CD Reviews

Most Precious Blood Merciless (Trustkill Records) Let it come as no surprise that once again, MPB release controversial artwork along with their third release, Merciless. The thirteen plus tracks (if you include tracks 14 to 99) are written with a punch in the face of revenge and metaphorical openings pulled from movies.

Most Precious Blood
Merciless
(Trustkill Records)

Let it come as no surprise that once again, MPB release controversial artwork along with their third release, Merciless. The thirteen plus tracks (if you include tracks 14 to 99) are written with a punch in the face of revenge and metaphorical openings pulled from movies. “Shark Ethic” starts the album off with experimental melodic choruses, which during the album back up what old school hardcore is about… “getting in, saying what you have to say and getting out” as said by guitarist Justin Brannan.
By the time you hear “Diet For A New America”, the man on the cover is discovered dead, which sums up to a question to the theme, who is paying attention? Overall, A World Without Music would not permit dedicated bands such as this to produce music that opens ideas to where the future lies for the world.

-Lindsay Henry

Tim Fite
Gone Ain’t Gone
(Anti/Epitaph)

Tim Fite says he samples all of his music from albums that cost him a maximum of one dollar. He also claims he was born without blood and that a machine pumps it in his veins for him. He says he lives in a CD graveyard. All of this babbling is good for reviews only, I suppose. But he’s not only about gossip. His music is worth listening to.
Tim Fite takes samples as a hip-hop producer would do, adds his guitars, invites friends for drums or different instruments, and then adds his vocals. The result is very Beck-ish. His “cooler-than-cool” type of laid-back voice makes us think of Beck or Modest Mouse. He raps every once in a while and sounds like Beck or Buck 65. A contribution from Ben Kweller on the 12-string guitar is noticeable on “The More You Do”, the beautiful last song on the CD.
The result is some kind of Odelay, only 10 years later. Any Beck fan will enjoy listening to this amusing mix of country and rap music.

-Cedric Lizotte

A Perfect Murder
Strength Through Vengeance
(Victory/Universal)

As many metal-type bands seem to have emerged over the last couple years, A Perfect Murder is one of the few that has managed to stay true to the roots of metal. This album has been compared to Metallica and Pantera, and rightfully so. With strong guitars and decent arrangements, the occasional solo and slightly melodic track, you will soon realize what makes this cd stand out. Lead singer, Kevin Randel, sounds more and more like Phil Anselmo,Pantera’s frontman, as the album goes on. You may have to think twice about which band you are listening to. A Perfect Murder is a strong reminder that there will always be room for some good old-fashioned head banging metal.

-Lindsay Wood

Blackalicious
The Craft
(Anti/Epitaph)

My belief in hip hop has been revived with Blackalicious’ new release, The Craft. The Bay Area group’s fifth release is a keeper for those of you like the ‘Golden Era’ of hip hop. For those who don’t know what I’m talking about take a look at this album anyway because you’ll enjoy the flow of rapper Gift for Gab and appreciate the engineering of Russ Elevado (D’Angelo’s Voodoo, Alicia Key’s Songs in A Minor, Erykah Badu’s Mama’s gun).
The album features the live music sound of a Roots album with the live tech meets hybridism of A Tribe Called Quest. The album also kicks a lot of positive knowledge and re-inforces Blackalicious’ solid foundation in the top tier of underground hip hop. Check out the oboe sample on side to side, very groovy.

-Thierry Ian Harris

BE SURE TO READ PART 2 IN THE ENTERTAINMENT SECTION

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