Artist: CSS
CD title: "Donkey"
Grade: B
The mostly female Brazilian group CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy — Portuguese for "Tired of Being So Sexy") aims to bring the party.
Using everything in their funky dance arsenal, CSS parades new wave, electronica, rocking synth chords and pounding bouncy beats.
I can't argue that the lyrics throughout much of the record are weak — it's blatantly true throughout.
On "Jager Yoga" — the first song out of the gate — lead singer Lovefoxxx sings, "Oh my god it's so hot, Oh my god it's so gold, Oh my god I'm so messed up, I don't know which way to go."
It's pretty bad songwriting, really.
Still, "Donkey" manages to hold it's own with an infectious sound and self-assured delivery.
This is stupid, infectious techno infused rock 'n' roll fun to help close out the end of summer.
The fact that I've found myself going back to it for repeat listens is one of the best measures of success that comes to mind, silly lyrics or not.
— ALEXIS LARSEN, Dayton Daily News
Artist: Brazilian Girls
CD title: "New York City"
Grade: C
If there's one city in the U.S. that a random sampling of folks would name as fast paced, New York City would probably come up more often than not. So it's not surprising that an already fast-paced band would pick up the pace a bit more for an album named after the city that never sleeps.
But when you visit New York you at least have a map to help you navigate.
The Brazilian Girls ode to NYC has nothing to help the listener orient themselves and unlike previous albums, their third foray can lose you quickly.
Eclectic doesn't begin to describe it. Boasting many different languages and countless influences and sounds, this is a broken jarring mixture that tires quickly leaving you longing for an intermission.
With two tremendous previous releases under the band's belt, "New York City" makes for a rather disappointing trip.
— ALEXIS LARSEN, Dayton Daily News
Artist: The Hold Steady
CD title: "Stay Positive"
Grade: C+
The kids who are listening to the Hold Steady are probably too young to remember that back in the late 1970s and early '80s, a spate of Bruce Springsteen-influenced groups spun off from his sudden popularization of the Jersey sound: bar-band energy, retro-rock hooks, long-form lyrical storytelling, gruff vocals and lots of keyboard marked everybody from Bon Jovi to Southside Johnny and the Jukes. Oh yeah, and at least one mention per album of a making out under a boardwalk.
The Hold Steady, from Brooklyn, are working the very same turf long after even Bruce himself has moved onto different sorts of stuff, and they're doing it without even a trace of the irony one expects from guys this young who play it straight-faced with classic-rock forms these days. "Stay Positive," the band's fourth album since starting up in 2004, has the whole shtick down pat, from the songs about aging mill towns to the organ riffing a la Danny Federici, circa 1978. The gruff voice comes from singer Craig Finn, who unabashedly credits his influences; good for him.
Despite the honesty, though, what is the difference between sincere homage and shameless rip-off?
Dunno about you, but I don't think the aforementioned lack of irony helps.
— RON ROLLINS, Dayton Daily News