Album Reviews Archives - Page 500 of 706

Cold War Kids : Dear Miss Lonelyhearts

Jeremy Lukens April 12, 2013 No Comments

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts, CWK's fourth release, finds the band continuing to look forward rather than imitating their older music. Once again, the album is too slick, with only hints of the grungy garage minimalism of their grand debut Robbers & Cowards. The good news is that they pull off the pop music much better this time. Yes, the drums are played in time, Willet’s vocals are in key, and the songs are more streamlined and predictable, but at least this time they have hooks. At least this time around, the pop songs are interesting.

Frightened Rabbit: Pedestrian Verse

Shawn Donohue April 11, 2013 No Comments

On their first three releases Frightened Rabbit have more closely resembled an outfit fronted by a budding songwriting/front-man with backup players than a full band; that is not the case with Pedestrian Verse as it has all come together for the group with this release.

Dawes: Stories Don’t End

Chris Calarco April 9, 2013 No Comments

By alternating between expressive and easygoing folk-balladry and narrative, mid tempo rock n’ roll, Stories highlights Dawes’ enduring melodic focus. While many young bands fall prey to cheap songwriting thrills of loud n’ long histrionics, from the beginning Dawes has been cut from a different mold.

Curren$y: New Jet City

Cailyn Finkel April 8, 2013 No Comments

Curren$y hardly fails to impress his fans, and his newest mix tape, New Jet City, is no exclusion. The tape is a compilation of well-produced tracks stressing the fact that he has made it as an artist, and depicting the struggles that accompany the fame. The mix-tape starts off with the title track, a powerful introductory sample, trumpets and an upbeat instrumental background help lift the mood instantly. Although the mix-tape had more features than usual, Curren$y still managed to come out on top and was able to showcase his relaxed flow and catchy lyricism.

Mudhoney: Vanishing Point

Ron Hart April 5, 2013 No Comments

Much ado has been made already about "I Like It Small", the lead single off Vanishing Point, the ninth solo album from Seattle grunge icons Mudhoney. Is it about dick size? Is it about the intimacy of the venues the band likes to play in? Apparently, both instances are correct, as Mark Arm and company kick off their 25th year serving as the ultimate alternative to commercial rock

Anais Mitchell/Jefferson Hamer: Child Ballads

Brian Palmer April 4, 2013 No Comments

The pairing of Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer is nothing short of magical on this seven-song collection of tracks. Mitchell’s clear, spritely voice is the perfect complement to Hamer’s thick, rich vocals, and when combined with the simple folk stylings of these traditional ballads from England and Scotland, these ballads are made stirring and beautiful. Child Ballads transports you to another time and place, and in so doing becomes one of the year’s most unique releases.

Robyn Hitchcock : Love From London

Ric Hickey April 3, 2013 No Comments

Like a pirate winking behind his eye patch, it’s hard to tell when Robyn Hitchcock is pulling your leg. Over the course of a career spanning nearly four decades, this visionary Brit wit has carved out a musical path that is purely unique. His work exists in a realm all its own, largely defying comparison to any other songwriter’s work.

The Black Angels: Indigo Meadow

Chris Calarco April 3, 2013 No Comments

The Black Angels' recorded efforts have demonstrated a commitment to an assertive, dense, and kaleidoscopic worldview. While Indigo Meadow stays firmly rooted in these stylistic conventions it also offers some nuanced texture. By downsizing to a four piece the band has granted greater influence to producer and live mixer John Cagelton, resulting in a vibrant, compelling album with fresh production clout.

Grave Babies: Crusher

Shawn Donohue April 2, 2013 No Comments

Wahlfedlt and crew have crafted a layered goth/pop, industrial-light release that could have kids breaking out the black leather and massacre as soon as they spin Crusher.

The Black Lillies: Runaway Freeway Blues

Chris Calarco April 1, 2013 No Comments

Following the dissolution of both his marriage and his first band, The Black Lillies’ founder Cruz Contreras spent a year on the road as a truck driver for a stone company in East Tennessee. Thus, after playing more than 200 shows in 2012 upon the release of The Lillies’ critically acclaimed debut, Contreras has lived a relentlessly nomadic existence. With its mix of pedal steel guitar, banjo, and crystalline harmonies, the melancholic and modern Appalachia-meets-Americana sound of second LP Runaway Freeway Blues is firmly rooted in the wandering spirit of a restless heart on the run.

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