Devin the Dude, "Do What You Wanna Do"
You're never going to guess what this song is about! (It's weed.)
The Pixies, "All the Saints"
23 years passed between Trompe Le Monde and Indie Candy, time where Frank Black spent a lot of time making records with a whole lot of people that weren't the Pixies. But by the time he got around to making records with them again, it was only a partial reunion. Kim Deal didn't return to the band, and as much as I like Santiago and Lovering, the first record really sounded like yet another Frank Black project and not the Pixies.
But, I was willing to give it another go. Head Carrier came out in another two years, with a new bassist, and...honestly, gives me the same feeling. It's not bad, but it's sure not the Pixies.
Sleater-Kinney, "Little Babies"
...
I've listened to the whole thing here, and don't have much to say other than "good song". Really got the insight flowing here tonight!
Carlton Jumel Smith, "I'd Better"
Some sparkling neo-soul here from Carlton Jumel Smith, who has been making soul music for decades, but this is the first time he had his name on the front of the record. Most notably, he not only subbed for James Brown at times but also played him on screen. Despite his association with Brown, this seems to me more like early Stax than Brown.
Helmet, "Exactly What You Wanted"
Helmet's last record during their first run, Aftertaste, pretty much failed to break any new ground. It was still the same locked in grooves, whip-crack snares, and strianed grunting. It's a good formula, and few bands have ever been as good as executing it, but a little bit of growth might have been nice. At any rate, it's a largely unnecessary album, because their first three records cover the same territory just as well.