Muse - The Resistance

(2009)

I could tell this album would be cheese as soon as I heard the title, but I checked it out anyway. Turns out it's pretty good, for what it is. It starts out with two pretty standard Muse songs, but they're not bad at all. Luckily, it follows them with something completely different, an amazing electro pop song: Undisclosed Desires. This song automatically gives the album a few points, in my book. This is followed with to songs that sound too cheesy and have some serious Queen influence. This is sort of saved by a great piano interlude. Unnatural Selection comes next, and it sounds like the kind of rock they played on Absolution, and it even has more of their prog rock influence. MK Ultra sounds cheesy, but it's a pretty awesome kind of cheesy as far as I'm concerned (unlike Guiding Light), and overall it's a good song. I Belong to You is a groovy piano driven pop song. It sounds a bit like something out of a musical later on in the song, and after that the main theme comes back and there's a bass clarinet solo. Finally, the album ends with the symphony, which is split into 3 parts. It's pretty weird that there would be a symphony on this album, but, hey. It's gorgeous, though, and it's pretty hard to believe you're hearing it after the rest of the album, but surprisingly it transitions well enough.

So, this isn't as good as their past works, but it's awesome that they're still trying to be creative and original, so I have to give them props for that.
Bottom Line 3.5/5 Tommy

Ratatat - Ratatat

(2004)

Ratatat is the electronic duo consisting of producer E*vax and guitarist Mike Stroud. Ratatat is famous for its 8-bit synths, Harmonized Guitar, and Tin can Beats. Ratatat has created a new breed of electronic music with its video game sound and 70s rock edge. Their debut album is simply a classic and you can't consider yourself a lover of indie music without it. The opening track Seventeen Years grabs a hold of your ears immediately with it multiple guitar tracks. The rest of the album however, is rather relaxed and down tempo with a few exceptions in Desert Eagle. Everyone and their mom should listen to Ratatat because it's some of the most original electronic music out there. (Trust me i've looked)
Bottom Line-10/10 Instant Classic Charles Clark Musician/Producer

Dan Auerbach - Keep Hid

(2009)

The front man in The blues band The Black Keys released a solo album this year and it is a gem. In this album Dan Auerbach shows off his talent by spreading his sound to folk and rock rather than playing strictly blues. It still has that classic sound like the black keys but is more original and personal. The opening track Trouble Weighs a Ton shows his more folksy side and I Want Some More gives you that blues sound you know from him. Each track on this album is unique and full of sweet vintage tube distortion . If you love that classic rock sound this is a must have album to your collection.
Bottom Line-9/10 Charles Clark Musician/Producer