Philadelphia Weekly

MUSIC

On the Record: Tyler the Creator, The Antlers, Gang Gang Dance and More

By Bill Chenevert

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted May. 25, 2011

Tyler, The Creator 
Goblin 
(XL Recordings) 

Sounds Like: The 20-year-old’s therapist/patient gag is the perfect way to diffuse the insanity of an hour full of gay slurs, hyper-violent fantasies and dope, dope beats. 

Free Association: A skate rapper who’s either brilliant, an asshole or a lil’ of both. 

For Fans Of: Odd Future, Nas + Nine Inch Nails,  homicidal mania, black Juggalos. 

The Antlers 
Burst Apart 
(Frenchkiss) 

Sounds Like: A lo-fi freak folk project that’s evolved into a full-blown chamber pop outfit. On their third here, they get sleeker, shiny and catchier than ever. 

Free Association: Hospice was  brilliant, but miserable. This is sadness you can rock to. 

For Fans Of: Radiohead, Deerhunter x Boards of Canada, records for rehab. 

The Felice Brothers 
Celebration, Florida 
(Fat Possum) 

Sounds Like: Catskill boys take their roots-rockin’ approach to Americana in a slightly funkier, modern direction, introducing some clubby polish to their fourth LP. 

Free Association: Not seeing the link to the Disney-backed community—sweet relief. 

For Fans Of: The Band, Avett Brothers + Geto Boys,  bands finding synths and 808s. 

Wild Beasts 
Smother 
(Domino) 

Sounds Like: The Brit boys’ follow-up to the fantastic Two Dancers is a bit  more quiet and low-key than it should  be; not enough playful rhythms and tempos. 

Free Association: Now I’m starting to feel smothered by your ladyboy falsetto, man. 

For Fans Of: Kate Bush + Yo La Tengo,  Queen + Tiny Tim, emotional Brits. 

Gang Gang Dance 
Eye Contact 
(4AD) 

Sounds Like: Brooklyn-bred kitchen sink groove-charmers, they’ve gone pop here and have brought in more elements of the Middle East and dubstep on their best yet. 

Free Association: Trendy tribal dance music may expire, but not for a while after this. 

For Fans Of: Animal Collective with gypsies,  Yoko Ono + Yeasayer, desert dances. 

Raphael Saadiq 
Stone Rollin’ 
(Columbia) 

Sounds Like: Today’s No. 1 soul man has really done it now. Thought his Grammy-winning last was good? This batch of bluesy, rock-inflected soulful gems is wicked! 

Free Association: Pop music’s  unsung hero—HELLO! Toni x 3, Lucy Pearl, now this? 

For Fans Of: Mark Ronson + Amy Wino,  Jill Scott x Otis Redding, real deal R&B. 