Philadelphia Weekly

MUSIC

On the Record: Lil Wayne, Wild Flag, David Guetta & More

Album reviews in 30 seconds or less.

By Bill Chenevert

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Sep. 7, 2011

Lil Wayne

Tha Carter IV

(Cash Money/Young Money)

Sounds Like: Dwayne Carter’s seen better days—no one’s bugging like they did for Tha Carter III, and guests are outshining him on these tracks after a weak-ass mixtape.

Free Association: Busta, Drake, Nas, Andre, all disproving Best Rapper Alive status here.

For Fans Of: Fabolous, T.I., Soulja Boy + Master P, leopard denim and gold fronts.

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks

Mirror Traffic

(Matador/Domino)

Sounds Like: Beck coaches the most listenable Malkmus solo effort to date; simple, austere production puts The Man’s voice up front and ripping guitars right behind.

Free Association: Clever lyrics, herky-jerky paces, rockin’ crescendoes—it’s all here x 10.

For Fans Of: Pavement x Pixies, careers, Koreas, I Love The ’90s.

Wild Flag

(Merge)

Sounds Like: Kickass debut from the supergroup made of Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie and Janet, plus two Minders and Helium ladies; brilliant, snarling, sneering punky rock.

Free Association: Loads of chemistry here, this ain’t no stunt; they simply must thrash.

For Fans Of: Corin Tucker, the Gossip + the Donnas x Heavens to Betsy, riot grrrl.

David Guetta