April 19 Album Releases

You’re okay in my book, Tuesday April 19. You’ve got a solid four bands releasing albums that I’m familiar with. So thank you. Thank you for not making me feel too ignorant.

Seriously though, who are all these people?

Anyway, w h o K i l l from tUnE-yArDs has been handed on over to the public. Merrill Garbus, the mastermind behind it all, has tweaked her genius so that this definitely sounds different from Bird Brains (2009) though it’s just as odd. Clearly, sistergirl is kind of weird, lyrically and vocally. I remember, after having listening the song a decent amount of times, the moment I actually heard the words to the song “Lion” off of Bird Brains. "Something, something, not important, something…. while my brother and all his friends whip out their tiny teenage cocks.”

Whoahahahoooo!

Kidding, though. Every word Garbus is saying is important, even though it’s difficult to comprehend at times…er….all…the time.

On W h o K i l l, lots of words and sayings we’ve heard before are used, and so things sound familiar, but seem queer nonetheless.

She sings like she’s talking, then sings like she’s singing, then sings like she’s a dude, the sings like she’s a baby, the sings like she’s angry, and sings like she’s an animal, and it is these dynamics that make tUnE-yArDs so special.

At this point, I prefer Bird Brains to W h o K i l l, though, and maybe that’s because Bird Brains is easier to type.

Besides being so mysterious that I’m mad about it, Gorillaz has always been a…band (?) I appreciate. The Fall, their latest 15 songs release, is work of electronica art. Not a whole lot of singing is going on, but the beats speak for themselves. I’d like to dance to these songs, if I may, by myself or with other people.

Hip-hop and rap is becoming a genre that a lot of people deem Indie like these days. Typically it’s with the hipster-like rappers, Odd Future Wolf Gang, Kanye West and Common, that people in this category (shame on me for putting people in categories) take a liking to.

I feel like Dr. Dre is probably not one of those rappers. He is a guilty pleasure. And he’s getting old, too.

Apparently his Detox is “The most anticipated Hip Hop album ever.” That’s a bold statement that is probably…not very true. It just sounds like any other rap album, honestly.

There are so many people in I’m From Barcelona. It seems like too many for a band, and just enough for an orchestral ensemble. But it doesn’t sound like too many people, so either they’re doing it right, or not using their human tools to the fullest.

Lyrically, I’m From Barcelona’s Forever Today is not too commendable. They’re kinda cheesy, and simple in a sort of juvenile way. I think these songs would be good inspiration for children.

Musically, it’s definitely happy tunes for happy times. And that’s just fine. I’m not sure if I would seek Forever Today out and listen to it, and I definitely wouldn’t pay for it. But I think a lot of other people would, so that’s good.

Don’t take all this from me, though. Check out ACRN.com to see some more legitimate and detailed reviews.

--Hannah Cook, Managing Editor