Blunderbust? Jack White's Debut Album Review: The P&B BBM Chat

We here at P&B love technology. We both use Blackberry Messenger like crazy, so why not show our deep conversations to the world! This is a first in the Blogosphere (we think). Here it is: The P&B BBM Chat.

(Photo via weallwantsomeone.org)

T: So bro....seriously....are you not feelin' the Jack White rec?
T: For me...it's been a real 'half empty/half full' listening experience thus far
T: But the half I like.....I love!!
P: I'm on the same wavelength. I listened to it a few times and I feel like something is missing...like that Jack White swagger.

Album Review: Chevelle Pull New Album Out Of Their Hats

(Photo via banana1015.com)

Chevelle
Hats Off To The Bull

Sony Music

Rating: 7.5/10

Chevelle, a three piece from Grayslake Illinois, have released "Hats Off To The Bull" in December of 2011. The last (and first) time I heard about these guys was when they released the very excellent "Wonder What's Next" in 2002 with their breakout single "The Red". I was Music Director for my college radio station around that time and dropped a few Chevelle cuts for all who could receive the powerful 10 watt transmission. So back then, I listened to tons of music, added new cuts weekly to keep the playlist fresh and eventually lost track of this band. Welcome back to the rotation Chevelle!

Album Review: The Black Keys' "El Camino" Drives the Path to Ongoing Success

image via undertheradarmag.com

The Black Keys

El Camino

Nonesuch Records/Warner Music

Rating: 8.5/10

For me and many others, the name El Camino is synonymous with the Chevrolet model of half car, half truck from back in the day.  While growing up, our neighbour's daughter, Wendy, used to drive a suped-up black one with a red racing stripe down the side.  The thing was a beast...... Our entire block would shake whenever she turned the engine over!

However the actual term, roughly translated from Spanish, means the road or path.

Fittingly, The Black Keys - singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney - have travelled an interesting path to arrive at this particular point of their now ten-year career.  And the picture of an old beat up van on their new album's cover is similar to the one the duo travelled in during their early touring days, so their newest release is symbolic of a "this is how far we've come to get here" type vibe.

Quick Shot Review: Drake - Take Care

(Photo via aglobalculture.com)

I added Drake's Take Care to my Blackberry this morning (legally) so that I could sample the delayed and anticipated album. Singles, or leaks, are usually an indication of what we should expect from the official release. For Take Care, this is the case.

The feel of the album is dark and moody on my first listen. In contrast, I thought that Thank Me Later had more kick to it, with a great mix of ballads, bangers and everything in between. Based on what's been written about Drake's process in creating his sophomore effort, he took his time. And his meticulous and drawn out process is reflected in his work.

The main themes of the album are fame (don't hate) and the ladies. This isn't a shocking deviation from what he's released in the past. My feeling is that he could've expanded on what he previously established, but why fix something when it isn't broken.

So take Take Care for what it is. A deeper exploration into Drake's soul and his struggle with fame. It's a darker journey that you might not want to take more than a few times.

P&B Approved Cuts:

- Make Me Proud feat. Nicki Minaj
- Headlines
- Lord Knows feat. Rick Ross

-Paqman

Gave Them Cake: Jay-Ye Drop Watch The Throne On Its Loyal Subjects

(Photo via hitcrave.com)

So the long awaited colabo finally dropped on the digi-tip this week. For those of you living up in the woods, it was released on August 8th via iTunes. And what an intriguing few days it has been.