Bob Lange

David Bowie: Live In Santa Monica ’72

Bob Lange July 25, 2008 No Comments

This set has long been known to Bowie fans, because of its quality and accessibility (it was broadcast on LA's now-defunct KMET after all). But there's more to it than just that. The show finds Bowie on his first U.S. tour, completely immersed in his new Ziggy Stardust persona and at the first of his several artistic peaks. As far as his live performances go, his later, more refined periods probably couldn't match this for theatrics and raw power.

Tanya Tagaq: Auk ~ Blood

Bob Lange July 16, 2008 No Comments

This album is avant garde to the extreme. Tagaq is, after all, one of the only Inuit throat singers to work as a soloist. While throat singing is a vital part of her music, it isn't that obscure practice alone that makes Auk ~ Blood though.

New York Dolls: Live at the Fillmore East

Bob Lange July 8, 2008 No Comments

Like any live album, this is no substitute for seeing the real thing, so get out there and catch these guys while you can. In the meantime though, Live at the Fillmore East should hold you over. And if you've already seen them, it serves as a great memory.

Dead Leaf Echo: Pale Fire

Bob Lange July 8, 2008 No Comments

Dead Leaf Echo offers up layers of heavy reverb, subtle, fluid rhythms and ambling, mopey vocals in the true shoegazing tradition. At times, they find interesting ways to get the vocals to work in concert with the rhythms and it's strikingly good. They don't get there consistently, but when they do, they really shine.

Take It Back: Can’t Fight Robots

Bob Lange June 27, 2008 No Comments

Can't Fight Robots, the debut album from Arkansas' Take It Back, finds a good mix between crunch and melody. It draws heavily on bands that defined the punk rock of the 90s like Pennywise and (ironically) Bad Religion and thickens that sound up with more hardcore tendencies.

Moving Mountains: Pneuma

Bob Lange June 12, 2008 No Comments

Pneuma is an album that works more in noise than structure. Ambient layers and ambling indie rock rhythms are grounded by a more common vocal approach that alternates between whining and screeching and screaming.

Parks and Records – Indie Gone Eco

Bob Lange June 4, 2008 No Comments

Every indie label has its niche, but Parks & Records also has a mission. They've combined a commitment to great music with the broader purpose of making the world a better (and greener) place.

Carcrashlander: Carcrashlander

Bob Lange May 2, 2008 No Comments

After listening to the debut album (and first release by green-focused Parks and Records), one of two things must be true: Either the Randy Newman comparison is inaccurate or I need to reconsider my feelings about him. Or perhaps there is a third possibility: Carcrashlander gets very close to a line (that Newman crosses) which divides good from cheesy. One thing I know though, is that this album is really, really good.