BLACK SABBATH – The End
EP only available for sale at venues on the band’s final (?) tour, includes 4 outtakes from the “13” sessions plus 4 songs recorded live on the previous tour. (7)
CONAN – Revengeance
Barbaric, monolithic stoner doom by UK media darlings. It’s definitely the heaviest thing you’ll hear this month but the truth of it is, when it comes to substance this stuff is quite predictable and Americans like Yob do it better. (6)
DREAM THEATER – The Astonishing
More pompous than Kansas on amphetamines, impossibly complex, ridiculously overorchestrated and spreading over two CDs and a stupefying 130 minutes, what’s astonishing is that this album still manages to include the first truly entertaining new music these guys have put out since 2002. (8)
ORANSSI PAZUZU – Varahtelija
Cosmicspacerockthrashers from Finland create some seriously fucked-up evil sounds. (8)
STEVEN WILSON – 4 1/2
5 songs that didn’t make it onto his last two albums (mostly for good reason) plus a re-working of Porcupine Tree’s “Don’t Hate Me”. For hardcore Wilson fanboys only. (6)
ULVER – ATGCLVLSSCAP
Sorry but listening to this is like sitting through a Theo Angelopoulos retrospective after first being force-fed seven double espressos and a line of speed. (5)
THE OTHER STUFF
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN – Chicago, January 19 2016
Official bootleg, the full concert. It’s a Springsteen gig so it’s 3+ hours long and it rules. (9)
HANK WILLIAMS JR – It’s About Time
God is great and guns are good: Rockin’ country and redneck barroom boogie from an old Master who’s still got the swagger and sounds like he’s having too much fun to retire. (8)
LUCINDA WILLIAMS – The Ghosts Of Highway 22
Her slurred delivery is an acquired taste but the songwriting powers of this Americana pioneer are undeniable. (7)
MASSIVE ATTACK – Ritual Spirit EP
Four songs featuring guests like Tricky and Roots Manuva. Sounds fresh but unmistakably Massive Attackish as the same time, a welcome treat for the fans until a proper album drops. (7)
SAINKHO NAMTCHYLAK –Like A Bird Or Spirit, Not A Face
Tuvan (it’s somewhere near Mongolia) throat signer jams with Tinariwen members, blends the eerie and weird sounds of the steppe with those of the Sahara. (7)
SAVAGES – Adore Life
The controlled chaos of the Savages’ scorching post-punk attack on this second album is sexy as hell and Jehnny Beth does a great Siouxsie. (8)
THE I DON’T CARES – Wild Stab
80’s alternative icon Paul Westerberg and 90’s alternative icon Juliana Hatfield join forces for a highly enjoyable low-fi pop gem of an album. (8)
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