AltWeeklies Wire
'Keep in Mind Frankenstein' Has a Pastoral Soundnew
Not one to offer up much in the way of new tricks, Grand Archives' Mat Brooke instead maintains a remarkable level of quality control on the band's new album.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
11-11-2009 |
Reviews
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Frontman Strikes Out on His Own with 'Mo Beauty'new
While this "solo" debut finds the Clap Your Hands Say Yeah frontman sounding comfortable and more accomplished as a singer-songwriter, the band is so excellent -- flawless, really -- that the album's only weak spots come from Alec Ounsworth himself.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
11-04-2009 |
Reviews
Circulatory System's Latest Pushes the Band's Experimental Side to the Forefrontnew
Eight years have passed since its first album, and Circulatory System is back with Signal Morning, a hectic and sonically dense collection.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
10-07-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Signal Morning, Circulatory System
'Aim and Ignite' by fun. is Theatric and Happynew
Aim and Ignite rushes along with the exuberant flair and candied adrenaline that you'd expect from a band named fun.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
10-07-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Aim and Ignite, fun.
The Dodos' Latest Album is Light and Wickednew
Time to Die sounds careful and calculated, pleasant enough to draw in the listener, but sadly not delivering much else once you're inside.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
09-23-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: The Dodos, Time to Die
The Fleet Foxes' J. Tillman Makes Dark and Quiet Folk Musicnew
J. Tillman's clear talent in arranging acoustic instruments to draw richness from simplicity and his strong voice make this album pleasing, perfect for a quiet room and watching the twilight fade to darkness.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
09-16-2009 |
Reviews
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are Becoming an Indie Sensationnew
When the band's self-titled debut LP was released in February, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart had the attention of tastemakers from The New York Times to Pitchfork and Stereogum, but Kip Berman says it was hardly an overnight turn.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
09-16-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Popular Songs' Showcases Yo La Tengo as a Self-Assured and Versatile Bandnew
Yo La Tengo's latest album concludes with three endlessly mesmerizing jams that stretch across the album's final 37 minutes -- and it's some of the most beautiful, cogent music the band has made.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
09-16-2009 |
Reviews
Joe Henry Creates His Own Dark Americana on 'Blood From Stars'new
Record-producer extraordinaire Joe Henry takes his own brand of pensive Americana a step deeper into the underworld on this dreamy and brooding album that just may be the peak of his career.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
08-31-2009 |
Reviews
The Skygreen Leopards' Latest Album is Purely Californianew
Gorgeous Johnny is laid-back folk-rock with pre-formed images of sunlight streaming through palm trees at the ocean.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
08-28-2009 |
Reviews
Eric D. Johnson Returns to the Fruit Batsnew
In the four years that have passed since the last Fruit Bats album, singer-songwriter-guitarist Eric D. Johnson has toured and recorded with the Shins and Vetiver, projects that encouraged him to open up to more collaboration in his own band.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
08-28-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Magnolia Electric Co.'s 'Josephine' is Somber and Deeply Evocativenew
Josephine finds Jason Molina bound by regret and fits of restless isolation, staring down his ghosts while forging a path of escape through deep shadows and the faraway horizon.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
08-12-2009 |
Reviews
Wilco's Latest is Soulful and Gorgeousnew
Full of radiance and subtleties, Wilco (The Album) is an ambitious yet confident record from a band at its peak, an 11-song odyssey that trades skillfully between tension and elation.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
07-02-2009 |
Reviews
Metric's Fourth Album Has Vitality and Charmnew
Built around guitar and keyboard riffs, Fantasies is densely layered, at times frantic and moody, but always with a bright, new-wave sheen.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
06-25-2009 |
Reviews
Conor Oberst's Latest Is Unfocused and Bloatednew
Conor Oberst is chasing a new muse, and while he and his Mystic Valley Band find some success along the way, Outer South mostly plays against his strengths.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
06-11-2009 |
Reviews
