Reviews

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Written by Jim Ousley Friday, 01 March 2013 15:53

From the first bar of the opening title track, you’re in the park early in the summer, daydreaming with your lover and looking for shapes in the clouds.

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Written by David Von Nordheim Sunday, 17 February 2013 20:56

Each track careens into the next with breakneck abandon, giving listeners precious little time to steel themselves for the next sonic thrashing.

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Written by Ashley White Monday, 11 February 2013 20:32

Listening to each of the 22 songs, I understand what makes music so indicative of how we are all connected and just why each of these artists should be recognized for their achievements.

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Written by Jim Ousley Tuesday, 05 February 2013 21:54

Helloween makes no secret of its love for keyboards to add mood and subtext, and they’re put to effective use.

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Written by Ashley White Tuesday, 05 February 2013 21:49

It’s easy to see that Midian appreciates the craft of being an artist and knows the sound she wants for herself.

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Written by janet m Sunday, 03 February 2013 22:38

There’s an air of serenity that surrounds the entire album.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Thursday, 31 January 2013 18:20

I’m incredibly happy—for you and me both—that you’re making music again, and that Blueblack Hussar is as good as it is.

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Written by Brian Cheli Saturday, 26 January 2013 12:42

When the light turns green, you don’t blast down the road, because you’re just chill as shit right now.

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Written by Jim Ryan Tuesday, 22 January 2013 00:00

I can only hope that my wake will be this festive.

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Written by David Von Nordheim Sunday, 20 January 2013 15:25

Somewhere Else is simply a serviceable patch of electronic wallpaper, lacking anything original or interesting in its production, compositions, or subject matter.

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Written by Sarah Boslaugh Thursday, 17 January 2013 21:55

If you’re a Patti LuPone fan, or if you just appreciate great singing, you need this album.

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Written by Mike Koehler Thursday, 17 January 2013 21:13

This is an album about fun, summer, good times with your friends, and girls.

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Written by Mandy Jordan Tuesday, 15 January 2013 22:11

Like any respectable music nerd, I bought his debut full-length album at the merch table after the show and played it on repeat for the better part of three weeks.

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Written by Sarah Boslaugh Sunday, 13 January 2013 21:16

The highest praise I can offer for this album is this: It does justice to its cause.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Thursday, 10 January 2013 14:28

Listening to the record makes me think of the ’70s, of the singers who had decent voices but managed to get more attention because of how they used them.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Thursday, 10 January 2013 14:25

The Dutch group manages to keep an American appeal over time and deserves more than a quick glance or overlook

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Written by David Von Nordheim Thursday, 10 January 2013 14:22

With Fade, Yo La Tengo’s vision only grows brighter

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Written by Sarah Boslaugh Monday, 17 December 2012 14:44

If you’re a fan of the Rat Pack vocalists and the period and don’t already have a Christmas album by them, this one is a fine choice.

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Written by Jim Ousley Friday, 07 December 2012 14:42

The crown jewel in this collection is the disc-two track "I Wonder Why," a duet with the late, great Kenny Rankin.

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Written by Jason Green Friday, 30 November 2012 09:36

Does all of this experimentation sound off-putting? You’d think so, wouldn’t you? And yet, oddly, it isn’t.

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Written by Jason Neubauer Monday, 26 November 2012 09:28

Perhaps his self-proclaimed apathy these days is what allows his humor to be so honest.

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Written by Jim Campbell Monday, 26 November 2012 08:46

They say you never forget your first. Kelly Clarkson was the first person to win American Idol way back in 2002, and is still as fresh and relevant as she was then.

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Written by Brian Cheli Tuesday, 20 November 2012 21:34

This St. Louis trio come together and work as one sporadic, yet deceivingly well-oiled machine.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Thursday, 15 November 2012 20:49

Gary McFarlane's voice is yearning, understated, and wholly captivating, the music continually making sharp jabs and jags.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Sunday, 11 November 2012 21:09

The album might not be anything particularly new or overly creative, but it is a really solid example of what indie rock is and should be.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Wednesday, 07 November 2012 13:28

Despite its brevity, the EP delivers a walloping reminder of why this band deserves to be at the top of playlists everywhere.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Friday, 02 November 2012 19:57

It’s everything you want it to be: beautiful, upbeat, reflective, and rollicking—but in an indie rock sort of way.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Friday, 02 November 2012 19:50

It is here where Stefan Olsdal really shines, reminding us why he deserves a place among guitar’s elite.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Wednesday, 31 October 2012 10:44

The EP is full of heavy bass lines and meaningless, overwhelming vocals that never seem to fit.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Wednesday, 31 October 2012 10:38

This record was made for fans, not for anyone else.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Wednesday, 31 October 2012 10:35

On the first listen, I knew this was the album I have been waiting for all year.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Wednesday, 31 October 2012 10:30

Steve Ellison has been making music for years, so there is no surprise that he has perfected the art.

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Written by Brian Cheli Saturday, 27 October 2012 22:43

I get the feeling that they were angry when they wrote and pretty much busted it out in one recording.

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Written by Sarah Boslaugh Thursday, 18 October 2012 15:49

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Bond film franchise, EMI is releasing a 50-track collection that includes the theme songs from all 22 Bond themes, plus the Bond theme and incidental music songs heard in many of the films.

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Written by Ashley White Friday, 12 October 2012 20:10

Pink really chronicles her marriage with every tune: the cloud nine feeling, the heartbreak, and the forgiveness.

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Written by Brian Cheli Friday, 12 October 2012 15:39

As we all know, Bellamy’s goal in life is to become Freddie Mercury.

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Written by Kristyn Potter Wednesday, 03 October 2012 19:06

The lyrics are something Santigold could’ve written herself, with a playground-pop feel.

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Written by Justin Thompson Wednesday, 03 October 2012 08:41

The greatness of music comes from the quality of songwriting and how it affects you.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Friday, 28 September 2012 07:59

It seems like the perfect song for the drive home after a long night out—or, better yet, the walk home.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Friday, 28 September 2012 07:57

It has the right amount of everything, and not too much of anything.

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Written by Mike Rengel Sunday, 23 September 2012 20:30

The album conveys an air of grace and honesty that can catch you completely off guard.

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Written by Mike Koehler Thursday, 20 September 2012 20:47

His songs are really good to sit and relax to while enjoying generous amounts of bourbon.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Monday, 17 September 2012 22:00

Generationals manipulate traditionally mundane pop sounds with that of apathetic vocals and gritty guitars.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Monday, 17 September 2012 21:19

I really wanted to love this record, but I don’t. I don’t think a lot of people will love it, either.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Tuesday, 11 September 2012 07:25

You are led, from place to place, with no real sense of consciousness, while vocals suggest dreaming and field recordings; it is really almost like a dream.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Tuesday, 11 September 2012 07:19

Let me start by saying Nocturne is not a terrible record, but it is not a great record.

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Written by Ashley White Wednesday, 05 September 2012 20:37

She takes you to the drawing canvas, paints out every single detail about the relationship; if you haven’t experienced it, you feel like you have, but in an energetic, feel-good way.

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Written by Sarah Boslaugh Friday, 31 August 2012 14:30

I love the African sounds, but Simon’s voice and lyrics seem tacked on, with him taking a free ride on the talent of more talented musicians.

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Written by Jenn Metzler Friday, 31 August 2012 12:16

The quintet has an impeccable way of mixing dark and light sounds and subject matter.

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Written by Mike Rengel Monday, 13 August 2012 17:45

Mair’s self-titled debut LP is occasionally giggle-inducingly naive, but that’s part of its charm.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Monday, 13 August 2012 17:42

The album deserves appreciation and reflection rather than merely being taken at face value.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Monday, 13 August 2012 17:29

The reissue makes me wish we still had music like this on Top 40 radio.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Monday, 13 August 2012 17:26

Antony Hegarty is an artist, in the entire sense of the word.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Monday, 13 August 2012 17:24

When I do have kids one day, I don’t want them listening to some modern Barney singing about wanting ice cream and how we can all be friends if we just get along.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Monday, 13 August 2012 17:21

The problem isn’t that this isn’t a good album; it is, but it lacks something.

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Written by Ashley White Monday, 30 July 2012 21:25

Do yourself a favor and get the deluxe version.

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Written by Mary Beth Hascall Monday, 23 July 2012 16:09

Hidden Lakes have put together an unusual mixture of sounds and melodies with a lot of guts and heart.

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Written by Sarah Boslaugh Monday, 09 July 2012 22:02

There are hits and there are misses on this album.

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Written by Ashley White Monday, 09 July 2012 21:33

Instead of channeling that damning time into a work of art, he’s using it to self-destruct.

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Written by Sarah Boslaugh Thursday, 05 July 2012 16:58

All the tracks have been released before, so this is basically a greatest-hits album with an unusual selection process.

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Written by Jason Green Friday, 22 June 2012 15:22

It’s an idea that sounds almost fatally pretentious on its face, but the resulting album thankfully offers up tales of Greek gods and goddesses as subtle flavoring to spice up her trademark folk-pop rather than as the main course.

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Written by Mike Rengel Monday, 04 June 2012 21:22

While a lot of these songs do sound like they could soundtrack ads for Cosentino’s newfound alliance with Urban Outfitters (and the record does sound fashionable), it’s certainly not product.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Thursday, 31 May 2012 17:59

This goes far, far beyond guilty pleasure.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Thursday, 31 May 2012 17:55

The eight-minute-long “The Banality of Evil” is a pristine example of David Sylvian’s laudable vocal and songwriting capabilities.

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Written by Jason Green Tuesday, 29 May 2012 15:54

Where Go Fly a Kite excels is in its craft: the way verses and choruses brush up against each other in just the right way, the way not a single note feels wasted or out of place, the way Kweller can repeat a refrain just often enough to drill it into your subconscious without tipping over into obnoxiousness.

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Written by Ashley White Tuesday, 01 May 2012 21:24

Each of us is entitled to that one person who is willing to let us explore the world and find ourselves.