AltWeeklies Wire
Ahhnold Rocksnew
Is the world ready for comedy death-metal albums? Evidently As I Lay Dying singer Tim Lambesis thinks so.
Tucson Weekly |
Jarret Keene |
08-29-2008 |
Reviews
Reggae Legend Burning Spear Shines on New Disc, Tournew
When you start out with Bob Marley as your mentor, great things can’t help but follow.
New York Press |
Ernest Barteldes |
08-29-2008 |
Reviews
If James Jackson Toth is Sell-out Freak-folk, Keep It Comingnew
Outsider figurehead Devendra Banhart may date Hollywood actress Natalie Portman, and CocoRosie may have nabbed a multi-page spread in a July New York Times Magazine. But don't expect the beloved beardos and weirdos to be on sale at Wal-Mart summarily.
Getting Smutty with Titsworthnew
On his debut album, Twelve Steps, he turns to making original tracks, and the entire production is a dancefloor murderer, mixing hip-hop, R&B, electronic music, and a little bit of pretty much everything else.
Washington City Paper |
Sarah Godfrey |
08-29-2008 |
Reviews
Bone Shaker's Milwaukee Metalnew
The band's latest release, Bang, ... You're Dead, has no ambitions of transcending genre expectations, but it's a finely tuned, heavily produced album with all the over-the-top guitar solos and ear-piercing vocal lines a heavy-metal fan could ask for.
Shepherd Express |
Brian Barney |
08-29-2008 |
Reviews
Prog’s Prolific Flower Kingsnew
The Sum of No Evil, the band's latest and most focused album in years (even with a running time of 75 minutes), tries to eliminate the pop, jazz, experimental and ambient elements of past efforts and focus on pure prog-complete with The Flower Kings' signature dreamy vocals, backed by grand, layered musical arrangements.
Shepherd Express |
Michael Popke |
08-29-2008 |
Reviews
The Album Formerly Known as the "N" Wordnew
Nas always seems to be at the center of intense debate. Respected for his lyricism and creation of “Illmatic” (widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time), Nas has released inconsistent, and at times, uninspired albums.
Jackson Free Press |
David Dennis Jr. |
08-26-2008 |
Reviews
Stereolab Pleasantly Regresses to the Dullest Point in Its Careernew
Chemical Chords is the sort of record where you hit play and all of a sudden you're halfway through the thing without even realizing how you got there.
Baltimore City Paper |
Raymond Cummings |
08-26-2008 |
Reviews
Divine Brown Achieve Musical Divinty on 'The Love Chronicles'new
Approximating Jully Black's earthy power, Mariah Carey's Olympic range and a sonic texture similar to Alicia Keys, Divine Brown may not be a consistent force in pop, but she should be, as she's an almost flawless vocalist and song sculptor.
NOW Magazine |
Addi Stewart |
08-26-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Divine Brown, The Love Chronicles
Is the DragonForce Joke Getting Old?new
Take away the absurdly fast tempos, the wacky solos, and the glam-metal attitude, and you’re left with old-fashioned butt rock. And didn’t we all collectively purge ourselves of butt rock two decades ago?
Washington City Paper |
Arthur Delaney |
08-25-2008 |
Reviews
Much of Vordul Mega's 'Megagraphitti' is a Thing of Beautynew
The first nine songs feature cinematic, fiery beats and verses that are dramatic and inspired.
Washington City Paper |
Ben Westhoff |
08-25-2008 |
Reviews
Little Brother Reworks 'Justus'new
The duo is re-releasing it in retail form with 16 full-length songs, omitting much of Mick Boogie's superfluous cascade of DJ punch-ins, shout-outs and drops.
David Byrne and Brian Eno Collaborate Once Againnew
Thanks to the internet, this iconic pair of rock innovators realized their first collaboration since 1981's My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. The long-distance results of Everything That Happens Will Happen Today are not merely cohesive but ultimately result in a textured and nuanced record of abstract, gospel-toned songs.
The World Romantic Finds Its Soundnew
Maybe too well.
Richard Ashcroft Tries to Pick Up Where He Left Off with the Vervenew
After 1997's Urban Hymns proved to be a breakthrough for the Verve, frontman Richard Ashcroft went solo prematurely — and he was punished by having quite a bit of strong music be largely ignored.
