Since it's becoming apparent to myself and to many of you that it won't be enough to accurately classify the merits of an album by saying "this album is good" or "this album is bad", I'm going to start a rating system from 0 to 5. Although very arbitrary, it'll give you some basis for comparison.
On first listen of Kisses' newest album, the first thing I thought to myself is, "What on earth is Jens Lekman doing now?" A quick jump to Wikipedia proved absolutely nothing for my suspicion that he was no longer a solo act. Myspace, however, saved the day and proved my suspicion very false. But I swear, if the lead singer in this band had traded larynxes with Jens, I would not have been able to tell the difference. Anywho, The Heart of the Nightlife is a dancy and dreamy compilation that will probably make you cry while dancing and dreaming. The album begins with a self-titled song, which is highly unusual now that I think about it because typically albums are named after songs and songs generally don't mirror the band's moniker. Kisses, the song, begins the album repeating the refrain: "So keep your heart strong / and love long / and give kisses when you can." This sets the tone for the rest of the album: love lost, incurable longing, and hopeful seeking for a replacement that never materializes as noted by the final song's lyrics, "And I roam the bus / just to be with you / I roam the city tram / just to be near you." The middle songs guide you on that journey to the bitter end. Sad, I know. But this album has a plethora of shining moments despite its overall message. I'd give it a solid 3.8/5. Favorite songs: Kisses, Bermuda, and Midnight Lover.
It's very difficult to effectively and properly combine two completely seperate genres. The Jazz Liberatorz are the best I have found at synthesizing jazz with hip hop. Fruit Of The Past is another beacon of accomplishment for this Parisian hip hop group. Clin d'Oeil, their first release, was my anthem for my time in Paris. Fruit of the Past is not necessarily a new album, but I have been so focused on the intricasies and pure genius of Clin d'Oeil that I have basically overlooked their other works. Fruit Of The Past includes the talents of not only Mos Def and Fat Lip, but also has contributions from T. Love, Dela, and Wildchild. There are other impressive names on the list, but with just those five in mind, I'm not sure how one can truly say they appreciate hip hop without having this group's albums. I give Fruit Of The Past a 4.5/5 and Clin d'Oeil a whomping 4.8/5. Here's a taste: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDZ3x4Lazqg. As for favorite songs, both albums are gems and each song should be listened to. Prepare yourself for something rarely heard in modern music.
Best, Jonathan
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