Music Notes for July 30 Black Dice "Creature Comforts" (DFA) 2 Stars Sounds like: experimental no-wave along the lines of Wolf Eyes, only less caustic.
When aural cavities were devised, the technician clearly drew a line in the sand. On one side the technician placed sounds that would enthrall and excite the senses, and on the other side the technician placed the noises that just didn't sound right. Imagine if there were a sandstorm on this beach, that's what Black Dice's fourth full-length album, "Creature Comforts" sounds like.
Soothing strings and discordant electronic effects merge with blips, blops and blaps for about 45 minutes' worth of background noise for the broken-down elevator trip to hell. Anyone not already a fan of Black Dice will get nothing from "Creature Comforts." However, those whose palate is oriented toward a focus on the extremes of experimentalism should quickly line up outside the nearest record store and salivate impatiently under the hot sun.
All in all, "Creature Comforts" is built around four epic and challenging songs that range in length from six to 15 minutes. Amidst the whirling computer effects and the sounds of bodily functions, Black Dice sets a table of silence, and in the end, the effect is less enchanting than it is bothersome. The dead noise makes the record come off as a schizophrenic soundtrack to a schlock horror film, killing the flow and forcing the whole album either to the backburner or into that category of, "I'll get around to listening to this when I'm comfortably numb."
While "Creature Comforts" is not going to be the sound of the summer, experimentalism is what makes music progress, and for that Black Dice must be respected. However, just because they deserve respect, doesn't mean they are the next Mozart, Bach or Ludwig Van.
-ALEX KARGHER
Lloyd Banks "The Hunger For More" (G-Unit/Interscope) 2.5 stars Sounds like: 50 Cent without the bullet holes in his mouth.
If you didn't already know, Lloyd Banks is the first member of infamous rapper 50 Cent's G-Unit crew to drop a solo album. Banks' album, "Hunger For More," has already debuted at No. 1 on Billboard.
However, Banks isn't that original in his lyrical content. Smoking dope, not snitching, bragging of wealth and other typical gangster activities are all covered. Banks' rapping style sounds laid back, yet also very stern. It is certainly a lot clearer than some of his bullet-riddled associates.
The most fun parts of the record are his constant pop and consumer culture references, like "I'm in the hood with more straps than a JanSport" on "I'm So Fly."
As far as beats go, "Hunger For More" is just a hollow tip above average, featuring decent work from "in" producers such as Timbaland and Eminem. Notable guest rappers include Eminem, G-Unit members Tony Yayo, Young Buck and, of course, 50 Cent. The best track on the album is either "Ain't No Click," due to its whacky but likable beat, or the catchy club hit "On Fire." The weakest track is surely "Karma" which goes into that "sensitive thug" zone that G-Unit nemesis Ja Rule is best known for. The rest of "Hunger For More" shows a street-hardened, gangsta Banks, so "Karma" just doesn't fit and slows the flow of the album. Overall "Hunger For More" is a decent rap record.
Those into this new school 50 Cent gangster rap will probably dig it because it is pretty much more of the same. Otherwise keep listening to Outkast and hope for a new Jurassic 5 album soon.
-JORGE DEL PINAL
Midtown "Forget What You Know" (Columbia Records) 2.5 stars Sounds like: Midtown playing Foo Fighters, Queens Of The Stone Age and Nirvana.
Rarely does a band get a second chance to break into the mainstream. New Jersey pop-punk unit, Midtown is one of these lucky few. After much hype and poor sales of their last record, "The Best Revenge Is Living Well," the band is back with a heavier, more rock 'n' roll sound that is clearly more mature than their previous releases. Also more prevalent are religious references that sometimes seem out of place.
"Forget What You Know" is a decent record but just doesn't quite have the spark that keeps people coming back. There are a few tracks that are pretty good, such as "Empty Like The Ocean," "Whole New World," "Waiting For The News" and "Hey Baby Don't You Know We Are All Whores." But songs like "Is It Me, Is It True" and "To Our Savior" seem over the top, as if Midtown is trying too hard to be serious. This album has maturity that the band's previous work lacked, but it isn't nearly as catchy. Overall "Forget What You Know" is good, but a little too far off from Midtown's roots.
-J.D.P.
Various Artists "Spider-Man 2" soundtrack (Columbia Records) 3 Stars Sounds Like: Spiderman going to the Warped Tour and listening to a rock radio station on his way home.
With an array of radio-rock's finest and several up-and-coming acts celebrating the awesomeness that is "Spider-Man 2," how can you go wrong? You really can't. The clear standout on the record is Dashboard Confessional's "Vindicated," which is much more upbeat and rockin' than a lot of the band's other material. Other standouts include Yellowcard's "Gifts and Curses," Maroon 5's "Woman," The Ataris' "The Night the Lights Went Out in NYC" and Taking Back Sunday's "This Photograph is Proof," which all translate the feeling of the film into song.
The low point on the record is surely Train's lame offering, "Ordinary." Jet's "Hold On" is a surprisingly good song that is one of the only songs that actually appears in the film. Two disappointing, but not awful, tracks are Hoobastank's "Did You" and Lost Prophets' "Lucky You," which lack the punch that you'd expect from bands that have punchy singles. The two Danny Elfman songs "Spidey Suite" and "Doc Ock Suite," which were composed for the score of the movie, are great, and actually inspire listeners with the emotion and intensity of the film, as well as flashbacks from several great scenes. Overall the "Spider-Man 2" soundtrack is a solid offering that includes a lot of great bands. It's definitely worth checking out.
-J.D.P.
