AltWeeklies Wire
Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers: Unida Cantinanew
Roger Clyne has a long-nurtured fascination with Mexico, singing plenty about the low-key party life found beachside, and peppering his Southwest rock with Spanish -- and an open invitation to join him in the escape.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
05-10-2011 |
Reviews
Fleet Foxes: Helplessness Bluesnew
There are two readings of Fleet Foxes' genial sophomore album. First, it is slightly dull; innocuous folk rhythms jostle against Robin Pecknold's demotic lyrics and boys'-choir three-part harmonies. Second, it is a nice experiment; its halcyon melodies, occasionally restrained, are loose enough to allow for some intriguing gambles.
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
05-10-2011 |
Reviews
The Submarines: Love Notes/Letter Bombsnew
The title of The Submarines' third album is a clear indication of the songs' intent. Consider it music as an ongoing couple's-therapy session.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
05-02-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: The Submarines
Fitz and the Tantrums: Pickin' Up the Piecesnew
With their 1970s throwback rock leaning heavily on R&B, soul and funk, Fitz and the Tantrums sound like the house band in a Quentin Tarantino film.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
04-25-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: Fitz and the Tantrums
Yelle: 'Safari Disco Club'new
Unless you're fluent in French, you'll miss the details of Yelle's lyrics -- but the nature of this Gallic dance-pop trio's second album is obvious: pure fun.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
04-19-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: Safari Disco Club, Yelle
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Combine Ambition and Consistency on New Albumnew
Imagine if angst hadn't blanketed the alternative music of the late 1980s and 1990s -- and a bright earnestness had been the core impulse instead. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart exist at the heart of that alternate reality.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
04-15-2011 |
Reviews
Naim Amor: Dansonsnew
Naim Amor's signature French-and-English mix of jazz, pop and rock shifts toward the tropical on his latest album, a 12-song set that conjures a long afternoon of breezy tranquility.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
03-28-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: Naim Amor
Sharon Van Etten: Epicnew
Heartbreak can make prisoners of songwriters, trapping them in a whirlpool of doubt and misery. And whatever good intentions or poetic talent that existed at a song's inception can get swept away as the hard edges of truth are worn down by self-pity.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
03-25-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: Sharon Van Etten
Wye Oak: Civiliannew
With their third album, the Baltimore-based team of vocalist and guitarist Jenn Wasner and drummer-keyboards player Andy Stack creates a dramatic dynamic, challenging the conventions of folk rock.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
03-22-2011 |
Reviews
Ferrodyne: St. John's Daynew
From a critical viewpoint, you might worry if a band is recommended purely because its members are nice people, which is how more than one trusted musical adviser introduced me to Ferrodyne.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
03-15-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: Ferrodyne
Sic Alps: Napa Asylumnew
As with labelmates Magik Markers, Oakland, Calif.'s Sic Alps treads such a very fine line between ramshackle, lo-fi scuzz and effortless pop melodies that it's endearing, impressive and fun to guess where things will go next.
Tucson Weekly |
Brian Mock |
02-28-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: Napa Asylum, Sic Alps
Ebsen and the Witch: Violet Criesnew
As a study in atmospherics, Violet Cries works.
Tucson Weekly |
Sean Bottai |
02-28-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: Ebsen and the Witch, Violet Cries
Mark Growden: Lose Me in the Sandnew
Inspired by the musical vibe in Tucson, Bay Area musician, composer and singer Mark Growden employed an all-star lineup of country and blues players from the Old Pueblo to record his explosive new album.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
02-28-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: Mark Growden
Wanda Jackson: The Party Ain't Overnew
This album's music is occasionally too misplaced
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
02-24-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: Wanda Jackson
The Go! Team: Rolling Blackoutsnew
Brighton, England's The Go! Team makes a propulsive, kinetic music, drawing together indie-pop, dancehall beats, hip-hop and all manner of samples and screeching guitar noise.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
02-24-2011 |
Reviews
Tags: The Go! Team
