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”