Kaiser Chiefs — "The Future Is Medieval" (June 3)
England's Kaiser Chiefs, best known for their hit single "Ruby" off their second album "Yours Truly, Angry Mob" (2007), has returned to the indie rock scene, bringing with them an opportunity for fans to have a say in the new lineup.
After a three-year hiatus, following 2008's "Off With Their Heads," the Chiefs have introduced their latest "The Future Is Medieval," a 20-track collection that offers a new take on the traditional album track listing.
Kaiser Chiefs has set up a way cool interface on their website, where listeners have the opportunity to listen to one-minute clips of each of the 20 tracks and make their own 10-song album for 7.5 pounds (approximately $12).
Fans also have the chance to browse other buyers' 10-track albums, with the playlist creators earning 1 pound ($1.64) for each purchased album.
Handing over the creative license to their listeners, while also allowing them to accrue royalties along the way, is a brilliant move.
And, the seemingly never-ending list of new, mellower, but nonetheless great tracks brings the band out of their three-year break with a bang.
"The Future Is Medieval" is only available on the iTunes UK store, but an official 13-song version of the album is available on Amazon.
Arctic Monkeys — "Suck It and See" (June 6)
Sheffield, England-born rockers the Arctic Monkeys, who have pioneered a certain English rock 'n' roll sound and persona, are back in the game with the release of their fourth full-length "Suck It and See."
After a rather dismal, and disappointing, "Humbug" (2009), the band's third album that tossed around a few new directions for the once mega-successful group, the boys have done their best to regain their credibility with the latest release.
Where "Humbug" tried to bring the Arctic Monkeys into a new light — a much more mature and classic rock-oriented feel — "Suck It and See" has solidified a more rooted yet well-aged track list.
Traces of their first, record-breaking album's hits, like "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" and "A Certain Romance" can be found in "Piledriver Waltz," which slows things down and adopts a more pop-oriented, easy-listening sound.
However, "Suck It" is a far cry from the chart-topping hits that made the Monkeys internationally known as rockers with a certain likeable pop charm.
It bridges the gap from pop to rock 'n' roll better than their last, but it still disappoints with a changing sound that leaves fans clinging to influences of the earlier days of the band's discography.
It's a fight against genres, and the Arctic Monkeys are ready to ditch the appealing alternative pop-rock singles for a shot at the proven, more defined rock.
Big D and the Kids Table — "For the Damned, the Dumb & the Delirious" (July 5)
Big D and the Kids Table have worked their way through almost every imaginable musical genre, covering ska, punk, reggae, gangsta rap and rock in their seven studio albums. But their latest "For the Damned, the Dumb & the Delirious," released on Side OneDummy Records July 5, brings it all back to the eclectic band's original, high-energy ska punk sound.
The Massachusetts-born group threw out their over-the-top lyrics and pumped-up jam beats for their last album, 2009's "Fluent in Stroll," creating a more chilled-out, reggae soul vibe for the 14-track album.
Although some were disappointed with their move from the punch-packed punk, fit for festivals and the most energy-driven live shows, "Fluent" showed off a more focused side of a reggae beat that can be found in perhaps their most well-known hit, "Shining On" off 2007's "Strictly Rude."
However, Big D is back on its signature grind, throwing out the rules for an instrument-heavy, high-beat 17-song album, featuring favorites like "Clothes Off" and "It's Raining Zombies on Wall Street."
"For the Damned, the Dumb & the Delirious" pulls it back in to the Big D gold with their not-too-serious, sometimes offensive, but always great lyrics and punched-up reggae ska power.