Before we round up this week’s new releases, read up on yet another new album that will help you have beautiful skin, mighty calves, perfect pitch, and shiny teeth, just like MCMX’s genetically flawless staff!
El-P and Killer Mike, Run The Jewels
El-P and Killer Mike play the Terrace on Saturday, July 20, and their free collaborative album suggests this will be one of the best shows of the summer. Now, it’s not necessarily the best thing El-P has ever done—there’s a lot to be said for the grim, suffocating world El creates when rapping and producing by his lonesome on albums like Cancer for Cure and Fantastic Damage. But his work with Atlanta’s Killer Mike, beginning with last year’s album RAP Music, has definitely yielded some of his most fun material so far. Many of the tracks here have Mike and El-P trading short, rapid-fire verses, which only brings out more of a warped sense of humor in both of them (see the closing track, “A Christmas Fucking Miracle”). Guest spots are few and well-used: Big Boi contributes a guest verse on “Banana Clip” and Prince Paul delivers a creepy skit on “Twin Hype Back.” We’re glad these two grizzled MCs hit it off.
…and now, new releases for July 23!
Otis Redding, ‘Complete Stax/Volt Singles’
Hunx And His Punx, ‘Street Punk’
Guy Clark, ‘My Favorite Picture Of You’
Grant Hart, ‘The Argument’
Mountain Goats, ‘All Hail West Texas’ (Reissue)
Gogol Bordello, ‘Pura Vida Conspiracy’
Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros, s/t
Various Artists, ‘Jewel Records Gospel Story’
Big Boys ‘Fun Fun Fun’ (Vinyl reissue)
Human Expression ‘Love At A Psychedelic Velocity’ (LP + 7″ Reissue from Mississippi Records)
Honey Ltd, ‘The Complete Lhi Recordings’
