AltWeeklies Wire
The Life of Grime
Two recent compilations offer not only snapshots of the dark-horse scenes of U.K. grime and the Southern rap that's more old-school funk than crunk, but also rare examples of the cash-strapped hiphop lyricist.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
12-23-2005 |
Reviews
Stormy Surgesnew
There's another bridge to New Orleans -- a musical link between memory and hope, built by musicians who are rushing out benefit CDs to raise funds for the beleaguered Gulf States.
Boston Phoenix |
Clea Simon |
12-23-2005 |
Reviews
Pancultural Playgroundnew
In pop, the age of multiculturalism has come to an end, replaced by a postmodern anything-goes panculturalism.
Boston Phoenix |
Matt Ashare |
12-23-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: yearinreview2005
Different Strokesnew
Critic Jon Garelick reviews his favorite people, CDs and performances of 2005.
Boston Phoenix |
Jon Garelick |
12-23-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: yearinreview2005
A Fistful of Geniusnew
A new two-disc set from the crazed film composer is more evocative than the movies themselves. Morricone's iconic scores for spaghetti Westerns made him famous, but set those aside and he would still be one of the modern era's most intriguing composers.
East Bay Express |
Eric K. Arnold |
12-22-2005 |
Reviews
Rastawomannew
There's been a dearth of anti-war albums this year, but Sinead O’Connor's self-released collection of reggae standards attempts to fill the void.
Baltimore City Paper |
Makkada B. Selah |
12-22-2005 |
Reviews
Going Down Cool and Calmnew
Welcome to Jamrock is not a strictly dancehall album; nor is it a reggae LP, though it's certainly Rastafari-inspired.
Seattle Weekly |
Makkada B. Selah |
12-22-2005 |
Reviews
Near Clonesnew
A review of Suburban Kids' first full-length might only require five words -- "Swedish version of Magnetic Fields."
Dallas Observer |
Sam Machkovech |
12-22-2005 |
Reviews
Yule's Tidenew
A critic searches the season's discs for gems and finds that Elton John has better taste in Christmas pals than Martha Stewart.
Hear What We Hearnew
Don't waste your time at the local listening station comparing 20 versions of "Deck the Halls." The critics have already done that for you (ugh) to recommend the best seasonal albums of 2005.
Dallas Observer |
John Nova Lomax and Sam Machkovech |
12-21-2005 |
Reviews
Juelz Santana Takes the Keys from Cam’ronnew
In Santana, the Dips have found their Golden Child. One of the youngest of the bunch, he has the charisma and the good looks to pull the ladies, an audience key in translating street-level success into mainstream acceptance.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Nelson |
12-20-2005 |
Reviews
Box Set Captures Significant Momentsnew
Donovan released a body of work that has become symbolic of the times, and has bred numerous covers and instantly recognizable melodies.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
James Kelly |
12-15-2005 |
Reviews
This One Guarantees Smilesnew
This album is full of original rock ditties that give props to all the cool cultural elements of the holiday, even down to questioning how it's spelled.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Tamara Palmer |
12-15-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: Hanukkah Rocks, The LeeVees
Album Aims to Turn Dancefloor Into Saunanew
Album offers up sleek tracks imbued with regimented physicality and retro characteristics that pulse with the moody current of underground European electro-house.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Tony Ware |
12-15-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: Body Language, Vol. 1, M.A.N.D.Y.
Hey Santa, Download Thisnew
This year, it's all about single songs downloaded digitally and hardwired into the personal music device of your choice. That's right: Santa's making a playlist and checking it twice.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Tray Butler |
12-15-2005 |
Reviews
