AltWeeklies Wire
Blitzen Trapper: Destroyer of the Void (Sub Pop)new
Blitzen Trapper is a fascinating band. After five albums, the Portland, Ore., group seems unlikely to reinvent the wheel—yet upon closer inspection, the band's hybrid of folk-glam-pop is remarkably fresh and novel. Following the group's career-high Furr, Destroyer of the Void is an immensely enjoyable effort. The lows are more inconsequential than poorly executed. "Below the Hurricane" is an overlong cosmic folk ballad. The hushed duet "The Tree," with singer/songwriter Alela Diane, masks some intriguing lyrics with banal, by-the-numbers acoustic balladry. When the six-piece is kicking, however, the results are impressive. The opening, title track is less epic by length
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
06-16-2010 |
Reviews
Fishtank Ensemble: Woman in Sinnew
The third album by this amazing group from California is one of the best times to be found on disc so far this year.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
06-16-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Fishtank Ensemble, Woman in Sin
Endless Rhythmsnew
It's impossible to fully master the complex richness of Latin rhythms, according to Greg Gonzalez, bass player for the Texas-based Latin dance band Grupo Fantasma. "Latin rhythms are endless, man," Gonzalez said recently via phone from his home in Austin. "You can just become more knowledgeable about Latin rhythms; you can just become more informed; and you can never master them." Grupo Fantasma combines Latin dance music with rock, pop, blues, reggae and, especially, funk.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
06-16-2010 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Grupo Fantasma
Psychedelic Furs Frontman Sidesteps the Human Jukebox Syndromenew
One of the most distinctive bands to come out of post-punk England, the Psychedelic Furs quickly earned a legion of fans thanks to Richard Butler's raspy crooning and wryly poetic lyrics.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Bill Forman |
06-10-2010 |
Profiles & Interviews
New World Music Ardornew
Much like globalism's more widely discussed political and economic aspects, the World Music movement, if you can call it that, is in constant flux.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Bill Forman |
06-10-2010 |
Music
Tags: Bomba Estéro, World Music Festival
Sarah Jaffe: Suburban Naturenew
The music of Sarah Jaffe will remind some listeners of that of Cat Power or PJ Harvey, although at 24, the singer-songwriter is a generation younger.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
06-09-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Suburban Nature, Sarah Jaffe
Holy Rolling Empire: Noise Will Be Noisenew
The new EP by Tucson combo the Holy Rolling Empire, Noise Will Be Noise, is a strong effort in a growing body of work that consistently hits the sweet spot between hard-edged power pop and psychedelia.
Tucson Weekly |
Curtis McCrary |
06-09-2010 |
Reviews
Emotionally Direct: Lou Barlow's New Albumnew
Lou Barlow consolidates the music from his past into his newest low-fi solo album.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
06-09-2010 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Selections from Leave Your Sleep,' Natalie Merchantnew
The best of Merchant's new double record — a concept album exploring the ins and outs of childhood.
The Inlander |
Leah Sottile |
06-03-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Leave Your Sleep, Natalie Merchant
RVIVR Resuscitates Punk Music That Has Intention and Meaningnew
In some senses, the four-piece punk outfit is that friend you wish would write you letters -- the one who understands you, who wants to know how you are and tells you that you are loved.
The Inlander |
Leah Sottile |
06-03-2010 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: RVIVR
Insane Clown Appetitenew
Insane Clown Posse’s tour pairs them with an all-girl death metal band, a ’90s rapper and a band of weed-smokers. Why, God, why?
The Inlander |
Leah Sottile |
06-03-2010 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Insane Clown Posse
Punk-Rock Descendents Stick to Your Guns Stay the Coursenew
Unlike most bands that lean toward the more guttural end of the hardcore spectrum, Stick to Your Guns has an affinity for songs that are both lyrically sophisticated and socially conscious.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Bill Forman |
06-03-2010 |
Profiles & Interviews
Fungi Girls: All Hyped Upnew
The three high-school males who make up Fungi Girls were too young to attend the official SXSW festival by themselves, but they still played six shows in front of screaming college-age crowds.
Fort Worth Weekly |
Cole Garner Hill |
06-02-2010 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Fungi Girls
The Fall: 'Your Future Our Clutter'new
The Fall's new album sounds as dynamic and engaging as anything they've done in the last 30-odd years.
Tucson Weekly |
Gene Armstrong |
06-02-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Your Future Our Clutter, The Fall
Band of Horses: 'Infinite Arms'new
A label change and a long, labored recording process left Band of Horses just about where it started--with an instantly compelling indie Americana sound.
Tucson Weekly |
Eric Swedlund |
06-02-2010 |
Reviews
Tags: Infinite Arms, Band of Horses
