New Kids On The Block: back where they belong
The week in ADM
Michael Palmer reflects on the week's notable album action in the ADM chart
They made it! We're at the end of the week and the illustrious,
rousing, pop pioneers New Kids On The Block hang
on to their spot, sitting triumphantly on page 113 on our all-time
chart. The first settlers of Boy Band had a difficult start to the
week, finding themselves at the very foot of our current chart.
But, as a few of these five men possibly know already (I'm
speculating), you have to hit rock bottom before you can truly seek
help. A 5 from music OMH and a shining, golden 6 from All Music
launched our pop pilgrims up to a 4.3 average, lifting them from
the 114th and last page on our all-time list to their current place
on page 113. Back up where they belong. They're still bottom of the
current releases chart though.
Sgt. Lipton's other Band of Brothers aren't the only ones with
tough ratings this week. Cold War Kids' fourth
album got a handful of 7s, but finds itself on the last page of our
current releases chart anyway, with a 5.8 average. They're both
joined on the last page by Wiley and his 5.3. Our critics are not
happy with his decision to move away from his grime roots towards a
more chart friendly sound. That should drop some rain on his number
one single celebration parade.
The first reviews are in for the new James Blake
album, and most of them are impressed. A 7.8 average, but only one
of the ten reviews so far is below 8 (a 6 from Q). Most critics say
he's raised the bar, though his debut managed an 8.1. He'll need a
10 or two to equal that.
The Knife have been turning heads for putting a
19 minute song bang in the middle of their new album. Some praise
their commitment to their art, some call it gimmickry. Either way,
the album sits in the top 20 with a 7.6 average. Even The Guardian,
who gave the lowest rating of 6, calls it "hugely
impressive".
Elsewhere: Everyone kind of hates Tyler, The
Creator but enjoy the work of his producer enough for a
6.9, DJ Koze picks up a Best New Music from
Pitchfork, Parquet Courts gets an American release
and a handful of fresh praise, Bleached chart with
a 6.5, and British Sea Power receive mostly praise
and the 7.2 that goes along with it.