A few months ago, when we were working on The Fashion Issue, we did a shoot with a few models where we took them in a room, threw some headphones on their pretty little heads and asked, “Hey, whaddya think of this album?” Like fools, we somehow forgot about this shoot, and the six models and their opinions on contemporary music were almost lost forever. Luckily, the article buoyed to the surface of our desks late last week and we are pleased to present you now, with some nice photos of six models and what they think about a few recent albums.

Laura O. @ Slides – Element top, vintage necklace from Screaming Mimi’s

The Half Rats – For the Sake of Love

This EP takes me back to the early 60s, to a BBQ in Huntington Beach before a surf session with all my best friends, talking about last night’s prom festivities. It’s vintage 60s American rock with a mellow surfer vibe, rather reminiscent of the Beach Boys. There is nothing modern about their music, which completely works in their favor, but their name, The Half Rats, does not. It sounds more like a grimy NY street-punk band than super sweet California rock. Love it, need it, go buy this record and play it for the girl you want to impress on your first date in your mom’s car.

Cypress Hill – Rise Up

I love hip-hop, but I don’t love this record. It sounds too much like Terror Squad or every hip-hop song or rap-rock song I’ve already heard. “Rise Up,” produced by Tom Morello sounds like a too-late remix of “Guerilla Radio,” and if I’m going to have to listen to “Guerilla Radio,” I’d rather just listen to the original. In fact, that pretty much sums up my review for the whole album. I’d rather just listen to everyone they have ripped off in an attempt to remain relevant. Rise Up just leaves me wondering, “What were these guys doing the last 6 years?”

Sofie Roelens @ Elite – Skullcandy headphones, American Apparel shirt

Amber Pacific – Virtues

When I saw the the cover of the CD and saw the guys on the back I was like “Hmm, this is going to be funny.” And I was right. The thing is, I’m not really into pop-rock music. When I was 16 I probably would have loved this, because this was the sort of music I listened to and the sort of guys I would have hung out with, only younger. That’s why I don’t think it was a good idea to put their picture on the back. This is the kind of music that talks to a big group of people–especially young people. And when you’re a young girl listening to a group of guys singing about love, you imagine guys your own age, not a bunch of older guys who should have their lives together already. I didn’t like it at all, but I’m sure there’s a big group of people who will love it.

Dum Dum Girls – I Will Be

This is the kind of music I love. When I heard the first song on the album, I really loved it–it made me think of Feist in a way, I don’t know why, but it did. It’s great, a girl with a beautiful voice who plays guitar in a kind of retro, 60s style. This is the kind of music I would listen to on a beautiful sunny day while walking around the city with a big smile on my face.
Also, I love the cover. It makes me think of an old Polaroid taken at a random moment. The look in the girl’s eyes makes you wonder what she saw/heard. I wish the Dum Dum Girls good luck and I’ll probably get their album soon.

Eva Shaw @ Muse – Pony shirt

Passion Pit – Manners

This album makes me feel like going for a long car ride and singing really loud. This is “soundtrack of life” music. There aren’t too many song covers that compare to the originals but Passion Pit has a great one on this album–“Dreams” originally by the Cranberries. It’s fairly similar to the original in the sense that it somewhat keeps an early 90s vibe, but not so much that it feels dated. In fact, the entire album is pretty 80s influenced, but in the coolest way possible. Each and every song is emotionally stirring and raw, which is rare among so many bands I hear these days. He may not have the most beautiful voice (he kind of sounds like a screaming little boy), but it’s real and genuine and that’s what makes it so good. This album is just a young guy with a lot to say. There’s no ego here, just some serious tunes.

David Burnes + Fatboy slim – Here Lies Love

Here lies a pile of sadness. Why did they even bother with a second CD? No one will make it through the first. I feel like they threw this together in a day. The music clashes with the vocals in every single track. Nothing about this album makes sense. The beats Fatboy Slim created are so weak and the music just sort of disappears into the background. It feels very scattered and messy. It doesn’t only bore me–it really irritates me and I’m upset that I’m still listening to this. Fatboy Slim, you can do better than this and I won’t hold it against you.

Adriana Caye @ Elite – WeSC headphones, Stolen Girlfriends Club dress

Coheed and Cambia – Year of the Black Rainbow

No wonder the album is called Year of the Black Rainbow. Imagine a black rainbow and bad noise–that’s what you get when you put the album on. It’s a mix of something sort of like metal and something else that’s not really clear.

MGMT – Congratulations

MGMT is one of my new favorite bands right now. I love the feeling of the music. It’s got great lyrics and that’s what makes a good song. Good lyrics for your head, great beat for your body and soul. Experience with good wine and friends. Just great.

Lindsey Grace @ Muse – Stolen Girlfriends Club shirt

Erikah Badu – New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh)
Erickah Badu. Not my cup of tea, she needs a bit more imagination in her instrumentals and voice variations. Although I think she’s talented in her own way, I like music that reflects something deep down, something that shares feeling. sorry Ba Dooo, I don’t feel youuu.

Wooden Ships – Vol 2

Love the mixture of calm tempo and entrancing guitar. The low vocals also give it a dark edge that captures your attention immediately. The raw energy they are expressing is the stuff that makes timeless music. I can dig it.

Daniele Hamm @ Muse – Volcom dress, vintage necklace from Screaming Mimi’s

Inspecta Deck – Manifesto

In high school rap was my thing, but it’s all starting to sound the same now. Not horrible, worth checking out–why not? Needs a bit more beat though so I can rock out and feel gangsta.

Gators!
Love [the song called] Andy Perez, nice feel to it. The other songs are a bit head banging so if you’re not into that kind of thing then you won’t like this. They need something to make them standout.

PHOTOS: BEN RITTER
STYLIST: ANNETTE LAMOTHE-RAMOS
MAKE UP: ERIN GREEN FOR MAKE UP FOREVER & MANDY BISETI