The Ghetto Blaster EP is billed as a sort of interlude between studio albums for these rap-rock rebels. It's seven tracks, that all manage to attain a raw originality even though some of them are remixes, so to speak, of past SSSC songs as well as popular hip hop songs. Following suit with the self titled debut album, this EP doesn't have nearly as much political rhetoric as you would expect from these two "protest-rock stars" known for their opinionated content. It's not quite that serious. Tom Morello is back to basics, exhibiting the dynamic funk style we remember from Rage Against The Machine. Boots Riley is fierce, and in my opinion is better suited to this style of music. This band's work is best listened to objectively, however. Fans of The Coup and RATM will have a hard time doing this, but it's necessary. These "super-groups" tend to get picked apart by critics, after their expectations fail to be met, case in point; Audioslave, Velvet Revolver, etc. It's inspired, it's hard...this is the real deal.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Street Sweeper Social Club (self-titled)

Track:
Everything

You've got to hand it to Gin Blossoms. They've overcome obstacles from within the band itself as well as outside forces,and after all that have returned with their signature 90's sound intact. Their fifth studio album is a testament to the fact that just because a band has peaked, does not necessarily mean they are finished making good music. "No Chocolate Cake" is easy listening, but still has that pop element. It's melodic and mellow. Robin Wilson's voice must have been kept in some kind of vegetative state, because there is no noticeable difference in the vocals on this album from the 1989 debut, "Dusted". It's a phenomenon how well everything has held up. There is some filler, so to speak, particularly toward the latter portion of the album. The tracks aren't lacking in content, however, they just fail to really reach out and grab you like those of "New Miserable Experience" or "Congratulations I'm Sorry". Gin Blossoms are demigods of pop-rock. They've proved themselves time and again. This album is really more about having fun and making music because they love to do it, which is admirable.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Dusted
New Miserable Experience
Congratulations I'm Sorry
Major Lodge Victory

Track:
I Don't Want To Lose You Now

Marianas Trench is on the threshold of becoming breakout stars in the United States. Being widely revered in their native Canada, the Vancouver quartet is often referred to as the Canadian version of "Fall Out Boy" based on their popularity and emo-pop rock sound. This is the band's second studio album, though they have released ep's and commercial singles since as early as 2002. "Masterpiece Theatre" is a fairly brilliant work. The actual release of the album was delayed through the latter half of 2009 due to disputes with the record label over content as well as the continued disappointment of the band with their finished product. In the pursuit of their best work, Marianas Trench managed to produce a substantial album with catchy, repetitious hooks and vibrant instrumentals. The record features three title-track interludes. Part three is the best one, mixing lyrics from other songs in a sort of culminating medley that ends the album. They have that certain Canadian sincerity about them. It's a large part of their appeal. Though they may not be as deep, in a phylosophical sense, as the Pacific Ocean trench from which the band's name is derived, they certainly are talented.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Fix Me

Track:
Cross My Heart

This is the second studio album from a band being hailed as a 'super group' by fans and critics. The members include Jack White, Alison Mosshart (The Kills), Jack Lawrence (The Greenhornes), and Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age). The resulting sound can be described as a unique sort of gritty blues. It's high brow, an acquired taste perhaps for many listeners. The first album, "Horehound", was met with much acclaim by fans of the members' respective bands as well as a new developing fan base of their own. The writing process for this band is organic, to say the least, and this really contributes to the scattered and abstract quality present on this record and its predecessor. Instrumentally, "Sea Of Cowards" is a little more raw. It's bluesy, but it's also sort of heavy and just filthy. The vocals are layed down by Jack White and Alison Mosshart for the most part. The two seem to have more chemistry on this work as well. It's truly a brilliant album.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Horehound

Track:
Looking At The Invisible Man

There are more two piece bands emerging lately, but very few if any that project such a collosal sound as this Sacramento duo. The album is broad, spanning multiple rock sub-genres. There are modern alternative rock songs like the single, "New Low". There are other tracks infused with a sort of screamo punk and metal. There's no pattern followed with this band, which is rare and interesting. The sounds are progressive as well. Two piece bands like this one really are compelled to be creative with the manner in which they play their instruments. They are tight lyrically as well. There's a decent vocal range exhibited as well as intriguing lyrics. This is only the first studio album by Middle Class Rut, but after a string of EP's since 2006, the band has built a following, particularly in the UK. I would look for the band to sort of continue at this slower pace with actual album production. This is a pair of guys that seem to be much more considerate of content than proliferation.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
N/A

Track:
New Low

The face of Incubus, Brandon Boyd, lives up to the hype on his first solo release. The album, musically, varies very little from an Incubus album. The notable differences are present in the creative process and the actual production. Most artists who go solo still record with a band, but Boyd laid down the instrumentals himself for this record. He works with Dave Fridmann, who has worked more recently with OK Go and MGMT. Listening to this album, one gets the impression that the microphones were turned up just a little too high on  a lot of the tracks. This creates a raw and unpolished feel and was done deliberately with that intent.. The lyrics are the usual artsy, metaphor, and poetry driven content we're used to from Boyd, even quoting Oscar Wilde on the second track, "Here Comes Everyone". The remarkable thing about this album is its simplicity. It was cultivated by primarily Boyd and Fridmann in upstate New York over a couple months, just finishing off pieces Boyd had begun while high on marijuana playing acoustic guitar. The result is a solid debut solo release from one of the most revered vocalists in American music.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
N/A

Track:
Runaway Train

You might ask yourself, "didn't Buckethead just release an album this year?". Yes, Buckethead releases albums whenever he wants to. This album, however, is an obvious tribute to The King Of Pop who passed away last year. Buckethead strays from his usual acid jazz funk rock to a more melodic sensual tone on this album. Everything is a lot slower and mellow on this latest work and it almost sounds like a score for a movie (based on MJ). Even though Buckethead stays away from the craziness on this album, he still has made another unique album. His guitar solos, riffs, and licks are still invigorating as ever. You can really feel the passion behind this album. For Buckethead fans this album will not surprise you with its content, mainly because Buckethead has done many songs like the ones present on this album, he just has never put out an entire album just with slow songs. For newcomers however just sit back, relax, and enjoy this Voyage.

LoopedEyeless

Past Works:
Death Cube K

Track:
Chase The Darkness Out

There are so many things to deter fans of Rock and Roll from listening to this album. The band is fronted by a woman. They are signed to Hollywood Records, the Disney-owned label that boasts acts like Miley Cyrus and The Jonas Brothers. They are from Vermont. Disregard your predisposed notions about Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. They are bona fide rock. The self-titled third studio album is fierce. They ditched their old producer in favor of Mark Batson, the long time producer for The Dave Matthews Band. Lead vocalist, Grace Potter is hot, in just about every sense of the word. Her voice is soulful and piercing, Picture Heidi Klum with a guitar sitting in for Robert Plant and fronting Led Zeppelin. The guitar riffs are so sharp and dynamic on the harder tracks. On other tracks there is a more layed back sound driven by resonating guitar, compelling percussion, and that electric voice. The band released their first album in 2005, and have since made a couple of key personel changes that may be what led to their new and improved sound. They are gaining commercial notoriety and are poised for a big year in 2011, and when all is said and done, Grace Potter will likely be regarded as the one who picked up where Joan Jett and Cherie Currie left off.

RedletterDaydream

Past Works:
Nothing But The Water
This Is Somewhere

Track:
Paris (Ohh-La-La)