Albums in rotation: Cudi, Skrillex, and more

I know it has been awhile since I added to this series of posts but I haven't found many albums worth talking about lately. Luckily that changed as of late and I now have some EPs and a few albums to share with you. Let's begin.

Original Sin and Taxman - Penamana EP

I have been waiting for this song since I heard it live back in the spring when Rusko played it during his opening set for Major Lazer. It destroyed the crowd and now it is finally here! Take No More is one of two dubstep tracks on this EP, the other two are drum 'n' bass tracks (not a huge fan of that genre).
Check out: Take No More


Flux Pavillion - Lines In Wax EP

I have been a huge fan of Flux Pavillion's remix's but haven't dabbled into his original offerings as much until now.  When it comes to dubstep, I like it heavy and filthy and that's exactly what this EP delivers. Flux Pavillion's signature sound is found in all four tracks, especially on Hold Me Close and I Can't Stop, two songs that have great drops and dirty noise that will make you smile and headbang simultaneously.
Check out: Hold Me Close, I Can't Stop


Downlink - Emergency EP

The first track I heard by downlink was his remix of Swagga. That was quite awhile ago. What he offers now with this EP is a step up from that remix. Emergency includes four tracks varying in intensity. Each offers something special and something I can appreciate so they are hard to rank. Give them a shot.
Check out: Emergency (the little micro wobbles and womps are where its at), The Night


Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Spirits EP

Skrillex aka Sonny Moore, is relatively new on the electronic scene. He got his start in various post-hardcore and metal bands so it's cool to see that he can cross genres and lay down some serious dubstep. I had the chance to meet him at the Deadmau5 concert in Minneapolis. He's a really mellow and down-to-earth individual regardless of his gnarly appearance and various lyrical choices. This is his followup to the successful My Name Is Skrillex EP and offers nine tracks ranging from completely new to a reinterpretation of With Your Friends from his first EP along with remixes of the title track itself. I loved his first EP and I love this. I really enjoy how he chops and manipulates his vocal samples while adding a poppy synth vibe to an overall aggressive product. Each track is quite fun. No wonder it reached No. 1 on the Beatport charts.
Check out: With Your Friends (Long Drive), Rock N Roll (Will Take You To The Mountain), Scary Monsters & Nice Spirits (Noisia Remix)
Also: Skrillex will be returning to Minneapolis on December 3rd to perform at The Loft in Barfly. Be sure to make it out for the show.

Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager

Kid Cudi's first album will always be synonymous with my time spent in England. Particularly the gorgeous days I spent in the pasture next to the castle I called home. It was one of a handful of albums I could listen to from beginning to end and it always fit the mood, location, or events taking place  at the time. With that said, you can imagine how excited I have been for Man on the Moon II. I have been looking forward to it so much that I refused to listen to the singles that were released over the last couple months because I didn't want to ruin the experience of hearing it all in full. This new collection of songs does not disappoint. The vibe and overall sound is darker than before and reinforces Kid Cudi's skill and ability to differ from the mainstream. The tracks flow from one another and are grouped in "acts" to tell a story. This makes it hard to pick and choose favorites because, like his first album, I can easily listen to it from beginning to end and I suggest that's how it be enjoyed.
Check out: The album in its entirety

Albums in rotation part 2

I published a post not too long ago with a list of current albums and respective songs that I was really feeling at the time and I would like to add to that list today with some new material.  I hope to turn this into a reoccurring segment here on the blog as I am always finding new music I love to share. Same delivery as before, click the artist/album titles for info regarding each. Enjoy.

Chiddy Bang - The Swelly Express

These guys successfully mix hip-hop and alternative/electronic samples to create some truly unique music.  The Swelly Express is a mixtape from 2009 but a studio album is due for release this August.

Check out: Truth (feat. Passion Pit), The Opposite of Adults (feat. MGMT)

Empire of the Sun - Walking On A Dream

I know I am a bit late on this one but this album is still worth mentioning.  I have always enjoyed the single Walking On A Dream but never got around to hearing the whole album until recently.  Their sound reminds me of MGMT but better.

Check out: Walking On A Dream, We Are The People, Country

Pendulum - Immersion 

Still giving this album some time but it does have it's high points.  My only complaint is that some of the tracks are a bit too fast for me since I am not a big fan of the drum and bass genre.

Check out: The Island Pt II (Dusk)

Girl Talk - Unstoppable / Night Ripper

You may be familiar with Girl Talk's more recent album, Feed The Animals.  I am a huge fan of it so I wanted to give some of his older stuff a try.  It's hard to pick out favorite tracks from each but they are both pretty cool and since they are older there are some older samples as well which can bring back some memories.

The Swell Season - The Swell Season / Once / Strict Joy

I absolutely love these guys.  The Swell Season is the real life band of the characters from the movie, Once.  If you have not seen it I highly recommend it if you're into music and independent film.  These songs are very genuine and honestly, fricking sad.  Their style works and I connect to some of it more than I ever thought I would (given the fact that I am not necessarily a huge fan of Irish folk music).

Check out: Falling Slowly, When Your Mind's Made Up, Lies, and everything else

Albums in rotation

Here is a list of some albums that I recently got my hands on, some good, some alright, some not.  Click the artist/band name for info about them and the album name for Amazon.com.  I have also listed my current favorite tracks from each album which are sure to change (there's a lot of new music here to choose from!)

Eminem - Recovery
I am not a die-hard Eminem fan but I do think he's entertaining.
Check out: Going Through Changes (love the Ozzy Osbourne sample here), Won't Back Down

Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That
After falling in love with their recent album, Wolfgang Amadeus, I wanted to give this one a try from 2006 and it's fantastic.
Check out:  Too hard to decide

The National - High Violet
The new album from a great band that I was introduced to while living in England.
Check out: Sorrow, England

Ok Go - Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky
I'll be honest, these guys never really grabbed my attention but I had an urge to listen to this album and so far it's nice.
Check out: White Knuckles, While You Were Asleep

The XX - XX
I had heard of these guys a while back but never got my hands on the album until now. Really love their sound.
Check out: VCR, Night Time

Vampire Weekend - Contra
Similarly to Ok Go, I have never found myself craving anything by Vampy Wknd but have still wanted to give this album a shot.
Check out: Still deciding

Mystery Jets - Serotonin
I gave these guys a try when they released the album, Twenty One.  I liked it at first but it didn't stick.  I downloaded this new album and I liked it so much it made me start listening to Twenty One again.  I guess I just wasn't ready for them initially.
Check out: Too Late to Talk, many others

Discovery - LP
I heard about this band while in England as well but never gave them a try until now. I can honestly say this album is horrible.  It has it's moments but I do not like the overall package. Maybe it will grow on me.
Check out: Osaka Loop Line

Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line
Oldie but goodie
Check out: Run My Mouth

Yeasayer - Odd Blood / All Hour Cymbals
Hard to say what I like and don't like here.  Both albums are very different and have elements of good and bad.
Check out: Both albums are still growing on me

Two Door Cinema Club - Tourist History
I heard about these guys a few months ago when I found a remix of their single Something Good Can Work and finally got around to getting the album.  Great stuff.
Check out: Something Good Can Work, Undercover Martyn

Big Boi (from Outkast) - Sir Lucious Left Foot...  The Son of Chico Dusty
I have always been a fan of Outkast as well as Big Boi's and Andre 3000's solo work. They are each unique artists and their sound is far from cookie-cutter hip-hop.  This album showcases that.
Check out: Daddy Fat Sax, Shutterbug