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Track Reviews

Ice Edwards – Harry Potter Kush (Feat. Waldo Da Goon)

NJ rapper Ice Edwards will meet you at 35,000 feet, that can’t-even-get-that-high-on-the-back-of-a-broomstick elevation. That Harry Potter Kush.

Ice Edwards (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
08-02-12

Pale Seas – Bodies

Communion dials up another winner with Southampton UK rock act Pale Seas. “Bodies” feels instantly psychedelic. It’s certainly a wide expansive track but it’s also warm. Where a band can go a bit awry with “atmospheres” and “layers” and “wanking”, Pale Seas keeps it concise with neat compact melodies and just enough soul to keep the listener moved.

Pale Seas (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
08-02-12

LaToiya Williams – This Love Is Sweet (Prod. Nottz)

Soulstress Latoiya Williams (Jay-Z, Snoop, Dr. Dre) returns after a 10 year hiatus with a super strong track in “This Love Is Sweet”. Produced by Nottz, “TLIS” has a syrupy smooth 70’s feel (reminded us a bit of The Staple Singers 70’s pop material) that fits nicely into b3sci’s late summertime groove.

LaToiya Williams (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
08-02-12

Grizzly Bear – Yet Again

Yeah, we’re definitely into this more “focused” Grizzly Bear sound. The arrangements and melodies (spoiler alert: they’re really really good) on “Yet Again” as well as Shields’ first single “Sleeping Ute” are just a little sharper and more pointed. We’re into it. p.s. Loving those reverb-drenched guitar washes. Yesss.

Grizzly Bear (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
08-02-12

Mariah Carey – Triumphant (Feat. Rick Ross & Meek Mill)

Our girl Mariah is back and she’s got MMG on her back. “Triumphant”, Mariah’s comeback single, features oft-collaborator Jermaine Dupri (you can hear him “yeah”ing in the background) on the production tip. Mariah’s more hip hop lane is decorated with hype joint after hype joint (“Heartbreaker” “Honey” “Lil’ Love” “So Lonely”, etc). Can “Triumphant” measure up?

Mariah Carey (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
08-02-12

Turtle Giant – We Were Kids

IGIF got the premiere of this ace new track from Brazilian band Turtle Giant (who are based in Macau, China!) called “We Were Kids”. A neat blend of surf rock guitar and great melodic textures, the track is a full force go experience for the entirety of its 4:34 duration. Listen

Turtle Giant (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
08-02-12

Bondax – You’re So (Star Slinger ReFREEx)

Yeah we’re into this.

Star Slinger (Facebook)

Rating 8.4

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reviewed by
08-02-12

Ango – True Blue (Prod. Jacques Greene)

Halifax-based (somebody hook this guy up with Hemsworth) R&B man Ango hooks up here with fellow Canadian and b3sci fav producer Jacques Greene for “True Blue”, taken from the singer’s just released Serpentine record. On “True Blue”, Ango’s buttery smooth melodic stylings are leather-glove-fit Greene’s rhythm & garage production style.

Ango – True Blue (Prod. Jacques Greene)

Ango (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
08-01-12

Brandon Thomas De La Cruz – Two Headed Boy Part II (Neutral Milk Hotel)

Brandon Thomas De La Cruz recorded this version of “Two-Headed Boy Part II” by Neutral Milk Hotel on a piano in an empty church a few weeks back. The delicate tone of the track is more than fitting, one that’s as vulnerable and introspective as it is with tact.

Brandon Thomas De La Cruz – Two Headed Boy Part II (Neutral Milk Hotel)

Brandon Thomas De La Cruz (Bandcamp)

Rating 8

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reviewed by
08-01-12

Patterns – Blood (NO CEREMONY/// Remix)

NO CEREMONY’s latest offers up an electro-refix on Patterns’ recent track “Blood”. We dig.

NO CEREMONY – Blood (NO CEREMONY/// Remix)

NO CEREMONY/// england (Official)

Rating 8

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reviewed by
08-01-12

Marie Dahlstrom – Search

Marie Dahlstrom’s emergence follows on those of jazz-influenced UK R&B soulstresses like Jessie Ware, Lianne La Havas & Delilah. On “Search”, Marie takes that emerging sound and spaces it out a bit, spreading it wide and slowing it. Faraway delay-driven Rhodes, deep-off-in-the-mix vocals, and easy all-mellow horns support Dahlstrom’s most sultry track. Check her out below.

Marie Dahlstrom (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

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reviewed by
07-31-12

Dum Dum Girls – Lord Knows

DDG jump from channel Mazzy Star (on their most recent single “Coming Down”) to Tommy James & The Shondells (“Crimson and Clover”) on latest track “Lord Knows”. Not that we’re complaining, “Lord Knows” is a pitch perfect slice of the most majestic of dream rock. b3sci knows.

Dum Dum Girls (Facebook)

Rating 8.2

brown8

reviewed by
07-31-12