Music

NOVEMBER MUSIC REVIEWS

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THESE HONEST REVIEWS OF SOME REVIEWS OF SOME OF THE HOTTEST OF THE HOTTEST NEW ALBUMS INNEW ALBUMS IN

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KID CUDI

Entergalactic

Republic Records /Wicked Awesome Imprint

Kid Cudi is one of the most talented rappers and singers of our generation. His songs take you to outer space and his smooth, gripping voice lands you on the moon. His latest creative venture features a gorgeous visual animated special on Netflix with this accompanying soundtrack playing like an angelic harp to the gods in heaven. The tracks are trippy, dripping in love and wonder with sick features from Ty Dolla Sign, Don Toliver, Steve Aoki and 2 Chainz. Each song is a standout on its own, telling a beautiful, wickedly smart story about the truth of the human experience, finding yourself and finding love. While each is a masterpiece, some must-listens include “New Mode,” “Do What I Want,” “Burrow,” "Ignite the Love” and “Angel.” Kid Cudi proves once again he will always be wearing an eternal glowing halo of talent. This time, he is orbiting us to a different dimension and it is full of wonder.- Marisa Patwa

JESSIE REYEZ

Yessie

FMLY/Island Records

I have been a number one fan of Jessie Reyez since I first discovered her music in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. Her sultry, gorgeous voice and gut-wrenching vocals had me crying, laughing and dancing - often for hours during car rides or just chores in my apartment. She is not just a woman with a voice of gold but a genuine and true storyteller and performer. Her second studio album is a true blessing and much-needed. While she is a proud, born-and-raised Canadian, she incorporated her Columbian roots and teen years busking on the beaches of Florida in her songs, giving them the Latin flavor we crave. From "Adios Amor" to "Tito's," she gives us the cultural feels that are important and needed in such a divisive world with salsa, cumbia, reggae and old school R&B vibes. Calvin Harris also helped to produce the tracks, igniting them with an extra dose of fire. But it was up to Jessie to light the match and now I’ve got a burning fever. - Marisa Patwa

BLACKPINK

Born Pink

YG Entertainment/Interscope Records

The worldwide famous K-pop band is back releasing dance-crazy music that will get even your most emotionless of crushes up and busting a move. Recently, I was lucky enough to go to an Asian street market in downtown Louisville where there were some live K-pop performances and was truly in awe of the talent on display. From the singing to the dancing and just the fun energy on stage, it is obvious why this genre of music is so addictive and Blackpink just taps right into that - as evidenced by the 2.2 million in album sales in just two days, confirming their popularity and prowess. The girl group's second studio release is nothing short of funky and fun, with standouts like “Pink Venom,” “Typa Girl’ and “Ready for Love.” “The Happiest Girl” shows a slow-down of their usually high energy hype for a more melancholy piano ballad that still slaps. I am so ready to continue to watch these young artists blossom as they dominate the arena of K-pop with their mic drop performances. - Marisa Patwa

TALAS

1985

Metal Blade Records

In the early '80s, Talas was a band blessed with absurd talent. Anchored by bass virtuoso Billy Sheehan, Talas stood on the precipice of greatness in 1984. With two strong studio albums in circulation, they opened for Van Halen in 30 cities. A third album was in the works when Sheehan bolted for a chance to break big with David Lee Roth. Talas soon became an afterthought, and eventually disbanded. Fast-forward 38 years, and Talas is back with the appropriately titled 1985. Most of the songs on 1985 were actually conceived during the writing sessions in 1984. That material was resurrected, as was most of the 1984 lineup. Flush with interesting compositions, melodies, and intricacies that would make the gents in Dream Theater envious, the new record shows us what we’ve missed all these years. Standouts include the opening banger “Inner Mounting Flame,” “Crystal Clear” (a beautiful pop-metal track), and “Black and Blue,” a power ballad that would have been massive in the late '80s. - Matt Alschbach

CHAT PILE

God’s Country

The Flenser

Oklahoma City noise-rockers Chat Pile open their debut album God’s Country with “Slaughterhouse,” a sludgy, mid-tempo dirge about the working conditions of a building meant for killing. “Hammers and grease/ pounding/ and the sad eyes/ and the screaming” Chat Pile holler to convey this horror. This sentiment of breaking down an “ordinary” American experience and painting it in the most horrific light possible is the general concept of God’s Country. While the working poor suffer from drug abuse (“Wicked Puppet Dance”), homelessness (“Why”), and brutal working conditions, God is there the whole time, keeping a watchful eye. With industrial drums, nu-metal guitars, and tortured vocals, Chat Pile’s depiction of God and Country is paranoid and nihilistic, angry and demented.- Russ Finn

KAL MARKS

My Name is Hell

Exploding in Sound Records

Boston rock band Kal Marks is back with a new lineup and their fourth studio release. 2018 saw them releasing their best album to date with Universal Care, an excellent art-punk record that was followed up with an even better EP in 2019, Let The Shit House Burn Down. Even though frontman Carl Shane remains the sole member from Kal Marks' previous releases, My Name is Hell does not disappoint as the new album and lineup stay true to their signature sound. I don’t know how Kal Marks do it, but this band is truly one of the most original sounding indie rock/punk bands active right now - gritty and noisy, like many punk bands before them, but with a certain control and integrity that elevates them to something more notable. - Russ Finn

MAMALEEK Diner Coffee The Flenser

San Francisco band Mamaleek is a selfdescribed black metal outfit comprising two anonymous brothers who have been making music since 2008. And while their selfdescribed genre is certainly true for their early output, this description would be an injustice to the work they’ve done on their latest album. Opening with cacophony and ominous laughter, Diner Coffee quickly shifts into a quiet, jazzy guitar interpolation with Captain Beefheart-esque mutterings placed on top. This softer section is abruptly ended as the band goes back to fierce metal with guttural yelling. The back and forth between calm and intense is heard throughout, but the album still packs in so much more. Diner Coffee is an avant-garde rock record full of instrumental jazz, spoken word, screaming, and heavy metal jams. If you like experimental rock at all, this is a must-listen.- Russ Finn

OFF!

Free LSD

Fat Possum Records

Even while nearing the 70-year mark and continuing to battle diabetes, Keith Morris remains punk rock's greatest frontman. The vocalist's flawless resume includes his time as the original singer for Black Flag as well as his ongoing membership in the Circle Jerks - yet Off!, Morris' off-shoot, so to speak, from the Jerks, may be his crowning achievement. Need proof? Just check out Free LSD, the band's fourth full-length release and first since 2014's Wasted Years. Morris and guitarist Dimitri Coats are joined by a white-hot new rhythm section that takes the tempos nuclear at times while also injecting overwhelming power into this fantastic set of hardcore punk songs with brief detours into metal and free jazz excursions. Thrillingly, this album is like a freight train on the brink of derailment. - Johnny Fletcher

BLUES WITH BRAGIN

MICK KOLASSA

I’m Just Getting Started

Endless Blues Records

Prolific singer-songwriter Mick Kolassa returns with his 11th studio release. The album opens with the title track, a song about how he refuses to give up in spite of life’s obstacles. “What Can I Do?” offers a funky bass line from Dexter Allen. The toe-tapping song “Bigger Dreams” sees Kolassa singing about always wanting something better and persevering during difficult moments. “Alibis and Lies” allows Marc Franklin to shine on trumpet. Allen provides more funky bass notes on “Leavin’ Trunk.” “That Kind of Man” features John Blackmon with superb drumming skills to match a groovy guitar solo.

The gospel-inspired “Are You Ready?” asks the big question about life. Allen offers more solid bass playing on “Take Me Away” and Rick Steff adds poignant keyboards as Kolassa sings about wanting to escape from difficult times. “Trying Not to Let the Darkness In” offers lyrics about trying to keep a positive attitude in spite of life’s setbacks. The guitar solo in the middle and near the end add a melancholy feel. A cover of John Hiatt’s song “Real Man” features stellar harmonica playing from the legendary Eric Hughes. “Hardhearted Woman” offers a west coast blues and jazz feel while Kolassa sings about a woman who cares little for the men she destroys and a warning about avoiding the same fate. For more info, visit mimsmick.com - Paul Bragin