Album Reviews

The Game: Doctor’s Advocate

William Helms February 9, 2007 No Comments

With 16 songs clocking in well over an hour – including the final track which is over nine minutes long – it becomes fairly obvious that there’s a lack of economizing thought. Along the way, the constant name dropping of rappers The Game idolized gets a bit tiring. Those moments throughout seemed contrived, if not plain silly, but the beats are damn good enough to keep one coming back for more Game.

Nellie McKay: Pretty Little Head

Glen Levy February 7, 2007 No Comments

“It’s been a long time coming” coos Nellie McKay on double album Pretty Little Head and you have to admire her honesty. Let’s face facts: after three release dates for this follow up to 2004’s Get Away From Me had come and gone, you’d have been forgiven for giving up on her.

Various Artists: Endless Highway: The Music of the Band

Jason Rooks February 2, 2007 No Comments

Endless Highway pays great respect to one of the greatest songwriting groups of all time, and serves as an even better introduction to those otherwise unfamiliar with The Band's legendary songbook.

Infradig: Clinical Indifference / Psychology of Breathing

Sarah Moore February 1, 2007 No Comments

Although Infradig’s Clinical Indifference/The Psychology of Breathing purports to be a jazz rock record, it comes across more as mood-making electronic rock, pop, and hip-hop. T

Patty Griffin: Children Running Through

Jason Gonulsen January 30, 2007 No Comments

By now you probably know Patty Griffin as a talented singer/songwriter through her connections with Emmylou Harris and The Dixie Chicks or her timeless albums like Impossible Dream, 1000 Kisses, or Living With Ghosts. And although Harris does appear on the flaming red head’s new album, Children Running Through, on the soft “Trapeze,” it’s only Patty Griffin who you’ll remember after the disc is finished playing.

The Good, The Bad & The Queen: The Good, The Bad & The Queen

Shane Handler January 30, 2007 No Comments

Two words best describe the quartet’s sound – groove and hook. Albarn’s tinkery piano chops, combined with his suave British crooning, joined at the hip with Simonon’s dub bass lines, make The Good, The Bad & The Queen an identifiable weapon.

The Shins: Wincing the Night Away

Shane Handler January 29, 2007 No Comments

Although Wincing the Night Way may not offer much to grab onto lyrically, The Shins have created a new wall of sound that will surely keep them relevant and James Mercer as just another guy in The Shins.

Kunek: Flight of the Flynns

Lauree Guyer January 25, 2007 No Comments

Kunek doesn’t belong in the ambient bin, as it’s a bit more Badly Drawn Boy with a couple of Beatles moments thrown in, but most fans of the genre would appreciate the album.

Love Arcade: Love Arcade

Susan Frances January 24, 2007 No Comments

Love Arcade’s self-titled release puts a new face on power pop fun. Incorporating the tenets of ‘80s pop icons like Kajagoogoo, Dead Or Alive, and Animotion, the outfit's music is light-hearted fun with an infectious party bounce reflective of Kill Hannah, Valencia, and The Flaming Lips.

Dosh: The Lost Take

Sarah Moore January 23, 2007 No Comments

While Martin Dosh has been called a one-man band for his looping techniques and versatile musicianship, his latest disc The Lost Take has an extended family of collaborators.