Album Reviews
Tami Neilson Stays Bold, Brassy & Assertive With ‘Sassafrass!’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
As a follow up to her last album, the boldly titled Don’t Be Afraid, Canada’ singer and songwriter Tami Neilson continues to procure a distinctive sound that’s bold, brassy and flush with an assertive ability. ...
Chuck Westmoreland Imbues Elements of Petty & Isbell on Gritty ‘Long Winter Rodeo’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Chuck Westmoreland’s homespun sentiment and tenacious trappings make for a durable combination, one that imbues elements of Tom Petty’s enduring anthems and Jason Isbell’s unceasing insurgency. Little wonder then that Long Winter Rodeo is the ...
Kara Grainger Takes Songs To Unexpected Places On ‘Living With Your Ghost’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
It’s not exactly a nice feeling when an album reminds you that you’re a bit of a sexist, but it’s an important one to acknowledge. Because if you’re anything like this reviewer, you’re going to ...
Phil Cook Channels Soul & Gospel on NOLA-Infused ‘People Are My Drug’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Phil Cook delivers the kind of informal gospel-flavored album you could easily associate with a southern church or simply a bunch of friends singing on a back porch. The informality proves engaging for Phil Cook’s ...
Ghost Head to New Mainstream Ground on ‘Prequelle’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Ghost manages to embrace their dark and poppy sides equally on their fourth album.
‘Noonday Dream’ Stakes Out Ben Howard’s Ever-Maturing Territory As Artist (ALBUM REVIEW)
When Ben Howard surged onto the global scene with debut album Every Kingdom, there seemed nothing particularly remarkable about him. Oh sure, his sudden fame was remarkable and a Mercury Prize nomination is nothing to ...
Neko Case Goes For Pop-Heavy, Creative Sound With ‘Hell-On’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Hearing Neko Case’s voice feels like coming home again. It is all at once powerfully singular and familiar, but still mysterious and bewildering in its beauty. A new Neko Case record is like a gift ...
Nicki Bluhm Goes Solo With Cathartic “To Rise You Gotta Fall” (ALBUM REVIEW)
Nicki Bluhm had a nice six-year stint going with her band, The Gramblers, playing large venues, mega festivals, and sharing the stage with top grossing acts. Then her marriage to husband and bandleader Tim Bluhm ...
Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore Cover Almost a Century of American Music in Mixed Genre ‘Downey to Lubbock’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
On the surface, this may seem like an odd pairing of two legends. Their voices couldn’t be more different with Alvin’s low and rowdy baritone offset by Gilmore’s high lonesome warble. Consider also Alvin’s blistering ...
Mazzy Star Stay True to Dream Pop Sound With EP ‘Still’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
After a 17-year hiatus, Mazzy Star returned with the release of 2013’s Seasons of Your Day. The well-received album showed fans that unlike some new releases from artists whose heyday was in the eighties and ...
