Michael Tatum's A Downloader's Diary:
Index
This is a cumulative list of records reviewed in Michael Tatum's
A Downloader's Diary, indexed by artist. (Various artist
compilations are at the end.) Release dates are in brackets, as
opposed to recording dates, listed first where known and different.
In order to better group the records by artist minor differences in
artist names have been omitted. Sort within artist is generally by
the last year of material included or release date.
!!!: Strange Weather, Isn't It? (2010, Warp) X 
The 1975: I Like It When You Sleep for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It (2016, Polydor) C
The 1900's: Return of the Century (2010, Parasol) **
ABC:
- The Lexicon of Love (1982, Mercury) A−
- Beauty Stab (1983, Mercury) A−
- How to Be a . . . Zillionaire! (1985, Mercury) B−
- Alphabet City (1987, Mercury) C+
- Up (1989, Mercury) C
- Abracadabra (1991, MCA) C
- The Best of ABC: 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection (1991, Mercury) B
Action Bronson:
- Dr. Lecter (2011, Fine Fabric Delegates) A−
- Blue Chips (2012, Fools Gold/Reebok Classics) A−
Actress:
- R.I.P. (2012, Honest Jon's) ***
- Ghettoville (2014, Ninja Tune) C
Ryan Adams:
- Live at Carnegie Hall (2015, Blue Note) D+
- 1989 (2015, Pax-Am) B−
Adele: 21 (2011, XL/Columbia) B+
Aesop Rock: The Impossible Kid (2016, Rhymesayers) A−
Afghan Whigs: Do to the Beast (2014, Sub Pop) B−
Africa Express: Africa Express Presents Terry Riley in C (2015, Transgressive) A−
Africa HiTech: 93 Million Miles (2011, Warp) X
Afrocubism: Afrocubism (2010, Nonesuch) **
Against Me!:
- White Crosses (2010, Sire) **
- Transgender Dysphoria Blues (2014, Red Distribution) A−
Air: Le Voyage Dans La Lune (2012, Astralwerks) A−
Airborne Toxic Event: All at Once (2011, Island) X
Alabama Shakes: Boys and Girls (2012, ATO) C+
Lily Allen: Sheezus (2014, Warner Bros.) A
Allo Darlin':
- Allo Darlin' (2010, Fortuna Pop!) **
- Europe (2012, Slumberland) A−
Alt-J: An Awesome Wave (2012, Infectious) C+
Amadou & Mariam: Folila (2012, Nonesuch) ***
Sam Amidon: I See the Sign (2010, Bedroom Community) X
An Horse: Walls (2011, Mom + Pop) A−
Laurie Anderson: Heart of a Dog (2015, Nonesuch) A+
Thomas Anderson: The Moon in Transit (Four-Track Demos 1996-2009) (2012, Out There) A−
Animal Collective: Painting With Animal Collective (2016, Domino) **
Aphex Twin: Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt. 2 (2015, Warp) B
Fiona Apple: The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do (2012, Clean Slate) A
Arcade Fire:
- The Suburbs (2010, Merge) A
- Reflektor (2013, Merge) A
Architecture in Helsinki: Moment Bends (2011, Downtown) X
Arctic Monkeys:
- Suck It and See (2011, Domino) X
- AM (2013, Domino) C+
Araabmuzik: Electronic Dream (2011, Duke Productions) ***
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti: Before Today (2010, 4AD) X
Art Brut: Brilliant! Tragic! (2011, Cooking Vinyl) *
A$AP Rocky: Long.Live.A$AP (2013, RCA) **
Atari Teenage Riot: Is This Hyperreal? (2011, Dim Mak) X
Atmosphere: The Family Sign (2011, Rhymesayers) X
Atoms for Peace: Amok (2013, XL) ***
Avalanches: Wildflower (2016, Modular/Astralwerks/XL/EMI) **
Avett Brothers: The Carpenter (2012, American) B−
Katy B:
- On a Mission (2011, Columbia Europe) C+
- Little Red (2014, Columbia) A−
The B-52's: Live! 8-24-1979 (2015, Rhino) ***
Babyface: Return of the Tender Lover (2015, Def Jam) A−
Babygramps and Peter Stampfel: Outertainment! (2010, Red Newt) *
Babyshambles: Sequel to the Prequel (2013, EMI) A−
Bachelorette: Bachelorette (2011, Drag City) X
Badly Drawn Boy: It's What I'm Thinking (Part One: Photographic Snowflakes) (2010, The End) **
Bad Meets Evil: Hell: The Sequel (2011, Interscope) B−
The Bad Plus: Never Stop (2010, E1 Entertainment) **
Bad Religion: The Dissent of Man (2010, Epitaph) X
Erykah Badu: But You Cain't Use My Phone (2015, Motown/Control Freaq) A−
Karim Baggili: Kali City (2014, Homerecords.be) **
Bahamas: Barchords (2012, Jagjaguwar) C+
Balkan Beat Box: Give (2012, Nat Geo) ***
Sorry Bamba: Volume One 1970-1979 (2011, Thrill Jockey) A−
Azealia Banks:
- 1991 (2012, Interscope, EP) A+
- Fantasea (2012, free download) **
Carl Barât: Carl Barât (2010, Arcady) X
Bobby Bare, Jr.: A Storm, A Tree, My Mother's Head (2010, 31 Tigers) B−
Lou Barlow: Brace the Wave (2015, Joyful Noise) B−
Courtney Barnett: The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas (2014, Mom + Pop Music) **
Juliana Barwick: The Magic Place (2011, Asthmatic Kitty) X
The Baseball Project:
- Volume Two: High and Inside (2011, Yep Roc) A
- 3rd (2014, Yep Roc) **
Baths: Cerulean (2010, Anticon) ***
Battles: Gloss Drop (2011, Warp) A−
David Bazan: Strange Negotiations (2011, Barsuk) *
BBU!: Bell Hooks (2012, Mad Decent/Mishka download) A−
Beach House:
- Bloom (2012, Sub Pop) A−
- Depression Cherry (2015, Sub Pop) B−
- Thank Your Lucky Stars (2015, Sub Pop) B+
Beady Eye: Different Gear, Still Speeding (2011, Dangerbird) X
Beans: End It All (2011, Anticon) X
Beastie Boys: Hot Sauce Committee Part Two (2011, Capitol) B+
Francis Bebey: African Electronic Music 1975-1982 (2012, Born Bad) A−
Beck: Morning Phase (2014, Capitol) C
The Beets: Stay Home (2011, Captured Tracks) B+
Belbury Poly: The Belbury Tapes (2012, Ghost Box) C+
Belle and Sebastian:
- Belle and Sebastian Write About Love (2010, Matador) A
- Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance (2015, Matador) *
Dierks Bentley: Home (2012, Capitol Nashville) C+
Best Coast:
- Crazy for You (2010, Mexican Summer) A−
- The Only Place (2012, Mexican Summer) A−
- Fade Away (2013, Mexican Summer, EP) A−
- California Nights (2015, Harvest) B
Bettie Serveert: Oh, Mayhem! (2013, Second Motion) A−
Beyoncé:
- 4 (2011, Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia) C+
- Lemonade (2016, Parkwood/Columbia) A+
Bhi Bhiman: Bhiman (2012, Boocoo) A−
Bibio:
- Mind Bokeh (2011, Warp) A−
- A Mineral Love (2016, Warp) C+
Big Boi: Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty (2010, Def Jam) A−
Big K.R.I.T.: ReturnOf4Eva (2011, mixtape) **
Bilal:
- Airtight's Revenge (2010, Plug Research) C+
- A Love Surreal (2013, Entertainment One Music) C+
Ryan Bingham:
- /Dead Horses: Junky Star (2010, Lost Highway) X
- Tomorrowland (2012, Axster Bingham) C+
BJ the Chicago Kid: In My Mind (2016, Motown) A−
Björk: Vulnicura (2015, Elektra) C−
Aloe Blacc: Lift Your Spirit (2014, Interscope) B+
The Black Eyed Peas: The Beginning (2010, Interscope) **
Black Lips: Arabia Mountain (2011, Vice) X
Blackalicious: Imani, Vol. 1 (2015, OGM Recordings) A−
James Blake:
- James Blake (2011, Atlas) C
- Overgrown (2013, Universal Republic) B−
Bleached: Ride Your Heart (2013, Dead Oceans) B−
Blondie: Panic of Girls (2011, Eleven Seven/EMI) C+
Blood Orange: Cupid Deluxe (2013, Domino) C+
Blueprint: Adventures in Counter Culture (2011, Rhymesayers) **
Blur: The Magic Whip (2015, Warner Bros/Parlophone) C+
Boards of Canada: Tomorrow's Harvest (2013, Warp) C
Seth Bogart: Seth Bogart (2016, Hardly Art) **
Bombé and Mr. Caribbean: James Drake (2011, mixtape) X
Bombino:
- Agadez (2011, Cumbancha) A−
- Nomad (2013, Nonesuch) A−
- Azel (2016, Nonesuch) A−
The Books: The Way Out (2010, Temporary Residence) A−
David Bowie:
- The Next Day (2013, Columbia) B
- Darkstar (2016, Columbia) **
The Box Tops: Playlist: The Very Best of the Box Tops (2013, Sony/Legacy) A−
Braids: Native Speaker (2011, Kanine) X
Toni Braxton & Babyface: Love, Marriage, and Divorce (2014, Motown) A−
Bright Eyes: The People's Key (2011, Merge) B
Broken Bells: After the Disco (2014, Columbia) B−
Broken Records: Let Me Come Home (2010, 4AD) X
V.V. Brown:
- Travelling Like the Light (2010, Capitol) A−
- Samson & Delilah (2013, YOY) C
Buck 65: 20 Odd Years (2011, WEA) A−
Lindsey Buckingham: Seeds We Sow (2011, Mind Kit) C
Budos Band: Budos Band III (2010, Daptone) X
Jake Bugg: Jake Bugg (2013, Mercury) C
Burial: Kindred (2012, Hyperdub, EP) A
Kate Bush: Director's Cut (2011, Fish People) C+
David Byrne and St. Vincent: Love This Giant (2012, 4AD/Todo Mundo) C+
Cake: Showroom of Compassion (2011, Upbeat) *
Cakes Da Killa: The Eulogy (2013, Mishka download) A−
Bill Callahan: Apocalypse (2011, Drag City) X
Calle 13: Entren Los Que Quieran (2010, Sony Latin) A
Anna Calvi: Anna Calvi (2011, Domino) X
Camera Obscura: Desire Lines (2013, 4AD) C+
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan: Hawk (2010, Vanguard) X
Camper Van Beethoven: La Costa Perdida (2013, 429) B−
Laura Cantrell: No Way There From Here (2014, Thrift Shop) A−
Care Bears on Fire: Girls Like It Loud (2010, S-Curve) A−
The Caretaker:
- An Empty Bliss Beyond This World (2011, History Always Favors the Winners) A−
- Patience (After Sebald) (2012, History Favours the Winners) *
Caribou: Swim (2010, Merge) X
Case/Lang/Veirs: Case/Lang/Veirs (2016, Anti-) B−
Hayes Carll: KMAG YOYO (And Other American Stories) (2011, Lost Highway) B+
Carolina Chocolate Drops: Leaving Eden (2012, Nonesuch) ***
The Cars: Move Like This (2011, Hear Music) X
James Carter:
- Caribbean Rhapsody (2011, Emarcy) B−
- At the Crossroads (2011, Emarcy) B+
Rosanne Cash: The River & the Thread (2014, Blue Note) ***
Cat Power: Sun (2012, Matador) C
Andrew Cedermark: Moon Deluxe (2010, Underwater Peoples) X
CEO: White Magic (2010, Modular/Sincerely Yours) X
Ceramic Dog: Your Turn (2013, Northern Spy) A−
The Chain Gang of 1974: Wayward Fire (2011, Modern Art) **
Kasey Chambers:
- Little Bird (2010, Liberation; 2011, Sugar Hill) **
- Bittersweet (2015, Sugar Hill) *
Chance the Rapper:
- Acid Rap (2013, free download) A−
- Coloring Book (2016, free download) A
Chancha Via Circuito: Rio Arriba (2011, ZZK) X
Chastity Belt: Time to Go Home (Hardly Arts) **
The Chap: We Are Nobody (2012, Lo Recordings) B
Chelsea Light Moving: Chelsea Light Moving (2013, Matador) **
Chemical Brothers: Further (2010, Astralwerks) *
Neneh Cherry:
- /The Thing: The Cherry Thing (2012, Smalltown Supersound) ***
- Blank Project (2014, Smalltown Supersound) B
Chicha Libre: Cuatro Tigres (2013, Barbès, EP) A−
Chiddy Bang: Breakfast (2012, Virgin) A−
The Chills:
- Somewhere Beautiful (2013, Fire) B
- Silver Bullets (2015, Fire) A
The Chromatics: Kill For Love (2012, Italians Do It Better) B
Chromeo:
- Business Casual (2010, Atlantic) A−
- White Women (2014, Big Beat) *
Eric Church:
- The Outsiders (2014, Universal) C+
- Mr. Misunderstood (2015, EMI Nashville) A−
The Chvrches: The Bones of What You Believe (2013, Glassnote) C+
Anasy Cissé: Mali Overdrive (2014, Riverboat) *
Cities Aviv: Digital Lows (2011, Fat Sandwich) X
The Civil Wars: Barton Hollow (2011, Sensibility Music) *
Clams Casino:
- Instrumentals (2011, mixtape) A−
- Instrumental Mixtape 2 (2012, free download) A−
Brandy Clark: 12 Stories (2013, Slate Creek) B+
Guy Clark: My Favorite Picture of You (2013, Dualtone) **
Claro Intelecto: Reform Club (2012, Delsin) C+
Class Actress: Rapprocher (2011, Carpark) A−
The Clientele: Alone and Unreal: The Best of the Clientele (2015, Merge) C+
Clinic:
- Bubblegum (2010, Domino) X
- Free Reign (2012, Domino) C
Cloud Nothings:
- Cloud Nothings (2011, Carpark) *
- Attack on Memory (2012, Carpark) A−
- Here and Nowhere Else (2014, Carpark) A−
Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck: The Home Recordings (2015, Universal) E
Leonard Cohen:
- Songs From the Road (2010, Columbia/Legacy) ***
- Can't Forget: A Souvenir of the Grand Tour (2015, Columbia) A−
Bootsy Collins: Tha Funk Capital of the World (2011, Megaforce) **
Company Freak: Le Social Disco (2014, Opus) A−
Ry Cooder: Election Special (2012, Nonesuch/Perro Verde) ***
Cornershop:
- Cornershop and the Double-O Groove Of (2011, Ample Play) A−
- Urban Turban (2012, Ample Play) B+
Frankie Cosmos: Next Thing (2016, Bayonet) B−
Elvis Costello:
- National Ransom (2010, Lost Highway) X
- /The Roots: Wise Up Ghost (2013, Blue Note) B+
Court Yard Hounds: Amelita (2013, Columbia) **
The Cranberries: Roses (2012, Downtown) C+
Peter Criss: Peter Criss (1978, Casablanca) D
Mikal Cronin: MCII (2013, Merge) B−
Crooked Fingers: Breaks in the Armor (2011, Merge) *
Steve Cropper: Dedicated: A Salute to the 5 Royales (2011, 429) A−
Crystal Castles: Crystal Castles II (2010, Fiction) *
Crystal Stilts: In Love With Oblivion (2011, Slumberland) X
Cults: Cults (2011, In the Name Of/Columbia) A−
Curren$y:
- Pilot Talk (2010, DD172/Def Jam) **
- Pilot Talk 2 (2010, Roc-a-Fella) X
Cut Copy: Zonoscope (2011, Modular/Interscope) **
Miley Cyrus: Bangerz (2013, RCA) **
Lucy Dacus: No Burden (2016, Egghunt) ***
Daft Punk: Random Access Memories (2013, Daft Life/Columbia) *
Dangermouse & Sparklehorse: Long Dark Night of the Soul (2010, Capitol) X
Darkstar: North (2010, Hyperdub) X
Das Racist:
- Shut Up, Dude (2010, mixtape) B+
- Sit Down, Man (2010, mixtape) A−
Dan Deacon: America (2012, Domino) C+
Matthew Dear: Black City (2010, Ghostly International) X
The Dears: Degeneration Street (2011, Dangerbird) X
Death Cab for Cutie: Codes and Keys (2011, Atlantic) ***
Death Grips: The Money Store (2012, Epic) A−
El DeBarge: Second Chance (2010, Geffen) B+
The Decemberists: The King Is Dead (2011, Capitol) B−
Deena: Rock River (2014, Life Force) A−
Deep Time: Deep Time (2012, Hardly Art) *
Deerhunter:
- Halcyon Digest (2010, 4AD) ***
- Monomania (2013, 4AD) A
- Fading Frontier (2015, 4AD) A−
Deer Tick:
- Divine Providence (2011, Partisan) ***
- Negativity (2013, Partisan) A−
De La Soul: De La Soul's Plug One and Plug Two Present . . . First Serve (2012, Duck Down) A
Delicate Steve: Wondervisions (2011, Luaka Bop) X
Lana Del Rey:
- Born to Die (2012, Polydor/Interscope) A−
- Paradise (2012, Interscope, EP) B+
- Ultraviolence (2014, Interscope) ***
- Honeymoon (2015, Interscope) B−
Iris DeMent:
- Sing the Delta (2012, Flariella) A−
- The Trackless Woods (2015, Flariella) C+
Jason DeRulo: Everything Is 4 (2015, Warner Bros) B+
Desolate: The Invisible Insurrection (2011, Fauxpas) *
Dessa:
- Castor, the Twin (2011, Doomtree) B+
- Parts of Speech (2013, Doomtree) **
Destroyer:
- Kaputt (2011, Merge) C+
- Poison Season (2015, Merge) B
DeVotchKa: 100 Lovers (2011, Anti-) X
Zani Diabaté & Les Héritiers: Tientalaw (2012, Syllart) A
Diamond Rugs: Diamond Rugs (2012, Partisan) ***
Die Antwoord:
- $O$ (2010, Cherrytree/Interscope) ***
- Ten$ion (2012, Downtown) A−
Dieuf-Dieul de Thiès: Aw Sa Yone Vol. 1 (2013, Teranga Beat) A−
Ani DiFranco: ¿Whose Side Are You On? (2012, Righteous Babe) A−
Dirty Beaches: Badlands (2011, Zoo Music) X
Dirty Projectors: Swing Lo Magellan (2012, Domino) A−
Disappears: Pre Language (2012, Kranky) ***
Disclosure: Settle (2013, Interscope) C+
The Dismemberment Plan: Uncanney Valley (2013, Partisan) A
Divine Fits: A Thing Called Divine Fits (2012, Merge) A−
Gabe Dixon: One Spark (2011, Fantasy) X
DJ Koze: Amygdala (2013, Pampa) C+
DJ Shadow:
- The Less You Know, the Better (2011, Verve) ***
- The Mountain Will Fall (2016, Mass Appeal) ***
Dobie:
- Nothing to Fear (2012, Big Dada, EP) A−
- . . . But Fear Itself (2012, Big Dada, EP) A−
Dr. Dog: Be the Void (2012, Anti-) ***
Dr. Dre: Compton (2015, Aftermath/Interscope) C+
Dr. John:
- Tribal (2010, 429) **
- Locked Down (2012, Nonesuch) **
Drake:
- Thank Me Later (2010, Universal Motown) ***
- Nothing Was the Same (2013, Cash Money/Universal) C
DRC Music: Kinshasa One Two (2011, Warp) B−
Mr. Dream: Trash Hit (2011, God Mode) **
Drive-By Truckers:
- Go-Go Boots (2011, New West) A−
- English Oceans (2014, ATO) A
- It's Great to Be Alive! (2015, ATO) A−
Dubioza Kolektiv: Wild Wild East (2011, Kool Arrow) X
Dum Dum Girls: Too True (2014, Sub Pop) **
Bob Dylan:
Eagulls: Eagulls (2014, Partisan) **
Steve Earle:
- I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive (2011, New West) *
- The Low Highway (2013, New West) A−
Kathleen Edwards: Voyageur (2012, Zoe/Rounder) **
Egyptrixx: Bible Eyes (2011, Night Slugs) **
Eisley: The Valley (2011, Equal Vision) X
El Guincho:
- Piratas de Sudamerica: Vol. 1 (2010, XL/Young Turks) A−
- Pop Negro (2010, Young Turks/XL) A−
- Hiperasia (2016, Nacional) B−
Elbow: Build a Rocket Boys! (2011, Fiction/Polydor) X
El-P/Killer Mike: Run the Jewels (2013, Fool's Gold) ***
EMA:
- Past Life Martyred Saints (2011, Souterrain Transmissions) ***
- The Future's Void (2014, Matador) A−
Emeralds: Does It Look Like I'm Here? (2010, Editions Mego) X
Eminem:
- Recovery (2010, Aftermath) A
- The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013, Aftermath) A−
Brian Eno:
- Small Craft on a Milk Sea (2010, Warp) X
- /Karl Hyde: High Life (2014, Warp) *
- /Karl Hyde: Someday World (2014, Warp) **
- The Ship (2016, Warp) C+
Eskmo: Eskmo (2010, Ninja Tune) A−
Escort: Escort (2012, Escort) ***
Alejandro Escovedo: Street Songs of Love (2010, Fantasy) **
Estelle: All of Me (2012, Atlantic/Homeschool) B−
Ex Cops: True Hallucinations (2013, Fat Possum) B
Extra Lens: Undercard (2010, Merge) ***
Donald Fagen: Sunken Condos (2012, Reprise) A−
Marianne Faithfull: Horses and High Heels (2011, Naive) ***
Fantasia: Side Effects of You (2013, J) ***
Father John Misty: I Love You, Honeybear (2015, Sub Pop) ***
The Feelies: Here Before (2011, Bar/None) B−
Bryan Ferry: Olympia (2010, Virgin) ***
The Bryan Ferry Orchestra: The Jazz Age (2013, BMG) C
The Field: Looping State of Mind (2011, Kompakt) D
Field Music: Field Music (Measure) (2010, Memphis Industries/Revolver) *
Lee Fields: Emma Lee (2014, Truth and Soul) C+
Craig Finn: Clear Heart, Full Eyes (2012, Full Time Hobby) B
Liam Finn: Fomo (2011, Yep Roc) X
First Aid Kit:
- Lion's Roar (2012, Wichita) C+
- Stay Gold (2014, Columbia) C+
Fleet Foxes: Helplessness Blues (2011, Sub Pop) C
Flume: Skin (2016, Mom + Pop) ***
Flying Lotus:
- Cosmogramma (2010, Warp) A−
- Until the Dark Comes (2012, Warp) A−
Foals: Total Life Forever (2010, Transgressive) **
Foo Fighters: Wasting Light (2011, Roswell/RCA) **
Ford & Lopatin: Channel Pressure (2011, Software) X
Foreign Exchange: Authenticity (2010, Foreign Exchange Music) X
Robert Forster: Songs to Play (2015, Tapete) A−
Fountains of Wayne: Sky Full of Holes (2011, Yep Roc) A
Four Tet:
- Pink (2012, Domino) *
- Beautiful Rewind (2013, Text/Temporary Residence) A−
Foxygen: We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic (2012, Jagjaguwar) B−
Dori Freeman: Dori Freeman (2016, Free Dirt) **
Ace Frehley: Ace Frehley (1978, Casablanca) D+
Eleanor Friedberger:
- Last Summer (2011, Merge) *
- Personal Record (2013, Merge) C+
Fruit Bats: Tripper (2011, Sub Pop) A−
Fucked Up: David Comes to Life (2011, Matador) A
Fujiya and Miyagi: Ventriloquizing (2011, Yep Roc) **
Robbie Fulks:
- Gone Away Backward (2013, Bloodshot) B−
- Upland Songs (2016, Bloodshot) A
Ezra Furman: Perpetual Motion People (2015, Bella Union) A
Future:
- DS2 (2015, A1/Freebandz/Epic) A
- EVOL (2016, Epic/Freebandz/A1) **
Future Bible Heroes: Partygoing (2013, Merge) A−
Future of the Left: The Plot Against Common Sense (2012, Xtra Mile) C
Gang Gang Dance: Eye Contact (2011, 4AD) X
Gang of Four:
- Content (2011, Yep Roc) A−
- What Happens Next (2015, Metropolis/Membran) *
Garbage: Not Your Kind of People (2012, Stunvolume) C
Gardens & Villa: Gardens & Villa (2011, Secretly Canadian) X
Gaslight Anthem: American Slang (2010, Side One Dummy) X
Kevin Gates: Islah (2016, Artist Partner Group) B−
Mary Gauthier: The Foundling (2010, Razor & Tie) A−
Ghostface Killah:
- Apollo Kids (2010, Def Jam) B+
- Twelve Reasons to Die (2013, Soul Temple Entertainment) **
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib: Piñata (2014, Madlib Invazion) A−
Laura Gibson: La Grande (2012, Barsuk) C+
Jimmie Dale Gilmore & the Wronglers: Heirloom Music (2011, Neanderthal) **
Girl Talk: All Day (2010, Illegal Art) A−
Girls:
- Broken Dream Club (2010, True Panther Sounds) A−
- Father, Son, Holy Ghost (2011, True Panther Sounds) A
Givers: In Light (2011, Glass Note) B−
Glasser: Ring (2010, True Panther) *
Glasvegas:
- Euphoric /// Heartbreak \\\ (2011, Columbia) C−
- Later . . . When the TV Turns to Static (2013, BMG) B−
Gogol Bordello: Pura Vida Conspiracy (2013, ATO) A
Gold Motel: Gold Motel (2012, Good as Gold) C+
Gold Panda:
- Lucky Shiner (2010, Ghostly International) A−
- Companion (2011, Ghostly International) B+
- Half of Where You Live (2013, Ghostly International) *
- Good Luck and Do Your Best (2016, City Slang) B−
Golden Grrrls: Golden Grrrls (2013, Slumberland) *
Golem: Tanz (2014, Corason Digital) A−
The Go! Team: Rolling Blackouts (2011, Memphis Industries) B+
Gotye: Making Mirrors (2012, Universal Republic) C+
Ellie Goulding: Lights (2011, Cherrytree/Interscope) *
Grails: Deep Politics (2011, Temporary Residence) X
Macy Gray:
- Covered (2012, 429) B+
- Talking Book (2012, 429) **
A Great Big World: Is There Anybody Out There? (2014, Black Magnetic/Epic) C−
Great Lake Swimmers: New Wild Everywhere (2012, Nettwerk) C+
Adam Green & Binki Shapiro: Adam Green & Binki Shapiro (2013, Rounder) C+
Cee-Lo Green: The Lady Killer (2010, Elektra/Asylum) A−
Colleen Green: I Want to Grow Up (2015, Hardly Art) C+
David Greenberger:
- /Mark Greenberg/Paul Cebar: Tell Me That Before (2011, Pel Pel) A−
- /Paul Ceber: They Like Me Around Here (2013, Pel Pel) A−
Grimes: Art Angels (2015, 4AD) B−
Group Inerane: Guitars From Agadez, Volume Three (2010, Sublime Frequencies) A−
Grouper: The Man Who Died in His Boat (2013, 1-2-3-4-Go) D+
Haim: Days Are Gone (2013, Columbia) **
Hamburger Helper: Watch the Stove (2016, free download) *
The Handsome Family: Wilderness (2013, Carrot Top) A−
Hard Working Americans: Hard Working Americans (2014, Melvin/Thirty Tigers) B+
Clay Harper: Old Airport Road (2013, Terminus) A−
Emmylou Harris/Rodney Crowell: Old Yellow Moon (2013, Nonesuch) C+
PJ Harvey:
- Let England Shake (2011, Vagrant) B+
- The Hope Six Demolition Project (2016, Island) B
Haxan Cloak: Excavation (2013, Tri Angle) C−
Darren Hayman: Songs for Socialists (2015, Where It's At Is Where You Are) C+
Tim Hecker: Ravedeath, 1972 (2011, Kranky) X
Heartless Bastards: Arrow (2012, Partisan) C+
Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott: What Have We Become (2014, Virgin) A
Heems: Eat Pray Thug (2015, Megaforce) A
Heidecker and Wood: Starting From Nowhere (2011, Little Record Company) X
Henry Clay People: Twenty-Five for the Rest of Our Lives (2012, TBD) ***
Matthew Herbert: One Pig (2011, Accidental) C
Himanshu: Nehru Jackets (2012, Mishka download) A−
The History of Apple Pie: Out of View (2013, Marshall Teller) *
Hold Steady: Teeth Dreams (2014, Razor & Tie) A−
Homeboy Sandman: Subject Matter (2012, Stones Throw, EP) A−
Jon Hopkins: Immunity (2013, Domino) A−
Hospitality:
- Hospitality (2012, Merge) **
- Trouble (2014, Merge) B−
The Hotelier: Home, Like No Place Is There (2014, Tiny Engines) C+
How to Dress Well: Love Remains (2010, Lefse) C−
Howler: America Give Up (2012, Rough Trade) C
Chrissie Hynde: Stockholm (2014, Caroline International) A−
Iceage:
- New Brigade (2011, What's Your Rupture?) A
- You're Nothing (2013, What's Your Rupture?) B−
Idlewild: Post Electric Blues (2010, Nice Music Group) *
Imperial Teen: Feel the Sound (2012, Merge) A−
Iron and Wine: Kiss Each Other Clean (2011, Warner Bros.) X
Jason Isbell:
Nicolas Jaar: Space Is Only Noise (2011, Circus) ***
Janet Jackson: Unbreakable (2015, Rhythm Nation/BMG) B−
Wanda Jackson: The Party Ain't Over (2011, Third Man/Nonesuch) C+
Japandroids: Celebration Rock (2012, Polyvinyl) ***
Garland Jeffreys: Truth Serum (2013, Luna Park) **
Jenny and Johnny: I'm Having Fun Now (2010, Warner Bros.) A
Carly Rae Jepsen: Curiosity (2012, 604) B−
Jeremih: Late Nights (2015, Def Jam) C+
Tobias Jesso, Jr.: Goon (2015, True Panther Sounds) C
Jesu: Ascension (2011, Caldo Verde) X
Jlin: Dark Energy (2015, Planet Mu) A−
Elton John:
- /Leon Russell: The Union (2010, Decca) X
- Wonderful Crazy Night (2016, Island) C
Jamey Johnson: The Guitar Song (2010, Mercury Nashville) B−
Freedy Johnston: Neon Repairman (2015, Singing Magnet) B+
Joan as Police Woman: The Deep Field (2011, PIAS America) X
Norah Jones: . . . Little Broken Hearts (2012, Blue Note) B−
The Joy Formidable:
- The Big Roar (2011, Atlantic/Canvasback) C+
- Wolf's Law (2013, Atlantic) C
JP, Chrissie, and the Fairground Boys: Fidelity! (2010, Rocket Science) C+
Junior Boys: It's All True (2011, Domino) X
Junip: Fields (2010, Mute) X
Kamaiyah: A Good Night in the Ghetto (2016, free download) B−
Nuru Kane: Exile (2013, Riverboat) **
Karantamba: Ndigal (2012, Teranga Beat) A−
Kaytranada: 99% (2016, XL) ***
Irene Kelley: Pennsylvania Coal (2014, Patio) **
R. Kelly:
- Love Letters (2010, Jive) **
- Black Panties (2013, RCA) ***
Keepaway: Black Flute (2012, Greedhead) C
Khaled: Liberté (2010, Wrasse) A−
Kid Koala: 12 Bit Blues (2012, Ninja Tune) A−
Killer Mike: R.A.P. Music (2012, Williams Street) **
The Kills: Blood Pressures (2011, Domino) **
Kimbra: Vows (2012, Warner Bros.) C
Carole King: The Legendary Demos (2012, Hear Music) ***
Kings of Leon: Come Around Sundown (2010, RCA) ***
Leyland Kirby: Eager to Tear Apart the Stars (2011, History Favours the Winners) X
KISS:
- KISS (1974, Casablanca) B
- Hotter Than Hell (1974, Casablanca) C+
- Dressed to Kill (1975, Casablanca) B+
- Alive! (1975, Casablanca) B−
- Destroyer (1976, Casablanca) C+
- Rock and Roll Over (1976, Casablanca) B−
- Love Gun (1977, Casablanca) C+
- Alive II (1977, Casablanca) C−
- Double Platinum (1978, Casablanca) B
- Dynasty (1979, Casablanca) C
- Unmasked (1980, Casablanca) C−
- Music From "The Elder" (1981, Casablanca) E
Kitty: D.A.I.S.Y. Rage (2013, self-released, EP) A−
K'Naan: More Beautiful Than Silence (2012, A&M/Octone, EP) *
The Knife: Shaking the Habitual (2013, Mute) A
Chris Knight: Little Victories (2012, Drifter's Church) ***
Roger Knox & the Pine Valley Cosmonauts: Stranger in My Land (2013, Bloodshot) B−
Konono No. 1: Konono No. 1 Meets Batida (2016, Crammed Discs) A−
Kool A.D.:
- The Palm Wine Drinkard (2012, Greedhead download) C+
- 51 (2012, Greedhead download) *
- Word OK (2014, free download) A−
Kool and Kass:
- Peaceful Solutions (2013, free download) A−
- Coke Boys 5 (2014, free download) A−
Bassekou Kouyaté & Ngoni Ba:
- Jama Ko (2013, Out Here) A
- Ba Power (2015, Glitterbeat) A−
Alison Krauss and Union Station: Paper Airplane (2011, Rounder) *
Fela Kuti: Live in Detroit 1986 (2012, Knitting Factory) C
Ladybug Transistor: Clutching Stems (2011, Merge) X
Lady Gaga:
- Born This Way (2011, Streamline/Kon Live/Interscope) A−
- Artpop (2013, Streamline/Interscope) A
Ladysmith Black Mambazo: Songs From a Zulu Farm (2011, Razor & Tie) A−
Lake Street Dive: Bad Self Portraits (2014, Signature Sounds) ***
Kendrick Lamar: To Pimp a Butterfly (2015, Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope) A+
Lambchop: Mr. M (2012, Merge) C
Miranda Lambert: 2014, Platinum (RCA) A
Land of Talk: Cloak and Cipher (2010, Saddle Creek) **
Jon Langford & Skull Orchard: Old Devils (2010, Bloodshot) **
Amy LaVere:
- Stranger Me (2011, Archer) X
- Runaway's Diary (2014, Archer) A−
Avril Lavigne: Goodbye Lullaby (2011, RCA) B+
Le Super Borgou de Parakou: The Bariba Sound (2012, Analog Africa) A−
Cate LeBon: Cyrk (2012, The Control Group) C+
John Legend & the Roots: Wake Up! (2010, Columbia) B−
Jens Lekman: I Know What Love Isn't (2012, Secretly Canadian) A
Les Savy Fav: Root for Ruin (2010, Frenchkiss) ***
Let's Wrestle: Let's Wrestle (2014, Fortuna Pop!) **
The Jeffrey Lewis and Peter Stampfel Band: Hey Hey It's . . . the Jeffrey Lewis and Peter Stampfel Band (2013, self-released) A
Jenny Lewis: The Voyager (2014, Warner Bros.) B+
Jamie Lidell: Jamie Lidell (2013, Warp) B−
The Like: Release Me (2010, Downtown) X
Lil B: I'm Gay (I'm Happy) (2011, BasedWorld) *
Lil Wayne:
- Sorry 4 the Wait (2011, mixtape) *
- Tha Carter IV (2011, Young Money) **
Lilacs and Champagne: Lilacs and Champagne (2012, Mexican Summer) *
Lissie: Catching the Tiger (2010, Fat Possum) X
Little Dragon: Ritual Union (2011, Peacefrog) X
The Little Willies: For the Good Times (2012, Milking Bull) *
Lone: Emerald Fantasy Tracks (2010, Magic Wire) X
The Lonely Island:
- Turtleneck & Chain (2011, Universal Republic) **
- The Wack Album (2013, Republic) A−
Lorde: Pure Heroine (2013, Universal) *
Los Lobos: Tin Can Trust (2010, Shout! Factory) A−
Lotus Plaza: Spooky Action at a Distance (2012, Kranky) A−
Lydia Loveless:
- Indestructible Machine (2011, Bloodshot) **
- Somewhere Else (2014, Bloodshot) **
Lower Dens: Escape From Evil (2015, Ribbon Music) C+
Lupe Fiasco:
- Lasers (2011, Atlantic) A−
- Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 (2012, Atlantic) B−
Lykke Li:
- Wounded Rhymes (2011, Atlantic) B−
- I Never Learn (2014, Atlantic) **
Loretta Lynn: Full Circle (2016, Sony Legacy) **
Lyrics Born: Real People (2015, Mobile Home) **
Rachel MacFarlane: Hayley Sings (2012, Concord) D
Maddie & Tae: Start Here (2015, Dot/Big Machine) *
Madonna: MDNA (2012, Interscope/Live Nation) A−
Magic Kids: Memphis (2010, True Panther) X
The Magnetic Fields: Love at the Bottom of the Sea (2012, Merge) A−
Natalie Maines: Mother (2013, Columbia) B−
Major Lazer: Free the Universe (2013, Secretly Canadian) **
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks:
- Mirror Traffic (2011, Matador) ***
- Wig Out at Jagbags (2014, Matador) A−
Raul Malo: Sinners and Saints (2010, Fantasy) X
Man Man: Life Fantastic (2011, Anti-) X
Eleni Mandell: Let's Fly a Kite (2014, Yep Roc) C
Joyce Manor: Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired (2012, Asian Man) B−
The Mantles: All Odds End (2015, Slumberland) C+
Carolyn Mark: The Queen of Vancouver Island (2012, Mint) A−
Laura Marling:
- I Speak Because I Can (2010, Astralwerks) X
- When I Was an Eagle (2013, Ribbon) C
Maroon 5: Hands All Over (2010, A&M/Octone) X
Johnny Marr: The Messenger (2013, Sire) C+
Bruno Mars:
- Doo-Wops and Hooligans (2010, Elektra/Asylum) A−
- Unorthodox Jukebox (2012, Atlantic) B
Archy Marshall: A New Place 2 Drown (2015, True Panther Sounds) A−
Spoek Mathambo: Father Creeper (2012, Sub Pop) A
Matt and Kim: Sidewalks (2010, Fader Label) X
The Mavericks: In Time (2013, Valory/Big Machine) C+
Maximum Balloon: Maximum Balloon (2010, DGC) **
John Mayer:
- Born and Raised (2012, Columbia) *
- Paradise Valley (2013, Columbia) **
Jessica Lea Mayfield: Tell Me (2011, Nonesuch) X
Mbongwana Star: From Kinshasa (2015, World Circuit) A−
Paul McCartney:
- /Linda McCartney: Ram (1971 [2012], Hear Music) B−
- Kisses on the Bottom (2012, Merge) ***
- New (2013, Hear Music) C
Cass McCombs: Wit's End (2011, Domino) X
Tim McGraw: Two Lanes of Freedom (2013, Big Machine) C+
Nellie McKay:
- Home Sweet Mobile Home (2010, Verve) B−
- My Weekly Reader (2015, 429) A−
Meat Puppets: Rat Farm (2013, Megaforce) C+
John Mellencamp: No Better Than This (2010, Rounder) X
The Men:
- Leave Home (2011, Sacred Bones) X
- Open Your Heart (2012, Sacred Bones) B−
Natalie Merchant: Leave Your Sleep (2010, Nonesuch) X
Anna Meredith: Varmints (2016, PIAS/Moshi Moshi) C+
Method Actors: This Is Still It (2010, Acute) *
Metric: Synthetica (2012, Mom + Pop) *
M.I.A.:
- Maya (2010, XL/Interscope) A−
- Vicki Leekx (2011, mixtape) A−
Micachu and the Shapes: Chopped and Screwed (2011, Rough Trade) X
Middle Brother: Middle Brother (2011, Partisan) A−
Miguel:
- Kaleidoscope Dreams (2012, RCA) B−
- Wildheart (2015, RCA) A−
Milk Teeth: Vile Child (2016, Hopeless) C+
Buddy Miller: The Majestic Silver Strings (2011, New West) **
Rhett Miller:
- The Dreamer (2012, Maximum Sunshine) **
- The Traveler (2015, ATO) ***
Nicki Minaj:
- Barbie World (2010, mixtape) ***
- Beam Me Up Scotty (2010, mixtape) A−
- Pink Friday (2010, Universal Motown) A
- Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012, Universal Republic) B+
Miniature Tigers: Silent Movies (2010, Modern Art) X
Minor Alps: Get There (2013, Barsuk) B−
D.O. Misiani & Shirati Jazz: The King of History (2010, Sterns Africa) A+
Moby:
- Destroyed (2011, Mute) A
- The Innocents (2013, Mute) B−
Modern Baseball: You're Gonna Miss It All (2014, Run for Cover) A−
Janelle Monáe:
- The Archandroid (2010, Atlantic) **
- The Electric Lady (2013, Bad Boy) ***
Monoswezi: The Village (2013, Riverboat) **
Ashley Monroe:
- Like a Rose (2013, Warner Bros.) A−
- The Blade (2015, Warner Bros.) A−
French Montana: Pardon My French (2013, Interscope) C
Thurston Moore: Demolished Thoughts (2011, Matador) A−
Jason Moran: Ten (2010, Blue Note) *
Alanis Morissette: Havoc and Bright Lights (2012, Columbia) B−
Gurf Morlix: Gurf Morlix Finds the Present Tense (2013, Rootball) **
Giorgio Moroder: Déjà Vu (2015, RCA) A−
Elizabeth Morris: Optimism (2013, self-released, EP) A−
Van Morrison: Born to Sing: No Plan B (2012, Blue Note) **
Morrissey: World Peace is None of Your Business (2014, Harvest) C+
Motorhead: Bad Magic (2015, UDR) *
Bob Mould:
- Silver Age (2012, Merge) B−
- Beauty and Ruin (2014, Merge) A−
- Patch the Sky (2016, Merge) *
Mountain Goats:
- All Eternals Deck (2011, Merge) A−
- Beat the Champ (2015, Merge) A−
Georgia Anne Muldrow: Seeds (2012, Entertainment One Music) C+
Mumford and Sons: Sigh No More (2010, Glass Note) B−
John Murry: The Graceless Age (2013, Evangeline Recording) C+
Muse: Drones (2015, Warner Bros./Helium-3) C+
Kacey Musgraves:
- Same Trailer, Different Park (2013, Mercury Nashville) A−
- Pageant Material (2015, Mercury Nashville) **
My Bloody Valentine: mbv (2013, Pickpocket) A−
My Brightest Diamond: All Things Will Unwind (2011, Asthmatic Kitty) X
Mystery Jets: Radlands (2012, Rough Trade) S
Nada Surf:
- The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy (2012, Barsuk) **
- You Know Who You Are (2016, Barsuk) *
Marissa Nadler: Marissa Nadler (2011, Box of Cedar) X
Nas: Life Is Good (2012, Def Jam) **
Kate Nash: Girl Talk [Deluxe Edition] (2013, Ingrooves) A−
The National: Trouble Will Find Me (2013, 4AD) **
Terius Nash: 1977 (2011, mixtape) C
Willie Nelson:
- /Wynton Marsalis: Here We Go Again: Celebrating the Genius of Ray Charles (2011, Blue Note) ***
- Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin (2016, Legacy) A
Nedry: Condors (2011, Monotreme) X
Neon Indian: Vegas Intl. Night School (2015, Mom + Pop) C
N.E.R.D.: Nothing (2010, Star Trak/Interscope) **
Jennifer Nettles: That Girl (2014, Mercury Nashville) **
Aaron Neville: My True Story (2013, Blue Note) ***
The New Mendicants: Into the Lime (2014, Ashmont) A−
New York Dolls: Dancing Backward in High Heels (2011, 429) A−
A.C. Newman: The Carpenter (2012, Matador) C+
Ne-Yo: Non-Fiction (2015, Motown) B
Nice as Fuck: Nice as Fuck (2016, Loves Way) B−
Stevie Nicks: In Your Dreams (2011, Reprise) X
Nikki Jean: Pennies in a Jar (2011, S-Curve) B
Nine Inch Nails: Hesitation Marks (2013, Columbia) **
No Age:
- Everything in Between (2010, Sub Pop) A
- An Object (2013, Sub Pop) A−
Conor Oberst: Upside Down Mountain (2014, Nonesuch) A−
Frank Ocean:
- Nostalgia, Ultra (2011, mixtape) A
- Channel Orange (2012, Def Jam) A
Sinéad O'Connor: How About I Be Me (And You Be You)? (2012, One Little Indian) **
Odd Future: The OF Tape Vol. 2 (2012, Odd Future) C−
OFF!:
- The First Four EPs (2010, Vice) A
- OFF! (2012, Vice) B−
Old 97's:
- Mimeograph (2010, New West) *
- The Grand Theatre, Volume One (2010, New West) A
- The Grand Theatre, Vol. 2 (2011, New West) **
- Most Messed Up (2014, ATO) A
Angel Olsen: Burn Your Fire for No Witness (2014, Jagjaguwar) C+
Mark Olson: Many Colored Kite (2010, Rykodisc) X
Oneohtrix Point Never: R Plus Seven (2013, Warp) A−
Yoko Ono: Take Me to the Land of Hell (2013, Chimera Music) ***
Orchestra Super Mazembe: Mazembe @ 45rpm, Vol.1 (2013, Sterns Africa) A−
Speedy Ortiz: Major Arcana (2013, Carpark) *
Over the Rhine: The Long Surrender (2011, Great Speckled Dog) X
Christopher Owens: Lysandre (2013, Fat Possum) C
Owl City: All Things Bright and Beautiful (2011, Universal Republic) E
Anderson .Paak: Malibu (2016, Steel Wool) A
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart:
- Belong (2011, Slumberland) B
- Days of Abandon (2014, Yebo) B−
Brad Paisley:
- This Is Country Music (2011, Arista Nashville) A−
- Wheelhouse (2013, Arista Nashville) B+
Doug Paisley: Strong Feelings (2014, No Quarter) C+
Parquet Courts:
- Light Up Gold (2013, What's Your Rupture?) A−
- Tally All the Things You Broke (2013, What's Your Rupture?) ***
- Sunbathing Animal (2014, What's Your Rupture?) A
- Human Performance (2016, Rough Trade) A
Paramore: Paramore (2013, Fueled by Ramen) B
Parts and Labor: Constant Future (2011, Jagjaguwar) X
Passion Pit: Gossamer (2012, Columbia) C+
Peaceful Solutions: Barter 7 (2015, free download) A−
Perfect Pussy: Say Yes to Love (2014, Captured Tracks) C
Perfume Genius: Put Your Back N 2 It (2012, Matador) C
Pet Shop Boys:
- Elysium (2012, Astralwerks) A−
- Electric (2013, X2) **
- Super (2016, x2) B+
Peter Bjorn and John: Gimme Some (2011, StarTime International) X
Petite Noir: La Vie Est Belle (2015, Domino) C
Liz Phair: Funstyle (2010, lizphair.com) A
Pinegrove: Cardinal (2016, Run For Cover) *
Pink: The Truth About Love (2012, RCA) A
Pissed Jeans: Honeys (2013, Sub Pop) B−
Pistol Annies: Annie Up (2013, RCA Nashville) B+
Pity Sex: Feast of Love (2013, Run for Cover) *
The Pixies: EP-2 (2014, PIAS America) B−
A Place to Bury Strangers:
- Onwards to the Wall (2012, Dead Oceans, EP) A−
- Worship (2012, Dead Oceans) A−
Plan B: The Defamation of Strickland Banks (2011, Atlantic) X
Robert Plant: Band of Joy (2010, Rounder) *
Plug: Back in Time (2012, Ninja Tune) A−
The Posies: Blood/Candy (2010, Rykodisc) X
Margo Price: Midwest Farmer's Daughter (2016, Third Man) B−
Prinzhorn Dance School: Clay Class (2012, DFA) A−
PS I Love You: Death Dreams (2012, Paper Bag) C−
Public Service Broadcasting: Inform-Educate-Entertain (2013, Test Card) B−
Pulled Apart by Horses: Pulled Apart by Horses (2010, Transgressive) X
Pure X: Pleasure (2011, Alternative Distribution Alliance) X
Joey Purp: iiiDrops (2016, free download) A−
Pusha T:
- Fear of God (2011, mixtape) C−
- Fear of God II: Let Us Pray (2011, Decon) B+
- My Name Is My Name (2013, Def Jam) A−
The Radio Dept.: Clinging to a Scheme (2010, Labrador) ***
Radiohead:
- The King of Limbs (2011, TBD) C+
- A Moon Shaped Pool (2016, XL) C+
Rainbow Arabia: F.M. Sushi (2013, Kompakt) A−
Bonnie Raitt:
- Slipstream (2012, Redwing) **
- Dig in Deep (2016, Redwing) A
Lee Ranaldo:
- Between the Times and the Tides (2012, Matador) **
- Last Night on Earth (2013, Matador) B+
The Rapture: In the Grace of Your Love (2011, DFA) **
Ra Ra Riot: The Orchard (2010, Barsuk) X
Isaiah Rashad: Cilvia Demo (2014, Top Dawg Entertainment) B−
Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers: Teenage and Torture (2011, Knitting Factory) X
The Reatards: Teenage Hate (2011, Goner) B+
Reflection Eternal: Revolutions Per Minute (2010, Warner Bros.) **
Steve Reich: Double Sextet/2X5 (2010, Nonesuch) A
R.E.M.:
- Collapse Into Now (2011, Warner Bros.) *
- Unplugged 1991/2001: The Complete Sessions (2014, Rhino) B−
Marc Ribot: Silent Movies (2010, Pi) X
Dawn Richard:
- Goldenheart (2013, 101 Distribution) C+
- Black Heart (2015, Our Dawn Entertainment) C
Rihanna:
- Loud (2010, Def Jam) ***
- Anti (2016, Westbury Road Entertainment/Roc Nation) A−
Rilo Kiley: Rkives (2013, Little Record Company) A
Josh Ritter: The Beast in Its Tracks (2013, Pytheas Recordings) C+
Robyn:
- Body Talk, Vol. 1 (2010, Cherrytree) ***
- Body Talk, Vol. 2 (2010, Cherrytree) A−
- Body Talk (2010, Konichiwa/Cherrytree/Interscope) A
Daniel Romano:
- Come Cry With Me (2013, Normaltown/New West) A−
- If I've Only One Time Asking (2015, New West) **
- Mosey (2016, New West) **
The Roots:
- How I Got Over (2010, Def Jam) A−
- . . . And Then You Shoot Your Cousin (2014, Def Jam) A−
Rick Ross:
- Teflon Don (2010, Def Jam) B−
- Rich Forever (2012, free download) C
Royal Headache: Royal Headache (2012, What's Your Rupture?) C+
Rusko: Songs (2012, Downtown) A−
Rye Rye: Go! Pop! Bang! (2012, Interscope/N.E.E.T.) **
Raphael Saadiq: Stone Rollin' (2011, Columbia) A−
Laetitia Sadier: The Trip (2010, Drag City) X
Sage Francis: Li(f)e (2010, Anti/Epitaph) **
Saint Etienne: Words and Music by Saint Etienne (2012, Universal) **
Salva: Odd Furniture (2013, Friend of Friends, EP) A−
Santigold: Master of My Make-Believe (2012, Downtown/Atlantic) **
Ximena Sariñana: Ximena Sariñana (2011, Warner Bros.) X
Savages: Silence Yourself (2013, Matador) C
SBTRKT: SBTRKT (2011, XL) **
Boz Scaggs: A Fool to Care (2015, 429) A
Schoolboy Q: Habits and Contradictions (2012, Top Dawg) ***
Jill Scott:
- The Light of the Sun (2011, Blues Babe/Warner Bros.) A−
- Woman (2015, Blues Babe/Atlantic) A−
Screaming Females: Ugly (2012, Don Giovanni) C+
S.C.U.M.: Again Into Eyes (2011, Mute) X
Sebadoh:
- Secret EP (2012, self-released, EP) A−
- Defend Yourself (2013, Joyful Noise) B
The Secret Sisters: The Secret Sisters (2010, Beladroit) **
Ty Segall: Goodbye Bread (2011, Drag City) X
Serengeti: Saal (2013, Graveface) A−
Shabazz Palaces: Black Up (2011, Sub Pop) A−
Shakira:
- Sale el Sol (2010, Sony Latin) A−
- Shakira (2014, RCA) A−
Shamir: Ratchet (2015, XL) ***
Ashton Shepherd: Where Country Grows (2011, MCA Nashville) B−
The Shins: Port of Morrow (2012, Columbia) **
Amanda Shires: Down Fell the Doves (2013, Lightning Rod) C
Shit Robot: From the Cradle to the Rave (2010, DFA) X
The Shoes: Crack My Bones (2011, Southern Fried) X
Wayne Shorter: Without a Net (2013, Blue Note) B
Sia: We Are Born (2010, RCA) X
Gene Simmons: Gene Simmons (1978, Casablanca) C−
Paul Simon:
- So Beautiful or So What (2011, Hear Music) A
- Stranger to Stranger (2016, Concord) A−
Sturgill Simpson: A Sailor's Guide to Earth (2016, Atlantic) ***
Sisyphus: Sisyphus (2014, Asthmatic Kitty) B−
Skepta: Konnichiwa (2016, Boy Better Know) ***
Ski Beatz: 24 Hour Karate School (2010, DD172/Def Jam) A−
Skrillex:
- Bangarang (2012, Atlantic, EP) A−
- Leaving (2013, OWSLA, EP) A−
- Recess (2014, Owsla/Big Beat/Atlantic) B
- /Diplo: Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü (2015, OWSLA/Mad Decent) A−
Sleaford Mods: Key Markets (2015, Harbinger Sounds) A−
Sleater-Kinney: No Cities to Love (2015, Sub Pop) A+
Sleigh Bells:
- Treats (2010, Mom + Pop) A−
- Reign of Terror (2012, Mom + Pop) A−
- Bitter Rivals (2013, Mom + Pop) A
Sloan: The Double Cross (2011, Yep Roc) X
Alice Smith: She (2013, Rainwater/Thirty Tigers) C+
Connie Smith: Long Line of Heartaches (2011, Sugar Hill) *
Patti Smith: Banga (2012, Columbia) A
Smith Westerns: Dye It Blonde (2011, Fat Possum) X
The Smiths:
- The Smiths (1984, Sire) B+
- Hatful of Hollow (1984, Rough Trade) A
- Meat Is Murder (1985, Sire) B+
- The Queen Is Dead (1986, Sire) A−
- The World Won't Listen (1987, Rough Trade) B
- Louder Than Bombs (1987, Sire) B+
- Strangeways Here We Come (1987, Sire) B
- Rank (1988, Sire) B−
- The Sound of the Smiths (2008, Rhino) A
Todd Snider:
- Live: The Storyteller (2011, Aimless) A−
- Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables (2012, Aimless) A
The Soft Pack: Strapped (2012, Mexican Summer) **
Solange: True (2013, Terrible) ***
Songhoy Blues: Music in Exile (2015, Atlantic) A−
Sons & Daughters: Mirror Mirror (2011, Domino) X
Omar Souleyman:
- Wenu Wenu (2013, Ribbon) A−
- Bahdeni Nami (2015, Monkeytown) A−
Soundgarden: King Animal (2012, Republic) B−
Britney Spears:
- Femme Fatale (2011, Jive) A
- The Essential Britney Spears (2013, Jive/Legacy) A−
- Britney Jean (2013, RCA) B−
Regina Spektor: What We Saw From the Cheap Seats (2012, Sire) **
Spoon: They Want My Soul (2014, Loma Vista) A−
Bruce Springsteen:
- The Promise (2010, Columbia/Legacy) B−
- Wrecking Ball (2012, Columbia) ***
- High Hopes (2014, Columbia) B+
Squeeze: Spot the Difference (2010, XOXO) X
S/S/S: Beak & Claw (2012, Anticon) A−
St. Germain: St. Germain (2015, Nonesuch) B−
St. Vincent: St. Vincent (2014, Republic) A−
Peter Stampfel:
- /Jeffrey Lewis: Come on Board (2011, self-released) A
- /The Ether Frolic Mob: The Sound of America (2013, Frederick Productions/Red Newt) **
- /The Brooklyn & Lower Manhattan Banjo Squadron: Better Than Expected (2014, Don Giovanni) *
Standard Fare: Out of Sight, Out of Town (2012, Melodic) A−
Paul Stanley: Paul Stanley (1978, Casablanca) C
Mavis Staples:
- You Are Not Alone (2010, Anti-) ***
- One True Vine (2013, Anti-) **
Pops Staples: Don't Lose This (2015, Anti-) **
Gwen Stefani: This is What the Truth Feels Like (2016, Interscope) A−
Marnie Stern: Marnie Stern (2010, Kill Rock Stars) *
Sufjan Stevens:
- All Delighted People EP (2010, Asthmatic Kitty) X
- The Age of Adz (2010, Asthmatic Kitty) **
- Carrie and Lowell (2015, Asthmatic Kitty) B+
Sting: Symphonicities (2010, Deutsche Grammophon) X
Joss Stone: Water For Your Soul (2015, Kobalt) C
Andy Stott: Luxury Problems (2013, Modern Love) C
George Strait: Love Is Everything (2013, MCA Nashville) C+
The Streets:
- Computers and Blues (2011, WEA) A−
- Cyberspace and Reds (2011, mixtape) X
The Strokes:
- Angles (2011, RCA) C−
- Comedown Machine (2013, RCA) E
The Strypes: Snapshot (2014, Virgin) B−
Suede: Bloodsports (2013, Suede Ltd.) ***
Jazmine Sullivan:
- Love Me Back (2010, RCA) X
- Reality Show (2015, RCA) ***
Susanne Sundfør: Ten Love Songs (2015, Warner Music Norway) C
Super Heavy: Super Heavy (2011, A&M) C
Superchunk:
- Majesty Shredding (2010, Merge) **
- I Hate Music (2013, Merge) A−
Surfer Blood: Pythons (2013, Sire) **
Swans: My Father Will Guide Me to a Rope in the Sky (2010, Young God) *
The Sway Machinery: The House of Friendly Ghosts Vol. 1 (2011, JDub) ***
Swearin': Surfing Strange (2013, Salinas) **
Earl Sweatshirt: Doris (2013, Columbia) C
Taylor Swift:
- Speak Now (2010, Big Machine) A−
- Red (2012, Big Machine) A−
Rachid Taha:
- Bonjour (2010, Wrasse) A−
- Zoom (2013, Wrasse) A
Tal National:
- Kaani (2013, Fat Cat) A−
- Zoy Zoy (2015, Fat Cat) A−
The Tallest Man on Earth:
- Sometimes the Blues Is Just a Passing Bird (2010, Dead Oceans) C+
- There's No Leaving Now (2012, Dead Oceans) B−
Tame Impala:
- Lonerism (2012, Modular) C
- Currents (2015, Interscope) C+
Tamikrest: Chatma (2013, Glitterhouse) A−
Tapes 'N Tapes: Outside (2011, Ibid) X
Avey Tare: Down There (2010, Paw Tracks) *
Ebo Taylor:
- Love and Death (2010, Strut) C+
- Life Stories: Highlife & Afrobeat Classics 1973-80 (2011, Strut) A−
The Tedeschi Trucks Band: Revelator (2011, Sony Masterworks) ***
Teddybears: Devil's Music (2011, Big Beat/Atlantic) A
Tegan and Sara: Heartthrob (2013, Warner Bros.) A−
Telekinesis: Dormarion (2013, Merge) **
Tinie Tempah: Disc-overy (2011, Capitol) **
Tennis:
- Cape Dory (2011, Fat Possum) X
- Young and Old (2012, Fat Possum) B
Terakaft: Aratan n Azawad (2011, World Village) A
Todd Terje: It's Album Time (2014, Redeye) C+
Thao & the Get Down Stay Down: A Man Alive (2016, Ribbon Music) A
The Thermals: Personal Life (2010, Kill Rock Stars) **
They Might Be Giants:
- Nanobots (2013, Idlewild/Megaforce) A
- Glean (2015, Idlewild) **
Robin Thicke:
- Blurred Lines (2013, Interscope) **
- Paula (2014, Star Tracks/Interscope) C
Richard Thompson:
- Dream Attic (2010, Shout! Factory) A−
- Electric (2013, New West) *
Thundercat: Apocalypse (2013, Brainfeeder) B−
Thursday: No Devolución (2011, Epitaph) X
Tiger & Woods: Through the Green (2011, Running Back) X
Justin Timberlake:
- The 20/20 Experience (2013, RCA) *
- The 20/20 Experience Vol. 2 (2013, RCA) C+
Tinariwen:
- Tassili (2011, Anti-) A−
- Emmaar (2014, Anti-) A−
Title Fight: Shed (2011, SideOneDummy) X
Titus Andronicus:
- Local Business (2012, XL) ***
- The Most Lamentable Tragedy (2015, Merge) B
Toro y Moi: Underneath the Pine (2011, Carpark) X
Touché Amoré: Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me (2011, Deathwish) X
Boubacar Traoré: Mali Denhou (2011, Lusafrica) **
Rokia Traoré:
- Beautiful Africa (2013, Out Here) A
- Né So (2015, Nonesuch) B+
Randy Travis: Influence Vol. 1: The Man I Am (2013, Warner Bros.) **
Tricky:
- Mixed Race (2010, Domino) **
- False Idols (2013, !K7) A−
- /Skilled Mechanics: Skilled Mechanics (2016, False Idols) ***
True Widow: As High as the Highest Heavens and From the Center of the Circumference of the Earth (2011, Kemado) X
Trust Fund: Seems Fair (2015, Turnstile) C+
The Corin Tucker Band: The Corin Tucker Band (2010, Kill Rock Stars) ***
Tune-Yards: w h o k i l l (2011, 4AD) A
Tune-Yards: Nikki Nack (2014, 4AD) *
Frank Turner: England Keep My Bones (2011, Epitaph) X
TV on the Radio: Nine Types of Light (2011, Interscope) A
Twin Shadow:
- Forget (2010, Terrible) X
- Confess (2012, 4AD) B−
Tyler, the Creator: Goblin (2011, XL) C
The Uncluded: Hokey Fright (2013, Rhymesayers) A
Carrie Underwood: Blown Away (2012, Arista Nashville/19 Recordings) C+
Usher:
- Raymond v. Raymond [Deluxe Edition] (2010, LaFace) X
- Looking 4 Myself (2012, RCA) **
The Vaccines: What Did You Expect From the Vaccines? (2011, Columbia) X
Marcos Valle: Previsão do Tempo (2013, Light in the Attic) **
Vampire Weekend: Modern Vampires of the City (2013, XL) A+
Sharon Van Etten:
- Tramp (2012, Jagjaguwar) B−
- Are We There (2014, Jagjauuwar) B−
Elle Varner: Perfectly Imperfect (2012, RCA) A−
The Vaselines: Sex With an X (2010, Sub Pop) ***
Suzanne Vega: Close-Up: Vol. 2, People and Places (2010, Amanuensis Productions) X
Caetano Veloso and David Byrne: Live at Carnegie Hall (2012, Nonesuch) C
The Velvet Underground: The Complete Matrix Tapes (2015, Polydor) A−
Venetian Snares: Traditional Synthesizer Music (2016, Planet Mu) C+
Veronica Falls: Veronica Falls (2011, Slumberland) X
Veruca Salt: Ghost Notes (2015, El Camino) A−
Viet Cong: Viet Cong (2015, Jagjaguwar/Flemish Eye) C−
Viva Voce: The Future Will Destroy You (2011, Vanguard) X
Kurt Vile:
- Smoke Ring for My Halo (2011, Matador) B−
- Wakin' on a Pretty Daze (2013, Matador) B−
Loudon Wainwright III:
- 10 Songs for the New Depression (2010, 2nd Story Sound) **
- Older Than My Old Man Now (2012, 2nd Story Sound) A+
The Walkmen: Heaven (2012, Fat Possum) C
Rufus Wainwright: Out of the Game (2012, Decca/Polydor) **
M. Ward: A Wasteland Companion (2012, Merge) ***
Jessie Ware: Devotion (2012, Universal) B−
Anna Waronker: California Fade (2011, Five Foot Two) X
Warpaint: Warpaint (2014, Rough Trade) C
Washed Out: Within and Without (2011, Sub Pop) ***
Mike Watt: Hyphenated Man (2011, Clenchedwrench) X
The Wave Pictures: Beer in the Breakers (2011, Moshi Moshi) **
Wavves:
- King of the Beach (2010, Fat Possum) X
- Afraid of Heights (2013, Warner Bros.) *
Waxahatchee:
- Cerulean Salt (2013, Don Giovanni) A−
- Ivy Tripp (2015, Merge) **
Weekend: Sports (2010, Slumberland) A−
The Weeknd:
- House of Balloons (2011, mixtape) A+
- Thursday (2011, mixtape) B−
- Echoes of Silence (2011, free download) B−
- Beauty Behind the Madness (2015, XO/Republic) ***
Paul Weller: Wake Up the Nation (2010, Yep Roc) X
Kanye West:
- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010, Roc-A-Fella) A
- /Jay-Z: Watch the Throne (2011, Roc-A-Fella) A−
- Yeezus (2013, Def Jam) A+
- The Life of Pablo (2016, Def Jam/G.O.O.D. Music) A−
Jack White:
- Blunderbuss (2012, Third Man/XL) B+
- Lazaretto (2014, Third Man/XL Recordings) A−
White Lies: Ritual (2011, Fiction/Geffen) X
White Lung: Paradise (2016, Domino) A−
Whitney: Light Upon the Lake (2016, Secretly Canadian) C+
Wilco:
- The Whole Love (2011, Anti-) A−
- iTunes Session (2012, Anti-) *
- Star Wars (2015, BPM) ***
Wild Beasts: Smother (2011, Domino) X
Wild Flag: Wild Flag (2011, Merge) A−
Wild Nothing: Gemini (2010, Captured Tracks) X
Wiley:
- 100% Publishing (2011, Big Dada) **
- Evolve or Be Extinct (2012, Big Dada) *
Will.i.am: #Willpower (2013, Interscope) C
Holly Williams: The Highway (2013, Georgiana) C
Lucinda Williams:
- Blessed (2011, Lost Highway) A
- The Ghosts of Highway 20 (2016, Highway 20/Thirty Tigers) *
Pharrell Williams: GIRL (2014, Columbia) **
Brian Wilson: Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin (2010, Disney) ***
Wilson Phillips: Dedicated (2012, Sony Masterworks) D
Wings: Wings Over America (2013, Hear Music) C+
Wire:
- 12 Nov 1978, SO36, Berlin (2011, Pinkflag) A−
- 17 December 1985, Paradiso, Amsterdam (2011, Pinkflag) C+
- 02 May 2000, Great American, San Francisco (2011, Pinkflag) **
- Red Barked Tree (2011, Pink Flag) ***
- The Black Session: Paris: 10 May 2011 (2012, Pink Flag) **
- Change Becomes Us (2013, Pink Flag) B+
Withered Hand:
- Good News (2011, Absolutely Kosher) A−
- New Gods (2014, Slumberland) A+
John Wizards: John Wizards (2013, Planet Mu) C+
Bobby Womack: The Bravest Man in the Universe (2012, Honest Jon's) B−
Tommy Womack: Now What! (2012, Cedar Creek Music) A−
Women: Public Strain (2010, Jagjaguwar) X
Jamie Woon: Ghostwriting (2012, Verve) *
Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby: A Working Museum (2012, Southern Domestic) ***
WU LYF: Go Tell Fire to the Mountain (2011, LYF) X
Wussy:
- Funeral Dress II (2011, Shake It) A
- Strawberry (2011, Shake It) A+
- Berneice Huff and Son, Bill Sings . . . Popular Favorites (2013, Shake It) ***
- Duo (2013, Shake It) A−
- Attica! (2014, Shake It) A
- Forever Sounds (2016, Damnably) A−
Wye Oak:
- Civilian (2011, Merge) X
- Shriek (2014, Merge) **
Jamie xx: In Colour (2015, XL) ***
The xx: Coexist (2012, XL) *
Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Mosquito (2013, Interscope) **
YG: My Krazy Life (2014, Def Jam) C+
Dwight Yoakam: 3 Pears (2012, Warner Bros.) B−
Yo La Tengo:
- Fade (2013, Matador) A−
- Stuff Like That There (2015, Matador) A
Neil Young:
- Le Noise (2010, Reprise) **
- International Harvesters: A Treasure (2011, Reprise) ***
- & Crazy Horse: Americana (2012, Reprise) A
- & Crazy Horse: Psychedelic Pill (2012, Reprise) B
- Live at the Cellar Door (2013, Reprise) B−
- A Letter Home (2014, Third Man) C+
- & the Promise of the Real: The Monsanto Years (2015, Reprise) C+
Young Fathers:
- Tape One (2013, Anticon) ***
- Tape Two (2013, Anticon) A−
Young Thug:
- /Bloody Jay: Black Portland (2014, free download) A
- /Gucci Mane: Young Thuggs Mane La Flare (2014, free download) A−
- Barter 6 (2015, 300/Atlantic) A
Yuck: Yuck (2011, Fat Possum) A−
Zammuto: Zammuto (2012, Temporary Residence) B−
Tom Zé:
- Estudando a Bossa: Nordeste Plaza (2010, Luaka Bop) A
- Tropicália Lixo Lógico (2012, Lapa) A
Zomby: Dedication (2011, 4AD) **
Various Artists:
- Blow Your Head, Vol. 1: Diplo Presents Dubstep (2010, Downtown) **
- The Book of Mormon: Original Broadway Cast Recording (2011, Ghostlight) A−
- Calypso: Musical Poetry in the Caribbean 1955-69 (2014, Soul Jazz) A−
- Cartagena!: Curro Fuentes & the Big Band Cumbia and Descarga Sound of Colombia 1962-72 (2011, Soundway) A+
- Dabke: Sounds of the Syrian Houran (2012, Sham Palace) A−
- Bob Dylan in the '80s: Volume One (2014, ATO) A−
- Ethnic Minority Music of Southern China (2013, Sublime Frequencies) A−
- Generation Bass: Transnational Dubstep (2011, Six Degrees) A−
- Haiti Direct: Big Band, Mini Jazz & Twoubadou Sounds, 1960-1978 (2014, Strut) A−
- Hamilton: Original Broadway Cast Recording (2015, Atlantic) A
- Hardcore Traxx: Dance Mania Records 1986-95 (2014, Strut) A−
- Highlife Time Vol. 2: Nigerian and Ghanian Classics From the Golden Years (2011, VampiSoul) B+
- The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 and Beyond (2012, Republic) C
- Hyperdub 10.1 (2014, Hyperdub) A−
- Just Tell Me That You Want Me: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac (2012, Concord/Hear Music) B−
- Kanye West Presents G.O.O.D Music: Cruel Summer (2012, Island/Def Jam) ***
- Listen to Me: Buddy Holly (2011, Verve Forecast) X
- Muppets: The Green Album (2011, Walt Disney) C+
- Nigeria Afrobeat Special: The New Explosive Sound in 1970s Nigeria (2010, Soundway) A−
- Note of Hope: A Celebration of Woody Guthrie (2011, 429) A−
- Pakistan: Folk and Pop Instrumentals 1966-1976 (2011, Sublime Frequencies) X
- Rave On Buddy Holly (2011, Hear Music) A−
- Red Hot + Fela (2013, Knitting Factory) **
- Roots of OK Jazz: Congo Classics 1955-56 (2010, Crammed Discs) A+
- The Rough Guide to Acoustic Africa (2013, World Music Network) **
- The Rough Guide to African Blues (2014, World Music Network) ***
- The Rough Guide to African Disco (2013, World Music Network) A−
- The Rough Guide to African Guitar Legends (2011, World Music Network) A−
- The Rough Guide to Arabic Revolution (2013, World Music Network) *
- The Rough Guide to Bhangra [Second Edition] (2010, World Music Network) A−
- The Rough Guide to Cumbia (2013, World Music Network) A−
- The Rough Guide to Latin Psychedelica (2013, World Music Network) C+
- The Rough Guide to the Music of Mali (Second Edition) (2014, World Music Network) A
- The Rough Guide to the Music of Senegal (2013, World Music Network) A−
- Shangaan Electro: New Wave Dance Music From South Africa (2010, Honest Jon's) A
- Sing Me the Songs: Celebrating the Works of Kate McGarrigle (2013, Nonesuch) B+
- Studio One Rocksteady (2014, Soul Jazz) A−
- Suburban Base: The History of Hardcore, Jungle, and Drum & Bass: 1991-1997 (2014, Suburban Base) B+
- Way to Blue: The Songs of Nick Drake (2013, Story Sound) C
- West of Memphis: Voices for Justice (2013, 429) C
- The World Ends: Afro-Rock & Psychedelia in 1970s Nigeria (2010, Soundways) X
- Yes We Can: Songs About Leaving Africa (2010, Out Here) A−
Total records reviewed: 1111
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