Paragraph Reviews 11/29/10
Music, Movies, Television, etc. Pop culture reviews for the short-attention-span Internet age.
Daft Punk – Tron Legacy Soundtrack
When I heard back in February Daft Punk were doing the music for Tron, I was immediately excited – new Daft Punk? Awesome! In retrospect I don’t know why I thought producing a score for a Disney sci-fi film would sound anything like Discovery, and inevitably it doesn’t. That doesn’t mean this hour-long soundtrack doesn’t have its moments – the sound is great, the French duo’s first stab at composing orchestral tunes is to be applauded, and the combination of strings with Daft Punk’s trademark house crescendo is simultaneously creepy and, well, cinematic. And there are even a couple bangers hidden in here too, reminiscent of the good ol’ Daft Punk. There just aren’t enough for my tastes. In the end, it’s just a film score.
Rating: 6
OFF! – First Four EPs
Sixteen songs in eighteen minutes. Boo-yah! Keith Morris’ new punk “supergroup” slays on disc as well as they did on stage at this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest. The quartet, all hailing from classic punk groups of their own, churn out minute-long anthems with a fury unheard of in 2010, like they’ve been doing it for years. And they have, especially frontman Morris, who shakes his microphone while belting his signature screech on “Panic Attack.” Lyrics of pain, turmoil, and dedication to fallen friends lay the groundwork for a fury of guitars, drums, and sheer energy.
Rating: 8
Cee Lo Green – The Lady Killer
New soul’s brightest star shells out his first solo outing since his Danger Mouse collaboration Gnarls Barkley, and the Lady Killer has plenty to offer. Straying away from the experimental psych-funk of the aforementioned project, Green delivers his most accessible, hook-filled work to date, including the instant classic “Fuck You.” Green’s voice is the undeniable highlight here; his croon soars above elaborate production and string arrangements. About halfway through, however, the formula, derivative on its own, becomes slightly worn. There are plenty of interesting bits here, and many stand-outs as well, but this LP could have been trimmed before being shipped.
Rating: 6
