Album Reviews Archives - Page 505 of 713

Fitz and The Tantrums : More Than Just a Dream

Jeremy Lukens May 8, 2013 No Comments

After two years of exhaustive touring supporting their debut LP, Pickin' Up the Pieces, Fitz & the Tantrums faced the daunting task of recording a follow-up album that would live up to the newly heightened expectations without simply releasing a carbon copy of the music that made them famous. Perhaps as a way of delegating that problem, front-man Michael Fitzpatrick this time opted against producing the album himself, instead handing the reigns to Tony Hoffer (Beck, The Kooks).

Iggy and the Stooges: Ready to Die

Jeff Strowe May 8, 2013 No Comments

For a band pushing the 40-year mark of existence, Iggy and the Stooges blast through these songs with a strong, vital sense of purpose and confidence. Ready to Die has some hiccups, but it is more a statement of timely purpose and a reminder that they’re still around and capable of hanging in there with a new generation of rock fans. You get the feeling that Iggy will be around a while to grind out his continued power strokes to the masses.

Dark Horses: Black Music

Jeremy Lukens May 6, 2013 No Comments

It only takes a few seconds for Dark Horses to establish the tone of their debut album. Black Music begins with swirling directionless noise, creating a desolate landscape. Lisa Elle’s distant vocals then join the mix, her pained voice combining with the flowing ambiance to create an uneasy feeling like waiting for expected bad news. The fact that the crescendo never happens leaves all the built-up tension unresolved and it lingers throughout the remainder of the LP.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Mosquito

Ron Hart May 6, 2013 No Comments

Recorded in London, New York City, Echo Park, CA and Tornillo, Texas with such high profile producers as Dave Sitek, the DFA's James Murphy, legendary UK post-punk/new wave producer Nick Launay and longtime Yeahs associate Sam Spiegel (aka Squeak E. Clean), Mosquito is the Like A Prayer to Fever to Tell's Like A Virgin, right up to the rousing gospel choir that roars at the coda of the explosive opening track "Sacrilege".

Paula Cole: Raven

Jeff Demars May 6, 2013 No Comments

When compared alongside her complete repertoire, Raven will undoubtedly stand tall as one of Cole’s top albums.

Junip: Junip

Jeff Demars May 2, 2013 No Comments

Junip makes no effort to outdo or dramatically alter the sound they have developed since their first EP, but they have clearly focused on improving their overall balance in writing this album. In time, Junip could easily prove to be the band’s best effort yet.

Phoenix: Bankrupt!

Jack Cavanaugh May 1, 2013 No Comments

Any fans concerned that Bankrupt! will be freakishly different than the Phoenix they've come to appreciate have nothing to worry about. Basically, Bankrupt! is a melodic and slightly gentler version of Wolfgang, and while this album could be considered experimental for them, but all of the songs are easily recognizable as a Phoenix song upon first listen. Taken in isolation, it's catchy, but maybe not with any songs capable of reaching megahit status. If they set out to make an album that's compositionally divergent from anything they've ever done before, they didn't do so well. If they set out to make an album of easy-on-the-ears pop songs with a few subtle twists, they did pretty well.

Midnight Oil: Essential Oils

Patrick Flanary May 1, 2013 No Comments

One CD might have done the job, but there’s little bloat here and more than enough to entice die-hards and new listeners with a proper reflection on the group’s genesis, process and closure. Essential Oils draws from all 14 of their recordings between 1978 and 2002. At 36 songs, the album traces a journey of demanding social justice through song, ones that evolve from polished punk to textured pop to industrial mayhem.

Steve Earle: The Low Highway

Patrick Flanary April 29, 2013 No Comments

While four-letter words like “road” and “town” have never strayed far from Steve Earle’s songbook, his latest trip veers from the familiar to the expected. On The Low Highway, Earle sounds strained, even gruffer than usual, on predictable travel themes that otherwise serve up welcome surprises from his wife Allison Moorer and longtime live band, The Dukes.

Paramore: Paramore

Brian Palmer April 29, 2013 No Comments

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Paramore is one of the more interesting bands in music today. This power pop rock band has been churning out rock hits for a handful of years now, and more than its fair share of band drama as well. With the departure of the Farro Brothers at the end of 2010, fans have been split about whether the band could really continue on as a trio after losing so much talent. But Hayley Williams & Co. pressed on, and three and a half years after releasing Brand New Eyes, they are back with an eponymous record which takes them in a bold new direction.

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