AltWeeklies Wire
The Autumn Defense: Once Aroundnew

Wilco's John Stirratt and Pat Sansone get to stretch out as multi-instrumentalists in The Autumn Defense, but the band seems to function mostly as a vehicle for expression as songwriters.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
12-30-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Wilco, The Autumn Defense
Steve Wynn and the Miracle 3: Northern Aggressionnew

While some rock 'n' roll types fizzle after their second or third album, others get better (or at least maintain a respectable level of quality) with age.
East Bay Express |
Mark Keresman |
12-30-2010 |
Reviews
Robyn: Body Talknew

It's no coincidence that one of the first tracks on Body Talk is "Fembot," a song that comments on the recent vogue of pop starlets re-imagining themselves as cyborg provocateurs -- not by rejecting objectification, but by turning the whole metaphor on its head by overemphasizing it.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
12-30-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Robyn
Freebass: It's a Beautiful Lifenew

Even before the release of this album, the high-concept supergroup behind it had already disbanded.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
12-30-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Freebass
Avey Tare: Down Therenew

The hypnotic, icy and alien Down There is the first solo album by Animal Collective's Dave Portner.
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
12-27-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Avey Tare
The 1900's: Return of the Centurynew

Chicago up-and-comers The 1900s dangle two lures for the listener: gentle, male-female harmonies, and a sweetly bouncing pop groove.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
12-23-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: 1900's
Bryan Ferry: Olympianew

From its first track, it's clear that with his latest disc, Bryan Ferry is intent on re-creating the intoxicating sound and love-hangover mood of his last studio album.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
12-20-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Bryan Ferry
Transportation's Amusement Parknew

There's nothing wrong with being out of step with the masses when you're dancing this well to your own beat.
Tags: Transportation
Cee Lo Green: The Lady Killernew

Cee Lo Green delivers a solo triumph on The Lady Killer, an instant classic of neo-soul--funky, catchy, dance-y and, above all, an eccentric and brilliant batch of songs.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
12-16-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Cee-Lo, Lady Killer
Usher Still Has A Ways To Gonew

Good for the eyes, okay for the ears, but the R&B megastar’s recent performance showed a man looking weary and complacent.
YES! Weekly |
Ryan Snyder |
12-16-2010 |
Reviews
Robert Wyatt/Gilad Atzmon/Ros Stephen: For the Ghosts Withinnew

Initial descriptions of For the Ghosts Within focused on the fact that revered British art-rock musician, singer and composer Robert Wyatt was taking on jazz standards, a move that sounded intriguing enough.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
12-09-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Robert Wyatt
Winelord: Winelord IIInew

My latest musical crush is on the all-female punk trio Winelord, although I've yet to even lay eyes upon them.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
12-09-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Winelord
Kanye West: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasynew

It seems abundantly clear that Kanye West is an ass. It is also amply clear, with the release of his gnarly, brilliant My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, that no one in hip-hop has mastered the role of the self-hating villain as well as West.
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
12-08-2010 |
Reviews
Bob Dylan: The Bootleg Series Vol. 9 -- The Witmark Demosnew

In the first official release of Bob Dylan's legendary publishing demos (47 songs, 15 of which have never before been released), it's stunning to see how early the talent, the power and even Dylan's chameleon-like instincts for transformation were in evidence.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
12-03-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Bob Dylan
Van Gogh Rescue: From the Top of Your Lungsnew

The foursome Van Gogh Rescue has been playing out for a little more than a year and now unleashes its debut album, which contains catchy songs, some quality hooks, an impassioned attack and zooming, complex arrangements. You just have to give it a couple of extra spins.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
12-02-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Van Gogh Rescue