-80 passing through the towns of Nowhere, South Dakota. Occasionally a tree will pass by off to your left, or a trucker trying to stay awake forgetting his brights [...]

Glossary Feral Fire Released February 2, 2010 (Rebel Group) Short Notes: One of America's finest southern rock bands put out a rewarding, uneven record. Glossary - Save Your Money for the Weekend from Stewart Copeland on Vimeo . Brandon: B+ Depending on how you're counting, this is record five or six for Glossary, a Tennessee band with feet in the alt.country and southern rock worlds. [...]

Gil Scott-Heron I'm Here Now Released February 9, 2010 (XL Recordings) Short Notes: The revolution won't be televised, but it will be reviewed on She's Making Whoopee in Hell. Lin: B+ I'm not overly familiar with Scott-Heron's work. I mean, I can name more than two of his songs, which is more than most people can name, but I'm no expert. Still, I'm New Here sounds exactly like it [...]

Girl Talk All Day Released November 15, 2010 (Illegal Art) Short Notes: This is as divisive as it gets, folks. Lin: D Christgau's rating system, which we're using here, breaks down at the lower end: it doesn't work particularly well for the really crappy albums. His description of a D+ album is, "...an appalling piece of pimpwork or a thoroughly botched token of sincerity." Which describes my opinion of this album pretty [...]