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 The Slew
100% (Puget Sound/Outside)
Thick, greasy hesher-rock rhythm-section riffs, care of the bassist and drummer of Wolfmother, are paired in equitable fashion with the wicked wrist-flicks of Montreal’s Kid Koala and his pal Dynomite D, for what was supposed to be an indie-film soundtrack. Movie never happened, but damn, this sleazy, cinematic, tough-as-leather groove-grind sure did. The CD obviously lacks the titanic force of the Slew’s live set at Pop last month—sweet mother Mary, wotta show!—but in exchange, the intricacies of D and Koala’s wax work are all the more evident. 8.5/10 Trial Track: “Problem Child” (Rupert Bottenberg)
 Red Mass
self-titled EP (Semprini)
After a somewhat shaky start, this local hydra-headed monster, led by CPC Gangbanger Choyce, finally matches its heaped-on hype. Although Red Mass are comfortable in almost any style, they stick close to a driving, snotty psych-punk sound here. Live, they’ve often gotten sucked into the undertow of their self-inflicted chaos, but things are nailed down here with choruses that could give Jay Reatard a run for his money, while the closer “I’m on Fire” just explodes. 7.5/10 Trial Track: “I’m on Fire” (Johnson Cummins) EP launch with Dead Wife at la Sala Rossa, Wed., Nov. 18, 9:30 p.m., $10
 Slayer
World Painted Blood (American/ Sony BMG)
While most of metal’s heavyweights have become obsolete as the new blood takes over, Slayer remain the kings of all things heavy, and this new one only further proves that supremacy. Once again, Slayer stay two steps ahead of their imitators and just obliterate, with Dave Lombardo’s drumming actually hitting a new level of intensity. They stumble on “Human Strain” and “Americon,” but songs like “Beauty Through Order” reveal some new tricks up their sleeves. Pure fucking metal, served up as good as it gets. God love Slayer! 8.5/10 Trial Track: “Not Of This God” (Johnson Cummins)
Three Days Grace
Life Starts Now (RCA/Sony BMG)
Intimate declarations pertaining to heartache, perceived inadequacies or the loneliness of the nameless city streets at night isn’t covering new emotional ground, but with a good thesaurus and clever similes, these common feelings can still be described in a relevant, resonant manner. Adam Gontier bemoans, “Why is it so hard to find someone?” I suspect his verbal shortcomings may make meeting people tough. 2.5/10 Trial Track: “Lost in You” (Erik Leijon)
Anya Marina
Slow & Steady Seduction: Phase II (Atlantic/Warner)
Kudos to the Californian singer-songwriter for scoring a spot on the latest Twilight movie soundtrack, but what does her impending ubiquity mean for the rest of us? Not unlike this recent resurgence in vampire lore, there’s the awkward outsider mentality, the unconventional sexiness and, of course, the suckage. Cutesy handclapping acoustic songwriter fare, all advert ready. 3/10 Trial Track: “Afterparty at Jimmy’s” (Erik Leijon)
 Sufjan Stevens
The BQE (Asthmatic Kitty)
The man who used to make orchestral pop albums about entire states (Michigan, Illinois) returns with a modern classical ode to “one of NYC’s ugliest landmarks,” the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. The CD is accompanied by a documentary with time-lapse photography evoking Koyaanisqatsi, just as Stevens’ music evokes Philip Glass’s soundtrack. But there are also strains of Gershwin and Autechre, superhero themes and century-old experimental music, creating a stunning sonic approximation of the time-lapse effect. 8/10 Trial Track: “Movement I: In the Countenance of Kings” (Lorraine Carpenter)
James Husband
A Parallax I (Polyvinyl)
Husband’s solo debut finds the Of Montreal band member under the influences shared with many bands in Athens, GA’s Elephant 6 scene, among them sugary pop and mystical psychedelia. His style is somewhat restrained (relative to his other gig), rooted in traditional song structures and pretty melodies, more Rubber Soul/Revolver than Sgt. Pepper’s/Magical Mystery Tour. But we’re still talking Beatles. 7/10 Trial Track: “Window” (Lorraine Carpenter)
 Radio Slave
Fabric 48 (Fabric)
None of this mix is bad. In fact, every track boasts bulletproof production—no surprise from a guy with such a rightly respected tech-house catalogue. But Matthew Edwards never really builds up to a crescendo or settles upon a particular groove, making it more of a Beatport chart than a mix, and belying his incorrigible eclecticism. 6.5/10 Trial Track: “Platter Sugar“ (Jack Oatmon)
ApSci
Best Crisis Ever (Quannum Projects) The co-ed duo generating a bouncing blend of electro, rap and R&B is no rarity. Australia’s Dana Diaz-Tutaan and Raphael LaMotta of the Bronx, however, stake out their own space with quality pop hooks and rock licks (note the classic glam strut of the lead-off track “Crazy Crazy Insane”), unexpected sonic additives aplenty and the occasional detour into moodier, mellower territory (“Big Adventures,” the Björkish cover of REM’s “Swan Swan H”). 7/10 Trial Track: “Let’s RIP the Town Up” (Rupert Bottenberg)
 Snoop Dogg
Death Row: The Lost Sessions Vol. 1 (WIDEawake/ Death Row)
Although S-N-double-O-P is one of the few rappers from the ’90s to stay relevant and find balance between street cred and commercial success, there’s still nothing like good old Doggystyle and Chronic-era Snoop. Unreleased vintage Dre beats and Dogg Pound crew cuts refresh our G-funk memories with these previously unheard songs. Casual Snoop fans won’t care for this, but for those of us who do, this is gold. 8/10 Trial Track: “Doggystyle” (Morgan Steiker)
Dam-Funk
Toeachizown EP (Stones Throw)
The self-appointed “Ambassador of Boogie Funk” captures the sound and texture of Los Angeles with a different lens on this neo-retro, hard-to-qualify plethora of tracks that are at times ’80s R&B and at other times just great stoner music. This EP is rumoured to be the first of five to be released this year, so get ready for more. 8/10 Trial Track: “Mirrors” (Morgan Steiker)
Joss Stone
Color Me Free (Virgin/EMI)
Stone continues along the path she laid with 2007’s brilliant Introducing Joss Stone, easily mixing pop, rock and soul into one intoxicating musical blend. Her robust voice continues to be her main calling card, and she uses it to maximum effect, whether delivering torchy slow songs like “4 and 20” or energetic anthems like lead single “Free Me.” 8/10 Trial Track: “I Believe It to My Soul” (Gerard Dee)
 Tony Wilson Sextet
The People Look Like Flowers at Last (Drip Audio)
Tony Wilson has long been an inspiring figure on the West Coast, and for those further afield lucky enough to know him. Keeping a sextet together for 15 years is amazing. This is their most ambitious record to date, with music based on Benjamin Britten’s “Lachrymae” and a title taken from Charles Bukowski. Wilson brings his vision to these fantastic players and they realize it with imagination and vigour. 8/10 Trial Track: “Lachrymae Movement #7” (Gordon Allen)
MINI CD REVIEWS
On Fillmore Extended Vacation (Dead Oceans/Sonic Unyon) Wilco’s Glenn Kotche and Dazzling Killman Darin Gray modernize—mildly—Martin Denny’s lush exotica, luminous vibes, bird calls and all. 7.5 (RB)
Pink Martini Splendor in the Grass (Heinz/Audiogram) Big names and big tunes fill the bustling fourth album by Portland’s beloved purveyors of vintage and vintage-style music. 7.5 (LC)
Sacrifice The Ones I Condemn (Marquee/Sonic Unyon) It’s almost inconceivable that these Toronto rivetheads are as brutal and crucial today as when they originally stormed out of the thrash wave of the early ’80s. 7.5 (JC)
The Video Dead Damn Disco (Union 2112/Warner) There was the neo-garage rock movement, then the neo-disco phase, so perhaps the next logical step is for neo-punkers to kill disco all over again. 6 (EL)
Jason Mraz Beautiful Mess: Live on Earth (Atlantic/Warner) Listen up, ladies: hat guy has totally out-hatted himself with this live set. Guys: he’s totally trying to steal your girl with his hat powers. 3 (EL)
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