New Reviews: The Decemberists Strip Down on Live Album

In this week’s slate of Rolling Stone reviews, Jon Dolan ponders how the Decemberists’ new double live album, which features a 16-minute folk- rock opus, a yodeling drummer and nautical themed audience participation, is somehow relatively “stripped-down” for the “overweeningly theatrical” band. Also, Rob Sheffield describes Vince Clarke and Martin Gore’s new techno album as VCMG as the “New Wave equivalent of the Rocky/Apollo rematch at the end of Rocky III,” Jeff Rosenthal slams the new single by shock-rap crew Odd Future and Monica Herrera praises Big K.R.I.T.’s new self-produced mixture.

ALBUMS

The Decemberists – We All Raise Our Voices to the Air (Live Songs 04-11-08-11)

VCMG – Ssss

The Ting Tings – Sounds From Nowheresville

The Jezabels – Prisoner

The Men – Open Your Heart

White Rabbits – Milk Famous

Band of Skulls – Sweet Sour

Delta Spirit – Delta Spirit

Big K.R.I.T. – 4evaNaDay

WZRD – WZRD

SONGS

Arcade Fire “Abraham’s Daughter”

Odd Future “Rella”

Beach House “Myth”

Debo Band “Asha Gedawo”

Blur “Under the Westway”