Oracular Spectacular

Imagine a indie rock duo (yes, a duo) from Brooklyn, New York. Now add a psychedelic sound from the 70s and a grunge-like posture. You just got yourself MGMT, one of the crazies bands/duos in action nowadays.

Formed in 2002 and originally called “The Management”, they signed with a major label in 2006 and changed their name. Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser debuted their first album “Oracular Spectacular” digitally in October/2007 and released in vinyl in January/2008, this work showed how indie and insane can a mainstream and critically acclaimed artist be.

MGMT scored several major hits in commercial and underground radios all over the world, including the psychedelic reel “Kids”. This tune was used by EA Games’ FIFA’09 and even by the President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy. The band is suing the last one for the illegal use of their work. Funny, hm?

So, if you want something brand-new and utterly crazy to play at your turntable, go for MGMT‘s “Oracular Spectacular”. You’ll be the coolest kid alive. I garantee you that.

Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King

Why is “Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King” already one of the best albums by the DAVE MATTHEWS BAND?

Well, it’s true. The newest material by Mr. Matthews and his band mates is by far one of the best ever produced by them. It has a sense of completeness, as if it reminisce the bands career. This album has a hint of every past album.

Do you think it’s crazy talk? Please, allow me to explain: if we go along the track of this album we’ll be able to identify each and every reference.

For instance, “Shake Me Like a Monkey” is essentially the album “Under The Table And Dreaming” (1994), following the same idea “Funny The Way It Is” has a huge “Before Theses Crowded Streets” (1998) vibe. Moving a bit further we have “Alligator Pie” which has the soul of “Everyday” (2001). And so it goes.

To summarize the whole idea, “Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King” is a kick-ass album by a legendary band, which is clearly missing an essential part of it: LeRoi Moore, a great saxophonist. On the other side, we have the guitar-hero Tim Reynolds playing with the DAVE MATTHEWS BAND for the first time since 1998.

So, go to your nearest store and buy it! If you download it, I will fight you! That’s no lie. For your information, this album is the first to be released in vinyl since “Before These Crowded Streets” (1998).

“Heaven or hell I’m going down with the Groo Grux King!”

By the way, The madeup word “GrooGrux” is a nickname for the wild-sounding rhythm LeRoi Moore, Carter Beauford, Tim Reynolds and Tim Wicks made when they play together.

About the album:

Artist: Dave Matthews Band
Title: Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King
Released: June, 2009
Lable: RCA
Producer: Rob Cavallo

The West Rider Pauper Lunatic Asylum

Ladies and gentlemen, The almighty KASABIAN is back. More insane and much more impressing with “The West Rider Pauper Lunatic Asylum”.

This is quite an album for a band of such talent, the title reminds me of the legendary “Sergeant Pepper’s ..” but the content is far more powerful, exquisite and, in many times, weird. But not that bad-weird (like Jonas Suck-My-Dick Brothers), great-weird like Marc Bolan and his T.REX.

In many tracks along the album, you can actually feel the solid influence by T.REX in Pizzorno’s riff on the guitar and in Tom Meighan’s slow and sometimes husky vocals.

“Fast Fuse”, “Fire and “Vlad: The Impaler” are three classic KASABIAN tunes, but this album has much more to offer like “Ladies And Gentlemen (Roll The Dice)” a very melodic and smooth tune, showing how deep OASIS inspire these guys.

Go buy it! Don’t wait for anything else! And please, do NOT download it. It’s worth the investment. This album is 100% pure British rock’n'roll.

About the album:

Artist: Kasabian
Title: The West Rider Pauper Lunatic Asylum
Released: June, 2009
Label: RCA/Columbia
Producer: DAN The Automator