Reviews Archives - Page 847 of 1000

Rilo Kiley: Rkives

Warren Miller April 18, 2013 No Comments

RKives is far from perfect. It hardly comprises Rilo Kiley’s best material. To be fair, though, it is a rarities compilation, and a bulk of the songs on the album remained unreleased until now for good reason. But while the beautifully curated record will never replace The Execution of All Things or More Adventurous as anyone’s favorite album, it is an essential addition to any Rilo Kiley fan’s collection and a pleasant enough collection of songs for even the most casual listener.

The Flaming Lips: The Terror

Patrick Flanary April 16, 2013 No Comments

True to its title, The Terror is indeed a woozy fright of a record, one long song in nine parts, like a padlocked dream with no beginning or end. Yet where 2009’s elaborate Embryonic offered the occasional break and variation, The Terror provides no such escape. Its tempo creeps along at little more than a crawl, underscoring a level of unsettlement never quite felt from a Flaming Lips record, and that’s saying something. Imagine a venomous cousin of The Soft Bulletin’s “Spiderbite Song,” and you’re getting close.

Bob Dylan: Tsongas Center at U Mass Lowell, 4/9/13

Albie Cullen April 16, 2013 No Comments

Whether it be the opening of the tour or the change in the line-up, these recent shows have featured the same set list which is an oddity for Dylan, with the emphasis on his last few studio releases, 2012’s “Tempest”, 2009’s “Together Through Life” and 2006, “Modern Times”. Regardless, Dylan seemed to be enjoying himself, not necessarily smiling but smirking. But that’s what makes Bob Dylan and if you’re a fan its always an honor to be in his presence.

Iron and Wine : Ghost on Ghost

Jack Cavanaugh April 15, 2013 No Comments

Samuel Beam, better known as Iron and Wine, has now released his fifth studio album Ghost on Ghost and first on Nonesuch Records. On top of changing labels – previous albums were released on Subpop and Warner Bros./4AD – Beam has also changed his approach to songwriting, as stated on the band's website: “Beam sought to move from what he called the 'anxious tension' of his two previous records. 'This record felt like a reward to myself after the way I went about making the last few."

Band of Heathens: Great Scott, Boston, MA 4/6/13

Albie Cullen April 15, 2013 No Comments

Despite having been named the best band in Austin, Texas along with a Top 10 American Music Association album for 2008, the critical recognition hasn’t always translated nationally for Band of Heathens. Being recognized as best in Austin is like being named best Mormon in Salt Lake City. As Austin is now the epicenter of the American music scene the title is no minor platitude.

Stephen Stills: Carry On (Box Set)

Doug Collette April 12, 2013 No Comments

With 82 tracks carefully collated over four CDs with a triple fold package designed to hold them (alongside the accompanying 116 page booklet), the Stephen Stills anthology Carry On is borderline cumbersome but ultimately enlightening, as much perhaps for the light it sheds on such history-spanning collections as on this particular artist. Like any great album, the continuity of the vivid graphic design of Carry On mirrors that of the music inside.

Charlie Hunter/Scott Amendola: Billsborough Music Hall Hillsborough, NC 4/5/2013

Bryan Rodgers April 12, 2013 No Comments

Any music fan with knowledge of San Francisco’s turn-of-the-nineties “acid jazz” scene knows that Charlie Hunter and Scott Amendola share a lengthy and profound musical history. From the much-loved T.J. Kirk project to several of Hunter’s own records and other one-off collaborations, the pair has met frequently in their orbits through the music industry. In October 2012, they released a duo album (Not Getting Behind Is The New Getting Ahead) and they’ve been touring behind it since. Billsborough Music Hall in Hillsborough, NC (just outside Chapel Hill) hosted Hunter and Amedola on a bustling Friday night and found the pair in a loose, jovial mood.

Cold War Kids : Dear Miss Lonelyhearts

Jeremy Lukens April 12, 2013 No Comments

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts, CWK's fourth release, finds the band continuing to look forward rather than imitating their older music. Once again, the album is too slick, with only hints of the grungy garage minimalism of their grand debut Robbers & Cowards. The good news is that they pull off the pop music much better this time. Yes, the drums are played in time, Willet’s vocals are in key, and the songs are more streamlined and predictable, but at least this time they have hooks. At least this time around, the pop songs are interesting.

Frightened Rabbit: Pedestrian Verse

Shawn Donohue April 11, 2013 No Comments

On their first three releases Frightened Rabbit have more closely resembled an outfit fronted by a budding songwriting/front-man with backup players than a full band; that is not the case with Pedestrian Verse as it has all come together for the group with this release.

Airborne Toxic Event: Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ 4/1/13

Jaclyn Timme April 9, 2013 No Comments

On April Fools’ Day in Tempe fans of all ages migrated toward the Marquee Theater which resembled an underground storage company with the mass amount of construction that the venue is currently undergoing. LA’s Airborne Toxic Event is preparing to release their third album Such Hot Blood on April 16th and this performance marks the third stop in their record supporting tour.

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