‘Afrikan Majik’

Je Suis France

If Je Suis France is trying to steer clear of all labels and genre specific expectations, the band is doing a darn fine job.

On the group’s third LP, “Afrikan Majik,” Je Suis France offers up a plate of just about everything you would expect from one of the left field wonders of Athens: equal parts indier-than-indie rock, pulsating electro-pop and just enough instrumental sugar on top to make you groove to it all.

On the premise of me enjoying this album, I do disagree with its opening, a 16-minute meander-jam entitled “Sufficiently Breakfast,” which would serve a much better closing to the album.

France fans will either dig it or know well enough to skip it, but first time listeners have an equal chance of running for the hills.

Get past the opening and there’s some great work here. The in-your-face epic rockers “Whalebone” and “101 Miles and Runnin” blend well with the urban ass shaker “Digital Shrimp” and the almost sugary “Chemical Agents.”

I’m curious to see how fans take this album, and I’m wary to predict either way. Come May 29, skip down to the store and find out for yourself.

Verdict: Fun for the whole family.

‘SQUAT’

Squat

These local jazz kings return with their sixth release, and this 10-song, self-titled disc is a gratuitous display case of talent by one of Athens’ most innovative and rock-solid groups.

Take a dash of wailing blues, more than dash of afro-cuban textures, some pocket swing and a touch of fusion edge a la Medeski, Martin and Wood, and you begin to understand the way that the guys of Squat see the world.

One of the greatest victories of this album is that it’s nearly impossible to digest in one sitting.

Highlighting one member of this band above any other is a complete injustice, but the rhythm section of bassist Carl Lindberg and drummer/percussionist Darren Stanley deserve an extra mention here.

Lindberg carries a quiet demeanor in his playing but isn’t afraid to step out and remind you of some serious chops. Likewise, Stanley is no slouch, particularly on the Latin gems “Estrellas” and “Anywhere but Here.”

For other winners, check out “Rickshaw” and “Bronkar.”

Verdict: No surprises here – a sparkling collection.

‘TRANSMISSIONS FROM THE SATELLITE HEART’

The Flaming Lips

If you’ve never gotten into the Flaming Lips, it’s because you haven’t tried hard enough. From this timeless collection of quirky rock to the more recent Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, the Lips have offered an unparalleled soundscape with pleasantries for all tastes.

In what would surely be an unending and difficult debate, “Transmissions” would have some serious stake in the claim of being the Flaming Lips’ best work. Lyrically, Wayne Coyne and the gang are in rare form – totally off their rockers in a way that totally makes some demented sense, particularly on the banner track of the album, the freakish anthem “She Don’t Use Jelly.”

From beat one of the opening “Turn it On” and other winners like “Superhumans” and “When Yer Twenty Two,” debuting guitarist Ronald Jones and drummer Steve Drozd fit right into the tight and subtle sound that marked the greatness of this collection.

- Alec Wooden