This is my first post as the title would suggest, on this blog I will review albums aswell as some of the more interesting events in my life. As can be expected, the latter probably won’t occur too often.

Too begin here are my recently written reviews of Aesop Rock’s and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs most recent releases.

Aesop Rock – None Shall Pass
Label: Def(initive) Jux(taposition)
Time: 1:03:45

Because outside of this release all the Aesop Rock I’ve heard is contained within the album Labour Days and as a result this will be my point of comparison. So I will start by saying that the too releases are entirely different, but thematically and musically. They still have their similarities however, Aesop’s complicated rhymes, phrasing and bitonal flow is still here aswell as dark and dense production provided by Blockhead. Also like in Labour Days Aesop has handled production on a few tracks and since then he’s learnt a lot, with his rivalling that of Blockhead and even El-P (who handles production as well as adding vocals in “Gun For The Whole Family” ).

That about where the similarities end. Whereas Labour Days was fairly laid back in its sound, None Shall Pass has much thicker grooves as well as more variety in its sonic palette from clean guitars to distorted vocals samples used as bass lines and some clever spoken word clips about inertia and astrology. Overall a dark, ominous atmosphere abounds, notwithstanding it has an incredibly bouncy and danceable feel. When it comes to the lyrical content he uses his exceptional wordplay to weave stories about proud pirates and drug addicts. What they are actually about is still beyond me, mostly because I couldn’t care less. This album comes with a rather eclectic selection of guests ranging from the aforementioned El-P to John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats, who in my opinion ruins a perfectly good track, but I just don’t like his voice.

This is a hip hop album for everyone, whether you like trying to decipher cryptic lyrics, want something to dance to or play pick the sample. It’s got everything and is guaranteed multiple replays. Also, the artwork is absolutely fantastic.

1. Keep Off The Lawn
2. None Shall Pass
3. Catacomb Kittens
4. Bring Back Pluto
5. Fumes
6. Getaway Car (ft. Cage + Breeze Brewin)
7. 39 Thieves
8. The Harbour Is Yours
9. Citronella
10. Gun For The Whole Family (ft. El-P)
11. Five Fingers
12. No City
13. Dark Heart News (ft. Rob Sonic)
14. Coffee (ft. John Darnielle)

Download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/56677228/ASPRK_NSP.rar

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Is Is (EP)
Label: Interscope/Polydor
Time: 00:17:37

This EP was written during the New York trio’s tour in support of their album Fever to Tell, and it shows. Other than the occasionally subdued moments Is Is has little in common with Show Your Bones. The production here shows them off at their best, very tight but at the same time extremely raw making for a very wild and fun ride without the need to strain to here any of the elements, not that that was ever an issue.

”Rockers to Swallow” opens the EP with savage yet precise chaos. Karen O performs one of her most lively and aggressive vocal performances here, yelping and panting her way through most of the song. “Down Boy” utilises the loud/quiet to great effect and it acts as a break between “Rockers to Swallow” and the next track, “Kiss Kiss” which is just as fiery and exciting as the opener, as well as displaying Nick Zinner’s ability to be able to deftly fill the position of two guitarists. The title track continues the energy and leads into “10 X 10” where Karen O’s more conventional and prettier singing shows its ability to fit very well into the YYY’s noisy sound.

All the tracks are solid and quiet varied, the only weak points about this EP is that it’s a lot more focused than any of their albums, almost making them redundant. The short length is also a pain as it leaves you wanting more, something that even repeated listens can’t accomplish.

1. Rockers To Swallow
2. Down Boy
3. Kiss Kiss
4. Is Is
5. 10 x 10
Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?3r0tmyxm1dc

Remember kids, if you enjoyed these albums please support the artist by buying the album. I did.