Album Reviews

In 1994, Born Jamericans burst onto the scene with their debut album Kids From Foreign, an electrifying blend of dancehall reggae and hip-hop that not only captured the essence of the duo’s Jamaican heritage but also redefined cross-genre collaboration. Comprising Mr. Notch (Norman Howell) and Edley Shine (Horace Payne), the American-born duo created a sound […]

The LA punk scene in the early 80s was wild. You had bands like X, Black Flag, the Germs, and The Screamers all essentially helping to create their own regional flavor of punk, a genre that was just in its infancy. But the bands and fans were also open-minded enough to latch onto a group […]

For over two decades, Norma Jean has been a trailblazer in the metalcore scene. Originating in Atlanta, Georgia, the band emerged in the early 2000s with a sound that blended unrelenting aggression, chaotic arrangements, and introspective lyricism. Taking their name from Marilyn Monroe’s birth name, Norma Jean quickly gained a reputation for their fearless experimentation […]

When Sixteen Stone hit the shelves in December 1994, it catapulted Bush into the stratosphere of alternative rock fame. Their mix of post-grunge aggression, melodic accessibility, and Gavin Rossdale’s brooding charisma made them an international sensation. Despite not gaining much traction in their native Britain, Sixteen Stone was certified 6x Platinum in the U.S. and […]

Kim Deal’s first proper solo album was a long time in the making. She started recording Nobody Loves You More in 2011 when she was still with The Pixies and wrapped up in 2022 when she worked with close friend (the late) Steve Albini. The record feels lived in, with a wide sonic scope and a distribution of feelings, as […]

His last release Greatish Hits: I Followed My Dreams and My Dreams Said to Crawl was completely unnecessary. Father John Misty is one of the few artists who still revel in the full album format, immersing himself in sounds and themes over a record’s run time. His albums tell long stories, tie together disparate ideas, […]

Blue Note, in conjunction with the Jazz Detective Zev Feldman, Jack, and Lydia DeJohnette, have unearthed one of the most explosive jazz recordings heard in recent years with Forces of Nature: Live at Slugs. Four icons of jazz, tenorist Joe Henderson, pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Henry Grimes, and a very young and most impressive drummer, Jack […]

When you first hear the songs of Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms, you could be forgiven for assuming that they hail from somewhere in the South. After all, the two embrace melodies and rich harmony vocals steeped in the tradition of artists that have graced the Grand Ole Opry for decades. There is also a […]

Heading into his fourth LP, singer/songwriter Michael Kiwanuka has more eyes on him than ever. After releasing his 2019 self-titled LP to critical acclaim, which included a Grammy nod and a Mercury Prize, it seemed as if Kiwanuka had achieved that cherished middle ground between artistically free and commercially celebrated. On the surface, all of […]

No other 100-year-old musician is leading a band, and no bandleader has remained in the same band for 67 years. NEA Jazz Master and alto saxophonist/EWI player Marshall Allen joined the Sun Ra Arkestra in 1957 (or 1958, depending on the source) and has been leading the venerable institution since Sun Ra’s passing in 1993 for thirty years and […]