Authors: Dan Vesper
Reviews: Sleep – Oregon Failure
“Thrift Shop” did more than provide an anthem for white tweenagers who don’t otherwise enjoy hip-hop. It also inspired artists like Sleep (not to be confused with the rock band) to make rap so terrible that Vanilla Ice seems legit by comparison. … read more
Review: The War On Drugs – Lost In The Dream
Perhaps you’ve never gotten into the Bon Ivers and Fleet Foxes of the world. Fair enough: They tend to be a bit precious. That said, if you check this one out, you might be pleasantly surprised. … read more
Review: Sun Kil Moon – Benji
Mark Kozelek has made a record so confrontational and real, you have to admire it even when it’s a bit much. It’s about how the things that seem “uncool” in life are often what make it worthwhile—a bold, artistic vision that can be a real bummer, honestly. … read more
Review: Nick Weaver – Yardwork
Nick Weaver Yardwork Self-Released Street: 01.06 Nick Weaver = Macklemore + The Pharcyde Nick Weaver is a nice guy. He raps about how much he loves his family. It comes
Review: Neneh Cherry – Blank Project
You might be surprised to know that Neneh Cherry’s 1988 record, Raw Like Sushi, is bad as fuck. Still, I’m not losing my cool over the prospect of a new record by her. … read more
Review: Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly
Kendrick Lamar To Pimp a Butterfly Top Dawg Entertainment Street: 03.15 Kendrick Lamar = The past 100 years of black American music x Compton At this point, Butterfly is old
Review: Isaiah Rashad – Cilvia Demo
Rashad takes his father’s abandonment and turns it into a moral imperative—a move that could have been trite in hands of a lesser MC. This, however, is a daring labor of love by a very gifted young man. These strong but flawed songs creep into your soul without you even realizing it—the same way that forgiveness can. … read more
Review: Ikebe Shakedown – Stone By Stone
Ikebe Shakedown are part of a growing contingent of musicians dedicated to replicating the feel of classic recordings. They do a good job, and it’s a noble goal, too. … read more
Local Review: WE – WE-E.T.’s VOL. II
WE = Joey Bada$$ + 1995 Raekwon … read more
Local Review: Null – Break The Spell
This stuff was groan-inducing the first time I heard it, strolling through Zuccotti Park a few years back. (I think I have a hand signal to show how much I like it, too.) … read more