June 1st, 2023
The Dare's Borrowed Nostalgia For The Hardly-Remembered 2000s 'The Sex EP' is hedonism manifested in its dumbest form, taken to its absolute dumbest conclusionBy: Malachi Lui
“I’m losing my edge…to the art school Brooklynites in little jackets… and borrowed nostalgia for the unremembered 80s.”When a then-32-year-old James Murphy uttered that line on LCD Soundsystem’s 2002 debut single “Losing My Edge,” it was about the millennial hipsters taking over New York City, recycling culture and fashion from a quarter-century before. Unlike their aesthetic predecessors, they didn’t have to work hard to find anything; they were “internet seekers who... Read More
May 14th, 2023
Daft Punk’s Newly Expanded ‘Random Access Memories’ Leaves You Wanting More The original album? Great as ever. The bonus disc? Unessential.By: Malachi Lui
As post-pandemic supply chain issues continue and the vinyl market shifts towards younger buyers with tighter budgets, slightly expanded $50-60 commemorative packages have taken focus over the elaborate anniversary box set. The 10th anniversary edition of Daft Punk's inescapable Random Access Memories, retailing at $50, includes a newer lacquer cut of the original album plus a new bonus disc with 35 minutes of “unreleased demos and outtakes.”
Read MoreMarch 31st, 2023
More Monkey Business From Gorillaz Cartoon Pop Heroes Kick Off New PhaseBy: JoE Silva
After a failed Netflix deal to put Gorillaz cartoon band members into a full length film, Damon Albarn and illustrator Jamie Hewlett regroup under a slick pop banner to deliver album number eight with the help of mega-producer Greg Kurstin.
Read MoreMarch 10th, 2023
A Box Set That Delivers Well Beyond the Expected Enhanced Version of the Classic Collaboration A video review of a brilliantly curated and executed compilationBy: Michael Fremer
Rather than writing the usual written review of this extensive, well-produced and brilliantly curated set, I chose a video review to better show the box and associated records. The set includes a double LP containing the Painted From Memory collaboration spread to 3 sides. Side 4 contains selected songs from the never fully realized Bacharach/Costello musical Taken From Life performed by various artists including Cassandra Wilson and Bill Frisell, Audra Mae and of... Read More
February 27th, 2023
METAFIVE’s Last Stand The Japanese supergroup’s second album 'METAATEM' is unfortunately inconsistentBy: Malachi Lui
It’s been over a month since drummer and pop songwriter extraordinaire Yukihiro Takahashi passed away at age 70, though acknowledging it still feels weird. It wasn’t unexpected—he was treated for brain tumors, and related pneumonia caught him in the end—but for 50 years, Takahashi never really slowed down and always seemed focus on what was next. Between his solo material, his work in Yellow Magic Orchestra and Sketch Show, other gigs like the Sadistic Mika Band, or... Read More
December 7th, 2022
Standards And Originals Take Flight on Lori Lieberman's Newest Album truly her finest vocal performances on recordBy: Michael Fremer
Lori Lieberman performs this set of standards without a "net"—no reverb bath, or any kind of cover. Singing directly and closely "on mic" where there's no room for error she delivers her finest vocal performances on record backed by Matt Rollings on keyboards (piano and B3), Lyle Workman on guitars, David Piltch on upright bass and Victor Indrizzo on drums.Lieberman produced the record with Rollings, a player in Lyle Lovett's Large Band... Read More
November 27th, 2022
"Thriller" Ala Mobile Fidelity The 40K One-Step Is a Mixed Sonic BagBy: Michael Fremer
Trackingangle's purchased at retail copy of MoFi's "Thriller" arrived just the other day, but editor Michael Fremer was well-prepared for the review, having served as an expert witness in Quincy Jones's lawsuit against the estate of Michael Jackson. He'd spent a lot of time listening to the trio of Q produced Jackson albums.
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