Lulu<\/em><\/p>\n (Warner Bros.)<\/p>\n 3.5\/5<\/p>\n On this maddening, fever-dream-inducing disc, Lou Reed smashes caustic spoken-word vocals against a pallet of avant-garde sound bites and well produced sludgy metal riffing by Metallica.<\/p>\n Lulu<\/em> is a highly ambitious album, but it also comes across as something unique. My guess is Lou Reed just doesn\u2019t care anymore, period. His fans don\u2019t represent him, his work gets minimal attention, and most of his albums post-1976 received poor reviews.<\/p>\n Perhaps with Lulu <\/em>we\u2019re entering a new phase in Reed\u2019s career where he just does whatever the shit he wants. Lulu<\/em> is actually quite good; it\u2019s just really cold and inaccessible. Reed\u2019s voice is deadpanned, his lyrics often repetitive and emotionally vapid.<\/p>\n The music changes abruptly, and confuses, going from ambient to chugging metal riffs. Lulu<\/em> is obviously highly personal and perhaps (cringe) ahead of its time? Don\u2019t quote me on that, though.<\/p>\n -Adam Price<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Mahones<\/strong><\/p>\n The Black Irish<\/em><\/p>\n (True North)<\/p>\n 4.5\/5<\/p>\n Remaining in your seat while listening to this seventh album by Irish-born Canadian punk band The Mahones is nearly impossible. The booming rhythm of such tunes as \u201cA Great Night on the Lash\u201d make you want to call your six best buds, slap some meat on the BBQ, and get your drunk on.<\/p>\n The Mahones are one of the world\u2019s premier Celtic-style punk bands. Formed in 1990 by Fintan McConnell and Barry Williams as a one-off band for a St. Patrick\u2019s Day party, the band\u2019s music is now renowned for its driving, upbeat rock enthusiasm.<\/p>\n Perhaps their most famously recognized tune, \u201cPaint the Town Red,\u201d is featured as a bonus track on the album and is certainly worthy of multiple plays.<\/p>\n Come to think of it, finding a tune on this album that doesn\u2019t have repeated playability is difficult.<\/p>\n -TJ Nyce<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marine Dreams<\/strong><\/p>\n Marine Dreams<\/em><\/p>\n (You\u2019ve Changed)<\/p>\n 2\/5<\/p>\n Ian Kehoe, former Attack in Black bassist and the voice behind Marine Dreams, has stepped out on his own to put together an album filled with modern pop, rock, and folk songs.<\/p>\n The simple vocals, guitar sounds, and predictable drum beats on Marine Dreams,<\/em> especially in songs like \u201cFold the Sky\u201d and \u201cNew Decade,\u201d may remind you of playing on the easy level of Guitar Hero<\/em> or RockBand,<\/em> when the new player wishes the song would end and the pro gets bored after the first two lines.<\/p>\n Two highlights are \u201cVisions\u201d and \u201cI Can Laugh,\u201d which are upbeat and fun. In a concert setting, Kehoe\u2019s passion could come through, perhaps turning the songs on Marine Dreams <\/em>from okay into great.<\/p>\n But since the album doesn\u2019t come with concert tickets included, we\u2019re left with something that\u2019s the definition of \u201cnot bad.\u201d<\/p>\n -Chesley Ryder<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Loutallica-Lulu.jpg\" "\\"Loutallica-Lulu\\"")
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