DOOM
Born Like This
Lex (2009)
Even though he took up the same moniker, all-caps not withstanding, it's unlikely anyone is going to mistake the artist formerly toting metal fingers for the legendary crust band. One decade after the landing of Operation Doomsday, Danielle Dumile re-emerges with a modified alter-ego, and perhaps a bruised original ego. The reinvention of MF Doom to DOOM comes after a curiously long hiatus for the normally prolific artist and a flurry of damning accusations alleging Dumile appointed an impostor to perform fraudulent concerts. The hiatus isn't especially surprising. Lethargy and a lack of ambition are trademark symptoms of marijuana consumption, and this is a guy so high he made an entire album about food. The fraud accusations are surprising, however, mostly because there's no reason why Dumile would need an imposter to do his work. There's no doubt he's an extremely talented rapper. Born Like This, the first release from the DOOM moniker, does nothing but reinforce that fact, but it isn't among his best work. What always made DOOM distinct to me was his frequent use of soulful, almost psychedelic beats, and the first song on Born Like This, "Gazzillion Ear," shows the villain hasn't abandoned this practice. With … Read more
Black Moth Super Rainbow
Eating Us
Grave Face (2009)
Wow, just seriously wow, even though Black Moth Super Rainbow has been on my list to check out for a … Read more
Iron and Wine
Around the Well
Sub Pop (2009)
As a long-time Iron and Wine fan, I was intrigued by the announcement of this double-disc release that spans the … Read more
Church of Misery
Houses of the Unholy
Metal Blade (2009)
By a stroke of luck, my Last.fm did something good for once and recommended me this band called Church of … Read more
