A few copies of this debut album trickled out earlier this year, but its recent full-blown release on Vancouver's Mo' Funk label demands more attention. Yeah, these T.O. boys know the new deal--the rapprochement of dance/DJ culture and old-school instrumentation (Rinocerose, Nightmares on Wax and did anyone see that hilarious Rythmes Digitales set?), except that they jam things even tighter by kicking these funkscapes entirely live and improvised with just bass, drums and keys. You could dance to this shit, or just nod to it, or even simply stroke your chin and connect the dots between the New Deal and sundry, latter-day Krautrock bands. Anyway you take it, you're gonna be satisfied. 8.5/10 (Chris Yurkiw)
The Artist RAVE un2 the JOy fantastic (Arista)
From weak digital funk to hot 'n' steamy power-ballads straight outta some after-school special, the purple munchkin has lost his old spunk and, as RAVE... testifies, he sounds every bit like the major-label casualty case he has become. Despite several catchy moments (that pretty much imitate his own '80s hits), as well as appearances by Chuck D., Sheryl Crow and Ani DiFranco(?!), this album suffers from unfortunate mongering towards majorly mass-appeal. But it doesn't even get there. Blame it on the past half-decade he's spent on the Internet. This is what it sounds like when doves die... 6/10 (Adam Gollner)
Korn Issues(Epic)
When "Got the Life" came out on their last album Follow the Leader, I thought it was all over, I was like "Damn, Korn went pop." But that wasn't the case then and it sure as hell ain't the case now. Issues delves even deeper than previous albums and Korn still speak for the millions of alienated kids out there. There's no such thing as stand-out tracks on Issues--EVERY track is powerful. The American Cure for this generation [with equally shit hair--ed.]. 9/10 (Lateef Martin)
Bob Marley Chant Down Babylon--Bob Marley Duets With Today's Hottest Artists (Tuff Gong/Island)
The split on this one is going to be 50/50. There are those of you who will consider it a complete and utter sacrilege to even think about toying with a Bob Marley song, while others will simply love the concept of this record. In the spirit of Bob Marley (literally), this record features artists like Lauryn Hill, Busta Rhymes, The Roots, Rakim and Aerosmith(?) singing covers of Marley songs, along with the original vocals of Bob Marley himself. Technology: what fools we have become. That being said, if this doesn't sell through the roof then I'm one of Bob Marley's illegitimate sons. 7.5/10 (Scott C)
A few copies of this debut album trickled out earlier this year, but its recent full-blown release on Vancouver's Mo' Funk label demands more attention. Yeah, these T.O. boys know the new deal--the rapprochement of dance/DJ culture and old-school instrumentation (Rinocerose, Nightmares on Wax and did anyone see that hilarious Rythmes Digitales set?), except that they jam things even tighter by kicking these funkscapes entirely live and improvised with just bass, drums and keys. You could dance to this shit, or just nod to it, or even simply stroke your chin and connect the dots between the New Deal and sundry, latter-day Krautrock bands. Anyway you take it, you're gonna be satisfied. 8.5/10 (Chris Yurkiw)
From weak digital funk to hot 'n' steamy power-ballads straight outta some after-school special, the purple munchkin has lost his old spunk and, as RAVE... testifies, he sounds every bit like the major-label casualty case he has become. Despite several catchy moments (that pretty much imitate his own '80s hits), as well as appearances by Chuck D., Sheryl Crow and Ani DiFranco(?!), this album suffers from unfortunate mongering towards majorly mass-appeal. But it doesn't even get there. Blame it on the past half-decade he's spent on the Internet. This is what it sounds like when doves die... 6/10 (Adam Gollner)
When "Got the Life" came out on their last album Follow the Leader, I thought it was all over, I was like "Damn, Korn went pop." But that wasn't the case then and it sure as hell ain't the case now. Issues delves even deeper than previous albums and Korn still speak for the millions of alienated kids out there. There's no such thing as stand-out tracks on Issues--EVERY track is powerful. The American Cure for this generation [with equally shit hair--ed.]. 9/10 (Lateef Martin)
The split on this one is going to be 50/50. There are those of you who will consider it a complete and utter sacrilege to even think about toying with a Bob Marley song, while others will simply love the concept of this record. In the spirit of Bob Marley (literally), this record features artists like Lauryn Hill, Busta Rhymes, The Roots, Rakim and Aerosmith(?) singing covers of Marley songs, along with the original vocals of Bob Marley himself. Technology: what fools we have become. That being said, if this doesn't sell through the roof then I'm one of Bob Marley's illegitimate sons. 7.5/10 (Scott C)