The song: Modest Mouse's "Fire it Up" off We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank Leo: Have not been so impressed by new MM, though never was so into them. Solid track, nothing more, nothing less. (2.5) Rafael: Great song, but Modest Mouse has fine-tuned things a little too much over time. (4) Steve: I can't really get into the spatially U2-ey guitar feel and quasi-psychadelic wash in the background. "Overproduced" seems like a dumb criticism, but I'm sorry, too much sugar, not enough protein. (3)
The song: The Shins's "Australia" off Wincing the Night Away Leo: Pleasant surprise. Is this too loud for Starbucks and too quiet for Bubble House? Or, just right for a Zach Braff flick? (3) Rafael: Nice and bouncy song, if a bit too much of a retreat. Oh wait! I heard arpeggiated guitars for a sec! That means it's new and different... not. (3) Steve: Refreshingly non-Garden State-ish. (4)
The song: Arcade Fire's "Neon Bible" off Neon Bible Leo: Arcade Fire is getting way too much press to be hip right now. (3) Rafael: This is not the album standout. Too monotone to excel; The Arcade Fire has done much better before. (3) Steve: Good music for trance induction on sodium vapor-lit highway night drives. (4)
The song: Akon's "Don't Matter" off Konvicted Leo: The 'konvict' has moved beyond anal sex and murder. Akon seeking a boo ... endearing if incredibly cheesy. (Rating: 2) Rafael: This song's equal parts Marley and r&b make it a natural hit. Though it is too repetitive. (4) Steve: Hey, here's a novel concept for a love song: "Nothing matters as long as I've got you, babe." Also, chilling out is so lame. (2)
The song: Fall Out Boy's "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" off Infinity on High Leo: The singer is decent enough, but the sung chorus is killing me. (2)
Rafael: This ain't a song, it's a goddamned mash-up. (2)
Steve: What kind of scene firepower is a Fall Out Boy record? I want to say "Fuck this TRL shit," but I don't know if that show is still on. (3)
The song: MIMS's "This is Why I'm Hot" off Music Is My Savior Leo: Unfortunately, this song has spawned 1,000,000 Facebook album titles. (4) Rafael: This is why you're not ... This song exemplifies everything wrong with mainstream rap. (1) Steve: The lyrics are retardedly vapid, but this track satisfies me somewhere around my pale, uncoordinated hips/ass. Aural cheesecake. (4)
The song: Beyonc‚'s "Beautiful Liar (feat. Shakira)" off B'day Leo: Shakira's holding back, and I don't want to dance ... wait, hand claps, maybe I do. (3) Rafael: Your chocolate's in my peanut butter! (2) Steve: Generally underwhelming. I just can't get behind unadventurous superstar duets. (1)
The song: El-P's "Smithereens" off I'll Sleep When You're Dead Leo: El-P has not lost his touch for esoteric political-tinged ranting. This loop is on some inverted "Keys Open Doors" [by Clipse] type shit. (4) Rafael: Some of the best loops I've heard, though the lyrics are not so exceptional. (4) Steve: Not the most appealing production, but I'm glad to hear El-P is still lyrically tight. (4)
The song: Deerhoof's "Kidz are so Small" off Friend Opportunity Leo: Short and sweet. Good interaction between percussive sounds and playful singing. (5) Rafael: Deerhoof needs a new gimmick. This song is as incoherent as a Spring Flinger at 3 am. (2) Steve: Hell yes - gets you in a groove, then pulls a left turn, then stutters and does it again - round and round the block.
