Short Attention Span Record Reviews, Dec 2016

A TRIBE CALLED QUEST – We Got It From Here, Thank You 4 Your Service
Swan song by jazz-rap pioneers, a highly political anti-Trump funky double album. (8)

ASH BORER – The Irrepassable Gate
This one’s released on Profound Lore Records so you already know it sounds like you’re trapped inside a coffin and being buried alive in some forest or something. (7)

CHILDISH GAMBINO – Awaken, My Love!
Fun to listen to anyway, but the best thing about this album is that Donald Glover might hopefully lead some young people into discovering Funkadelic and other great 70’s funk/soul artists. (8)

COASTERS – The Complete Singles A’s & B’s, 1954-62
The most complete of literally dozens of Coasters compilations out there, the perfect Christmas present for every early rock ‘n’ roll/doo-wop aficionado. (10)

ENUFF Z’NUFF – Clowns Lounge
Unfairly labeled as hair metal back in the day, Enuff Z’Nuff basically always was a power-pop band in the Cheap Trick vein. This album features mostly archival recordings from 1988-89 and some fantastic songwriting. (8)

GARTH BROOKS – Gunslinger
The Music Geek’s friends know that I’ve become quite the country fan in the last few years but it wasn’t thanks to albums like Brooks’ latest – this is pedestrian, boring paint-by-numbers stuff, no fire in the belly. (5)

HORSE – For Twisted Minds Only (Reissue)
Rise Above Records does it again with rare UK proto-metal gem from 1970, officially re-released for the first time. Great booklet. (8)

JOHN LEGEND – Darkness And Light
First of all, that stage name is highly annoying. Second, he ain’t no D’Angelo – this is well-produced, competent soul/r’n’b but ultimately disposable. (7)

KAIA KATER – Nine Pin
22-year old Canadian folkie takes us through the Appalachian music tradition and sounds surprisingly genuine on her debut. Watch out for this one. (7)

MOS GENERATOR – Abyssinia
Better than 93.5% of all stoner rock bands out there. Slightly proggier too. (7)

ROLLING STONES – Blue & Lonesome
Featuring just covers of obscure blues tunes, this is the most exciting Stones album since 1981’s “Tattoo You”. (8)