JAY-Z
Kingdom Come
(Roc-a-fella/Universal)

Jay-Z is the first to admit that his music caters to a wide audience—a quality that his detractors claim represents an unwillingness (or inability) to experiment and push the boundaries of the genre. So it is hardly surprising that his latest offering, Kingdom Come, recently garnered the rapper a ninth Billboard chart-topper—placing him even with the Rolling Stones and one behind Elvis—and further established him as one of the genre’s most prominent figures. Since the release of Reasonable Doubt in 1996, Jay-Z/Sean Carter/Hov/Jigga Man has stayed fresh by continually reevaluating his image. Now, one decade after arriving on the world stage, he sings “30 is the new 20, I’m so hot still” and proclaims himself reigning “Kingpin of the Ink Pen.” Who’s arguing? Beau Miller

DEERHOOF
Friend Opportunity
(P-Vine)

The departure of guitarist Chris Cohen from San Francisco’s Deerhoof certainly hasn’t limited the group’s ability to deliver squalls of noise. But as with 2005’s The Runners Four, Friend Opportunity is a more precisely calculated affair than the band’s early work. Guitarist John Dieterich and drummer Greg Saunier’s exacting, intertwining melodies and rhythms translate the musical expertise of an accomplished jazz musician into an indie-rock setting, while Satomi Matsuzaki (Saunier’s wife) sings quirky tales in her high, lilting deadpan. Tragically underappreciated in Japan, Deerhoof’s live sets are as virtuosic as their albums. They play with 00I00 at Shinjuku Loft on January 20. See concert listings (popular) for details. DG

MANICURED NOISE
Northern Stories 1978/80
(Caroline True)

It was inevitable that someone would try to milk the current interest in the Manchester post-punk scene. Happily, this set of rare and unreleased tracks by influential if short-lived band Manicured Noise are a worthy addition to the cannon. Led by London refugee Steve Walsh, the group rehearsed next door to Joy Division, which called them a “punk Pink Floyd.” With Walsh straining out opaque lyrics over a spiky, all-girl rhythm section, Manicured Noise possessed the kind of arty, angular sound (and asymmetrical haircuts) that so many bands of the current moment strive for. With evocative period photography, Northern Stories is that rare disc that lives up to the moniker “gem from the vaults.” DG

EAGLES OF DEATH METAL
Death by Sexy
(BMG)

The Death Rattle of Metal, they might have called themselves. Joshua Homme, better known as the leader of Southern California’s Queens of the Stone Age, and partner Jesse Hughes team up for a second channeling of ’60s-’70s garage, metal, hard rock and glam a la Darkness. Beating a dead horse indeed, but having so much fun at it that it can’t help but rub off, Homme/Hughes romp through sexy falsetto teasers like “Cherry Cola” and screaming guitar solo vehicles such as “Don’t Speak (I Came to Make a Bang!),” even enlisting celebrity Jack Black for a cameo. Their 2004 debut Peace, Love, Death Metal may have said it all, but these guys are having too much fun with their joke to stop. Rock may be dead, but they’re dancing on its grave. DG


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