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Recent Release Round-Up

It's been awhile since I did one of these, but here's a few quick thoughts on some recent album releases, along with some song samples for your own taste.

My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges (ATO)
The fifth full-length album from these hipster approved Kentucky rockers will probably prove to be a polarizing release for some fans. The Bonnaroo friendly guitar jams and Jim James' spine tingling vocals are still present throughout, but this time the guys have tried to get a little more *ahem* funky. Well, at least as funky as white boys from Kentucky can get. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But boy, when they fail, they fail spectacularly. While trying to approximate Prince on the awful "Highly Suspicious" the band stumbles into the worst thing they've ever put to tape. Thankfully they are far more successful with integrating the funk on cuts like "I'm Amazed" and "Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt. 2". I sound like I'm being pretty harsh, but this is actually a pretty good album. If they'd removed the "Suspicious" trainwreck and the LOL-worthy "Librarian" (note: a Kentucky southern-rock band should never, never, ever use the word "interweb" in a song) it would have been another great album for the band.
My Morning Jacket - "I'm Amazed"

Sigur Ros - Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust (Beggars/XL)
Or, for the Americans in the audience, With A Buzz In Our Ears We Play Endlessly. The Icelandic band enlists the production help of Flood (Smashing Pumpkins, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails) for their fifth full-length, a little bit of a departure from their usual widescreen, dour epics. The first two tracks showcase the more obvious new directions for the group, with lead single "Gobbledigook" sounding like an Icelandic Animal Collective and some actual sunshine (gasp!) pop in "Inni mer Syngur Vitleysingur" ("Within Me A Lunatic Sings"). But fear not fans of Agaeitis Bryjun and ( ), the band soon shifts back into the expected Sigur Ros twist on post-rock later in the album. A particular highlight is the achingly beautiful "Ara Batur", which easily stands among the best work they've ever done. The band sounds looser and more vibrant than they have in the last few years, much to their benefit. An album well worth checking out.
Sigur Ros - "Inni mer Syngur Vitleysingur"

Mudhoney - The Lucky Ones (Sub Pop)
Much of the talk surrounding this O.G. (original grungster) Seattle band this Spring has centered around the fantastic deluxe reissue of their classic EP Superfuzz Bigmuff (definitely worth your money), but their brand new 2008 album seems to be getting a little overlooked. The Lucky Ones, recorded in a mere three and a half days, catches the veteran band in a loose and playful mood, tearing through 11 tracks that recall their glory days without falling back on pure nostalgia. It's a great set that serves as a kick in the ass to one of Seattle's most under-appreciated bands.
Mudhoney - "Inside Out Over You"

Three 6 Mafia - Last 2 Walk (Hypnotize Minds/Columbia)
Just when it finally stopped being weird to hear them called the "Academy Award winning" Three 6 Mafia, the Memphis hip-hop stalwarts and MTV reality show stars drop a long awaited album that makes me wonder if it isn't all downhill from here on out. Last 2 Walk, so named because Juicy J and DJ Paul are the only full-fledged members left of the original six, hit the streets this week with a resounding thud. Despite some high profile guest stars including Akon, UGK, and Unk; there is almost nothing on here to get excited about. There's nothing that lives up to classics like "Sippin' On Some Syrup", "Ridin' Spinners" or 2005's breakthrough hit "Stay Fly". The Triple 6 crew has never really been relied on for deep lyrical topics and here we find more of the usual taking drugs/selling drugs/driving cars/having sex/taking drugs/selling drugs/taking drugs hustle, but more disappointing is the lackluster production work. Usually J and Paul can be counted on for something hot and fresh, but nearly every beat on Last 2 Walk sounds uninspired or recycled from better songs. Its pretty telling when, during the album's outro, they complain about spouting off the same catchphrases again and again and again. Hmmm. I won't even rant on the collaboration with Good Charlotte. I mean, really? Good Charlotte? Ease up on that purple drank boys, I know you got better in you than this.
Three 6 Mafia - "I Got (feat. Pimp C & Project Pat)"