Authors: Ryan Michael Painter
Review: PJ Harvey – The Hope Six Demolition Project
PJ Harvey = Bad Seeds + Tom Waits + Mars Williams
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Review: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – The Punishment of...
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark = Kraftwerk + Roxy Music … read more
Review: Patrick Wolf – Wind In The Wires
PATRICK WOLF WIND IN THE WIRES Tomlab One moment you’re visiting the exotic world of Marc Almond’s cabaret, the next you’re The Divine Comedy channeling Morrissey at a piano bar, then you’re somewhere else and nowhere the same. There are acoustic guitars, strings, electronic grooves, beats and a whole heap of dramatics. Most artists would
Review: Peter Murphy – Unshattered
Unshattered is aptly titled in that it never really rattles. … read more
Review: Nicki Jane – Of Pigeons and Other Curiosities
NICKI JANE OF PIGEONS AND OTHER CURIOSITIES Shaman Yes, it is comforting to know that there is still enough space in the world for a little dark cabaret. On Of Pigeons and Other Curiosities, Nicki Jane swings around her guitar or piano with a bitter assurance reminiscent of Nick Cave. Through restraint, she’s more subtle
Review: NamelessNumberHeadman – Your Voice Repeating
NAMELESSNUMBERHEADMAN YOUR VOICE REPEATING The Record Machine Quite frankly this is an experiment that at any given moment threatens to go awry. A dose of the Flaming Lips’ bizarre atmospheric kookiness, occasional afternoon drinking binges with acoustic guitars and quiet pianos that from time to time explode into New Order’s rock-electronica before crashing into the
Review: Minor Victories – Self-titled
Minor Victories = Ride + My Bloody Valentine + Thomas Feiner & Anywhen’s “The Siren Songs”
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Review: Midlake – Bamnan and Slivercork
MIDLAKE BAMNAN AND SLIVERCORK Bella Union Typically, Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins) and his lovely Bella Union record label release quality albums. Bamnan and Slivercork from Midlake is quite easily the worst lazy clone of a Flaming Lips release that you could ever imagine. It’s detached without any sense of purpose other than to remind me that
Review: Motel Creeps – Pleasantries In The Parlor EP
MOTEL CREEPS PLEASANTRIES IN THE PARLOR EP www.motelcreeps.com “Moon Boots” sways in as a Bunnymen jam with a slightly more animated Interpol flavor. I’m not blown away, but I’m pleased with the combination of warm guitars and distant vocals. The remaining tracks, “City Girl,” “Gun for Hire,” and “Ocean Storm” are solid but not nearly
Review: Mazarin – We’re Already There
Mazarin are the sort of band music needs; they split the difference with the accuracy of the Flaming Lips without resorting to the kookiness. … read more
Review: Minmae – I’d Be Scared, Were You Still Burning
Minmae are full of camp and tongue-in-cheek, but they’re far from great storytellers. … read more
Review: M83 – Dead Cities, Read Seas & Lost Ghosts
M83 DEAD CITIES, READ SEAS & LOST GHOSTS Mute There will be those who would crown this French duo as the anointed kings of highbrow hipness and perhaps, for once, the masses might not be far wrong. M83’s sound is caught directly between Sigur Ros’ stark and soaring beauty and Air’s synthesized warmth. The result
