AltWeeklies Wire
Box Elders' Debut Unveils the Group's Beautiful, Jagged Soundnew
The noisy concoctions of surf and '60s pop inflections in "Stay," "Necro" and "Talk Amongst Yourself" will inevitably draw comparisons to the Black Lips, but beyond the murk and garage riffs, ramped-up pop energy drives the record through to the end.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Chad Radford |
09-22-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Alice and Friends, Box Elders
The Revelations Create a Roof-Raising Soul Albumnew
Deep Soul owners looking for unreleased material on producer Bob Perry's 15-track set will enjoy Rell's greasy, slow drag of Carole King's "It's Too Late," Williams' ripping version of Latimore's "Let's Straighten It Out," or the oh-you-dirty-dog single "How Do I Tell Him."
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
L. Michael Gipson |
09-22-2009 |
Reviews
Darien Lifts the Gentleman-Soul Mantle on 'Walls'new
While boatloads struggle to be Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway or Marvin Gaye, one Mount Vernon, N.Y., artist is lifting the gentleman-soul mantle from Peabo Bryson's tight grasp.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
L. Michael Gipson |
09-22-2009 |
Reviews
Nomen Novum Unravels a Gorgeous Document of Textures on 'Paradises'new
It's not quite appropriate to label such songs as "The Color of Water" and "Miracles Come True" minimalist, but each one builds upon looping and layered cycles of drone and bliss.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Chad Radford |
09-22-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Nomen Novum, Paradises
Jay-Z's Latest 'Blueprint' is Still Less Inspired and Less Fluid than the Firstnew
Mostly, the album is Jay's attempt to get hip -- or hipster -- as he enlists a crop of fresh new talent discovered by Kanye West to help him sound relevant. Unfortunately, much like a 40-year-old divorcee who hits the town with her daughter's friends, it's clear that Jay doesn't quite fit in among this crowd, and The Blueprint 3 suffers for it.
Vivian Girls' Struggle With Celebrity Makes for Irresistible Musicnew
The most recent Vivian Girls release is considerably more aggressive than the band's self-titled debut. Not that the Phil Spector-by-way-of-Psychocandy vibe has totally disappeared, but this time out, the very obvious pop influence is tinged with a fair amount of urgency.
Washington City Paper |
Mike Kanin |
09-17-2009 |
Reviews
New Big Star Box Set is a Supermarket of Pop
Keep An Eye On The Sky brings new insight and appreciation to the Memphis power-pop band's catalog.
The Golden Silvers are a Band That Just Wants You to Have a Good Timenew
The debut album from London's Golden Silvers is a melange of Saturday-morning cartoon pop, rock opera and disco dance party.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
09-16-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Golden Silvers, True Romance
Oh My God Juggles Eccentric Art Rock, Grimy Blues and Pop Songcraftnew
The duo of singer-bassist Billy O'Neill and organist-singer Ig have created a disarmingly emotional statement of 10 songs that explore the struggle and strife of day-to-day living.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
09-16-2009 |
Reviews
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
'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
To Call 'Blue Roses' Atmospheric Would be a Vast Understatementnew
If Tori Amos stole Harriet Wheeler's larynx and used it to make a baroque folk album with Rufus Wainwright's cabaret sensibility, you'd get Blue Roses, the eponymous debut of Yorkshire vocalist/guitarist Laura Groves.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
09-16-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Blue Roses, Laura Groves
Mount Eerie's 'Wind's Poem' is Best When Quietnew
As the dust settles, it is clear that Phil Elverum's black metal is a different breed.
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
09-16-2009 |
Reviews
Whitney Houston's New Album is Almost Absurdly Gimmick-Freenew
I Look to You sounds out of time, and if one didn't know better, one might suspect it was released a decade or two ago. But the timeless approach works. There's something extremely refreshing about a performer who refuses to kowtow to whatever they're calling the newest generation of brats.
Singer Gretchen Parlato Makes Every Gasp and Exhale Count on 'In a Dream'new
The foremost qualities of jazz vocalist Gretchen Parlato's artistry are her breathy gentleness and sensuality -- she doesn't sing so much as insinuate. Throughout her latest, she exhibits a supple, nuanced airiness that puts the disc leagues ahead of the year’s other vocal jazz recordings.
Washington City Paper |
Michael J. West |
09-10-2009 |
Reviews
