Reviews

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Written by Mike Rengel Wednesday, 08 July 2009 13:18

The album somehow feels lighter…as light as a record concerning dysmorphia, self-mutilation, mental hospitals, the beauty culture, the perils of consumerism, genetic engineering and neophobia could possibly be, that is.

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Written by Bryan J. Sutter Wednesday, 08 July 2009 13:15

Cee-Lo and Busta Rhymes must have had to kill off their last chunk of community service because guesting on this album is like promoting the idea that one should bathe his or her child in stagnant water.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Thursday, 02 July 2009 14:46

This is indie rock, make no mistake, and inviting, addictive indie rock at that.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Wednesday, 01 July 2009 06:27

To be fair, the first half of the album is fairly enjoyable, though not groundbreaking.

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Written by Lauren Beckerle Wednesday, 01 July 2009 06:15

Music is the soul of this movie.

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Written by Jason Neubauer Wednesday, 01 July 2009 06:10

The bright resonance of the guitar and the glimmering backdrop of the rhythm section provide the perfect setting for frontman Michael Gross to impart his heartfelt lyrics.

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Written by Justin Curia Tuesday, 16 June 2009 15:06

Compared to Get Yr. Blood Sucked Out, Rose City seems more arranged, but to my brief, short-lived chagrin, less heavy.

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Written by Jason Green Monday, 15 June 2009 14:06

On his solo debut, Minibar's Simon Petty aims for the barren melodies of English folk, building most songs out of gently plucked acoustic guitars and lyrics that drip with introspective detail.

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Written by Michael Munro Friday, 12 June 2009 02:38

The disc's pristine sound quality presents each element with total clarity, in particular Shauf's exquisite harmonized vocals.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Monday, 08 June 2009 06:49

Bells & Whistles is yet another piano-driven showcase for this Arkansas man with a unique falsetto-like vice (not to be confused with his actual falsetto) and quick wit.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Monday, 08 June 2009 06:46

"Time to Burn (Another Bag of Bones" elevates Devine to near-perfection; as a result, the rest of the album feel lesser than.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Monday, 08 June 2009 06:42

In the last decade, they dug a deeper path of dark-wave, driving beats and heavy-handed, often sexual lyrics.

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Written by Mike Rengel Monday, 08 June 2009 05:05

They've got the thrash and manic energy of early Idlewild propelling a Piedmont bar band as well as the strains of mid-Atlantic rock without being Southern rock.

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Written by Michael Munro Tuesday, 02 June 2009 06:20

The repertoire on this disc is nothing short of indispensable, establishing the Vaselines as major contenders in the alt rock pantheon while keeping the listener longing for more.

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Written by Michele Ulsohn Tuesday, 02 June 2009 06:16

The disc has a much more organic feel, while still maintaining Fischerspooner's very distinct, forward-thinking sound.

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Written by Shelley Kaur Saturday, 23 May 2009 13:30

Divided by Night is a new sound for the electronic duo.

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Written by Shelley Kaur Saturday, 23 May 2009 13:28

Not only are the beats a mix of old and new, the lyrics are old-school underground resembling styles of NaS.

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Written by Shelley Kaur Saturday, 23 May 2009 13:27

The new album features the band's contemporary classical songs, some containing lyrics, some not.

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Written by Shelley Kaur Saturday, 23 May 2009 13:24

Jay Stay Paid is the newest album by J Dilla being released posthumously by his family and friends.

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Written by Jim Dunn Saturday, 23 May 2009 13:22

Rachel Taylor Brown delivers ironic little songs with a spare sound that belies their complex makeup.

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Written by Jennifer Manjarez Wednesday, 20 May 2009 14:42

This CD is more electronica than previous ones but it hides just under its disguised rock 'n' roll surface.

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Written by John Shepherd Wednesday, 20 May 2009 14:40

Beck seemed like a weird, lucky guy who was destined to fade quickly into obscurity.

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Written by Aaron Brummet Friday, 08 May 2009 06:17

This compilation succeeds at being a change from run-of-the-mill "best of" and live albums.

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Written by Jason Neubauer Friday, 08 May 2009 06:16

The strong influences of late-1970s and early-1980s punk fringe shows a strong presence in several of the tracks.

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Written by Mike Rengel Friday, 08 May 2009 06:15

It's as if these songs were rolling around the band members' heads, notions written in a private code but unsure of how best to be expressed.

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Written by Kate Nelson Wednesday, 06 May 2009 14:28

Sadly, Jigsaw is riddled with repetition that brings you close to the point of insanity.

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Written by Kate Nelson Wednesday, 06 May 2009 14:26

Their sound is so cohesive, you would think they've been making music together since birth.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Friday, 01 May 2009 03:21

The White Rabbits deserve to be proud of It's Frightening, a more than capable follow up to Fort Nightly.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Friday, 01 May 2009 03:14

The music's ethereal, uplifting, wandering, the words caught on the uplift of a breeze, carrying you along.

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Written by Mike Rengel Thursday, 30 April 2009 08:20

With welcome relief, Elizabeth and the Catapult defy the temptation to fall into stock traps.

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Written by Mike Rengel Thursday, 30 April 2009 08:19

A nice diversion from one of the most promising rock bands today.

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Written by Mike Rengel Tuesday, 21 April 2009 11:40

Having an album with a hardworking, instantly classic feel dropped directly into your lap is an exciting development.

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Written by Lauren Beckerle Tuesday, 21 April 2009 11:19

Mute Math's journey is off to a promising start.

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Written by Jennifer Manjarez Tuesday, 21 April 2009 11:16

Hush is an album you can truly enjoy for its eccentric individuality.

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Written by Jennifer Manjarez Tuesday, 21 April 2009 11:12

Whether you've heard just a few of these songs or all of them doesn't matter; you will love every track.

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Written by Jim Dunn Tuesday, 21 April 2009 11:06

The album truly does sound like two musical peers sharing snippets of lyrics and melodies over several years.

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Written by Michael Munro Friday, 17 April 2009 08:47

Sandwich could have been good, but Psychostick didn't know the rules.

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Written by John Shepherd Friday, 17 April 2009 08:46

As the saying goes, history is written by the winners. In this case, we get to benefit, too.

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Written by John Shepherd Friday, 17 April 2009 08:43

Following in the tradition of Seeger and Dylan but also building upon it, New York roots-rockers The Felice Brothers have released, Yonder Is the Clock.

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Written by Sarah Boslaugh Thursday, 09 April 2009 09:47

In conjunction with the opening of 9 to 5: The Musical on Broadway, RCA Nashville/Legacy has re-released Parton's original 1980 album with three additional tracks.

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Written by Pete Timmermann Friday, 03 April 2009 10:36

I have always preferred him when he sounded like the untrained alt-country singer.

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Written by Bryan J. Sutter Friday, 03 April 2009 10:34

Jason Braun has fathered one of least wack releases to come from the St. Louis scene in some time.

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Written by Bryan J. Sutter Friday, 03 April 2009 10:31

The working title was "We're Only in It for the Money"

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Written by Mike Rengel Tuesday, 31 March 2009 14:38

The album packs the vibe of an overzealous, can't-keep-their-hands-off-each-other, newly-in-love couple.

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Written by John Shepherd Tuesday, 31 March 2009 14:35

On their latest release, Gomez have fused tightly written songs with a welcome return to the defining, earthy sound of their early years.

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Written by Lauren Beckerle Wednesday, 25 March 2009 08:20

The album makes one wonder if distinctive musical sounds can be burned into the subconscious.

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Written by Michael Munro Wednesday, 25 March 2009 08:18

Enter into this sub-subterranean enclave another a cappella act, this one a sextet of collegiate choral kids who go by the collective handle of Sonos.

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Written by Mike Rengel Wednesday, 25 March 2009 08:17

Sun Gangs impresses by presenting particularly interesting permutations with great conviction.

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Written by Sarah Boslaugh Wednesday, 25 March 2009 08:15

All the tracks sound great, and they present a nice variety of material.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Wednesday, 11 March 2009 07:00

Right from the get-go, this is a Tommy Keene album, with his signature vocals, crashing guitar and driving pop.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Wednesday, 11 March 2009 06:59

You know you're in for a ride when "Something Is Squeezing My Skull" kicks off the disc with a fast pace and driving guitar.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Wednesday, 11 March 2009 06:57

I'm willing to forgive and forget—as long as Kasher remembers why we fell in love with him in the first place.

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Written by Jason Green Monday, 02 March 2009 02:33

How much mileage you'll get out of Just Like Heaven: A Tribute to the Cure hinges on how much you can tolerate bands playing with or subverting the Cure's standard formula.

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Written by PLAYBACK:stl Thursday, 26 February 2009 09:46

His thin, undeveloped voice tries desperately to convey the passion and longing so evident in the music and the lyrics.

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Written by Jennifer Manjarez Thursday, 26 February 2009 09:37

From society's addiction to illegal and prescribed narcotics, to former President George W. Bush and her relationship with her father, there is nothing Allen won't throw on the table.

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Written by Jim Dunn Thursday, 26 February 2009 09:29

The hallmarks of that earlier era are lovingly captured in ten sharp, techno-blessed songs.

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Written by Jason Neubauer Thursday, 26 February 2009 09:25

For those of us who spent our youths steeped in the genre, though, we remember that the short, punctuated quality of the songs was part of their appeal.

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Written by Mike Rengel Thursday, 19 February 2009 15:28

Their music reverberates with the stately, supernatural beacons of the world's iconic mysteries.

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Written by David Lichius Thursday, 19 February 2009 15:25

Bloomington, Ind.'s Medusa do not appear to be the kind of band that will be following their contemporaries' fashion trends.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Friday, 13 February 2009 04:09

When guitar does emerge at the forefront, it almost feels out of place, causing the listener to yearn for Doherty's past catalog.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Friday, 13 February 2009 04:06

With Secrets Are Sinister, Longwave has proven their ability to remain at the top of their game.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Friday, 13 February 2009 04:05

"Oenone" is a most welcome, simmering rocker, undoubtedly a standout.

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Written by Mike Rengel Friday, 13 February 2009 02:32

Happy Fun Party possesses the schizophrenic arc of the inevitable, slightly weird party crasher, the one who nobody seems to know.

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Written by Willie E. Smith Friday, 13 February 2009 02:29

Chris Powell's voice cuts above the mix so clearly, sounding a little less like Black Francis and a little more like Sunny Day Real Estate's Jeremy Enigk.

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Written by Mike Rengel Monday, 09 February 2009 04:08

Each ingredient swirls smokily around the other into a rich, irresistible whole full of flavors that float in for a moment and then slip away.

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Written by Pete Timmermann Monday, 09 February 2009 04:04

The songs range from the type of lackluster filler I'd love to see Devendra Banhart get away from, to borderline Wesley Willis-type streams of obscenity.