Album review mish-mash no. 2

In my second installment of mish-mash, I'm continuing to review some of my favorite albums. However, once I get my posting momentum back up I will be reviewing local Houston albums and contemporary national and international releases too.
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Cut Copy - Bright Like Neon Love

"Bright. . ." is the Australian electro-rockers' debut album. It came out in 2007 and changed the way I felt about electronic music forever. The band combines guitars, drums, and lush synths seamlessly to create a dream land of electric nostalgia. Production is pushed to its limits to create an enveloping mix of samples and live recording that is almost impossible to distinguish between.

Tracks "That was just a dream" and "Zap Zap" are perfect examples of why the album succeeds. They are played with such glowing warmth and catchy hooks that they could just as easily cause one to dance as daydream.

Score: 10/10

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Dead Kennedys - Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death

The Dead Kennedys use an uncanny mix of politics and humor in their music that sometimes makes them hard for newer listeners to fully comprehend. This album is probably the best way to first encounter the band and understand its twofold purpose.

Tracks "Holiday in Cambodia", "Life Sentence", and "California Über Alles" are standard angry punk fare with the signature DK flare. However, there is also lots of room for laughter on the album's truly unique tracks such as "Pull my Strings". In this song Biafra brutally excoriates the rock industry and the lack of rebellion in present day rock and roll with outrageously funny and cutting lyrics like, "Is my cock big enough? Is my brain small enough? For you- to make me -a star."

Other amusing tracks include, "Night of the Living Rednecks", "Short Songs", and "Too Drunk To Fuck". Though the album's true standout track is "Kinky Sex (Makes The World Go Around)" which is really more of a skit than a song. Jello poses as a warhawk trying to sell the US government on the idea of concocting another war to raise the profits of industry. However, despite the serious message and deadpan delivery, the track is actually hilarious.

Score: 10/10