Sleigh Bells Release Best Album

Noise rock duo Sleigh Bells released their third album Bitter Rivals this month and it is by far their best record. Sleigh Bells music mixes in pop, punk, metal, R&B, dance, hip hop and indie rock to form an aggressive but catchy sound.
Their 2010 debut album Treats was a great record and got the band lots of attention however 2012 sophomore album Reign of Terror was just boring.
The album opens with the first single and title track. Like "Tell 'Em" and "Comeback Kid" from their previous albums, the first single is always the best track and that is true for this album as well. "Bitter Rivals" is catchy and aggressive and stands up for attention.
"You are my bitter rival/ But I need you for survival," singer Alexis Krauss sings during the chorus.
Krauss is a very interesting vocalist. She's very similar to Karen O from Yeah Yeah Yeahs, soft singing one moment  and then shouting and shrieking the next. Krauss along with Derek Miller, formally of Poison the Well who does guitars and production make up Sleigh Bells. Miller's beats and shredding are part of what makes the band's sound work.
Other songs that are highlights include "Sugarcane," "Sing Like a Wire" and "Young Legends" are some of the album's best songs. This album is the first time that breakups are covered well on a Sleigh Bells album. "You Don't Get Me Twice," "To Hell With You" and the album closer and the album's other best song is "Love Sick." The band had several relationship songs on their sophomore album but none were as good as these songs.
There is one lone song that isn't good. "Minnie" is repetitive, strange and unnecessary. That being said this is still Sleigh Bells' best record and is hopefully a sign of what's to come for this amazing band.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs Regain Their Glory On New Album

New York City indie rock trio Yeah Yeah Yeahs released their stellar debut album Fever to Tell almost ten years ago and after a good sophomore record Show Your Bones, the band released their third album It's Blitz! in 2009.
While Show Your Bones had a more stripped down sound which incorporated acoustic guitar in  many of the tracks, It's Blitz! had a pop/new wave sound that mixed in decently with their previous musical style. The album had a few great songs and the second single "Heads Will Roll" was even featured on Glee.
After a four year break and breakup rumors the band finally released their fourth album Mosquito. The album was preceded by the single "Sacrilege" which was better than any song off of their last album. The song is a gothic, indie rock song that features a gospel choir on the second half of th e song. There are plenty of other great songs to go with the first single, "Under the Earth" has a gothic sound that is similar to "Sacrilege." The song is classic Yeah Yeah Yeahs with a new twist. "12 tongues put a hex on you," front woman Karen O yelps. Another highlight is the album closer "Wedding Song." While the song is a sweet love song Karen O is singing to her husband. While this song is sure to get comparisons to "Maps," Yeah Yeah Yeahs signature and best song, it isn't anywhere near as emotional or well written.
"Despair" and "Buried Alive" which features Dr. Octagon are both evolutions of the band's signature sound, the latter bringing in hip hop influences. The best song on the album would have to be the title track. While it makes no sense, the song is irresistible. A ridiculous not to everybody's least favorite insect, "Mosquito" is a fun song that recalls the band's earlier work.
While no songs on the album are bad, there are a few that don't quite cut it. "Subway" is a great track but it's very boring and nothing seems to happen. Meanwhile "Slave" is just silly and "Always" is repetitive. Even though these songs aren't the best, they are still listenable.
Mosquito is proof that Yeah Yeah Yeahs are here to stay. Despite pitfalls they are a band who never release the same album twice. Their sound is constantly evolving and growing. Some bands who have been around for 13 years may start to phone in albums, but not Karen O and the boys. Yeah Yeah Yeahs are here to stay.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs announce new album

Yeah Yeah Yeahs have finally announced the release of their fourth record Mosquito. The album will be out April 15 in Europe and the next day in North America. The album is also said to be a return of sorts to Yeah Yeah Yeahs old sound.
The band have stated that the album will feature some blues and psychedelic sounds, it will sound more like older Yeah Yeah Yeahs albums than the hot mess that was 2009's It's Blitz. That album featured a new wave/dance punk sound reminiscent of Blondie and The Sounds. While that sounds great, it didn't turn out well when set into action.
A video was posted on the band's Facebook featuring a snippet of a new song and a newly blond frontwoman Karen O. The single is yet to be released but it is rumored to be the title track which is about what else? Mosquitoes. The music sounds awesome and it really got me excited for this album. Hopefully the record delivers.

Paramore change things up on new single

Paramore have released their first single off of their fourth self titled album. "Now" features a sound that can only be described as No Doubtesque. Haley Williams channels rock goddess Gwen Stefani. The song abandons the band's pop-punk and emo influences. In the opening seconds of "Now" traces of Karen O from Yeah Yeah Yeahs can be heard.
The lyrics of the song are some of the best that Paramore have ever written. "Lost the battle, win the war/ I'm bringing my sinking ship back to the shore/ We're starting over, or head back in/ There's a time and a place to die but this ain't it," Williams sings in the prechorus.
The song is better than most of the songs off of their Singles Club release. While their last album brand new eyes had some amazing songs, there was also a lot of filler. With the release of "Now" the band are setting the bar high for Paramore.