AltWeeklies Wire
Repetitive Strain: Vetiver's 'Tight Knit'new
If any band benefits from Robert Christgau’s rule that an album should always get a minimum of three listens, it’s the San Francisco–based folk band Vetiver.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
02-12-2009 |
Reviews
Two Archival CDs Reveal a Peculiar Hunger for the South's Old Waysnew
As literary endorsements of musicians go, it's hard to beat Mark Twain's praise for Polk Miller & His Old South Quartette.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
09-25-2008 |
Reviews
Tindersticks Recreate Their Somber Tone With Less Guysnew
In 2006, the band's membership was halved with the departure of three musicians--including Dickon Hinchliffe, who was responsible for all those sweeping strings.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
09-18-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: The Hungry Saw, Tindersticks
Telepathique Colors its New Album with Shades of Old-School Dance Musicnew
The duo differs from its contemporaries Bonde Do Role and Cansei de Ser Sexy by being less goofy, creating a more straightforward, four-on-the-floor dance sound influenced by house and breakbeat.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
07-31-2008 |
Reviews
Digital Leather Prove Synth-pop's Not Deadnew
Its latest release, Sorcerer, succeeds thanks to its ability to mix up tempos and styles, and the band injects each song with hooks more infectious than the airborne Reaper virus.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
07-18-2008 |
Reviews
Socio-Economic Anxiety Never Rocked as Hard as it Does on the Hold Steady's Latestnew
Though the Hold Steady's musical style has always been of the lunchpail-swingin' bar-rock variety, Craig Finn's lyrics have usually been less about the rundown poor than the burned-out party kids. That changes on Stay Positive: Finn more directly addresses working-class themes, spinning tales of slightly older characters who are actually sweating their way through the drudgery.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
07-10-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: The Hold Steady, Stay Positive
Rhythm and Jews: How a Cache of Classic Soul Got Made in the Promised Landnew
The extraordinary story of a group of Black Hebrew expats, whose music is collected on Soul Messages From Dimona, can stand alongside any of the classic myths of funk and soul. And amazingly, the music itself -- a mix of soul, funk, psych, gospel, and Hebrew traditionals -- can match the drama of the musicians' lives.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
05-30-2008 |
Reviews
Deeper Into Fretnew
The guitarists on Wayfaring Strangers reveal the extent of John Fahey's influence.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
02-21-2008 |
Reviews
Living in Synthnew
These days there’s no shortage of retro-styled cosmic rockers: Black Mountain, Witchcraft, Dungen, Comets on Fire, and even the likes of Bigelf. The question for Portland quartet Danava is how to distinguish itself from that undifferentiated blur of longhaired reenactors.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
02-08-2008 |
Reviews
Dillinger Escape Plan: In Livid Colornew
The group's membership woes have only fired up and brightened its music.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
11-15-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: Dillinger Escape Plan, Ire Works
In the Key of Menew
Timbaland's guests tend to serve the maestro's ego.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
04-13-2007 |
Reviews
Big League Performancenew
Nashville's link in the G-Unit chain holds his own.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
04-09-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: Buck the World, Young Buck
Fearless Freaksnew
In Stormy Nights improves on 2004's Hypnotic Underworld, a successful melange of traditional Japanese instrumentation, Dutch prog, and Celtic psych-folk.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
01-19-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: Ghost, In Stormy Nights
Stations of the Bossnew
The Hold Steady get lit, literate.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
10-13-2006 |
Reviews
Pretension Headache
The Drift offers no release from its monolithic depression.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
06-12-2006 |
Reviews
Tags: Scott Walker, The Drift
