Reviews

All Them Witches | Dying Surfer Meets His Maker (New West)

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Written by Marc Farr Sunday, 17 January 2016 21:29

cd all-them-witchesWhile one can respect the DIY aspect of the album, sometimes it takes an outside ear to kill the monotony that encompasses the sound.

 

David Bowie | Blackstar (ISO)

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Written by Jim Ousley Sunday, 17 January 2016 21:20

cd bowie“Dollar Days” is the closest thing we’ll ever have to getting a warm embrace from the man who sold the world.

  

Poynte | Discreet Enemy (THC Recordings)

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Written by Marc Farr Sunday, 17 January 2016 21:10

cd poynteFrom the unmistakable riff of “Picture Frames” to “Hold On,” this album rages in all the right places.

 

The Gods Themselves | Pink Noise (s/r)

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Written by Marc Farr Tuesday, 24 November 2015 19:25

cd gods themselvesWith a decadent stir of the psychedelic soup, the members of the Gods Themselves have made a niche for themselves.

  

Saxon | Battering Ram (UDR Entertainment)

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Written by Marc Farr Friday, 13 November 2015 12:47

Saxon-Battering-RamGuitarists Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt trade riffs and solos with grace mixed with rage.

 

Julien Baker | Sprained Ankle (6131)

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Written by Willie Edward Smith Wednesday, 04 November 2015 16:25

cd julien-bakerBaker sings with the confidence of someone who understands the evocative power she possesses and wields masterfully.

  

The Neighbourhood | Wiped Out! (Columbia)

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Written by Willie Edward Smith Wednesday, 04 November 2015 16:22

cd neighbourhoodLead single “R.I.P. 2 My Youth” is a mid-tempo tour-de-force of melody and melancholy, capturing the band and this album in a nutshell.

 

Vanessa Carlton | Liberman (Dine Alone)

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Written by Ashley White Tuesday, 20 October 2015 18:16

cd vanessa-carltonI enjoy the keys and easy melodies, but would prefer to listen to them in yoga or piyo class than in my car.

  

Horrendous | Anareta (Dark Descent)

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Written by Marcus Mercer Tuesday, 20 October 2015 17:51

cd HorrendousMy love for this band grows ever so much deeper.

 

Annabelle’s Curse | Worn Out Skin (s/r)

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Written by Adam Robinson Thursday, 15 October 2015 19:02

cd annabelles-curseAnnabelle’s Curse sets out to stir some kind of emotion inside of you, take you down a trip with them and leave you craving more.

  

New Order | Music Complete (Mute)

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Written by Marc Farr Sunday, 04 October 2015 17:39

musiccomplete sqThe songs blend quite well into each other, creating a danceable, yet methodical track progression.

 

Slayer | Repentless (Nuclear Blast)

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Written by Marc Farr Sunday, 04 October 2015 17:35

slayer-repentless-album-cover-artWhile different metal trends have come and gone, Slayer stays, well, Slayer.

  

Ursa Major | L’appel Du Vide (n/s)

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Written by Livie Hall Tuesday, 22 September 2015 19:54

Ursa 75Ursa Major is a group to keep an eye on, without a doubt.

 

Hamsas XIII | Encompass (s/r)

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Written by Matt Gleason Friday, 18 September 2015 12:57

cd hamsas-xiiiThe album gives you a sense of going on a mind-altering and awakening journey through lyrical mysticism and tantalizing instrumentation.

  

Kurt Vile | b’lieve i’m goin down… (Matador)

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Written by Michael Koehler Wednesday, 09 September 2015 22:32

BlieveimgoindownOverall, this is a focused but chilled out album that grows with each listen.

 

Ghost | Meliora (Loma Vista)

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Written by Marc Farr Tuesday, 08 September 2015 20:28

cd ghostWhether their image is real or simply a gimmick matters not.

  

Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats | s/t (Stax)

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Written by Brian Kenney Sunday, 30 August 2015 14:28

Rateliff sqThis disc bellies up to the bar, hits the bottle hard and never lets up until long after last call.

 

Allen Stone | Radius (Capitol)

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Written by Laura Hamlett Friday, 28 August 2015 17:39

cd allen stoneNo disrespect to the legend, but Stone’s songs could stand alongside some of Stevie Wonder’s best.

  

ZZ Ward | Love and War (Hollywood)

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Written by Ashley White Friday, 28 August 2015 14:13

cd zz-wardTwo inferences can be made here: She has to work so hard either because she has yet to marry, or because she didn’t marry well—you be the judge.

 

Caustic Casanova | Breaks (Retro Futurist)

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Written by Marcus Mercer Friday, 21 August 2015 20:51

causticcasanova breaks_75It’s amazing to hear a band that can manage to pack all of these different influences within just a single album, and in an original manner.

  

The Bird and the Bee | Recreational Love (Rostrum)

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Written by Jim Ousley Tuesday, 11 August 2015 22:40

bird-and-bee 75It’s the songwriting and execution of the material here that makes it a sweet set of summertime jams.

 

Simon and Garfunkel | The Complete Columbia Albums Collection (Sony BMG Legacy)

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Written by Marc Farr Sunday, 09 August 2015 12:41

Simon-and-Garfunkel 75Beautifully packaged with a chimerical sound, fans will feast on this set.

  

Myrkur | M (Relapse)

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Written by Marcus Mercer Sunday, 09 August 2015 12:04

myrkur 75M has the classic formula and understands its roots, but builds off that in an original and awe-inspiring way.

 

Man Overboard | Heavy Love (Rise)

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Written by Emily Van de Riet Tuesday, 04 August 2015 09:40

Man-Overboard-heavy-Love 75Every song on the album is well-written, and really gives the notion that the band members write from the heart.

  

Teen Daze | Morning World (Paper Bag)

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Written by Emily Van de Riet Wednesday, 22 July 2015 21:23

teendaze 75There is just something that’s missing from the music. I’m left wanting more passion.

 

Set It Off | Duality: Stories Unplugged (Equal Vision)

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Written by Emily Van de Riet Tuesday, 21 July 2015 19:48

SET-IT-OFF 75It’s obvious that the band members put as much passion into their acoustic songs as their traditional songs.

  

Ancient Warfare | The Pale Horse (Alias)

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Written by Marc Farr Saturday, 18 July 2015 23:44

ancient-warfare 75The album is a highly-charged collection of dark tracks, full of sincerity and raw feelings.

 

311 | 25th Anniversary ARCHIVE Box Set (Legacy)

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Written by Adam Robinson Friday, 17 July 2015 22:40

311 75This is a definitive box set and a must-have item for any 311 fan.

  

Beautiful Bodies | Battles (Epitaph)

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Written by Emily Van de Riet Sunday, 12 July 2015 22:04

Beautiful-Bodies 75The band has said its music comes down to one thing: energy.

 

Miguel | Wildheart (Bystorm Entertainment/RCA)

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Written by Ashley White Friday, 10 July 2015 13:27

miguel 75They say third times a charm, and well, that seems to hold true for Miguel.

  

Hilary Duff | Breathe in. Breathe out. (RCA)

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Written by Samantha LaBat Sunday, 21 June 2015 16:59

cd Hillary-DuffThis has been a long time coming; she’s obviously worked very hard on it for years.

 

Adam Lambert | The Original High (Warner Bros.)

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Written by Laura Hamlett Sunday, 21 June 2015 16:52

cd Adam-LambertIt’s official: Adam is back.

  

Reina del Cid | The Cooling (s/r)

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Written by Marc Farr Thursday, 11 June 2015 09:06

Reina-del-Cid 75The album starts off warm and never really cools down.

 

Billy Joel | Streetlife Serenade (Columbia/Audio Fidelity)

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Written by Marc Farr Friday, 05 June 2015 17:19

cd billy-joelWith radio hits not far off, this album provided a good basis for his burgeoning career.

  

Golden Eels | Periscopes in the Air (s/r)

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Written by Marc Farr Friday, 05 June 2015 17:18

cd golden-eelsSome tracks wail in desperation, while others satisfy the more mundane expressions of joy, love, and despair.

 

Girlschool | London 1980 (Cleopatra)

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Written by Marc Farr Friday, 29 May 2015 17:24

cd girlschoolLondon 1980 reminds us where the new wave of British heavy metal began—and it began with bands like Girlschool.

  

Jethro Tull | Minstrel in the Gallery (Chrysalis/Parlophone)

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Written by Marc Farr Wednesday, 27 May 2015 10:15

cd jethro-tullEncompassing four discs and an 80-page booklet sealed in book form, this is a magnificent set.

 

Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard | Django and Jimmie (Legacy)

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Written by Jim Ousley Friday, 22 May 2015 13:41

cd nelson-haggardThe road-worn cowboys refuse to give up that mischievous glint in their eye that lights the way to the next good time.

  

Jamie Foxx | Hollywood: Story of a Dozen Roses (RCA)

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Written by Samantha LaBat Wednesday, 20 May 2015 13:29

cd jamie-foxxThe entire album is flowing with emotion.

 

Van Halen | Tokyo Dome: Live in Tokyo (Warner Bros.)

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Written by Marc Farr Friday, 15 May 2015 14:32

cd van-halen_copyEddie & Co. sound as fresh as they did in their heyday.

  

V/A | Keep Calm and Salute the Beatles (Cleopatra)

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Written by Marc Farr Monday, 11 May 2015 19:16

keepcalm sqWithout the four mop tops from Liverpool, where would we be?

 

Martin Gore | MG (Mute)

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Written by Marc Farr Monday, 11 May 2015 19:11

MG sqThis album lacks style and form, two things Gore is usually quite good at.

  

The Best of The Guess Who (Audio Fidelity)

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Written by Marc Farr Thursday, 07 May 2015 16:42

The-Best-of-the-Guess-Who 75This is a fantastic release by a well-loved band.

 

Big Sean | Dark Sky Paradise (G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam Recordings)

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Written by Ashley White Tuesday, 28 April 2015 15:29

Big-Sean 75From top to bottom, this album is a solid body of work lyrically and emotionally.




  

Sufjan Stevens | Carrie & Lowell (Asthmatic Kitty)

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Written by Willie Edward Smith Monday, 27 April 2015 19:30

cd sufjan-carrieThe otherworldly ambiance that envelops these spare and direct melodies, beautiful ballads of soft spoken truths, is hypnotic and striking.

 

Sabrina Carpenter | Eyes Wide Open (Hollywood)

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Written by Samantha LaBat Monday, 27 April 2015 00:24

SC EyesWideOpen_75This album does not force Carpenter to be something she isn’t—she sings about the kind of love she and fans in her age group are likely to experience.

  

The Charlatans UK | Modern Nature (BMG)

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Written by Michael Koehler Monday, 27 April 2015 00:01

The-Charlatans 75This really doesn’t have the feel of a 12th album; rather, it is more like a debut in its assuredness.



 

The Magnificent Moodies Box Set | The Moody Blues (Esoteric Recordings)

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Written by Marc Farr Sunday, 26 April 2015 19:20

The-Magnificent-Moodies 75With all the unreleased material, as well as the original album, a collector couldn't ask for more.




  

Sun Soul Orchestra | What Matters Most (s/r)

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Written by Marc Farr Friday, 24 April 2015 23:23

Sun-Soul-Orchestra 75

Sun Soul Orchestra just might find its way onto a jazz station turntable and, if so, big things could happen.


 

Death Grips | The Powers That B (Harvest)

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Written by Marcus Mercer Friday, 24 April 2015 15:10

cd death-gripsEach track delves into different topics like race, sex, and drugs, but twists them in such a cynical and demented way.

  

Smallpools | Lovetap! (RCA)

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Written by Laura Hamlett Sunday, 19 April 2015 15:48

cd smallpoolsIf someone catches you dancing alone, just tell them you’ve got Smallpools playing on your headphones; they’ll understand.

 

Beth Hart | Better than Home (ProVogue)

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Written by Marc Farr Saturday, 18 April 2015 14:11

cd beth-hartAs if her vocal talents were not enough to blow you away, Hart penned every song on the album, showcasing herself as a master songcrafter.

  

Pretty Boy Floyd | KISS of Death: A Tribute to KISS (Cleopatra)

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Written by Marc Farr Saturday, 18 April 2015 14:08

cd pretty-boy-floydCalling all KISS fans: Get ready to rock and roll all night and party every day.

 

Courtney Barnett | Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit (Mom + Pop Music)

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Written by Jim Dunn Saturday, 18 April 2015 14:04

cd Courtney-BarnettBarnett is a great storyteller; sometimes her stories are just stories, while at other times she wears her heart on her sleeve.

  

Sam Prekop | The Republic (Thrill Jockey)

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Written by Samantha LaBat Sunday, 12 April 2015 15:20

The collection of songs is entirely composed and performed on the modular synthesizer.

 

Sofia Talvik | Big Sky Country (Caroline/Universal)

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Written by Samantha LaBat Sunday, 12 April 2015 15:18

While Talvik’s voice doesn’t really stand out from the crowd, it is not unpleasant to listen to

  

MALKY | Diamonds EP (Eighty Days)

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Written by Samantha LaBat Sunday, 12 April 2015 15:12

The music is so tranquil—it is perfect for background music when you need to relax or to help you fall asleep.

 

Birds of Night | s/t (s/r)

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Written by Marc J. Farr Thursday, 09 April 2015 21:12

birds night_75

Reminiscent of early Black Sabbath, the heavy rock influence is certainly not lost here, yet the material is more esoteric than most rock.

 

  

Tenement | Bruised Music Vol. One (Burger)

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Written by Vella Mour Monday, 30 March 2015 20:10

This album truly captures the essence of what it meant to be a punk band in the millennium.

 

RA | Scandinavia (Double Sun)

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Written by Vella Mour Monday, 30 March 2015 11:08

RA 75Scandinavia is something to be taken in, with the gloomy and paranoid tones surrounding the listener, giving away to spellbinding vocals and guitar.

  

The Dreaming | Rise Again (Metropolis)

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Written by Marc Farr Wednesday, 25 March 2015 20:29

rise again_75Purposeful and timely, this album is proof that great hard rock still lives and thrives in the ears of its fans and in the creative core of The Dreaming.



 

Roundeye | s/t (Independent)

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Written by Marc Farr Tuesday, 24 March 2015 10:45

Roundeye 75The album spans 17 tracks, which result in a cacophony of buzzed-sounding noise accompanied by incomprehensible lyrics.

  

Lunden Reign | American Stranger (Cleopatra)

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Written by Marc Farr Friday, 13 March 2015 16:50

american stranger_75Not overly done, the material is cohesive and approachable, which is not always so with concept albums.

 

Andy Jackson | Signal to Noise (Esoteric Antenna)

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Written by Marc Farr Friday, 13 March 2015 16:47

signal noise_75Bombastic and powerful, Andy Jackson shines here not only as producer, but as a performer, as well.

  

V/A | Stoned: A Psych Tribute to the Rolling Stones (Cleopatra)

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Written by Marc Farr Friday, 13 March 2015 16:43

stoned 75Whether or not you are into electronic power punk and gothic music, this album takes you away on a wave of psychedelic joy.

 

Kuzin | Cavity (Kill Canyon)

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Written by Marc Farr Friday, 13 March 2015 16:41

cavity 75

The songs are well-crafted, but the album seems to lack the punch it seems it could have delivered.

  

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