Year: 2013
Review: Loves It – All We Are
“Western Swing Murder” is a jaunty little tune about a murder that masterfully pays homage to the genre referenced in the song’s title. “Rocket ship” is a quick rocker that showcases Walters’ Springsteen-like charisma. … read more
Review: Man Man – On Oni Pond
Man Man is one of those bands that nobody “kinda likes”—you either love it or hate it. We recognize the band for their ability to carve inexplicably aesthetic rhythms with a dynamic of makeshift percussive instruments condensed with frontman Honus Honus’ cathartic squawking. … read more
Review: LowCityRain – Self-Titled
As jangling new wave inspired chords cascade, driving bass and drums pump the track full of energy, a modest female vocal croons the title of the song and in these first three minutes, I’m left gasping. … read more
Review: Lynx – Light Up Your Lantern
From the moment this album opens, with heavy beats accented by a varied string section (guitars, banjo and cello), Lynx kept a hypnotic grip over me that was so powerful, I wondered if I had spent that hour in an oasis-tinged dream. … read more
Review: Marijuana Deathsquads – Oh My Sexy Lord
As is the case with a great deal of so-called super groups, this release is pretty masturbatory. With intense, pulsating, electronic jam-band beats and half scream, half rap vocals, it is overall pretty unpleasant to listen to. … read more
Review: Maggie McClure – Time Moves On
Filled to the brim with cutesy pop confessionals and whimsical, dreamy instrumentals, Maggie McClure masters the small-town-girl-meets-big-city vibe. … read more
Review: Magic Trick – River of Souls
Lead singer Tim Cohen croons in a cool, ’60s tinged way, complemented by an accompanying female voice, keeping it psychedelic, but not losing the driving bass and trumpet of the folk genre. River of Souls is definitely an album to keep loud and keep on repeat. … read more
Review: Marley Carroll – Sings
It’s similar to the chattering electronica of Caribou, with just a bit more sophistication. If you’ve been waiting for Caribou’s next release, I suggest giving Carrol’s new album a try. … read more
Review: Lapland – Self-Titled
Lapland = Timber Timbre / Mayor Hawthorne … read more
Review: Legs – Pass the Ringo
Pass the Ringo sounds like vintage British Invasion rock put through a broken tape deck in a car with all the speakers blown. Using lo-fi techniques can add grunge and soul elements to an album, but Legs create a fuzzy washout of their music, making any distinct instruments difficult to pick out. … read more
Review: Lauren Mann & The Fairly Odd Folk
Over Land and Sea starts out with a force that immediately captures your attention. … read more
Review: Lonesome Leash – I Am No Captain
The first time I attempted to listen to I Am No Captain, I got 30 seconds into the first song before pausing in a frenzy and stowing it away for two weeks. … read more
