I actually kinda like the album. It's not fantastic, and it certainly loses steam over the second half, but I enjoy it well enough.

Early releases that I've also enjoyed are by Cate Le Bon and Cloud Nothings.

As for the letters vs. stars, I've always thought of it this way:

5 stars (10/10) = A+
4.5 (9/10) = A
4 (8/10 etc.) = A-
3.5 = B+
3 = B & B-
2.5 = C+
2 = C & C-
1.5 = D+
1 = D & D-
.5 & 0 = F

Since I listened to the Deluxe Edition that painfully adds more 3 damaging tracks - and is basically the edition that will sale the most - I rated thinking about those tracks (the same way that if they were any good or better than the album material, i'd sure count them to enhance the final score). I guess my letter systems works a little like this:

Warning: this is an improvised approximation of it haha

A+ 10 out of 10
A 9 out of 10
A- 8.5 out of 10
B+ 8 out of 10
B 7.5 - 7.0 out of 10
B- 6.9 - 6.0 out of 10
C+ 6.0 - 5.5 out of 10
C 5.5 - 5.0 out of 10
C- 5.0 - 4.0 out of 10
D+ 4.0 - 3.0 out of 10
D 3.0 - 2.0 out of 10
D- 2.0 - 1.0 out of 10
F 0

So, I'd give Born to Die a 3/10. Maybe without counting the Deluxe Edition tracks, i'd enhance the score to a C- or a 4/10. And though it's fun, maybe I should quit using letters too. I was arguably harsh, but looks like i was harsher.

1. Chairlift - Something
2. Rodrigo y Gabriela - Area 52

Yeah. January is always dead.

Worst album of the year I've heard so far: Dia Frampton - Red

Dia Frampton, who came in second in The Voice, and who I was rooting for to come in first. And, it's not even her fault the album sucks. Her vocals are superb. And, it's not even that it's overproduced. If it had typical mainstream production, it'd succeed on only the strengths of the vocals. The production and the songwriting are godawful. The verses clash with the choruses, and the choruses aren't even the one things pop song choruses strain to be: Catchy. There are drastic, awkward sudden changes in tone. It's painful to listen to, and even more painful to listen to because Dia Frampton really is a fantastic vocalist, and if she had the production team of a Gillian Welch or Neko Case, or even the bland centrist production of a Michael Buble, it'd still be at least a perfectly decent album.

ScHoolboy Q - Habits & Contradictions: damn.

A+ = 10,0
A = 9,2
A- = 8,3
B+ = 7,5
B = 6,7
B- = 5,8
C+ = 5,0
C = 4,2
C- = 3,3
D+ = 2,5
D = 1,7
D- = 0,8
F = 0,0


If A+ is 10 and if F is 0
then A is 9,2 and A- is 8,3
and if A- is 8,3 and B+ is 7,5
then B is 6,7
,,,
If Man is 5
Then the Devil is 6
And if the Devil is 6
Then God is 7

Insignificant list:

1. Gonjasufi - MU.ZZ.LE
2. Leonard Cohen - Old Ideas
3. Blaudzun - Heavy Flowers

Worst I have heard so far: Nada Surf - The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy

I'd recommend Bhi Bhiman's record, especially for anyone who likes rootsy/folksy musicians.

Grimes's Visions might be my new favorite album of year.

Anyone getting a "minimalist Spiritualized" vibe from Gonjasufi?

@HRS

New Anais Mitchell? Sweet. I still haven't looked into her back catalog yet, but I want to.

The new album of "Stuck in the Sound" is good.
Brother :


Pursuit (excellent video

If you like world music, try the El Gusto album. They're a North African Buena Vista Social Club, old musicians (Jewish and Muslims alike). It's a great record. 4 stars

I was a bit disappointed by the Leonard Cohen; this guy is always acclaimed by the critics whatever he does, and here It's decent but I was never impressed. His voice is in a bad shape, but the words and the instrumentation are good. 3.5 stars

I liked First Aid Kit's debut, so I'm gonna try them.

I've also heard a couple tracks by Django Django and Stuck In The Sound + the new Air and they sounded good.

Nicolas, in case Rocky's post didn't scream to you "Nicolas, listen to Bhi Bhiman",

NICOLAS, LISTEN TO BHI BHIMAN! :)

thanks Bill I hadn't seen his post.
I've heard tracks from Cloud Nothing and although it's far from my alley I liked some of it (good guitars). Husker Du then Cloud Nothing, am I becoming a post hardcore fan

About the El Gusto Orchestra of ALgiers, it was produced by Damon Albarn and here's a sample



Edit : Bhi Bhiman sounds great indeed

I've heard 'Attack on Memory' today and I had exactly the same feeling as you describe here. Nice surprise, actually.