Today, a legend fell. The White Stripes, with their Grammy nominations and color-coordinated outfits (and weird mock brother-sister relationship) have called it quits. The duo has as many fans as critics, but let’s think for a moment about what the world would be like without the Stripes: The year is 2001. The White Stripes never… Continue reading But what if The White Stripes had never existed in the first place?
Author: Jamie
MEN try to fill the Le Tigre void with Talk About Body
[Full disclosure: I’m an avid Le Tigre fan] After Le Tigre went on hiatus in 2007, there has been an empty void that was once filled by their dance/electronica music about feminism and left-wing social commentary. IT’S BEEN FOUR LONG YEARS but we now have something to come and fill that void! But can MEN,… Continue reading MEN try to fill the Le Tigre void with Talk About Body
Cloud Nothings do not sound like Blink-182 on Cloud Nothings
The whole time I listened to Cloud Nothings, I screamed in my head: “they’re NOT Blink-182, they’re NOT Blink-182.” And Cloud Nothings are not, in fact, Blink-182. But no matter how hard I focused on the stellar song writing or garage fuzz, I couldn’t help coming back to the comparison. Every time I closed my… Continue reading Cloud Nothings do not sound like Blink-182 on Cloud Nothings
Deerhoof challenge fans and foes alike on Deerhoof vs. Evil
This album should have been titled Deerhoof vs. Preconceived Notions of Music. Over the last decade, Deerhoof has been the lovable band known best by cutesy frontwoman Satomi Matsuzaki and their ever-evolving, always odd sound. Since 2002’s Reveille, the band hasn’t made a bad or even mediocre record. They have continued to shock, awe and… Continue reading Deerhoof challenge fans and foes alike on Deerhoof vs. Evil
[Hype Hype Hooray] The War of the Critics: “May the best bloggers win”
Every [two weeks?] Jamie Hale takes a long, hard look at the music industry and the blog scene that feeds it. Here, he releases those findings and makes snarky, sarcastic remarks. Admittedly, both Jamie and Knox Road are a part of this scene. So sue us. Right now we’re all fighting for our lives.… Continue reading [Hype Hype Hooray] The War of the Critics: “May the best bloggers win”
Ducktails’ Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics is beautifully built, easy to miss
The cover of Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics sort of says it all. We see a nondescript building beside some body of water on what could be a warm summer evening. Everything reflects in the calm waters, a still and serene picture seen through a washed out, hazy filter. At first glance the photo is of… Continue reading Ducktails’ Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics is beautifully built, easy to miss
Smith Westerns polish off their charm on Dye It Blonde
When Smith Westerns first jumped onto the scene two years ago, they were just a ragtag group of kids (all under 20 years old) making surprisingly mature Nuggets-era garage rock. The songs on their self-titled debut were full of spunk, energy and enough great hooks to make your head spin. Two years later, they’ve released… Continue reading Smith Westerns polish off their charm on Dye It Blonde
Tennis deliver the goods, show promise with Cape Dory
We all love the beach, don’t we? If you don’t, you can just go ahead and disregard this album completely and go on listening to your molten-earth heavy metal or whatever it is you listen to NOT at the beach. For the rest of you beach lovers, I have something special. A treat, if you… Continue reading Tennis deliver the goods, show promise with Cape Dory
[Hype Hype Hooray] The Perfect Storm That Created Scattered Year-End Lists
Every [two weeks?] Jamie Hale takes a long, hard look at the music industry and the blog scene that feeds it. Here, he releases those findings and makes snarky, sarcastic remarks. Admittedly, both Jamie and Knox Road are a part of this scene. So sue us. By now everybody (who MATTERS) has released an annual… Continue reading [Hype Hype Hooray] The Perfect Storm That Created Scattered Year-End Lists
[Hype Hype Hooray] Indie Musicians Honor the Sanctity of Christmas
Every [two weeks?] Jamie Hale takes a long, hard look at the music industry and the blog scene that feeds it. Here, he releases those findings and makes snarky, sarcastic remarks. Admittedly, both Jamie and Knox Road are a part of this scene. So sue us. Every December, there is a war waged within the… Continue reading [Hype Hype Hooray] Indie Musicians Honor the Sanctity of Christmas