AltWeeklies Wire
Dinosaur Jr. Refines the Sound of its Heydaynew
The lackadaisical manner that characterized the band during the '80s hasn’t carried over to Farm. The songs are more expertly orchestrated, and to some extent, the tighter, more mature Dinosaur Jr. sounds strongly reminiscent of another lumbering grunge band of yore: Pearl Jam.
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
06-18-2009 |
Reviews
Gang Gang Dance Decimates Every Jam-Rock Cliche on 'Saint Dymphna'new
In short, it's an album of such bizarre ambition that even Bjork will have to remove her headdress of human hair, have a long look at the mirror, and worry about what to do next.
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
10-31-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Gang Gang Dance, Saint Dymphna
Tussle's Still Looking For the Perfect Beatnew
Trying to sing any track from Cream Cuts, the San Francisco quartet's third full-length, without using a plosive is the kind of quasi-spiritual drum-guru pursuit to which Mickey Hart would dedicate three years of his life and an elaborate book.
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
09-11-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Tussle, Cream Cuts
Hercules and Love Affair Offer a New Take on '70s House and Garagenew
Hercules and Love Affair's Andrew Butler is entirely serious about disco. His band's self-titled debut is a loving homage to the dance music of the late '70s that doesn't require a pair of platform shoes or an ironic leisure suit -- really, you just need an appreciation of New York garage and Chicago house.
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
07-03-2008 |
Reviews
BORIS' Latest Has a Familiar Tingenew
If Smile is any indication, the Japanese metal trio has settled the debate on what BORIS is actually supposed to sound like -- and apparently the consensus is "loud."
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
05-15-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Smile
Santogold's Debut Sticks to Pop Basicsnew
The first two released songs portrayed Santogold as a hip-grinding purveyor of ambitious mutant-pop, somebody who could adeptly splice hip-hop with club rhythms and dub echoes. In other words, an M.I.A. who could sing. So it's a little shocking that Santogold is so sugary.
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
05-09-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Santogold
Do the Tusslenew
With the exception of Lightning Bolt, Raccoo-oo-oon is about as close as New Weird America gets to a party band.
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
05-18-2007 |
Reviews
Simple Mindsnew
The Shins stick to their formula while staying flexible.
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
01-26-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: The Shins, Wincing the Night Away
Gutter Fabulousnew
Waits gives cheap sentiment the bum's rush.
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
01-05-2007 |
Reviews
Say What?
More angry youngsters than ever before will be able to understand what the Blood Brothers have to say -- which according to the lyrics sheet, may not be much.
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
11-03-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: The Blood Brothers, Young Machetes
Empire Strikes Out
Empire sounds as if it were composed on a pub napkin when the band was on bacchanalian auto-pilot during five spare minutes between a drunken brawl with Liam Gallagher and a failed pass at Kate Moss.
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
09-22-2006 |
Reviews
Flash Forward
Oneida's long strange trip toward focus seems to have finally come to a close.
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
07-28-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: Happy New Year, Oneida
Vested Disinterest
Despite their clothes, the ’Heads don’t really care about being nerdy anymore.
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
06-16-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: News and Tributes, The Futureheads
Thumb Kind of Wonderful
This compilation is refreshingly raw and unique.
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
03-17-2006 |
Reviews
In the Moods
This is the most consistent album the singer has released.
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
02-17-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: Beth Orton, Comfort of Strangers
