I can’t even fathom the number of Radiohead reviews that start with: “How do I begin to pen a review on a new album from one of the greatest bands of all time?”. Come on, hyperbole! Yet, here I am, laptop in hand, with a keyboard begging to be mashed…and my thoughts escape me. Yep,… Continue reading Radiohead has their cake and eats it too on The King of Limbs
Category: Album Reviews
Twilight Singers pour on the pathos with Dynamite Steps
One of the reasons I’m obsessed with The X-Files is Mark Snow’s atmospheric scores. Snow’s ominous presence is at times eerie, haunting, beautiful, tense, and gripping, but just as often, his scores lull the viewer and make a dry 15-minute stretch feel like eternity. Whenever I listen to the Twilight Singers, one of many heralded… Continue reading Twilight Singers pour on the pathos with Dynamite Steps
La Sera merge fuzz pop with ’50s pop on low-key La Sera
Katy Goodman likes to experiment. Musically, I mean (pervert). The bassist and vocalist has gained most notoriety from all-girl fuzz trio Vivian Girls, but she also played in short-lived duo All Saints Day with Cat Power’s Gregg Foreman. Now Goodman is onto something new, and it’s just as dream/fuzz/pop as ever. It’s just what she… Continue reading La Sera merge fuzz pop with ’50s pop on low-key La Sera
Drive By Truckers show their Muscle Shoals soul on Go-Go Boots
I think most people would be hard pressed to find a harder working band than Drive By Truckers. The new year is in full effect, so it’s only natural that there’s a new album on the way right? Well, that moment is upon us with the release of the band’s ninth album, Go-Go-Boots. Over the… Continue reading Drive By Truckers show their Muscle Shoals soul on Go-Go Boots
Telekinesis offers comfort with throwback indie rock on 12 Desperate Straight Lines
Tired of all the weird experimental indie music out today? Sick of the synth and the slowly panging pianos underneath lyrics veiled behind shadowy metaphors? Maybe you long for the days of fast-paced, upbeat indie rock with catchy hooks and simple melodies. Maybe you replay your old Matt & Kim or Strokes records with your… Continue reading Telekinesis offers comfort with throwback indie rock on 12 Desperate Straight Lines
PJ Harvey finds herself anew on Let England Shake
Hey, PJ Harvey! Long time no see! Glad to have you back. Seriously, though. Let England Shake is Harvey’s first solo album since 2007’s White Chalk. Critics always discuss other singer/songwriters attempts to mimic Harvey’s sound, so it’s about time we can shut them (us?) up with Harvey herself. One thing is for sure, though.… Continue reading PJ Harvey finds herself anew on Let England Shake
Another dreary day greets East River Pipe on We Live In Rented Rooms
Did you ever take a few minutes to browse your records or CDs and take a look at the number of record labels represented? Chances are there are quite a few. Over time you get to know certain labels pretty well; they become old friends, you know their history and you don’t hold it against… Continue reading Another dreary day greets East River Pipe on We Live In Rented Rooms
Akron/Family’s S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT is a soundtrack to its own film
I haven’t had this much fun with a record in a long time. Akron/Family take experimental folk to the next level (which is actually the more accessible level) on S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT. I would say it could soundtrack a film, and Where The Wild Things Are cliché-edly comes to… Continue reading Akron/Family’s S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT is a soundtrack to its own film
Esben & The Witch’s stagnant vocals make Violet Cries drag on
Can an album really be completely interesting and super boring at the same time? Because that’s what comes to mind on the debut album by British three-piece band Esben & The Witch. Violet Cries, the first proper full-length by the band, is a confusing mix of sweeping, melodramatic ambiance and well-written music. Sometimes the band… Continue reading Esben & The Witch’s stagnant vocals make Violet Cries drag on
James Blake’s debut is brilliant art but inaccessible music
James Blake is one of those musicians that fits into that category called “art.” The British musician’s style can best be described by however you decide to describe it. Personally, I think of Blake as an experimental electronic crooner/composer. If you disagree, you’re probably just as right as I am. Blake released three EPs last… Continue reading James Blake’s debut is brilliant art but inaccessible music