AltWeeklies Wire
'That's So Gay' Is Gimmicky Goodnessnew
Yeah, the joke behind Pansy Division is obvious, but it doesn't ever get old, because the music is actually fun as hell.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
05-07-2009 |
Reviews
Obits Turn Back the Clocknew
The debut album from Obits--the latest band to showcase vocalist/guitarist Rick Frober--is not what you might expect.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
04-29-2009 |
Reviews
The Decemberists' Rock Operanew
The Decemberists' latest may be a variation on a theme, but it's a damn fine one.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
04-08-2009 |
Reviews
Wholly Viola: Anni Rossinew
Rockwell is so delightful in its oddness and sweet in its wordplay that we can easily forgive Anni Rossi her excesses.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
04-08-2009 |
Reviews
Putting Time on Holdnew
Hold Time might be M. Ward's most iconic, brightly imagined work yet.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
03-05-2009 |
Reviews
Alela Diane's 'To Be Still'new
If there's one un-ironic collection of ballads by a Nevada City elf maiden to purchase in these waning days of winter, it's To Be Still.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
02-26-2009 |
Reviews
Obfuscatory and Fine: A.C. Newman's 'Get Guilty'new
Lucky for us, A.C. Newman's brief tryst with Mischa Barton is really just the tip of the iceberg in terms of his contributions to contemporary pop-rock.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
01-22-2009 |
Reviews
The Long Blondes' Shopping-Mall Agit-Popnew
It's consistent with the post-postmodern moment that everything on the latest Long Blondes album reminds one of something else.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
06-11-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: couples, The Long Blondes
Tinker and Playnew
Rather than expanding on the syrupy, big sound the Breeders do so well, on Mountain Battles, they stay in a noncommittal, midtempo zone that fails to engage
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
05-01-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Mountain Battles, The Breeders
Don't Be a H8rnew
Sixes and Sevens is flashy, erratic, cheeky and joyful -- kind of like a distillation of what's best about pop music
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
04-03-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Adam Green, Sixes and Sevens
Inviting Reflectionnew
This spendid remaster/reissue allows fans to relive the soundtrack to your misspent youth.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
03-20-2008 |
Reviews
Dated Monotonynew
Saturnalia's lesson: Beware of former frontmen from the doomed "grunge era," especially when they come in pairs.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
03-06-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Gutter Twins, Saturnalia
Comfort Musicnew
Oh, My Darling satisfies because of its instant familiarity and wholeness of heart
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
02-28-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Basia Bulat, Oh, My Darling
For Naive Stonersnew
The Mars Volta really understand the whole prog-rock thing: unapologetic excess, esoteric self-referentiality, endless songs filled with sudden tempo changes and bizarre rhythms.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
02-13-2008 |
Reviews
Self-Consciously Kitschynew
This dance-pop album is like listening to your gay kid brother pretend he's Madonna by laying down his own "sexy" vocals with a sophisticated version of GarageBand: You want to encourage him, but you're inwardly wincing.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
02-01-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Hey Willpower, P.D.A.
