Reviews: Lovers – A Friend in the World

Reviews: Lovers – A Friend in the World
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It’s been a while since I’ve heard an album with this kind of superior lyrical quality. Backed by electro-pop instrumentation while fusing themes of love, intimacy and a dash of feminism, A Friend in the World is truly a rare find.  … read more

Reviews: TaughtMe – Am I Old?

Reviews: TaughtMe – Am I Old?
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Am I Old? is pretty straightforward in its title, as it concentrates on the dejected feelings of looking back on your life as you grow old, only to add to the helplessness of bringing back the past as you age.  … read more

Review: VIZA – Made in Chernobyl

Review: VIZA – Made in Chernobyl
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I bought the album Made in Chernobyl from VIZA when they were opening up for Gogol Bordello last August, and I fell absolutely in love with it.  … read more

Review: Willis Earl Beal – Nobody Knows

Review: Willis Earl Beal – Nobody Knows
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With his sophomore album, Willis Earl Beal has shown that he can deliver powerful hits without sacrificing the raw honesty that was delivered through CD-Rs scattered throughout Albuquerque before he got a record deal. … read more

 
 
Review: Trash Monsters – There’s a Rat in the Tunnel of Love

Review: Trash Monsters – There’s a Rat in the Tunnel...
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Punk rock is best served when it’s not trying to be punk, but when its simply trying to be load, fast, obnoxious rock n’ roll. That’s what Trash Monsters do so well.  … read more

Review: The Legendary Pink Dots – The Gethsemane Option

Review: The Legendary Pink Dots – The Gethsemane Option
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Legendary, indeed. The CD is comprised of seven experimental tracks of dreamy and hypnotic textures (which may signify mystical intent, or may just be what they had—it’s hard to know with this band). … read more

Review: The Mynabirds – Generals: Remixed

Review: The Mynabirds – Generals: Remixed
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With its many great hooks and swagger, Laura Burhenn’s sophomore album under her Mynabirds moniker was a prime candidate for remixing, and the six choices here (expanded digitally from four available on vinyl) are well served.  … read more

Review: The Civil Wars – Self-Titled

Review: The Civil Wars – Self-Titled
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The Civil Wars have been the breath of fresh air country music dreadfully needed … read more

Review: The Darcys – Warring

Review: The Darcys – Warring
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Employing a tame and swanky alternative sound, Canadian rockers The Darcys are modernizing—and, in my opinion, bettering—a sound that began in the ’80s. … read more

Review: Sleepmakeswaves – …and so we destroyed everything

Review: Sleepmakeswaves – …and so we destroyed everything
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Sydney Australia’s Sleepmakeswaves have the ability to move from the sublime to sublimely heavy in a half-breath’s time.  … read more