Authors: Ryan Michael Painter
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
Review: Magnapop – Mouthfeel
MAGNAPOP MOUTHFEEL Daemon You might remember them, or perhaps you’ve seen their albums floating around somewhere. Magnapop were on a self-imposed hiatus. Now they’re back. Ruthie still plays noisy guitars and Linda still sings, two blokes provide the rhythm and maybe, just maybe, Mouthfeel will make you nostalgic for the early-to-mid 90s when this
Review: Manic Street Preachers – The Holy Bible 10th Anniversary...
Manic Street Preachers The Holy Bible 10th Anniversary Edition Epic Generally speaking, the body tends to wash ashore, the mystery fades and eventually everyone forgets that there was a story associated with a particular piece of art. In the case of the Manic’s The Holy Bible, the folklore of Richie Edwards and his untraceable
Review: Lapush – Someplace Closer to Here
St. Lewis’ Lapush have a sound that suggests you go back to a time when Coldplay’s ambition to be the biggest band in the world didn’t come across as arrogance. … read more
Review: Le Concorde – EP
LE CONCORDE EP Space Kitty It is always a pleasant surprise when a CD bears a sticker telling of guest artists featured within and you ultimately realize the band sticker is underselling the talent and potential of the band. Sure, the appearance of the Psychedelic Fur’s guitarist, John Ashton, and their saxophone player, Mars Williams,
Review: Lost Sounds – Self-Titled
LOST SOUNDS LOST SOUNDS In the Red Records This album is exactly what electroclash should be defined as: edgy and recklessly punky with a dash of synthpop dropped in for good measure. Lost Sounds sounds like the new Le Tigre release after you’ve pulled out the slick production and replaced it with gargling guitars, smashing
Review: Kite Base – Latent Whispers
Kite Base = How to Destroy Angels + Peter Hook + Squarepusher … read more
Review: Jim Guthrie – Now, More Than Ever
JIM GUTHRIE NOW, MORE THAN EVER Three Gut Jim Guthrie spins out warm and wistful folk that has received so many fantastic reviews I can’t quite figure out why I’m not moved. Lyrically, it doesn’t strike me as anything close to a Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel or Joni Mitchell. Musically, it doesn’t impress me
