Posts by Jason Macneil

he latest offering from Clem Snide might be considered some of their best or worst, depending on how diehard or loyal you are to the indie-rock stalwarts. Although they sound like an urbane version of Calexico on the leadoff number “Me No,” they seem to tone things down for a languid and limp “Born A Man.” 

Following up the soulful, boogie-rock of their last album “Armed Love,” The International Noise Conspiracy pick up where they left off with The Cross of My Calling. This time around they are opting for a slightly more psychedelic rock sound.           

The Perishers made great inroads during a North American tour with Sarah McLachlan. The Swedish outfit then created some perfect, timeless and melodic pop songs on 2005’s Let There Be Morning, that left many wanting more. And while there is always the thought of on Victorious with the tender, earnest opener “Midnight Skies” that builds into a rich pop tune.

It shouldn’t come as a big surprise that White Chalk is another interesting slice of Harvey that is calmer but just as pleasing beginning with “The Devil” and continuing on with “Dear Darkness.” Perhaps the album brings to mind her “Dance Hall At Louse Point” period most clearly during the carnival-tinged “Grow Grow Grow” that is quirky, unsettling and yet strong. Throughout it all, Harvey plays the light, airy vocals to a tee, especially on the haunting, retro-laced title track.

Singer-songwriter Fionn Regan has a sweet, sincere style that isn’t overtly British folk but has just enough of that emotional feel on The End of History from the tender opener “Be Good Or Be Gone” to the playful finger-picking of “The Underwood Typewriter.”

Robert Pollard put Guided By Voices to pasture years ago, but the proficiency keeps on going with bands including Circus Devils.

Before Nick Drake’s Pink Moon was used to sell Volkswagens and before Zach Braff thought "One of These Things First" was a song Drake’s heart wrote for his movie Garden State, and before reissues of the Nick Drake canon were released, fans of the suicidal acoustic musician would make a pilgrimage to the Drake family home in England just to see where talent and tragedy were created.

New York band Phonograph is an adventurous lot if you were using the catchy, groove-tinged “In Your Mind” as a measuring stick. The song sounds like it could have been recorded during Wilco’s Summerteeth period but with an experimental side to it.

The best thing that can be said about God Save the Clientele is that it’s so consistent that it’s quite scary. Whether you’re enjoying short gems like “Carnival On 75th Street” or the urgent feel on “No Dreams Last Night,” you feel as if they’ve been possessed by The Go-Betweens in their prime. A great album!

Generally it is a good album, but there’s no overt need to get all riled up over The Electric Soft Parade.

The record is a very bizarre change in direction that falls apart at the seam, with the Brit-pop of “Ashes” the only early redeeming moment.

After keeping the Stones’ recent live tours from completely falling off the rails, guitarist Ronnie Wood has issued a vast and enjoyable compilation of his personal best. The two-disc, 27-track collection contains his solo work and group work. Disc one is all solo beginning with the reggae-tinged “I Can Feel The Fire” featuring David Bowie on backing vocals while “Cancels Everything” is a mellow, roots-y tune with Keith Richards helping out.

British rock/psychedelic/dance/blues outfit Primal Scream went in a new direction with albums like XTRMNTR and Evil Heat. But for every crazed, brilliant mash-up of these genres, Primal Scream can also deliver straightforward, sleazy rock and roll. And this is what their latest, Riot City Blues is all about.

As the drummer of The Police, Stewart Copeland was an integral part of their success. And fortunately he was able to cash in on that success at the time by purchasing a Super 8 video camera. The result is Everybody Stares: The Police Inside Out, an impressive, insightful and antic-tinged look at how a band goes from nowhere to somewhere big, while getting lost in the journey.

Like the Magic Numbers’ recent debut before them, Mohair is bound to make another dent as new classic pop songwriters from across the way.

The latest offering from acclaimed British singer-songwriter Thea Gilmore isn’t that far of a departure from her Avalanche or Songs From The Gutter releases – full of quality songs and equally high levels of musicianship.

It’s a movie about a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, but there are no VH1 “Behind The Music” moments here – unless you consider shopping for organic vegetables as crazy as thrashing hotel rooms after orgies.

It

Chris Farlowe and Van Morrison are in a class by themselves when it comes to British soul, but James Hunter seems to be scratching at the door containing those stars.

or the first time in years, Ani DiFranco recently took some time off, as the touring grind was finally wearing her down. Following a live album (Carnegie Hall 4/6/02) released earlier this year, DiFranco has returned with Reprieve. Never one to back down from a political firestorm, DiFranco was forced to leave New Orleans during Reprieve