Lav's Music Corner

Review by Lavender: Godspeed You! Black Emperor is a band that really needs no introduction. They're one of the most legendary figures in the world of post rock for classic albums like Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven  and F#A# ∞. After an extended hiatus through much of the 2000s they returned in 2012 and have since released even more classic material like Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!  and G_d's Pee AT STATE's END! . Last month, the band announced their return 3 years after STATE'S END  with this uncompromisingly titled 8th album, whose only teaser was its closing track.  Godspeed You! Black Emperor is one of my favorite bands of all time and I've never been one to hide it. The band has dropped two albums in my time blogging and I liked them both more than the general consensus. But I won't mince words here, Despite my love for both records, NO TITLE  is better. In fact, it's their best album since at least 2012's Allelujah  and mayb...

A variety of styles on this weeks list, but an extremely good collection of songs nonetheless.  5.  Exhilarate  - Sophie (feat. Bibi Bourelly) Sophie songs seem to so rarely have a "main character." Even Sophie herself often seemed like she was more of an orchestrator than a principal protagonist in her own music. That's why it was strange at first to see guest vocalist Bibi Bourelly taking over this song with her lyrics and melodies. Despite the surprise though, this is a warm electronic pop effort that I find pretty infectious and one that maintains Sophie's eccentricities, even if they come in a very muted manner.  Listen 4.  Summer Drop  - Cordae (feat. Anderson .Paak) 5 years ago Cordae and Anderson Paak teamed up for one of the smoothest rap songs I've ever heard on the former YBN affiliate's debut album. I haven't loved much of what Cordae has done since but this absolutely hits it out of the park once again. The pair are unshakably smooth together ...

The Album as definitive of an artistic statement as you will get from most musical artists. There are no frills about this one, I listened to a LOT of albums this year. These are the best of them. Lets do it.  100. Dark In Here  - The Mountain Goats Getting us started if John Darnielle and company who haven't been on their most creative streak in the bands storied history but delivered some really good singles and interesting deep cuts that play on John's coy and humorous style of songwriting.  Listen To: The Slow Parts In Death Metal Albums , Dark In Here 99. Is 4 Lovers  - Death From Above 1979 The third new DFA record since their "comeback" in 2014 splits the difference between the first two. While it has plenty of wild moments throughout they do spend quite a bit of time playing it relatively safe and sounding like some of their contemporaries. Listen To: Mean Streets , N,Y,C Power Elite Part 1 98. The Art Of Losing  - The Anchoress Being billed as the next ...