Baroness’ Yellow & Green is a hugely divisive album, which is odd to me as it’s their most ambitious and interesting. Contrary to what many think, Baroness didn’t abandon metal, because they never WERE metal. They’ve always done heavy psychedelic-tinged rock that was more influenced by Fugazi than Mastodon or any other metal band. Listen to their first couple EPs. On Yellow & Green, the twin guitars are turned down and the vocals no longer roar, but are now intelligible. But there’s still plenty of heavy moments that give some continuity from their acclaimed The Blue Record (2009). Bursting with ideas and a huge stylistic scope, it’s magnificent. Along with Torche, they totally deserve the crossover level of success between metal and hard rock audiences enjoyed by the likes of, say, Clutch or even Queens Of The Stone Age.
Also out, JEFF the Brotherhood – Hypnotic Nights (major label debut, riff rock filtered through Weezer and Ramones), Dirty Projectors (art pop stripped to do bare essence), Frank Ocean (the next Bowie/Prince?), The Very Best (somewhat disappointing retreat to cliched dance music).
