Reviews

It’s been two years since the Chris Robinson Brotherhood have played Europe and in that time they have released two albums and a five track EP of new material. To say the CRB are prolific and in a rich vein of form is an understatement. They have also released a triple live album, 2CD, Betty’s […]

[rating=8.00] There are times when an artist is so talented and interested in so many diverse styles of music that it takes some time to focus the disparate elements into one compelling package. That statement applies to Nova Scotia’s Erin Costelo, who writes, sings , arranges, and produces. This album, Down Below, The Status Quo […]

In the latest Wannabe, artist Chris Prunckle offers his illustrated commentary on By The Way, I Forgive You, the new album from Brandi Carlile, in his signature six-panel comic strip form. Click on the image for full resolution (best viewed on desktop):

[rating=7.00] Sean Carey may have spent much of his career caught in the formidable gravitational pull of the infinite mass that is Justin Vernon as “that other guy from Bon Iver”, but such designations are perhaps unfair. His solo career as S. Carey has produced a body of work that stands on its own, forcing […]

The Nor’easter that hit the East Coast Friday night March 2nd made what was already an unprecedented evening at Radio City Music Hall even weirder. This was the first time that Bob Weir and Phil Lesh would ever play as a duo and no one knew what to expect. The concept had obviously attracted a […]

At this point, Carlos Santana has nothing to prove to anyone. Five decades of being a legendary guitar player means that Santana, at the age of 70, could easily sit back and rest on his laurels. But he doesn’t. Instead, he tours…a lot. It doesn’t matter that he hasn’t released an album in over 10 […]

[rating=8.00] It’s perhaps no coincidence that both Seun and Femi Kuti – the sons of Nigerian Afrobeat legend and pioneer Fela Kuti – have both released new albums a week apart in the wake of the raging success and subsequent high-profile discourse surrounding Marvel’s Black Panther. It’s a film that brought the grievances toward colonialism, […]

The Walking Dead continues its long, drawn out dive into mediocrity.

[rating=8.00] Four solo albums on, Tracey Thorn’s postscript to her tenure with Everything but the Girl continues to show quality control firmly in check. The succinctly titled Record retains the inherent imaginative qualities that made that duo so satisfying to both denizens of the dance floor and those that preferred their pop remain warm, engaging […]

[rating=9.00] On All Nerve, their first album in a decade, The Breeders have put together their strongest complete work since their cultural highpoint, Last Splash. Perhaps not coincidently the lineup from that album, Kim and Kelley Deal, Jim MacPherson and Josephine Wiggs, has reunited for the first time in 25 years resulting in All Nerve. The […]