Album Reviews Archives - Page 529 of 705

Male Bonding: Endless Now

Shane Handler November 8, 2011 No Comments

The poppy-punk trio of Male Bonding may not have the best band name in rock and roll but they craft some catchy tunes that will have you shimmying along for the brief (32 minute) full length release, Endless Now. Nothing here is going to weigh down your mind or soul, but sunny tracks like “Tame The Sun” will put a smile on anyone’s face and the quick changing “Seems To Notice Now” is just one of the single worthy jingles.

Moreland & Arbuckle: Just A Dream

Jeremy Lukens November 4, 2011 No Comments

As a blues-based rock duo, Moreland & Arbuckle will always be compared to the White Stripes and the Black Keys, but that is not a fair comparison. The White Stripes used excessive fuzz to mask average musicianship while the Black Keys, until recently, used massive riffs to mask average songwriting. Moreland & Arbuckle, with a deeper and rootsier sound, doesn’t have either of those shortcomings.

Dehlia Low: Ravens & Crows

Gabriel Scheer November 4, 2011 No Comments

Do you like folk with a twangy country feel? If so, Dehlia Low will leave you feeling fulfilled. The album is a perfect blend of old timey, almost familiar tunes, presented with beautiful vocals, impressive instrumentation, and kickin’ rhythms. Starting with the songs: with song titles the likes of “State of Jefferson,” “Living is Easy,” “Drifting on a Lonesome Sea,” and “Cannonball Blues,” Dehlia Low has followed the traditional path of folksy, oft-depressed lyricism, a mirror of the Appalachia from which their musical tradition stems.

Jack Oblivian: Rat City

Shawn Donohue November 2, 2011 No Comments

Starting with what sounds like a dying siren, Rat City’s title track brings forth the garage rock jangle that Jack Oblivian has become revered for in some circles. Co-founder of The Compulsive Gamblers and The Oblivians, Jack Oblivian (aka Jack Yarber) has been an elder statesman in these lo-fi parts for some time, but he may have hit a high point as far as his solo efforts go with his newest release.

Dum Dum Girls: Only In Dreams

Matthew Mowatt October 31, 2011 No Comments

It’s the growing pains of Only in Dreams that capture and pull in something novel to an already saturated 60’s garage-pop revival. The Dum Dum Girls have taken a risk in trying something new, but this risk, for the most part, has paid off.

Future Islands: On the Water

Jeff Strowe October 31, 2011 No Comments

Future Islands have made their name by delivering the kind of “blood, sweat, and tears” live show that can inspire legions of fans to blindly follow the band across the miles. The members don’t look like your typical indie-rock darlings; instead they resemble the type of guys in the cubicle next to yours who you depend on for a daily dose of levity or to complete a fantasy football trade.

Los Lobos: One Night One Time: Live Recordings Vol. 2

Doug Collette October 28, 2011 No Comments

The second volume of Los Lobos’ Live Recordings series supplies multiple reminders why this is not just another band from East LA. The scholar/academician might look for more background content on the locale of such a recording as One Night One /Time Vol.2, and perhaps some rationale from the band (especially archivist/producer of this title, Lobos’ Cesar Roas), as to why this particular show deserves preservation for posterity.

Lou Reed and Metallica: Lulu

Bob Lange October 28, 2011 No Comments

We pushed as far as we possibly could within the realms of reality." That’s a pretty bold claim from Lou Reed regarding his collaboration with Metallica, a collaboration most view as bizarre, but Reed seems to think is quite natural. Unfortunately, those are only words and not a true reflection of what the two disparate rock forces achieve throughout most of their album, Lulu.

Matthew Sweet: Modern Art

Doug Collette October 26, 2011 No Comments

The visceral impact of Matthew Sweet’s rock and roll has placed him somewhat erroneously in the power pop genre when in fact, instead of grabbing the listener as do the hook-laden likes of his peer Tommy Keene, Sweet’s guitar-rock insinuates itself as you hear it.

Ryan Adams: Ashes & Fire

Peter Zimmerman October 25, 2011 No Comments

This album may be a bit too accessible and/or soft for fans of the harder edged rock-leaning work from his mid-career, but Ashes & Fire reaffirms Ryan Adams as a leader among singer-songwriters, and after the turmoil of the past few years it’s delightful to see him back on top of his game.

Album Reviews

View posts by year

Recent Posts

New to Glide

Keep up-to-date with Glide

Twitter