One of the greatest qualities of folk music is the story. There’s always a story in the song somewhere; you might have to search deep down in the lyrics or deep within yourself to find the story, but it’s there. The songs on Luke Robert’s debut, Big Bells and Dime Songs, have stories too, but… Continue reading Luke Roberts needs a moment of your time
Tag: Album Reviews
Barn Owl’s psych-doom-folk is hypnotic on Lost in the Glare
Do you remember that forgotten space station marooned in some remote corner of the universe populated by two half-insane astronauts? You’ve probably seen it in a late night movie that blurred in your mind years ago. It seems impossible, but at some point our two lonely and mostly-out-of-their-minds astronauts get it together and figure out… Continue reading Barn Owl’s psych-doom-folk is hypnotic on Lost in the Glare
Interpol @ The NorVa
After a nearly two year hiatus from touring and a lineup change, the atmospheric and always fashionable Interpol demonstrated Friday night at The NorVa in Norfolk, VA, that it’s back in full stride. In support of its upcoming self-titled fourth record, the NYC-based post-punk kings immediately showed off the new (not the song): the absence of lanky… Continue reading Interpol @ The NorVa
Youngster: RickoLus
“This album is a homage to my youth. I had a wonderful time but I am going somewhere new. Good bye and good riddance…” – RickoLus via liner notes on Youngster. I know you’ve been waiting for it (humor me): the third and final installment in Abby’s Youth Series, 2010. Today, if you don’t already… Continue reading Youngster: RickoLus
Wolf Parade gets so close on Expo 86
The main distinguishing factor between Wolf Parade and Sunset Rubdown, one of Spencer Krug’s many other projects, is the song construction and destination. Generally, while Sunset Rubdown prefers long-winded, ever-changing sounds and structures within the same song, Wolf Parade is its more straightforward brother. They both had some of the same qualities — the crazy-man… Continue reading Wolf Parade gets so close on Expo 86
Stars’ The Five Ghosts is full of consistent, illusory pop, but will it be remembered?
I am, and always have been, a huge fan of Stars. Or rather, to say it better, their potential. When they strike gold, they are utterly amazing (See: “Elevator Love Letter”, “Your Ex-Lover is Dead”, “Look Up”, “Ageless Beauty”), but oftentimes they limit themselves to songs that mosey along without much affect, relying simply on Amy… Continue reading Stars’ The Five Ghosts is full of consistent, illusory pop, but will it be remembered?
The Gaslight Anthem impresses, but doesn’t amaze, on American Slang
After the release of The ’59 Sound a few years ago, The Gaslight Anthem unexpectedly jumped up the ranks of indie stardom. Suddenly, their New Jersey, Springsteen-inspired rock was the subject of as many conversations as The Hold Steady. So, then, the follow-up. American Slang is not as good as the band’s previous effort, but… Continue reading The Gaslight Anthem impresses, but doesn’t amaze, on American Slang
Suckers show promise but lack focus on Wild Smile
The much-anticipated debut full-length from Suckers is finally here, and man, I don’t know what I was expecting of the album after hearing a bit of their previous work. But that was my problem: I shouldn’t have been considering expectations – Wild Smile is all over the place, sticking to no one genre; no one… Continue reading Suckers show promise but lack focus on Wild Smile
Wye Oak needs to step outside the music on My Neighbor/My Creator
Something about Wye Oak’s style — the sweet female vocals, the lush, strummed guitar, the odd bits of electronics — is instantly likeable. It sounds slightly left-of-center, but still feels familiar. After all, for all the duo’s interesting experiments, the song structures and vocals aren’t terribly hard to come by. That said, the band seems… Continue reading Wye Oak needs to step outside the music on My Neighbor/My Creator
Deer Tick struggles but makes good, authentic music on Black Dirt Sessions
It’s inevitable that within every generation of musicians that strives to break new ground with cutting edge genres and recording techniques, there is a handful that instead go back to the roots of rock and roll and draw inspiration from what is seen as a more “authentic” source. Most recently, Jack White tore up the… Continue reading Deer Tick struggles but makes good, authentic music on Black Dirt Sessions