Album Reviews

[rating=8.00] By now The Dead Weather have their song writing style (based around call/responses, fuzz heavy riffs and grimy sexy grooves) down cold. That engaging interplay keeps blazing along on the band’s third offering Dodge and Burn which is a clear a continuation of their style, while also excitingly flirting with an expansion of their […]

[rating=7.00] Duran Duran has had quite a storied history in the 30 plus years since starting life as part of the so-called “New Romantic” movement of the late ‘70s and early ‘90s. Coinciding with the tail end of the U.K. punk scene, that trendy, timely fad shared the same adventurous attitude punk became famous for, […]

[rating=9.00] One of the great joys of a new Los Lobos album—and there are many—is the sense of anticipation for the unexpected. For the records from this great band from east LA take many forms including the narratives-in-song such as The Town and The City, a (relatively) straightforward collection of originals like This Time and. […]

[rating=7.00] It’s tempting to dismiss Ryan Adams’ reworking of Taylor Swift’s 1989 as nothing more than a cheap trick, a symptom of an over-saturated media culture rapidly consuming itself. And while there may be an element of truth to such cynicism—as highlighted by the online coverage of Father John Misty’s snarky “reinterpretation of the classic Ryan […]

[rating=8.00] The irony of its title aside, Introducing Darlene Love is latest in a series of continuing comebacks that have brought numerous living legends belated attention in the 21st century. Not surprisingly, their talent proves timeless, and in the wake of the renewed interest accorded Mavis Staples and Bettye Lavette, it seems only fitting that […]

[rating=7.00] Given his impressive pedigree — stints with Gregg Allman, Bonnie Raitt, Widespread Panic, Steve Winwood and Traffic among his many associations — you’d think Randall Bramblett would be better known by now. A multi-instrumentalist who’s equally well versed on keyboards, guitar, horns and harmonica, he’s been the musician that’s been mainly behind the scenes […]

[rating=9.00] I’ve had my suspicions for some time now, but they’re confirmed now. With the release of A Raw Youth, Le Butcherettes have solidified their position as the finest rock and roll band working today. Three records into their career, and they’ve proven themselves to be a diverse group who’s not beholden to any particular […]

[rating=7.00] Glen Hansard has achieved that songwriting feat of knowing precisely when to fall apart. Where some grieve, Hansard explodes, and never a moment too soon. Many of his songs are tests of endurance when performed live, for himself as much as the audience, pained narratives that evolve gradually and climax suddenly, with all the […]

Today on September 18th, the Nashville-based, genre-bending songwriter Patrick Sweany is releasing a new album Daytime Turned To Nighttime on the Austin-based Nine Mile Records. In conjunction with that acclaimed photographer Nate Burrell and Tim Gebauer sharing exclusive to Glide the video  premiere of “Long Way Down” off Daytime Turned to Nighttime (below), which was filmed at Sweany’s East Nashville […]

[rating=7.00] Although his partnership with longtime collaborator Gillian Welch has spawned six albums in 20 years, Dave Rawlings’ name has made the cover of only one of them up until now. The sole time he found himself at the helm of a band, Dave Rawlings Machine, was less a solo venture than a communal ensemble. […]

[rating=9.00] Bandleader Stuart Bogie’s pseudo-rock pedigree is an impressive one. Having stints with the likes of David Byrne, TV On The Radio, and Arcade Fire under his belt, Escape Velocity plays like some kind of lush, organic techno that mixes strong pop sensibilities with its syncopated backbeat. The opening track “VHS,” a title alone that sets […]

[rating=7.00] The California Honeydrops newest album, A River’s Invitation is a blend of American musical styles as the five piece Bay Area outfit pushes soul, blues, funk and pop around a strong set of singing pipes from frontman Lech Wierzynski. Backing him up are Ben Malament (drums, washboard, percussion), Johnny Bones (tenor saxophone, clarinet), Lorenzo […]

[rating=9.00] Before covering Branko’s new album Atlas, let us cover a bit of ground. Fans of globally inspired dance music (think M.I.A.) will likely have already heard of the adventurous, and truly original kuduro/global dance band Buraka Som Sistema. If you don’t count yourself among that lucky group of listeners, they are highly recommended (give […]

[rating=8.00] Beirut is one of those bands that have surpassed their genre and become a descriptor. Rather than relying on the basic knowledge of their particular brand of indie-world music, one can simply say, “It sounds like Beirut” and get the point across. That’s why when the first reaction to their latest genre defining album […]

[rating=4.00] It’s been six years since Slayer have released any recorded material. In that time we’ve seen the passing of founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman and the departure of founding drummer Dave Lombardo. The newest incarnation of the band is no less pummeling but it seems to be universally agreed upon that this is a watered […]

[rating=8.00] Although The Story of Sonny Boy Slim is Gary Clark Jr.’s second full-length album for Warner Bros., he’s made over a half-dozen EP’s and LP’s prior to its release, so it’s fair to say he’s a seasoned recording artist at this point in his career. Which is a roundabout way of saying he’s enacted […]

[rating=6.00] Ben Folds’ penchant for pop is well established, first sewn in the guise of the Ben Folds Five and  later as part of an enduring solo career. Indeed, those who can hold the helm seated at the keyboard are part of a very specific breed — with Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elton John, […]

[rating=7.00] As they’ve managed to prove over the course of more than a dozen previous offerings, Low is clearly not the most effusive combo, especially as evidenced by their ongoing MO. For what it’s worth, this Duluth Minnesota-based band has held fast to that palette for the past 22 years, never opting to compromise for […]

[rating=8.00] In his day job as front man for The Hold Steady, Craig Finn has fashioned himself as a performer flush with verbosity and the art of persuading all the air guitar auteurs in listening range to genuflect with inspired admiration. Like Springsteen, Bono, Willie Nile, Willie Deville and all the others that profess to […]

[rating=8.00] For all intents and purposes, Tommy Keene’s albums all sound the same yet sound fresh and invigorating from one to the other.  Recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis (as was 1989’s Based on Happy Times), Laugh in the Dark is no exception to that self-imposed  rule (the Washington DC native has never experimented much […]