Print Edition: February 22, 2012
Of Montreal
Paralytic Stalks
Artists have a tendency to nail down their true sound early on in their career, typically within the first few albums, but this was not the case for Of Montreal. Their eleventh studio album Paralytic Stalks affirms the band’s reputation of being creatively restless and unbalanced. Front man Kevin Barnes shows that he has completely shut himself off from the charming twee and bedroom pop of his early efforts, reinventing himself as not just a glam-rock artist, but also as a schizophrenic musical arranger, with Paralytic Stalks marking his greatest musical variation to date. The difference between Paralytic Stalks and some of Of Montreal’s recent releases is that while also dense, the band’s previous albums remain relatable and exciting while also showing the band’s capability to evolve both musically and lyrically. This new album surrounds Barnes’ freewheeling vocals with an overwhelming amount of chaotic dissonant sound and sweaty seduction. Barnes unwittingly replaces the poignant and fun R&B hooks of previous efforts with absurd and spastic funk rhythms of Paralytic Stalks.
The Fray
Scars & Stories
The Fray does it again with the release of their new album Scars & Stories. With a new producer, Brendan O’Brien, from their previous two albums, Scars & Stories takes on a new sound and a step away from the mainstream. I was pleasantly surprised when listening to the album, finding that is focused more on the guitar and less on the catchy pop beats that are so prominent in mainstream music. This album captures the band’s journey with reflective lyrics and harmonious beats. The songs on the album represent the bands experiences whilst travelling as heard in “Heartbeat” and “Munich.” The album title suggests the bands transformation, taking their trials and turning them into communicable sounds that ease the soul. The Fray has improved tenfold since their last album and has made a fan out of me.
K’naan
More Beautiful Than Silence
A lot has transpired in the career of Somali Canadian MC K’naan since the release of his last full-length album, Troubadour. His insidiously catchy 2010 World Cup anthem turned star-studded disaster relief single “Wavin’ Flag” was an international hit that elevated the rapper to the world stage. Riding high on his wave of newfound success, K’naan toured widely before hunkering down to face a serious predicament: how do you follow up such a ubiquitous hit single? More Beautiful Than Silence is a tentative step into the spotlight that finds K’naan sometimes thriving and sometimes faltering under the weight of his sudden success. Lead track “Is There Anybody Out There?” (featuring Nelly Furtado) is a case of the latter, where the duo’s ambition to create an uplifting message single is such a poorly disguised attempt at a sequel to “Wavin’ Flag” that it almost comes across as parody. The EP’s other collaboration, “Nothing to Lose” (featuring Nas), works a lot better because it’s funky, fun and different in all the places where “Is There Anybody Out There?” is stiff, severe and familiar. On More Beautiful Than Silence, K’naan shows some growing pains, but if he can work through some of his more problematic tendencies, his next LP might make good on his early promise.
Rihanna
Talk That Talk
The November released album Talk That Talk is prolific R&B singer Rihanna’s sixth album in her seven-year recording career, and certainly a building block in the Barbados-born songstress’ climb towards mega-stardom. Talk That Talk does not mark any significant new direction in the singer’s career, but perhaps for good reason. Sometimes no change is good – at least for the legions of fans who have fallen in love with Rihanna’s powerful, recognizable vocals that chameleon their way through nightclub-friendly, bass-heavy pounders to dramatic ballads. Talk That Talk also continues the artist’s foray into increasingly gritty subject matter. Rihanna, whose single “S&M” rose to number one when it dropped, shows fans once more that she’s not too shy to combine such elements as radio-friendly synth and sado-masochism. While the album sticks with club-happy Euro-inspired beats, Rihanna proves once again that she has what it takes to navigate the proverbial meat market that is mainstream pop. With sultry vocals and hits with an undeniable sing-along factor, the 23-year-old star shows fans and non-fans alike that she is here to stay.
