Artist: Kanye West
Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Rating: 
This may well be a City Vibes first, as I am about to highly praise a mainstream hip hop album. Kanye West’s new release represents an artist at the zenith of his talents. It is creative, innovative, diverse and hugely entertaining. The track ‘Blame Game’ had me instantly hooked with its cool pianos and sultry vocal leading into momentous tirade of expletives from Chris Rock. There are also plenty of tunes here destined for the dance floor such as All of the Lights featuring Rhianna and So Appalled featuring Jay-Z. Ultimately, this is a must have album and a gem within a flawed genre.
Artist: LCD Soundsystem
Album: The London Sessions
Rating:
On the London Sessions, LCD Soundsystem bash out a slick live in-studio experience that cements the bands reputation as one of the best contemporary live acts. Widely regarded for their spontaneous innovations to their tracks during concerts, LCD have veered away from that impulsiveness to create a more rigid live experience. They deliver some of the favourites such as Daft Punk is Playing at My House and Get Innocuous and some lesser known tunes that always engage and never disappoint. This is more great material from a band at the top of their game.
Artist: OFF!
Album: First Four EPs
Rating:
Another fantastic release this month comes from punk nihilists OFF! First Four EPs crams 16 tracks into 17 minutes and is the perfect way to shout out the frustrations of 2010 and enter 2011 with gusto. Despite the short run time, this is no disappointing quickie. It is an angry, propulsive and energetic work that grabs you by the throat and screams in your eyes. Tracks such as Panic Attack, Darkness and Upside Down are good introductions to the musical equivalent of a Pitbull Terrier with a chili up its arse.