Reviews

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Written by Courtney Rau


 Friday, 19 February 2010 19:34

Tension of the opposites is the key descriptive phrase here.

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Written by Corey Woodruff Friday, 12 February 2010 12:20

This record never stays in one place for long—much like the band itself.

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Written by Sarah Boslaugh Wednesday, 20 January 2010 00:00

Human Nature performed at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and have several multi-platinum albums to their credit.

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Written by Jason Green Wednesday, 13 January 2010 00:00

Sorry, haters, but if the biggest indie band in the class of '08 is going to fail, it's not on Contra.

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Written by Kurt Klopmeier Wednesday, 23 December 2009 00:00

Little Tybee plays mostly acoustic Americana with bass, violin and piano.

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Written by Sarah Boslaugh Wednesday, 16 December 2009 00:00

Classic Yiddish 78s from the Mayrent Collection (Living Traditions/JSP)

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Written by Sarah Boslaugh Wednesday, 16 December 2009 00:00

So few American singers are more deserving of a retrospective collection.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Sunday, 13 December 2009 00:00

Brookville sounds like a sensitive singer-songwriter who's got great command of his craft.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Sunday, 13 December 2009 00:00

With addictive guitar lines and delicious male/female vocals, Diet Kong's "Stocking Stuffers" is one you won't soon get out of your head.

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Written by Mike Rengel Wednesday, 09 December 2009 00:00

It's gray and regretful, but also fortifying and optimistic.

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Written by Kurt Klopmeier Wednesday, 09 December 2009 00:00

The Heavy's second album presents an updated version of the funk and blues that imprints like Motown and Stax pumped out throughout the '60s and '70s, only with bigger amps.

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Written by Kurt Klopmeier Wednesday, 09 December 2009 00:00

The band is at its best when it slows down, mutes the drums and turns out some sexy, smooth and seductive bossa nova/soul that wouldn't be out of place next to Al Green or Curtis Mayfield.

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Written by Jason Green Tuesday, 08 December 2009 00:00

But what’s missing isn’t the heavy metal fury: it’s the funny.

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Written by Jason Green Monday, 07 December 2009 00:00

Ten years is a long time to wait for an album. But despite its long gestation period, Hot Wax is not Chinese Democracy­—while not exactly tossed-off, it's definitely not an overwrought, over-thought mess.

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Written by Pete Timmermann Friday, 04 December 2009 00:00

What Will We Be plays like a watered-down version of Banhart's prior work.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Tuesday, 01 December 2009 00:00

It's dance-y, it's fun, it's retro and current and maybe a little boy band-ish.

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Written by Jim Ousley Wednesday, 25 November 2009 00:00

Strong enough to make both fans and detractors want to rock and roll over, the Paul Stanley-produced disc is just what the doctor ordered.

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Written by Kurt Klopmeier Thursday, 19 November 2009 07:54

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Written by Laura Hamlett Saturday, 14 November 2009 16:16

Somehow, almost every song here seems a favorite in its own right.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Saturday, 14 November 2009 16:14

One listen to the first song, "Detroit," and I thought I was in love.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Saturday, 14 November 2009 16:12

I'll have to admit, I don't find Church's voice to be especially strong.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Saturday, 14 November 2009 16:10

At some point, it had to happen. Shoegaze had to grow up, grow a set, adapt.

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Written by Mike Rengel Wednesday, 11 November 2009 09:43

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Written by Mike Rengel Wednesday, 11 November 2009 09:04

Sick of Sarah nails the straightforward appeal of radio friendly pop in the vein of Michelle Branch but strips away all banality with a centrifuge of confidence, replacing it with stout Upper Midwestern heart.

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Written by Jennifer Manjarez Thursday, 05 November 2009 15:10

Even after years of mastering unique beats and unconventional sounds, Tiesto is still trying his hand at something new.

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Written by Michael Morlaine Thursday, 29 October 2009 14:55

The film's retro affectations permeate every aspect of the soundtrack.

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Written by Jim Ousley Tuesday, 27 October 2009 14:53

You may be as surprised as I was at this transplanted Aussie's California sunshine-inspired tracks.

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Written by Jason Green Tuesday, 27 October 2009 12:25

"Why then," you ask, "are you reviewing this CD, smart guy? Aren't you the guy in charge of the comic book section or something?"

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Written by Christopher Sewell Friday, 23 October 2009 03:36

In and Out of Control is a solid effort by The Raveonettes and one of their best records to date.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Friday, 23 October 2009 03:34

Ryan Jarman really stretches his voice on this offering. It's still recognizable, but he's singing more, reaching new ranges, holding notes longer.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Friday, 23 October 2009 03:32

On the whole, this is a mellow one, kids; Vehicles and Animals is a long, long time ago, and not one we'll be soon revisiting.

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Written by Willie E. Smith Friday, 23 October 2009 03:24

Beginnings like this were a rare find around these parts, 'cause the tendency was for the talent to leave the nest and head for the coasts ASAP.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Tuesday, 20 October 2009 13:28

From the first song to the tenth, these are richly layered, deeply affecting numbers; listening, you often feel the confidante to a close friend.

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Written by Jason Green Friday, 16 October 2009 04:32

That isn't to say that this is an all-time classic like Violent Femmes or Hallowed Ground: the peaks aren't nearly that high, but the complete lack of valleys is cause for celebration.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Friday, 09 October 2009 15:30

Don't feel ashamed if you're inclined to hit the "repeat" button and listen to the whole disc all over again; this is one that stands up to repeated (and repeated) listens.

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Written by Willie E. Smith Thursday, 08 October 2009 15:22

The growth and maturation of his talents shine on "Holding Out," the second track on the set, a piano-based tune Joe Jackson could have released in his prime.

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Written by Willie E. Smith Thursday, 08 October 2009 15:10

Taken together, Skyscraper Crow is a shared, intimate experience.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Wednesday, 07 October 2009 15:25

If you think you're in for the typical indie-rock experience, you've got a bit to learn.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Wednesday, 07 October 2009 15:22

It's comfortable; you can be yourself, come as you are...yet you can't help wondering if that's enough.

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Written by Jim Dunn Wednesday, 07 October 2009 14:01

 I love Patience Hodgson's singing because she swears better than almost any singer (man, woman or other) out there.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Thursday, 01 October 2009 14:53

Live From Home sounds like a band at its peak, not a band ten years past its breakup.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Thursday, 01 October 2009 14:51

Surely The Rakes are capable of more...and surely, if they're not, there are other, more deserving bands poised to take their place.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Thursday, 01 October 2009 14:48

If The Angry Bear is any indication, this will be a long and rewarding relationship for years to come.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Thursday, 01 October 2009 14:46

It's a wild ride, and one which we take not just willingly but necessarily.

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Written by Chris Sewell Friday, 25 September 2009 15:08

This is certainly new territory for Muse and not necessarily the best for them.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Tuesday, 22 September 2009 15:23

I liked what I heard enough to download the entire album.

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Written by Gabe Bullard Tuesday, 22 September 2009 13:55

This isn't a band growing tired of the strict instrumentation of folk music, this is as organic a sonic outgrowth as the genre has ever produced.

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Written by Mary Beth Hascall Tuesday, 22 September 2009 13:53

And We Wake Up Slowly is the dose we music listeners need to swallow to lift our spirits once again.

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Written by Mike Rengel Thursday, 17 September 2009 06:53

But this is a crafty act, they easily make nursery rhyme female backing vocals and multilayered pomp-rock vocals do their bidding.

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Written by Jason Green Monday, 14 September 2009 01:42

I point out the catchiness of "Dreamland" because it's the one element of classic OLP that is sorely missing on the rest of Burn Burn.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Thursday, 10 September 2009 14:52

Songs such as "The Bandstand," "Foot of the Mountain" and "Mother Nature Goes to Heaven" are instant a-ha classics: catchy keyboard lines, solid guitar accompaniment, and the best pipes to ever come out of Norway.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Thursday, 10 September 2009 14:48

If Malcolm Middleton is anything, he's charming.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Thursday, 10 September 2009 14:45

This is one of those odd bands that sounds so amazing on CD you wouldn't expect much from their live show, and so amazing live that you wouldn't expect the same intensity from a recorded product.

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Written by Mike Rengel Thursday, 10 September 2009 14:42

This is an act occasionally willing and able to dole out small packets of weird, contrasting with their standard workmanlike approach.

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Written by Jason Neubauer Friday, 04 September 2009 05:07

The Stone Foxes resurrecti the sweat-soaked power blues of the 1970s and mix it with late-'60s folk rock influences to bring back the true grit of rock 'n' roll.

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Written by Brian M. Thies Monday, 24 August 2009 01:40

Before you even begin to consider looking into the Delfields, you must ask yourself one very important question: How do you feel about the Shins?

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Written by Pete Timmermann Wednesday, 19 August 2009 09:34

I'm Going Away is a great album...again.

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Written by Michael Munro Tuesday, 11 August 2009 14:18

I try to keep an open mind to prevent myself from falling into the trap of being the quintessential hipster who hates all country music except for Johnny Cash.

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Written by Sarah Boslaugh Sunday, 26 July 2009 13:33

Time Out included "Take Five," the first jazz single to sell more than a million copies.

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Written by Mike Rengel Sunday, 26 July 2009 13:30

More fizzy joys abound.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Saturday, 18 July 2009 16:01

Guitars are strummed with purpose; a vocal stylizer adds fizz.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Saturday, 18 July 2009 15:47

Chico Fellini's self-titled debut is about feel.

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Written by Michael Munro Saturday, 18 July 2009 15:24

If that isn't the greatest album concept ever...my god. Roger Waters would weep.

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Written by Jason Neubauer Saturday, 18 July 2009 15:22

The real gems on this compilation are many and varied.

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Written by Mary Beth Hascall Saturday, 18 July 2009 15:19

Lead singer Kory Kunze and female vocalist Jessica Spitzer have smooth, intertwining vocals.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Saturday, 18 July 2009 15:05

The best part of Stellastarr* is Michael Jurin's guitar work.