Most Read: August 2013

Here's a piece documenting the Top 10 most read posts on the site of last month. Thanks to Will J. Rogers and Gavin Topley for their contributions to the site. Also thanks to everyone else for reading and showing support and interest, and also a big thanks to Uncommon Nasa for his co- operation and interest. More on that tomorrow.

1. Hybrid Nightmares: Thrown to the Wolves

"Thrown to the Wolves" is 7 minutes of primal, raw and epic Black Metal that traverses through pummelling, slow moving areas into soaring, duelling guitar riffing into rollicking grooves and licks, as well as the occasional disco breakdown. It's an exceptional track that will recall the finest works of the likes of Satyricon and Darkthrone."

http://therivieraworld.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/new-tracks-hybrid-nightmares-thrown-to.html


2. Uncommon Nasa- Land of the Way it Is

"Land of the Way it Is" is an example of a record that is evidently politically, socially and personally righteous, but Uncommon Nasa has no desire to shove his ideals down your throat. This is a record that sees him primarily clarifying his own mind, and if others can get in touch with the verdicts exposed then that's a bonus."

http://therivieraworld.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/uncommon-nasa-land-of-way-it-is.html





3. Rejjie Snow- Rejovich EP

"If Snow is reluctant to unveil himself via the internet, then "Rejovich" fills in holes that expose personal fears, ambitions and feelings. It's a textured start and, although it leaves him with plenty of worth to prove it's certainly enough to attain interest in what he does in the future."

http://therivieraworld.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/rejjie-snow-rejovich-ep.html









4. Sadistik- Flowers for my Father

"Sadistik's lightning paced flow, fascination with the philosophical as well as well as his presumably self- destructive nature are things that were all laid bare on his 2008 LP "The Balancing Act." But there's an upsetting modicum in the mind which predicts that "Flowers For My Father" will be slept on by most of the world, including most Hip Hop fans. And that is it's only pitfall. Otherwise, it's a flawless piece of work."

http://therivieraworld.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/sadistik-flowers-for-my-father.html


5. Earl Sweatshirt- Doris

""Doris" is far removed from the Horror- Core of his debut release "Earl." Now at 19 years of age, we see a more mature, personal and complex Earl, which may have been expected, but fairly often he showcases lyrical wisdom and intellectual wordplay beyond his years. "

http://therivieraworld.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/earl-sweatshirt-doris.html






6. Jay-Z- Magna Carta Holy Grail

"For years now Jay has been revelling in his own legacy, so any braggadocia here comes as little surprise. But "Magna Carta..." is a record which Jay- Z uses once again as a platform to show off about how much money he's got whilst trying to stake a claim for even more. It wouldn't be so much of a problem if he was as lyrically and stylistically sharp as he once was ("Reasonable Doubt" had promise to boot), but "Magna Carta..." unfortunately feels perpetually half- arsed."

http://therivieraworld.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail.html


7. Lady Gaga- Applause

"As in your face as ever? You guessed it. Within slightly over three minutes', Gaga appears in the video with glimpses of resembling Lisa Minnelli; as well as successfully attempting to evoke Heath Ledger's Joker and become a black swan (not literally). Even if you aren't a fan of her work, it's definitely worth a view. But what are my thoughts on Radio Ga Ga's (I apologise) new song? Titled 'Applause', it may come across as slightly pushy. Other than that I was pleasantly surprised. " Will J. Rogers

http://therivieraworld.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/new-tracks-lady-gaga-applause.html

8. The Vaccines- Melody Calling EP

"They're still leaps and bounds from doing anything truly original. But on this EP it sounds like they've been doing a lot more listening to The Lemonheads, Girls and The Dandy Warhols than they have The Kaiser Chiefs, and all the better for it; their transition is mostly gorgeous."

http://therivieraworld.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/the-vaccines-melody-calling-ep.html

9. Savages- Silence Yourself

"There's no necessity to claim "Silence Yourself" a "Feminist" piece of work, nor to suggest that Savages are a primarily "Feminist" entity. But the virtues of womanhood ooze in sassy fashion from the record, so much so that it will be remarkable if the majority of songs here don't have you pumping your fist and yelling "WOMAN POWER!""

http://therivieraworld.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/savages-silence-yourself.html

10. Billy Woods- Dour Candy

"Billy Woods is as self- depreciating, honest and realistic as ever on "Dour Candy." It's less consciously righteous than "History Will Absolve Me", but it's deliberately depraved and just as vivid and distinctly troubling. It's the kind of cold narrative that brings dark truths to light that Woods' prophetic qualities allow him to do so well."

http://therivieraworld.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/billy-woods-dour-candy.html