AltWeeklies Wire
'End Times' is Eels' Bleakest Work Yetnew
If you’re not in the mood to hear a guy falling apart on tape, this album most definitely isn’t for you. But if raw, heart-on-sleeve expression is your bag, and it’s a rainy Sunday morning, you’ll find a lot to love about this relationship apocalypse tale.
How Bruce Eaton Uncovered the Story of Rock's Foremost Cult Band and Their Masterpiece Albumnew
Eaton's book Big Star-Radio City proves one of the most compelling and balanced in the 33+1/3 series to date.
Modest Mouse's Latest Compilation is a Surprisingly Solid Offeringnew
No One's First and You're Next is a collection of b-sides and singles that didn't quite make it onto a LP. But the songs aren't just mere outtakes. Included with a couple of new tracks are full re-recordings of the previously shelved tracks, making the album feel far from a group of oddities thrown together.
'The Best of Jimmy Hughes' is a Long-Overdue Collectionnew
It only takes a verse and chorus of "I Worship the Ground You Walk On" to realize that Jimmy Hughes is one of the most criminally overlooked early maestros of the soul music explosion.
'Skeletal Lamping' Makes Clear that Of Montreal Doesn't Care About Pop Successnew
If this perennial indie band from Athens, Georgia, managed to break out as a mainstream pop force, it would make sense. And given the advance buzz for Skeletal Lamping, the band's ninth album, this seems to be its best shot yet ... until you listen to it.
Tags: Of Montreal, Skeletal Lamping
Ben Lee Has Earned His Place as a Youthful Elder of Indie Popnew
Lee was the kid fronting lo-fi garage rock teens Noise Addict when they were signed to a record deal by the Beastie Boys; eventually he rose to international acclaim via a series of stunning yet unpretentious solo records.
Artvoice |
Donny Kutzbach |
09-29-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Ben Lee, The Rebirth of Venus
Vincent Gallo Talks Buffalo, RRIICCEE and Experimentationnew
His experiences with the media, especially some of those in his hometown, still leave a bitter taste in his mouth, in case anyone was wondering. However, his message now is one of hope for Buffalo (and, yes, its media) and that we should learn we can be proud of our own.
Artvoice |
Robyn Conniff |
09-22-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
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.
Hot Tracks for Summernew
In the iPod age, it's easy to have your favorite songs within reach; these go great with bright skies and warm breezes.
Songs Contain Strong Storytellingnew
While their penchant for snippet songs hasn’t been completely cast away, the shaggy and unpolished, unfinished nature of the songs largely has — at least on the band’s latest, Whitespace Differences (Tinhorn Planet) — and been replaced by loops, electronic sputtering and lush, synthetic arrangements.
Neil Young's Finest Momentsnew
How do you pick just a handful of songs from the 40-year career of rock’s most esteemed, chameleon-like, oft-copied (never duplicated), guitar-thrashing icon?
Tags: Neil Young, concerts
Hanson on More Than 'MMMBop'new
To fans of the group, just celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their debut album’s multi-platinum release, the good that the band has done all over the world cannot be discounted by naysayers who credit 'MMMBop' as Hanson's only legacy.
Artvoice |
Brad Deck |
11-30-2007 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Hanson
'It's Britney, Bitch!'new
Is Blackout a "good" album? Not really. Is it "bad"? No, it isn't necessarily bad either. I guess the only way to describe it would be to say that it is, for lack of a better description, Britney.
Tags: Blackout, Britney Spears
Emmylou Harris Presents Her Bestnew
For Songbird, Harris compiles her favorite moments -- largely lost and unheralded tracks -- from her nearly 40 years in music. The 12-time Grammy winner has a lot of fine moments to cull from for this stunning five-disc compendium.
Tags: Emmylou Harris, Songbird
When the Piano Calls Joni Mitchellnew
Perhaps the biggest compliment you can give to Shine is that it makes you believe that a piano did actually beckon to its creator. The album sounds like something that had to be made.
Tags: Joni Mitchell, Shine
