By Andrew McNally Columnist
FIDLAR - FIDLAR
Grade: A
Punk has come full circle. “FIDLAR,” the anticipated debut from the booze-drenched LA band, is somewhat of a response to the increasingly poetic punk bands like The Menzingers and Joyce Manor. Those bands may sing about drinking and their perpetual need for income, but never in the direct way FIDLAR does. FIDLAR brings punk back to its very early roots, with short, loud aural blasts about drugs and skating. They’re an incredibly simple band, in a way that no punk band has been in years. “FIDLAR” is raw and honest in its apathy. It will almost make you remember the 70’s.
If You Like: The Descendents, Black Flag
Kitty Pryde - D.A.I.S.Y. Rage
Grade: A-
The D.A.I.S.Y. Rage EP is Kitty (Pryde)’s first “official” release. It may or may not take you a few listens to get over the novelty-feel of Kitty’s whole act. But once you do, you’ll realize she’s actually a pretty decent rapper. She seamlessly takes down Skrillex, New York City, and the All-American Rejects. She also performed a Wu-Tang parody called “Rash Rules Everything Around Me.” Each track is rapid-fire and may take a while to catch all the references. The Florida MC might not be doing anything revolutionary, but it’s pure entertainment, at least until you realize you’re probably older than her.
If You Like: Das Racist, Lakutis
Jim James - Regions of Light and Sound of God
Grade: B+
With My Morning Jacket and Monsters of Folk, Jim James has been prolific over the past few years. And although his outputs haven’t always been interesting, he’s been eclectic. His first true solo album pushes the eclecticism to the max, incorporating simultaneous genres into a brief album of religious imagery. On “Regions,” James gets to fully explore his influences without any presupposed expectations. “State of the Art” starts the album off on earnest folk, before “Know Til Now” drives into jazz. The rest of the album follows as an amalgamation of acoustic tracks, resounding vocals, and all of James’ other wild ideas.
If You Like: Paul Banks, My Morning Jacket