When I read that jazz musicians are involved and hip-hop star Kendrick Lamar was a major source of inspiration, I wondered what Blackstar, which was released on the day of the white star's 69th birthday, would sound like. Unclassifiable musician, the legendary vocalist and multi-instrumentalist already accustomed us to musical changes from one album to the other and from one character to the other. For his new offering, the English chameleon returns to the eclecticism that grabbed our attention in Outside.
|
In 2015, there have been a number of great progressive rock albums. Among these releases, none has been more remarkable than Chelsea Wolfe’s Abyss. Abyss, her fifth studio album, dropped in August on the Sargent House label. Abyss is her strongest body of work to date, blending elements of folk, doom metal and electronic music into divinely ethereal concoctions. In an era where irony and kitsch still reign supreme, Chelsea Wolfe offers material that is refreshingly sincere. The sound composures on Abyss range from being delicate to overwhelming. Chelsea Wolfe displays mastery of her craft as Abyss flows from the devastating and haunting to the lush and awe inspiring. Abyss is remarkable from start to finish. |
Failure's entire new record The Heart is a Monster is now streaming at Entertainment Weekly. They've also released a video for the first song on the record, 'Hot Traveler', which features a different mix of the bridge than the album version: |
Recently, Scott Kelly fans have been abuzz with the announcement that his band Road Home has cemented a permanent lineup. Road Home was founded as a Neurosis side project (formerly Scott Kelly and the Road Home) but the addition of Neurosis band mate Noah Landis and Munly J. Munly (Slim Cessnas Auto Club) has signaled the beginning of a new era for the act. |
This is the third and final part of my favorite full-length albums of 2014. Be sure to check out my part one and two of the series as well as my favorite EPs of 2014. |