AltWeeklies Wire
Kanye's Latest is a Singular Testament to Indescribable Sufferingnew
Thematically, 808s and Heartbreak plunges deeper into West's usual neuroses (insecurity, spiritual unease, and the difficulties of celebrity). The death of his mother and a relationship fissure have brought these concerns into sharper focus.
Kanye West Experiences '808s and Heartbreak'new
West's major achievement here is not in the moments of significant pop-song creativity, but rather the response he's able to get from his listener, the lasting effect that, if previously pondered, seemed a substantially distant possibility.
Chicago Newcity |
Tom Lynch |
12-03-2008 |
Reviews
'Paper Trail' Shows T.I.'s Troubles with the Law Have Benefitted His Artnew
While other top MCs have had to create their own bogeymen to battle -- Kanye has his ego, Eminem had ex-wife Kim, Lil Wayne has those cough-syrup Martians -- T.I.'s got real problems.
Houston Press |
Ben Westhoff |
12-02-2008 |
Reviews
My Brightest Diamond Lives On the Musical Fringenew
Shara Worden's sophomore album is more reserved than her debut, but just as captivating, as Worden's otherworldly vocals can trigger emotions on par with the likes of Roy Orbison.
Tucson Weekly |
James Hudson |
11-28-2008 |
Reviews
Holly Golightly's Backwoods Boogienew
The latest CD from Holly Golightly and Lawyer Dave is a revelation of moonshine, guns, junkyards and trashed love.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
11-28-2008 |
Reviews
Inside the The Axl Rose Circusnew
After 13 years of recording, Axl has greatly disappointed Guns N' Roses fans with Chinese Democracy.
Tucson Weekly |
Jon Hobson |
11-28-2008 |
Reviews
Autumn's Mixed Bag of New Releasesnew
Referring to Athens-based musicians Of Montreal as a pop band is a bit misleading. Though often catchy and cheery, the band's discography is more complex, inaccessible and frequently more pretentious than most pop music.
Jackson Free Press |
Lindsey Maddox |
11-25-2008 |
Reviews
Edie Sedgwick Explores Unconscious Connectionsnew
This side project by Justin Moyer, a veteran of El Guapo and Antelope, is lo-fi in its execution but sophisticated in its sassy conception
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
11-20-2008 |
Reviews
Verbana's 'Souls for Sale' is a Rollicking Re-issuenew
By reissuing Verbena's first full-length for Merge, Fat Possum puts back into print a Southern blues-punk gem.
Tucson Weekly |
Jarret Keene |
11-20-2008 |
Reviews
Vivian Girls Keep it Simple and Spectacularnew
Though the equation that vocal harmonies plus reverb plus jangly punk equals greatness doesn't seem that tricky, nobody seems to capture it the way Vivian Girls have.
The Portland Mercury |
Rob Simonsen |
11-20-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Vivian Girls
With 'The Promise,' Deborah Cox Proves She's Not Donenew
On her first original R&B album in six years, Cox returns with pleasant, if unmemorable, ballads and midtempo grooves of sweet melodies and relationship drama. While predictable, the slower adult contemporary jams work.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
L. Michael Gipson |
11-20-2008 |
Reviews
PaceWon and Mr. Green Soar on 'Color'new
Pace has gone at Shady before, and "The Joker" is a fairly uninspired diss track, but Pace is much more effective on the album when he sticks with discussing his own evolution.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Ben Westhoff |
11-20-2008 |
Reviews
'Too Thirsty' Pales in Comparison to Quintron's Live Showsnew
Quintron and puppet master/spouse, Miss Pussycat, can't quite put together a record that holds the excitement or spectacle of their shows.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Chad Radford |
11-20-2008 |
Reviews
Beyonce Channels Her Inner Queen on 'Sasha Fierce'new
If her album title seems like the moniker for a transgendered entertainer, it wouldn't be the only thing that's gay about Beyonce's third (rushed) solo project.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
L. Michael Gipson |
11-20-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Beyonce, I Am...Sasha Fierce
'President' is Easily Murs' Best Release to Datenew
Released a year behind schedule but at a timely moment nonetheless, Murs for President retains the qualities of backpacker hip-hop, despite its new Warner Bros. patina.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
11-19-2008 |
Reviews
