The Couch Sessions
Reviews

Review: Gorillaz – Plastic Beach

4.0/5

If it takes us a few listens to really get into the Gorillaz newest album. Can we blame ourselves?
We are forced fed music that is derivative of another. Pop music all sounds the same, with each artist essentially sounding like the one who came 3 months before them. When we hear something as creative and [...]

March 9, 2010

2 Comments

ALBUM REVIEW: Outputmessage – Autonomous

4.5/5

Washington, DC by way of Queens, NY electronic dance music producer Outputmessage is likely one of the more underrated EDM artists in the genre. The eight year veteran has received terrific acclaim both stateside and abroad for his musically dense but pop trending melodies awakening a sense of early 80s synth pop sounds. However, with [...]

February 11, 2010

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Album Review: Sade – Soldier of Love

4.0/5

While not a masterpiece, in an era where the market has been deluged by a new female soul vanguard that angles increasingly towards pop, Sade remains regal, calm, collected and steadfast, and merely releases the standard bearer album to define the female expression in R & B for 2010.
Sade’s musical legacy lies in her ability [...]

February 9, 2010

1 Comment

ALBUM REVIEW:Massive Attack “Heligoland”

4.5/5

Massive Attack – Paradise Circus
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
Tomorrow marks the official release date (U.S. and Canada) for Heligoland, the 5th proper studio album by Massive Attack.
Whereas the 2003 release 100th Window glistened with mechanical accuracy and disciplined minimal techno, Heligoland finds the Bristol duo returning to the dirtier, dubbed out sound of [...]

February 8, 2010

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Review: Corinne Bailey Rae – The Sea

4.5/5

It seemed like only yesterday that we saw fresh faced Leeds singer Corinne Bailey Rae burst onto the scene. Her self-titled debut album, laced with pop hits “Like A Star,” and the empowering “Put Your Records On,” made her a critical and commercial darling.
After experiencing the death of her husband, it seemed like Corrinne would [...]

January 25, 2010

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Mixtape Review: Jack Splash – King of the Beats, Vol. 1

3.5/5

Download: JACK SPLASH – King of the Beats, Vol. 1
Jack Splash was frozen in place conducting a full symphony for Quincy Jones in 1981 at the Hollywood Bowl, unfrozen five years ago after being stored away for almost 30 years and was immediately dropped off at the Compton Swap Meet.
Jack Splash was frozen [...]

January 22, 2010

1 Comment

Mixtape Review: SMKA – The 808 Experiment Vol 2

4.5/5

The SMKA compilation might lack the star power of Big Boi’s Purple Ribbon All-Stars compilation from a few years ago, but it is a solid piece of work, and should do good things for all who were involved.

January 20, 2010

4 Comments

MIXTAPE REVIEW: Diplo Presents: Free Gucci (Best of The Cold War Mixtapes)

3.5/5

Download: Free Gucci: Best of the Cold War Mixtapes
The nature of this mixtape in principle is to explore what Gucci Mane would sound like over musical styles unfamiliar to his typical dirty South productions. Instead, this just sounds like a bunch of ideas that Gucci can explore when he gets released from prison.
The concept of [...]

January 13, 2010

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Album Review: Vampire Weekend – Contra

4.5/5

If the formula for album sales were to include multiplying intellectual quotient and sheer amount of intellect used to craft a release, the boys of Vampire Weekend would be the highest selling artists of this generation.
If the formula for album sales were to include multiplying intellectual quotient and sheer amount of intellect used to craft [...]

January 4, 2010

2 Comments

Album Review: Mary J. Blige – Stronger With Each Tear

4.5/5

We’re nearing the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the release of Mary J. Blige’s industry changing debut What’s the 411? As was then is still now with the release of Blige’s ninth studio release Stronger With Each Tear. The pretty girl with the razor sharp exterior has had that exterior pierced on record now [...]

December 22, 2009

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Album Review: Analogue Transit – Gearheart

4.0/5

Analogue Transit aim to incorporate the worlds of analog and digital into their audio landscape…and the results are impressive.

December 17, 2009

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Album Review: Alicia Keys – The Element of Freedom

4.5/5

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” – Anais Nin, “Risk”
The great joy of Alicia Keys is in her ability to meld the heights of the pop and soul sound to create aesthetic brilliance. On fourth studio release The [...]

December 14, 2009

1 Comment