Album Reviews

[rating=9.00] We are reaching the point where many of our favorite artists are pausing to reflect, as if to ask whether they would record their beloved songs the same way again. We’ve seen this with artists who have re-recorded entire albums (i.e. Lucinda Williams) or taken their greatest hits into a live format with new […]

[rating=8.00] True to her reputation as a singular interpreter, Bettye LaVette will turn heads again with Things Have Changed, putting her own spin on Bob Dylan’s songs much the way she did on her Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook. Despite achieving legendary status, this is the veteran soul singer’s first album release on a major […]

[rating=8.00] Vermonter Caitlin Canty finds Nashville to her liking on her fourth release, a mostly dark, brooding but ultimately hopeful work, Motel Bouquet. Produced by Punch Brother banjoist Noam Pikelny, who in return recruited some of Nashville’s best session players, this could be Canty’s breakthrough. Like her previous work, it’s a blend of folk, dark […]

“Can the rest of my band please come to the stage?”About to kick off the last show of a whirlwind, year-long international tour at Brooklyn’s Market Hotel on March 23rd, Shame frontman Charlie Steen sounded just a little exasperated as he waited for his bandmates to work their way through the packed crowd to meet […]

In the latest Wannabe, artist Chris Prunckle offers his illustrated commentary on Old Scars, New Blood, the new album from Virginia punk rockers Ann Beretta, in his signature six-panel comic strip form. Click on the image for full resolution (best viewed on desktop):

[rating=7.00] Stars for Eyes is easily Mark Huff’s most accessible effort yet. It’s a set of songs that shows him making a stunning turn, from the darker, drier material that populated his earlier albums to a rich and riveting sound laden with melodies that strike a solid and substantial first impression. At the same time, […]

[rating=9.00] While the Heartless Bastards have never been known as an especially timid bunch — indeed, their mix of roots and garage rock is generally flush with drama and defiance — the band’s previous efforts could hardly have prepped its followers for the dynamic solo debut of its lead singer and original architect Erika Wennerstrom. […]

[rating=8.00] This is the fourth release, a self-titled one for Steve Gadd’s own band, following closely the release of Gadd’s collaboration with Chick Corea just two months ago. The album features Steve Gadd on drums and handling the producer role, joined by Walt Fowler on trumpet/flugelhorn, Kevin Hays on keyboards, vocals; Jimmy Johnson on bass […]

[rating=7.00] Preoccupations are the sound of deep longing in more ways than one. Their music and lyrics are the clear exhibition of that as it captures the prowling unrest inherent in the post-punk movement of the late 70s, but therein lies their deeper sense of longing. The band let slip glimpses of a deep wish […]

[rating=9.00] Every so often a voice will come along that just completely bowls you over. One publication described Courtney Marie Andrews’ voice as “midway between Dolly Parton and Whitney Houston.” Perhaps an even better descriptor was the one that said, “one that can only be understood by being heard.” Combine Andrews’ remarkable twangy expressive vocals […]