Just picked up El-P’s newest, I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead. I’m a pretty big Definitive Jux fan and have been waiting for this album for sometime. (Unfortunately Brittany doesn’t dig Fantastic Damage as much as I do, so its playback only occurs when she’s not around.) Between reading the sporadic updates on el’s blog and the random news bit about collaborators, I wasn’t sure what to expect but I hoped it wouldn’t disappoint.
Glad to say, it’s an incredible album. I’m a bit leery of albums that are promoted by their featured appearances (between the surprising (and refreshing!) Trent Reznor, The Mars Volta, and Cat Power, plus hip-hop contemporaries Aesop Rock, Murs, and Slug, there are quite a few) but thankfully it’s El-P’s style that comes through all the way.
It’s definitely a progression beyond FanDam – more accessible, more “single-esque” songs – but not at the loss of quality or experimentation.
I had the album on repeat today while I worked, made it through 5 cycles before I switched over to Modest Mouse’s new release, We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank. If you’re a MM fan, you’ll like this album. Not a ton of new sounds, no out-there experimentation – but to be honest, I like ‘em just the way there are, I’m not sure I want an experimental Modest Mouse album. Not exactly fair to them as artists but…
My favorite song (of the moment) has to be track #1. So many singers in the genre try to pull off that straining, bursting-at-the-seams-with-emotion vibe and fall a bit flat, but something in Issac Brock’s voice just does it for me.
Unfortunately I missed their two-night appearance last week. Hopefully I’ll be able to make it to El-P’s show on May 16th.
You heard anything new lately that’s good?