AltWeeklies Wire
Conscious Rap Roster Should Drop Taleb Kwelinew
Eardrum is a heaping mess, neither smart nor groundbreaking, and loaded with clichés.
Dallas Observer |
Ben Westhoff |
09-10-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: Eardrum, Talib Kweli
M.I.A. Creates an Exotic Dance Party Par Excellencenew
Arular, the 2005 debut by Mathangi "M.I.A." Arulpragasam, got lotsa reviewers hot and bothered (and deservedly so), but only a relative handful of U.S. listeners succumbed to its multi-culti charms.
Kanye Cum Laudenew
On Graduation, he's at his most ambitious -- and his most vulnerable.
Chicago Reader |
Miles Raymer |
09-10-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: Kanye West, Graduation
A Decades-Old Recording Preserves Fresh Charles Mingusnew
A previously undiscovered gem from the too-short career of jazz genius composer, arranger, and bass player captures a live performance shortly before his death.
Fort Worth Weekly |
Tom Geddie |
09-07-2007 |
Reviews
Kanye West Has Finally Graduatednew
With producer Jon Brion back in the sidecar, West delivers another failsafe collection of sharp, soulful songs, exposing his new affinity for synths and electronic drums while adding new lyrical ground to that campus-sized ego.
NOW Magazine |
Jason Richards |
09-07-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: Kanye West, Graduation
'Lonely' So Much Morenew
Soul pioneer Arthur Alexander's stellar final release receives a lively reissue.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Chris Morris |
09-07-2007 |
Reviews
CD Review: BFInew
While rarity-lovers and obscurantists may insist that these 11 cuts are some sort of lost treasure, there is little here to distinguish the Dragons from their mellow-rocking peers.
Orlando Weekly |
Jason Ferguson |
09-06-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: BFI, The Dragons
CD Review: Kemialliset Ystavatnew
Rather than sounding like the product of an academic, the music Jan Anderzen creates is playful and improvisational, making it less an exercise in endurance than an enjoyable foray into pure weirdness.
Orlando Weekly |
Jason Ferguson |
09-06-2007 |
Reviews
Engrossing Violencenew
Reviewing a Pig Destroyer album's kind of like reviewing a murder scene.
Tucson Weekly |
Jarret Keene |
09-05-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: Phantom Limb, Pig Destroyer
Sounds Familiarnew
John Vanderslice continues in relative obscurity with another fine album.
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
09-05-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: Emerald City, John Vanderslice
Louder, Dammitnew
Nina Nastasia's voice and Jim White's drums combine to captivate.
Tucson Weekly |
Annie Holub |
09-05-2007 |
Reviews
There Isn't One San Francisco Soundnew
On this four-CD set, you get all the expected hits, from Jefferson Airplane's "It's No Secret" to the Count Five's "Psychotic Reaction" to Santana's "Evil Ways." You also get the minor hits and obscure gems from dozens of bands long forgotten.
East Bay Express |
J. Poet |
09-05-2007 |
Reviews
Is La Plebe the Spanish-Speaking Operation Ivy?new
The San Francisco-based ska band distinguishes itself from its more pop-oriented forebears with a heavily politicized tone.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
09-05-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: Hasta la Muerte!, La Plebe
Joan as Police Woman Plays Ominous Indie-jazznew
Real Life puts Joan Wasser somewhere between Norah Jones and Feist -- and somewhere, there in the middle, are a few million album sales and a parcel of indie cred.
San Diego CityBeat |
Troy Johnson |
09-05-2007 |
Reviews
Tags: Joan as Police Woman, Real Life
How Twee Is Too Twee?new
If you listen to "Stereo (mono mono)," the second song on The Brunettes' new album, Structure and Cosmetics, you may have your answer.
San Diego CityBeat |
Dryw Keltz |
09-05-2007 |
Reviews
