Reviews

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Written by Tyson Blanquart Wednesday, 11 October 2006 02:55

It may be a challenging listen, and—as the first Decemberists album on Capitol Records—rather ambitious in this day of downloaded singles from iTunes.

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Written by Jason Green Tuesday, 10 October 2006 07:30

Bodisartha take the loud-soft transition that Cobain stole from Black Francis to the extreme.

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Written by Kevin Renick Tuesday, 26 September 2006 11:41

He follows with a classic rock 'n' roll scream, a killer moment in a classic song.

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Written by Kiernan Scrima Tuesday, 12 September 2006 08:05

Like Tony Sinclair urges, always in moderation.

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Written by Kiernan Scrima Tuesday, 12 September 2006 08:01

Each song here is different, but not wildly different from the next, which aids the flow of the album.

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Written by Katie Bordner Thursday, 07 September 2006 04:00

Watch out Hot Topic: You'll have a new band's T-shirt to sell soon.

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Written by Kate Estwing Thursday, 07 September 2006 03:57

There are plenty of rides at this carnival, one for everyone.

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Written by Chris Schott Thursday, 07 September 2006 03:54

The album almost sounds like a live show, crushing through the speakers with relentless energy, yet mixed just right to weed out the imperfections.

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Written by Katie Bordner Thursday, 07 September 2006 03:51

Good music is good music, despite its pathetic lyrical abilities.

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Written by Jeremy Goldmeier Thursday, 07 September 2006 03:48

Chalk this release up under "pleasant surprises": an album of high-wire drama kept balanced by sound pop dynamics and glossed over with a new-wave sheen.

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Written by Byron Kerman Thursday, 07 September 2006 03:44

You don't have to be a metal nerd to enjoy this stuff.

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Written by Mike Tangaro Thursday, 07 September 2006 03:38

Hello, Dear Wind is brimming full of beautiful folk-pop melodies and sweet harmonies, but most importantly, Page France packed their debut full of buoyancy and light to guide us through dark times.

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Written by James McAnally Thursday, 07 September 2006 03:34

He has become one of those unassailable indie stalwarts, inescapably tied to his acclaim. But, like all great artists, Molina falters only in comparison with himself.

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Written by James McAnally Thursday, 07 September 2006 03:28

This three-piece has one too many members to be a gimmick, too few eccentricities to attract attention, but enough straightforward talent for crafted dynamics to ensure their own devotion.

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Written by Jason Green Thursday, 07 September 2006 03:14

Boys Like Girls | Boys Like Girls (Red Ink/Columbia)

Inkwell | These Stars Are Monsters (One Eleven Records)

So which is better, a by-the-numbers bit of the same-old-same-old that hits all the right notes, or an album that aspires to be much more and occasionally misses the mark? That, I'm afraid, is up to you.

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Written by Sam Levy Wednesday, 06 September 2006 16:05

As they always seem to do, the Numero Group has taken to their shovels again, archeologists in pursuit of praise over a wah-wah pedal.

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Written by David Lichius Wednesday, 06 September 2006 16:01

In a complete change of tone, mood, and spirit from One's lengthy and rather melancholy tunes, All Roads Leads to Ausfahrt, finds Nomeansno in what might be their most chipper mood ever.

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Written by Jason Green Wednesday, 06 September 2006 15:58

It's clear that Johansen and Sylvain are having a blast getting in touch with their rock 'n' roll roots, and any listeners willing to open their ears and minds will likely do the same.

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Written by Jason Green Wednesday, 06 September 2006 15:53

A boundless batch of pure rock 'n' roll energy, Take It Slow is the album you always knew Mondo Topless had in them.

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Written by Kevin Renick Wednesday, 06 September 2006 15:50

They might label this stuff "cosmic dream pop," "fairyland neo-prog," or whatever, but to me it's a great reminder of what I grew up loving about ambitious rock music.

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Written by David Lichius Wednesday, 06 September 2006 15:46

While the devil isn't at work during (A) Senile Animal, it certainly leaves one feeling sinister.

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Written by Kate Estwing Wednesday, 06 September 2006 15:41

With crunchy, poppy guitars and vocals mostly in a lower, gravely range, it could easily entice you to stick a hand out of the car window while driving on the highway...

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Written by Janelle Greenwood Wednesday, 06 September 2006 15:38

The whole gamut of emotions is available here, though it often sounds more watered down than they intended.

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Written by David Lichius Wednesday, 06 September 2006 15:33

It has the fanatic, music geek stamp of approval.

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Written by Kevin Renick Wednesday, 06 September 2006 15:30

You get a timeless travelogue, a spine-tingling serenade filled with both wistful nostalgia and warm contemplation of life's unfolding journey.

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Written by Kate Estwing Wednesday, 06 September 2006 15:26

Skiba's clean, low vocal range is a welcome relief from hearing falsetto-minded boys trying to brood to the same style of music.

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Written by Jason Green Wednesday, 06 September 2006 15:20

Some of the songs may fail to leave much of a lasting impression, but fans of the Jayhawks, Soul Asylum, Wilco, and Big Star will find much here to like.

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Written by Bryan A. Hollerbach Wednesday, 06 September 2006 15:12

A work betwixt and between, it disdains the multiple-single approach of most releases without quite cohering into an indisputable whole.

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Written by Jason Green Wednesday, 06 September 2006 15:04

When the duo is on fire, as they are on the blazing title track, the results are simply stunning.

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Written by Bryan A. Hollerbach Wednesday, 06 September 2006 14:52

Someone should pistol-whip Bobby Bare Jr. because he has decided to start coasting.

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Written by Bob McMahon Wednesday, 06 September 2006 14:44

The Brooklyn trio has developed its... quaint My Bloody Valentine impersonation into a fully formed psych-rock beast, equally capable of soothing with gentle melodies as it is of slaughtering with a menacing attack.

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Written by Pete Timmermann Wednesday, 06 September 2006 12:43

The best albums are always the ones that have to earn your liking them, and not the ones you like immediately.

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Written by Jason Green Monday, 28 August 2006 03:36

Fronted by former L7 bassist and riot grrl extraordinaire Jennifer Precious Finch, the L.A.-based quintet deliciously blends brain-invading pop hooks with lightning-fast monster riffage, giving one a hint at what the Donnas might have sounded like had they worshipped at the altar of X and Motörhead instead of the Ramones and Mötley Crüe.

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Written by Kate Estwing Monday, 28 August 2006 03:31

A full album will tell if the Late Cord can rise above comparisons to bands that have already been there and done that.

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Written by David Lichius Monday, 28 August 2006 02:57

With Cursive being the rare exception, Saddle Creek isn't exactly the first label you'd think of when it comes to rock.

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Written by Aaron Richter Monday, 28 August 2006 01:43

The key, apparently, is to write songs that trounce decades, centuries even, with a narrative eye that reaches as far back as the Civil War and withheld funds for World War I veterans.

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Written by Jim Campbell Monday, 28 August 2006 01:32

"Best of" compilations must be the format-du-jour as Legacy has recently unleashed a plethora of '80s retrospectives covering everything from pop to rock to rap.

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Monday, 14 August 2006 06:08

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Monday, 14 August 2006 06:06

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Monday, 14 August 2006 05:31

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Monday, 14 August 2006 05:15

Displaying an affinity for skronking saxophones and influences as disparate as Ted Leo and Dr. John, the Zutons, unlike many of their British counterparts in uber-publicity, actually have a distinctive sound.

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Monday, 14 August 2006 05:08

White Whale’s strength lies in its ability to craft haunting and powerful rock music.

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Monday, 14 August 2006 05:01

Somewhere in the midst of the vacillation between the present and past, the songs become timeless.

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Monday, 14 August 2006 04:40

As evident from their attire—all decked out in white shirts, each with a different color tie—the boys from Tally Hall do not take themselves too seriously.

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Monday, 14 August 2006 04:26

Papineau’s storm is sporadic, with extremes that border the passive, returning to melodic drones and harmonies that echo throughout the entire album.

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Monday, 14 August 2006 04:18

Over the course of the album, a single monolithic pattern develops. The lyrics are printed as an uninterrupted paragraph. Songs stumble into one another. Riffs stretch languidly out over vast stretches.

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Monday, 14 August 2006 04:03

The group’s songs are simple in concept and tepid in execution, and don’t seem to have required six minds to conceive.

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Monday, 14 August 2006 03:58

Worden sounds every bit the driven artist here, and she grabs hold of you with a PJ Harvey–like sense of musical aplomb.

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Monday, 14 August 2006 03:50

Impressionable teens and disgruntled middle-aged persons alike will relate to the button-pushing antics Miranda Sound has offered.

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Monday, 14 August 2006 03:48

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Monday, 14 August 2006 03:41

This one sparkles like champagne, folks.

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Monday, 14 August 2006 03:34

For Junior Boys, bass is more than a rhythmic tool; it dictates texture, mood, and, as expected, sexuality and reaches beyond the point of pushing air or facilitating movement to a peak of mind-enhancing ecstasy.

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Monday, 14 August 2006 03:24

It takes a second to put it all together, but as Jay-Dee treats us to soulful beats that say love without words, he is feeding us haunting clips that travel to our ears but somehow never are able to overtake the soul.

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Monday, 14 August 2006 03:10

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Monday, 14 August 2006 03:04

It feels as if these songs have always existed and it just took these five people making music at this time to capture this collection of harmonies and melodies and occasional dissonance.

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Monday, 14 August 2006 02:58

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Written by Katie Bordner Monday, 07 August 2006 02:16

It's light and fluffy, like a desert that doesn't come in a wrapper.

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Written by Katie Bordner Monday, 07 August 2006 02:13

Part Shirley Manson, part Courtney Love, with hints of Karen O and PJ Harvey, Round comes into a world dominated by men.

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Written by Derek Lauer Monday, 07 August 2006 02:10

When you need to hear some reggae, it has to be just right...and Elan does it right.

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Written by Jason Green Monday, 07 August 2006 02:05

The artist and song selection on these VH1 We Are the 80's compilations should be a no-brainer: pick a random one-hit wonder, put all their singles on one CD, then pack the rest of the disc with filler.

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Written by Michelle Blumsack Monday, 07 August 2006 01:52

One thing you'll be sure to notice is the complexity of Wydown's chord progressions.

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Tuesday, 01 August 2006 05:24

Spider One's vocals seem to have matured and deepened, showcasing his musical growth.

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Written by Michelle Blumsack Tuesday, 01 August 2006 05:19

"It's like Dante and subways and words left in the air/you've got to go underground if you want to get anywhere."

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Written by Bryan A. Hollerbach Tuesday, 01 August 2006 04:58

Legends should gladden country connoisseurs with its extraordinary breadth. Over four discs and 105 tracks, the compilation traces Wills' professional career from 1932, to his final recording in Dallas on December 3, 1973.

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Written by Mary Beth Hascall Tuesday, 01 August 2006 04:56

The overall vibe for this record is energetic with driving guitars and drum hits.

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Written by Bob McMahon Tuesday, 01 August 2006 04:54

The nimble MC also effectively satirizes the fast food industry in "The Fries," observing, "People ain't even survive through the drive through."