Prefix Magazine
Blog posts written for Prefix Magazine.
- New Found Glory “Not Without a Fight” ()
Following a three year hiatus New Found Glory returns with Not Without A Fight, the band’s first release on Epitaph records. In addition to a new label, Not Without A Fight being the group’s first album away from Drive-Thru Records, New Found Glory also took a new approach to the recording process for the album. While retaining Neal […]
- Amadou & Mariam “Welcome To Mali” ()
Released in Europe via Because Music, Nonesuch Records has ushered Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia’s Welcome To Mali into America just as it did with 2005’s Dimanche à Bamako. Produced by Marc Antoine Moreau, Laurent Jais and Damon Albarn (Blur/Gorillaz) the duo’s fifth studio release features guest appearances by Juan Rozoff, Keziah Jones and Somali-Canadian MC K’naan. The […]
- Mastodon “Crack The Skye” ()
Crack The Skye, Mastodon’s fourth studio release, comes as the band’s first album since 2006’s critically acclaimed Blood Mountain. In continuing the group’s tradition of approaching their albums with unique concepts, Crack The Skye loosely follows the absurdities Czarist Russia. A change of pace from the band’s previous release however, Crack The Skye as only seven tracks and a running […]
- B-Real “Smoke and Mirrors” ()
Some 20 years after the formation of Cypress Hill B-Real has struck out on his own, offering up Smoke and Mirrors as his long-awaited debut solo release. While the lead credits neglect mention of the legendary group, the core of the album suggests that the MC is well within the formula that has placed Cypress Hill amongst […]
- William Elliott Whitmore “Animals in the Dark” ()
Animals in the Dark is William Elliott Whitmore’s first release on ANTI- Records, and his first on a label other than Southern Records in roughly a decade. Focusing on themes ranging from the state of the nation to personal struggle, the Lee County, Iowa native projects Americana at its grittiest through his every howl and slur. […]
- Dan Auerbach “Keep It Hid” ()
Written during the recording sessions for the Black Keys’ 2008 album Attack & Release, Keep It Hid marks the first solo release for the band’s guitarist and singer Dan Auerbach. With five group albums already under his belt, Auerbach takes on a much more diverse role with Keep It Hid, performing the majority of the instrumental roles throughout the […]
- Nashville Pussy “From Hell To Texas” ()
Recorded at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Studios, Nashville Pussy’s From Hell To Texas continues the band’s perennial themes of gettin’ drunk, gettin’ high and gettin’ laid. And helping suck every last drop of gravel-throated growl from lead singer Blaine Cartwright is producer Daniel Rey (Misfits, Ramones), who last worked with the band on their 2005 release Get Some. Amongst […]
- P.O.S “Never Better” ()
Fresh off the heels of a self-titled release by the entire Doomtree crew, group member P.O.S. branches out for his first solo album since 2006 with Never Better. While it is a solo record, writing and production credits from Doomtree Members Sims, Dessa and Lazerbeak give Never Better the feeling of being a family affair. The CD version […]
- Robyn “The Cherrytree Sessions” ()
Originally recorded for the web program “Live at the Cherrytree House,” The Cherrytree Sessions captures renditions of a few tracks from Robyn’s most recent self-titled album. Coming nearly four years after Robyn was initially released in her native Sweden, the EP captures bare-bones versions of “Bum Like You,” “With Every Heartbeat,” and “Be Mine!” Coinciding with the announcement of […]
- Chamillionaire “Venom” ()
One of the best self-promoters in rap, Chamillionaire’s third major label release, Venom, follows a string of four official mixtapes including three new entries in his ongoing Mixtape Messiah series. For the release of Venom the self-proclaimed “Best Rapper Alive” surrounded himself with a hearty supporting cast of talent with guests such as Ludacris and Good Charlotte contributing to tracks. […]
- Gary Louris/Mark Olson “Ready For The Flood” ()
Serving as Mark Olson and Gary Louris’ first official album together since Olson’s departure from the Jayhawks in 1995, Ready for the Flood is a record full of tracks reflecting the duo’s deep-seated Americana roots. Produced by the Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson, the album’s 13 tracks showcase the duo’s ability to harmonize over chugging back-porch jams and […]
- The Prodigy “Invaders Must Die” ()
Time has a tendency of changing a lot of things. Time can warp friendships and distance what was once very close. Time can also mend old wounds and rejuvenate what was once thought to be dead. Such is the case with The Prodigy as Liam Howlett, Keith Flint and Maxim Reality have reconciled their differences, […]
- The Upsidedown “Human Destination” Review ()
After releasing its retro-sounding debut, Trust Electricity, in 2004, the Portland, Oregon-based Upsidedown was written off by many as having no new ideas. But follow-up Human Destination shows the band moving away from distorted shoegaze, instead emphasizing the musicians understated dexterity. The Upsidedown haven’t completely released themselves into the wild unknown of experimentation. But a transformation is evident in […]
- Shawn Hewitt “Spare Hearts” Review ()
The booming pop spectacle “Keep Them at Bay” opens Torontonian Shawn Hewitt’s debut album, Spare Hearts. Above all else, the record showcases Hewitt’s vocal potential, his range expanding and contracting throughout each of the album’s 11 tracks. Produced by Dave Newfeld (Broken Social Scene) and John O’Mahoney (Coldplay), Spare Hearts continually teases depth but ultimately wades in a […]
- of Montreal on Minnesota Public Radio ()
Prior to the band’s show at Minneapolis’ historic First Avenue this past Saturday, Of Montreal stopped by The Current to perform a three-song studio set. Last October Kevin Barnes and Bryan Poole sat in for a trio of acoustic songs featuring a track that was scheduled for, but left off Skepetal Lamping, “Feminie Effects,” as well as The Who’s “The […]
- Smashing Pumpkins “Tarantula (Jimmy Kimmel Live)” Video ()
Along with guests Tom Arnold and Shea Whigham, Smashing Pumpkins stopped Jimmy Kimmel Live this past Friday, playing the show off the air. Rather than performing its new single, “G.L.O.W.,” the band stuck with “Tarantula” from last year’s Zeitgeist. “G.L.O.W.” debuted almost two weeks ago on Chicago’s Q-101 and will see its official debut with the release of the Guitar Hero […]
- Scott Weiland Endorses Obama ()
Continuing the trend of alternative rock relics unnecessarily announcing their political agendas, Stone Temple Pilots’ frontman Scott Weiland has endorsed Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. Describing his decision Weiland said, “Barack Obama is the leader, the listener and the visionary with international respect to take us from the depths of where we are today and bring us to a new place […]
- R.E.M. “Until The Day Is Done” ()
“This is not a show” reads a sign featured in the video for “Until The Day Is Done.” Despite the suggestion, the video for R.E.M.’s fourth single from its “comeback album” Accelerate features concert footage taken from a Dublin show this July. The video’s black and white footage contrasts the superstardom that the band has long since […]
- Merge Records releases details on 16-disc box set ()
In preparation for next Summer’s “Merge Fest,” Merge Records will be releasing Score! Merge Records: The First 20 Years. The box set’s first fourteen discs were assembled by a host of high-profile curators including Peter Buck of R.E.M., David Byrne and Zach Galifianakis. The remaining two discs in the subscription-only set collect covers and remixes by non-Merge artists […]
- Blender lists the “100 Greatest American Albums” ()
Blender has compiled and released a list of the “100 Greatest American Albums.” While lists of the sort have never been universally appeasing, by overlooking so many keystone American musicians it is one of the most controversial in recent memory. Paul Westerberg questions “the veracity of this list,” and after reading it you might have a lot […]
- Best Buy offers CD/vinyl pre-order option for “Chinese Democracy” ()
Solidifying the most recent rumblings surrounding the release of Chinese Democracy, Best Buy is now offering fans the opportunity to pre-order Guns N’ Rose’ new album via the retailer’s web site. While many details are still scarce, the retail giant has announced that as a part of its exclusive distribution rights, the album will be offered […]
- Moby “Ooh Yeah!” Video ()
A video accompaniment for “Ooh Yeah!,” one of the better tracks from Moby’s recent Last Night album, has just been released via Mute Records. The Matteo Bernardini-directed clip was the winning entry in a recent contest sponsored by the web-video site Vimeo. While the video reflects a 1970s-themed porn shoot, it is more of an […]
- Everclear “Jesus Was a Democrat” ()
Everclear, who haven’t posted a single on any American chart since 2003, have followed up this year’s covers album with yet another unnecessary release, “Jesus Was a Democrat.” The song specifically takes aim at Americans who love Jesus but hate non-whites. And apparently, according to Alexakis, such people are not Democrats. “Jesus didn’t look like […]
- Bjork feat. Thom Yorke “Nattura” ()
With tribal drums that put “Love Lockdown” to shame, Björk’s charity collaboration with Radiohead’s Thom Yorke was finally revealed yesterday as it leaked on the internet. In the track, Yorke’s moans and airy howls illuminate drummer Brian Chippendale’s blazing beat, the product being a sound that is a far cry from the duo’s previous collaboration […]
- T.I. rules Billboard, stresses over court ()
T.I. currently ranks first and second on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Live Your Life” (featuring Rihanna) and “Whatever You Like,” both from his third straight number one album, Paper Trail. CNN recently profiled the rapper, discussing with him his recent seven-month house arrest, his forthcoming jail sentence and his work towards completing his court ordered […]
- M.I.A. feat. Pharrell, Rye Rye “Paper Planes (Diesel XXX Party)” ()
M.I.A. , N.E.R.D. and RYE RYE play ‘PAPER PLANES’ @ Diesel XXX NYC Party N.E.R.D.’s Pharrell Williams and Baltimore MC Rye Rye joined a visibly-pregnant M.I.A. on stage for a performance of “Paper Planes” at Diesel’s XXX party this past weekend. The set was M.I.A.’s first since announcing her “retirement” at this year’s Bonnaroo festival. Due in […]
- Tunde Adebimpe “Unknown Legend” (Neil Young Cover) ()
Along with Robyn Hitchcock, composer Zafer Tawil and a number of others, TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe has recorded a song for the soundtrack to Rachel Getting Married. And for his contribution Adebimpe quietly covered Neil Young’s “Unknown Legend,” a track from the icon’s 1992 Harvest Moon. The near a capella cover comes in great contrast to the […]
- Smashing Pumpkins “G.L.O.W.” ()
Smashing Pumpkins recently announced that the band would take part in the release of Guitar Hero World Tour by offering a few tracks as an expandable content pack for the game. While not the first band to participate in the series, the news did reveal that Smashing Pumpkins would be the first to debut a single through Guitar Hero. The single, […]
- Britney Spears “Womanizer” Video ()
Dawning a short black wig, leather pants, a chauffeur’s uniform and at times nothing at all, Britney Spears returns with a video for her new single “Womanizer.” As unnecessarily sexual as it is a display of feminine power, the video serves as a motion to reclaim the pop spotlight that was once hers. Since last […]
- 10 Biggest Anti-Bush Songs ()
In the eight years he’s been in charge of the nation, George W. Bush’s approval ratings have hit all-time lows. That sentiment has, of course, been manifest into song, as well. To help us prepare to say goodbye to eight of the most disheartening years in the country’s history, here are 10 of the biggest […]