Reviews

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Written by Josh Schobert Friday, 25 April 2008 02:29

Toby the Fugitive sounds like a post-hardcore band, a hybrid between hardcore punk and alternative rock.

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Written by Jim Dunn Tuesday, 22 April 2008 16:03

Irony in rock 'n' roll is a tough feat to pull off but Sarandon makes it happen.

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Written by Glen Elkins Tuesday, 22 April 2008 15:57

Simply having a low voice isn't necessarily impressive if nothing special is done with it.

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Written by Pete Timmermann Tuesday, 22 April 2008 15:55

Within the first few seconds of "Mister Jung Stuffed," the opening track on their Anti- debut Rabbit Habits, I knew I had been an idiot for not tracking them down sooner.

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Written by Jason Green Sunday, 20 April 2008 07:31

The mix itself is smooth as silk, pairing forgotten 1970s disco relics with more current house tracks so seamlessly that you'd be hard-pressed to pick the vintage of most of the songs here.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Monday, 14 April 2008 14:29

You simply can't listen to "Just Like the Cold" without falling head over heels; it's that captivating.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Monday, 14 April 2008 13:43

And who can forget the brilliant "Born Slippy" from the Trainspotting soundtrack?

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Written by Laura Hamlett Monday, 14 April 2008 13:19

The album's full of electronic beats (some of them harder than others), Gahan's strong and often manipulated vocals, and darkly sexual lyrics.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Friday, 11 April 2008 03:42

This debut album is a winner, enticing from start to finish. It's the kind that will draw you in further with repeated listens.

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Written by Kevin Renick Friday, 11 April 2008 02:38

You needn't be a visitor to a drug den to be carried far, far away by this album's potent blend.

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Written by Jason Neubauer Friday, 11 April 2008 02:35

The band's sophistication rears its head with a power soul feeling that belonged to the scene 40 years ago and is renewed in unique and just straightforward rock.

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Written by Kevin Renick Friday, 11 April 2008 02:33

Jason Albertini is not just wanking around on the various instruments he plays; he digs the sounds, and he captures that affection, attentively, excitedly, creatively.

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Wednesday, 09 April 2008 07:35

Each track on Songs For A Blackout weaves together its own story while showcasing a talented and revolving crew of musicians on a smooth and lush recording.

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Wednesday, 09 April 2008 07:17

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Written by Justin Crouse Thursday, 03 April 2008 03:04

What truly distinguishes Accelerate from its 13 predecessors is its live, raucous sound.

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Written by Jason Green Tuesday, 01 April 2008 05:35

Kirwan and company checked their anger and righteous indignation at the door, avoiding the kind of sweeping anti-war generalizations that would have hoisted the album on its own well-meaning petard.

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Friday, 28 March 2008 08:24

On 7, Frank Orrall and company bring the energy to the forefront and deliver a collection made for the concert stage.

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Friday, 28 March 2008 07:59

Leaving Kansas is clearly the creation of an artist who has suffered and conquered the trials of life.

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Friday, 28 March 2008 07:42

It’s a perfect starry-night drive record.

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Written by Josh Schobert Sunday, 23 March 2008 14:41

The most recognizable thing about The Switches is their haunting harmonies and overly poppy choruses.

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Written by Kevin Renick Sunday, 23 March 2008 14:38

This record feels alive, aware and somehow incredibly wise in its sonic reach.

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Written by Alex Bates Friday, 21 March 2008 19:51

Lucy Bland's first full-length album, Down to Sea Level, could definitely use some help staying afloat.

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Written by Ryan Parker Friday, 21 March 2008 19:49

The two main elements of No Ceiling are Haale's vocals and percussionist/producer Matt Kilmer's rhythm.

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Thursday, 13 March 2008 04:02

Midnight Boom is a sexually-charged rock'n'roll tornado that'll shake you up and leave you panting for more.

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Written by Josh Vise Wednesday, 05 March 2008 07:08

It's as if Under Byen tapped into the same vein as Portishead.

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Written by Kevin Renick Wednesday, 05 March 2008 07:03

What you get here is a sweet, melodic sound vapor that clears your system of all things negative and cynical every time you inhale the Silje Nes secret brew.

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Written by Kevin Renick Wednesday, 05 March 2008 07:00

It may be a sonic assault, but the emphasis is on stellar soundmaking, not aural bullying. There's a difference, see.

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Written by Kevin Renick Wednesday, 05 March 2008 06:57

"Aly, Walk With Me" features the sort of classic jangly distortion you've heard tons of bands do, but it sounds awesome here—exposed wires emanating a thrilling buzz that you dare not get too close to (though you kind of want to).

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Written by Josh Schobert Wednesday, 27 February 2008 05:38

By "Were You Singing," they show they can be more than just a country folk band by making a danceable rock track.

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Written by Jason Green Wednesday, 27 February 2008 05:16

I was hooked, listening to the scant four songs on their MySpace page a few dozen times as I waited patiently for a copy of the full length to arrive.

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Written by Todd McKenzie Wednesday, 27 February 2008 05:14

Dienel's voice, like a bird's, is often fluttering and flittering about in the highest registers, which is a shame because it masks her lyrics behind the clouds.

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Written by Jason Green Wednesday, 27 February 2008 05:10

Finally, a pop-punk band who knows how to stir things up.

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Written by Rebecca Reardon Wednesday, 27 February 2008 03:14

The theme? Relationships gone south, with an intro, a G side and a B side. G side stands for Girl side, and B side? Boy side. Clever.

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Written by Jaffa Aharonov Friday, 22 February 2008 08:20

Sure, the songs are sometimes melodramatic, but only in that charming, indie-pop way.

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Written by Glen Elkins Friday, 22 February 2008 08:19

At times, Long's passionate whelps are surrounded by reverb, and lush countermelodies; other times they hang painfully alone.

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Written by Karen Brandt Friday, 22 February 2008 08:15

The language is beautiful, but with its elevation comes the problem of obscurity.

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Written by Karen Brandt Friday, 22 February 2008 08:12

Rice recounts typical guy-girl relationships with a "love her, leave her, and long-for-her-later" attitude.

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Written by Sheila Shahpari Friday, 22 February 2008 08:10

"Sometimes being a genius is just waking up in the morning."

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Written by Amy Burger Friday, 22 February 2008 08:07

As they'd say in 1983, from the moment the needle hit the vinyl (this was the pre-CD era), it was on, and it was pure gold.

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Written by Amanda Pelle Monday, 18 February 2008 05:52

Selftitled samples generously from the spice rack of genre as Russell seeks to uncover his musical identity.

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Written by Josh Vise Monday, 18 February 2008 05:50

The Bedlam in Goliath is The Mars Volta's way of counteracting Soothsayer's evil curse by way of disseminating its power to the listeners.

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Written by Jim Ousley Monday, 18 February 2008 05:47

Davies ratchets up the creepy factor for a tune so thick in atmosphere that you can smell the leaves, hear the wind howl, and feel the humidity form sweat beads on your neck.

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Written by Ryan Parker Friday, 15 February 2008 07:07

Many of the songs have a definite storytelling aspect that seem to fit in well with the "sittin' on the porch" nature of bluegrass.

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Written by Raymee Holshauser Friday, 15 February 2008 07:02

Broken Down Figure is both sad and hopeful, showing off Saw's songwriting chops and lyrical ability.

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Written by Josh Vise Friday, 15 February 2008 06:59

Eat Sugar is one of those groups whose sound encompasses several genres without conforming to any single one.

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Written by Jaffa Aharonov Friday, 15 February 2008 06:56

Really, it's okay to sound like yourself, right?

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Written by Rebecca Reardon Friday, 15 February 2008 06:47

These are bands that blend seemingly disparate genres to create anthemic, thought-provoking tracks that rock listeners out of their apathetic stupor.

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Written by Josh Vise Friday, 15 February 2008 06:43

Each song seems tailor-made to be the soundtrack of a high-speed chase.

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Written by Laura Hamlett Friday, 15 February 2008 06:37

Fractured Life  is gritty Brit-pop, indie rock, dance-inducing, upbeat pop, mellow, reflective, soothing AAA...

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Written by Kevin Renick Wednesday, 13 February 2008 06:43

Love in October, an emo-type foursome led by Swedish brothers Erik and Kent Widman, may be based in Minneapolis, but that adrenaline-charged sound you hear will be familiar to anyone who's heard The Hives.

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Written by Josh Vise Wednesday, 13 February 2008 06:38

Fredrik Thordendal and Mårten Hagström assault the ears with a guitarist's interpretation of tectonic plates colliding.

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Written by Jaffa Aharanov Wednesday, 13 February 2008 06:30

The fat and fuzzy bass-heavy guitar of the title track makes me immediately think of Kill Rock Stars labelmates and fellow residents of the Northwest, The Gossip, but with male vocals instead of Beth Ditto's soulfulness.

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Written by Amy Burger Wednesday, 13 February 2008 06:27

Free Somehow is the band's first studio effort featuring songs that were not previously "road tested" onstage in live performances.

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Written by Alex Bates Wednesday, 06 February 2008 14:17

The songs are mellow getting mellower, and it's an easy album to listen to.

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Written by Jaffa Aharonov Wednesday, 06 February 2008 14:14

Before more words are said, I must confess to having a bit of a soft spot for dramatic romanticism in song.

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Written by Jason Neubauer Wednesday, 06 February 2008 14:07

His talent as an instrumentalist and lyricist are showcased in a way that keeps his music free of distracted bravado and long solos

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Written by Rebecca Reardon Wednesday, 06 February 2008 14:03

Truly great pop song, with tight harmonies. The lyrics are a bit twee. But Lane sounds so sweet, I don't mind.

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Written by Carl Hines Friday, 01 February 2008 04:20

Each track is strong enough to stand on its own, all the while perfectly contributing to the cohesiveness of the work as a whole.

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Written by Kevin Renick Friday, 01 February 2008 04:18

The plaintive vocals and stately Americana trappings of "Life in a Box" reveal the band as more than competent craftsmen, while the alt-country "Estelle" is pure, uninhibited fun.

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Written by Eammon Azizi Friday, 01 February 2008 04:00

The Nervous System is a quick, enjoyable ten-song folk rock album with enough creativity, edge, pop and variety to keep it interesting all the way through.

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Written by Jason Green Friday, 01 February 2008 03:54

Track 7 shows what potential there was in Bonvalet's original idea, with a gently plucked acoustic guitar backed only by the sound of pouring rain.

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Written by Rebecca Reardon Friday, 01 February 2008 03:46

Even after several listens, I never really got over my Yeah Yeah Yeahs déjà vu.

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Written by Todd McKenzie Thursday, 24 January 2008 07:29

She doesn't sing about prostitutes or pushers; instead, she weaves intricate tales about crushes and teenage identity crises.

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Written by Alex Hodschayan Thursday, 24 January 2008 07:27

Upon first listen, I couldn't help wondering if Ladyhawk had spent too much time listening to Jason Molina.

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Written by Joshua Vise Thursday, 24 January 2008 07:19

Earthworms manage to successfully avoid the sophomore curse by keeping up the momentum and sticking to their real strength.

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Written by Glen Elkins Tuesday, 22 January 2008 13:20

With a sound less fresh than its predecessors, Cassettes Won't Listen still manages a fun, enjoyable disc.