SemiConscious Dot Org

Well, here we are, almost three full months into 2007, and thus far the quality and quantity of new music just doesn’t seem to be up to the same level as last year. In particular, the pickings for metal have thus far been mighty slim in comparison to 2006’s metallic motherlode.

Last month’s new music roundup included another release from Japanese sludge kings Boris (their third new album in 13 months) and a comeback cd from stoner rock pioneers Fu Manchu. Other than those two, however, the new releases were pretty mellow stuff.

This month, we have a few more tasty new releases:

Clutch, From Beale Street to Oblivion
15 years and 10 albums into their career, Clutch just continue to churn out winners. From decidedly Helmet-ish origins, they have slowly incorporated more blues, funk, and Southern rock elements into each successive release. Some longtime fans were upset with the addition of a keyboard player for 2005’s Robot Hive:Exodus, but it fits perfectly with their changing sound. From Beale Street to Oblivion completes this evolution. Somehow, it manages to swing, while still rocking like twelve bastards. Clutch can do no wrong.

Jesu, Conqueror
It’s a shock to hear Justin Broadrick, the mastermind behind such seriously abrasive bands as Napalm Death and Godflesh, sound this relaxed. Perhaps, after so many years of shredding listener’s eardrums, he just wanted to kick back with a fattie and chill. Jesu treads similar “shoegaze metal” territory as bands like Isis and Pelican (who also have a new album coming out next month.) The songs are slow, heavy, and take a long time to build. Perfect for headphones.

Alabama Thunderpussy, Open Fire
Yes, these guys would make anyone’s “Worst Band Names Ever” short list. If you can force yourself to get past the name, however, you’ll discover a pretty addictive Old Skool metal album; loud, angry, fast, pummeling. Hell, they even have a picture of a Viking on the cd cover. It doesn’t get much more Old Skool than that.

And now, for the new non-metal:

Kings of Leon, Because of the Times
KoL released one of 2003’s best debut albums, and then took a detour for 2005’s Aha Shake Heartbreak, which sounded like a bizarre cross between Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Strokes. Thankfully, they’ve dropped the latter for this excellent return to form.

Neil Young, Live at Massey Hall
Squealy Neily has an entire warehouse filled with tape of concerts and unreleased demos, and he’s finally getting around to releasing some of it. A few months ago, it was a fantastic 1970 Fillmore Show with Crazy Horse, and now, a solo acoustic show from 1971. The Crazy Horse show kicked serious ass, but this one is even better.

Modest Mouse, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
Longtime fans of Modest Mouse will tell you that they were way better as a struggling indie band, as that as soon as “Float On” became a huge hit in 2004, they started going straight downhill. Longtime fans of Modest Mouse are full of shit.

And lastly, as a public service, here’s what NOT to buy:

The Stooges, The Weirdness
Ye Gods, this is a truly wretched album. Obviously, I never expected another Raw Power or Fun House. And 34 years after their last album, with every band member pushing 60, it was doubtful they had anything left. But even I never expected it to be this bad. Iggy, Iggy, Iggy, what were you thinking?