Album Reviews

Memphis The Band: Radio

Sarah Moore March 1, 2007 No Comments

Memphis the Band’s Radio truly has a fitting title. Most of the songs contained therein could be played on any generic radio station.

Assembly of Dust: Recollection

Shane Handler February 28, 2007 No Comments

With their studio debut Recollection, The Assembly of Dust have made their Workingman’s Dead. Like the classic 70’s country/western themed album, this ten song collection is also influenced of the multi-talented musicianship and country/rock themes of The Band and the jazz-chops of Steely Dan. Front-man and self-described “verbal storyteller” Reid Genauer effortlessly evokes a film before your eyes, with his narrative lyrics, endearing the words of Robert Hunter.

The Curtains: Calamity

Sarah Moore February 27, 2007 No Comments

Calamity works as an eccentric hodge-podge of quirky pop songs, avant-garde sounds, and out-of-nowhere, straight forward, shed rock.

James Morrison: Undiscovered

Joanne Schenker February 27, 2007 No Comments

He will not remain undiscovered for long. James Morrison’s debut album revamps the heyday of soul with a voice reminiscent of Stevie Wonder– but with a cleaner, crisper sound thanks to today’s technology. At a young age, this English soul singer turned to music as a way of channeling a painful upbringing – the result is a positive yet openly raw deliverance.

The Colour: Between Earth & Sky

Shane Handler February 26, 2007 No Comments

From the opener, “Can't You Hear It Call,” which borrows a riff directly from the Stones' “Brown Sugar,” merged with a heavy modern flair of The Dandy Warhols, The Colour come off a bit low in originality. But where they lack in innovation, the L.A. quintet shines in swagger and energy. With that formulaic mix, their debut – Between Earth and Sky- might have been better appreciated five years ago; a time when the rock revival thing, courtesy of The Hives, Vines and the Strokes was the “new” sound.

Mos Def: True Magic

Jack Spilberg February 26, 2007 No Comments

With way too many questionable tracks between the truly magical gems, Mos Def’s True Magic falls a bit short of his more impressive works like Black Star or Black on Both Sides.

Cougar: Law

Jamie Lee February 23, 2007 No Comments

From tranquil introspection of “Lifetime Ranger,” to the soaring crescendos of “Merit,” Law digs deep into emotion, and draws out a cycling soundscape of highs and lows; those peeks and valleys that are an inherent part of life.

Gomez: Five Men in a Hut (Singles 1998-2004)

Jamie Lee February 22, 2007 No Comments

Critical reviews of retrospectives and B-sides/rarity compilations often carry a common label: “For completists.” Gomez has managed to fit just within that context with Five Men in a Hut (Singles 1998-2004), a double disc exploration of the British band’s work spanning five albums and focusing largely on the singles released in the United Kingdom.

Bethany & Rufus: 900 Miles

Sarah Moore February 21, 2007 No Comments

With minimal accompaniment covering traditional folk songs, 900 Mile's interpretations by Bethany and Rufus cover new ground.

Luke Doucet: Broken (and other rogue states)

Jeremy Lukens February 21, 2007 No Comments

Trying to find an innovative artist in the current country music scene is akin to searching for an honest politician. That makes it all the more exciting when a talent like Luke Doucet rises above the crowd. With Broken (and other rogue states), Doucet delivers 13 tracks of liquored-up heartache – hardly new subject matter for country music – each resonating with a pained beauty that instantly engages the listener.