Philadelphia Weekly

MUSIC

On The Record

Album reviews in 30 seconds or less.

By Bill Chenevert

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Jun. 8, 2010

Madlib

Medicine Show #5: The History of the Loop Digga

(Madlib Medicine Show)

Sounds Like: A throwback collection of ‘90s beats, trip-hop and found sounds with Dolemite pimp comedy snippets and Crate Diggas Palace gems.

Free Association: If it’s true that “Grass increases creativity,” he’s consuming lots of it.

For Fans Of: Madvillain, Flying Lotus, Danger Mouse, blunts.

Born Ruffians

Say It

(Warp)

Sounds Like: Toronto trio’s second LP is a bouncy and playful rock record full of Luke LaLonde’s yelpy vocals, simplistic but pungent drums and herky-jerky guitars.

Free Association: Ef Pitchfork, they don’t know what they’re talking about on this one (or ever).

For Fans Of: Pixies, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Canadian rock.

Free Energy

Stuck On Nothing

(Astralwerks/DFA)

Sounds Like: Minneapolis-come-Philly boys make delightful pop-friendly, retro-inspired sunny guitar rock. Equally suited for arenas and car radios.

Free Association: Soundtracking Good Times Summer 2010 loud and clear!

For Fans Of: The Strokes, Thin Lizzy, non-depressing Pavement, joy.

Le Pop 5

Les Chansons De La Nouvelle Scene Francaise

(Groove Attack)

Sounds Like: Frenchies making hushed, whispered and ambient pop tunes; mostly soft folksy rock songs here with a few precious little ditties.

Free Association: Get some red wine, some stinky cheese and put this on to be transported.

For Fans Of: Serge Gainsbourg, Yelle, Uffie, CocoRosie, baguettes.

Tokyo Police Club

Champ

(Mom and Pop Music)

Sounds Like: Shimmery sophomore LP from these Canucks tries to wow you with production, complexity and catchy hooks under Julian Casablancas-y vocals.

Free Association: Not to be confused with the horrifyingly shitty Tokio Hotel.

For Fans Of: The Strokes, Death Cab x Modest Mouse.

Karen Elson

The Ghost Who Walks

(XL Recordings/Third Man)

Sounds Like: The UK supdermodel is more than just a pretty face in this hauntingly sparse debut of variety of folk, pop, country, folk and murder ballads.

Free Association: She’s married to Jack White, so—sorry—it’s probably awesome because of him.

For Fans Of: ScarJo, Zooey Deschanel, Jenny Lewis, gingers.

Chali 2na

Fish Market Part 2

(Decon Records)

Sounds Like: The Jurassic 5 baritone’s stepped it up with another collection of dopeness—all the lyrics, guests, beats, samples, skits and styles here are real fresh!

Free Association: Whoa, Quality Control was 10 years ago?! Classy, smart emceeing.

For Fans Of: Ozomatli, Gift of Gab, Roots crew, Black Thought.

Suckers

Wild Smile

(Frenchkiss Records)

Sounds Like: Debut LP from the fuzzy Brooklyn rockers jumping on that afro/animalistic tribalism bandwagon and riding it all the way to the buzzworthy bank.

Free Association: We’ll ride along if we get road sodas and the wagon goes to the beach.

For Fans Of: Yeasayer, Animal Collective, Le Loup, Bowie.