Album Reviews Archives - Page 514 of 706

Twin Shadow : Confess

Spring Eselgroth July 12, 2012 No Comments

If you're on the fence about this recent New Wave revival, Twin Shadow's sophomore effort, Confess might commit you back to the decade of excess. But before cynics start barking " been there, done that" and the black rimmed frames start to fly, let's state for the record that there's no question where Twin Shadow's musical influences lie ( read: New Order,… even a bit of ABC at some points). But unlike other bands who seem content with a kitschy superficial synthed- rendition of their neon past, George Lewis and crew are doin' it and doin' it and doin' it well ( Ok, so that's a 90s reference but you get the point).

Joe Bonamassa: Driving Towards Daylight

Cecilia Martinez July 11, 2012 No Comments

Perception always serves up a slice of skepticism for a record that contains more renditions of other artist’s songs than actual original tracks. Creativity? Originality? Individuality? All are characteristics that come into question when taking this approach to an album’s creation. Yet, it’s a method that American blues rock guitarist and singer Joe Bonamassa has utilized significantly throughout a 12-year long career to great success – with critics even calling the 35-year-old musician the “pre-eminent blues-rock guitarist of his generation.”

Billy Joe Shaver: Live at Billy Bob’s Texas

Hunter Moore July 9, 2012 No Comments

Recorded live at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth in September of 2011, Shaver is backed by a three-piece band of musicians half his age, playing hard-hitting country rock arrangements that seem entirely fitting. His years of work with Eddy, an outstanding lead guitar player, continue to shape the way Shaver presents his music today.

Jaill: Traps

Jeremy Lukens July 6, 2012 No Comments

Traps’ opener, “Waste a Lot of Things,” finds frontman Vincent Kircher repeating the line “yes it’s very sad” over an upbeat kick drum and bright, reverberating guitars. With its sunny guitars and bouncing rhythm, the song’s tone seems more fitting for a beach romp than for a confession that Kircher tends to waste the good things in his life. Such is the case for much of the album, Jaill’s second for Sub Pop Records.

The Sun Parade: Yossis

Jeremy Lukens July 2, 2012 No Comments

When the music and lyrics both hit their stride, the resulting splendor is undeniable. As the young Jennings and Lewis grow as songwriters, these inspired moments should occur with more frequency.

Soulive & Karl Denson: SPARK!

Chad Berndtson June 29, 2012 No Comments

In a note detailing Soulive and Karl Denson's upcoming CD release shows around their new EP SPARK! Denson most helpfully advises: SPARK! is really about the playing, less about the tunes. It's the four of us collectively getting back to more of a jazzier thing than we'd done in recent memory."

Matthew Mayfield: A Banquet for Ghosts

Brian Palmer June 29, 2012 No Comments

Southern crooner and lyric scrawler Matthew Mayfield is a gifted and prolific storyteller (he has released eight EPs and one full-length album in less than four years). Of course according to his Facebook page he is also a “two-faced son of a bitch,” so take that for what you will. Maybe he’s just a tortured artist or maybe he’s just yanking our chains; either way, the man knows how to write and his tales are evocative and picturesque.

The Tallest Man on Earth: There’s No Leaving Now

Jeff Strowe June 26, 2012 No Comments

Any write-up of Swedish singer-songwriter Kristian Matsson, aka The Tallest Man on Earth, inevitably makes the Bob Dylan comparison. The parallels are there, what with the loose, acoustic fingerpicking, the scraggly voice, and the Greenwich Village vibe all present as hallmarks of Matsson’s sound. However, Dylan appraisals are pointless and derivative unless the songs are there and can stand on their own.

Dntel: Aimlessness

Gabriel Scheer June 26, 2012 No Comments

Dntel is Jimmy Tamborello, a musician who burst most strongly onto collective consciousness through his collaboration with Ben Gibbard, under the moniker The Postal Service. However, under the moniker Dntel Tamborello has been responsible for leading the charge on modern glitchy electronica, first coming to the notice of this reviewer with the fantastic 2003 Kompact compilation, Triple R Friends, to which Tamborello contributed his 2001 song, “This is the Dream,” as remixed by Superpitcher.

MC Yogi: Pilgrimage

Chris Calarco June 22, 2012 No Comments

In his integration, MC Yogi represents a generation with limitless influences and big dreams of changing the world. His ability to express a vividly detailed and utterly unique identity is the heartbeat of a new paradigm that calls upon the wisdom of ancient Eastern tradition but stays firmly planted in the creative language of postmodern culture. Through this dialectical pulse we remake ourselves on a Pilgrimage toward consciousness.

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