The Album: Attack & Release The Artist: The Black Keys
Scuzzy and dirty, bluesly and rocking, The Black Keys return for a fantastic aural assault. Danger Mouse produces another fantastic record, while not trying to be super-quirky in his production. Down to the roots, this is a rock record... and a really good one.
The Single: 4 Minutes The Artist: Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland
Riding a beat produced by pop-wizard Timbaland, Madonna and Justin Timberlake form one of the most talented May-December relationships of all time. It's dirty and wrong, which is also what makes it kind of exciting and awesome.
The Album: Como Te Llama The Artist: Albert Hammond, Jr.
The second album from the Strokes wunderkind shows that he's broken through the sophomore slump. Tight hooks and smart lyrics make for a fun album of great songs.
The Single: The '59 Sound The Artist: The Gaslight Anthem
The highlight from a fantastic album finds us rocking out and mourning at the same time. It's like a Killers song... but more insightful and more rocking. In other words, better.
The Album: At Mount Zoomer The Artist: Wolf Parade
All relationships should work this well between two polarizing figures. This album bounces back between Spencer Krug and Dan Broeckner as they each deliver songs in their own distinct style; one caterwalling and manic, the other collected and driven. Each of them can (and have) made brilliant records on their own, but when they come together... it's something special.
The Single: Conquista (Conquest) The Artist: The White Stripes
Taking an old song and turning into something new and exciting is nothing new for Jack White, and hear he follows the same formula; find the most emotional part of the song, and destroy it all to holy hell with percussion and fuzz (and, in this case, trumpets).
The Album: The Stand Ins The Artist: Okkervil River
The "sequel" to last year's delightful The Stage Names finds Okkervil River returning to smart wordplay and pop gems. Singer Will Sheff's wistful tenor brings an angelic quality to these songs they probably don't deserve, but they make the light nature of some of these tunes even more beautiful.
The Single: Pumpkin Soup The Artist: Kate Nash
Last years fantastic single, "Foundations", found English songstress Kate Nash coming to terms with the end of a relationship she really didn't want to be in. "Pumpkin Soup", by contrast, shows us all of the conflict that occurs when one of two friends wants something more... and wants it desperately.
A wonderful mix of rock and weird alternative ambience, Bradford Cox and his fantastic band of minstrels provide us an album full of wonderful songs. A fantastic, confusing, almost-brilliant album.
The Single: Swagga Like Us The Artist: T.I., featuring Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne
With every rapper being on their best and a fantastic sample (M.I.A.), 4 of the best rappers around bring a fantastic mish-mash of styles. Surprisingly, it's T.I. who rings the strongest verse, and it's awesome.
The Album: The '59 Sound The Artist: The Gaslight Anthem
Like an odd cross between Bruce Springsteen and Brandon Flowers, The Gaslight Anthem deliver an album which is positively midwestern in its' sincerity. Every track is covered with shattered hopes and broken dreams and reminiscing back to ways days were younger and times were simpler. The songs are heartbreaking and rocking, and it'll make you feel like you're born to run again... only more modern.
The Single: Breakin' Dishes The Artist: Rihanna
Lesson from this song: Do not fuck with Rihanna, or she will fuck you up. Granted, she'll do it with a fantastic beat, but things will not end well for you.
