AltWeeklies Wire
'GhostDeini' Offers an Uneven Ride Through Ghostface Killah's Catalognew
If anyone deserves a greatest hits album, it's Ghostface Killah. Although he has gone from lesser-heralded Wu-Tang Clan member to platinum solo artist to, most recently, a commercially stagnant artist who has broken with Wu leadership, the Staten Island rapper's catalog is remarkably consistent.
Washington City Paper |
Ben Westhoff |
01-15-2009 |
Reviews
If Full-Length Albums are Dead, Why Do So Many People Still Want Them?new
Rather than a dying format, the album is perhaps more like the novel or feature-length film -- a good idea that has weathered and will continue to weather technological trends. It's already survived numerous physical products: the vinyl LP, the 8-track, the cassette tape, and the compact disc. Who's to say that it won't survive the digital download?
Washington City Paper |
Brent Burton |
01-08-2009 |
Music
Fennesz's Latest is a Hair's Breadth from Ambient Territorynew
Ostensibly an avant-gardist, guitarist and laptop musician Christian Fennesz has become a traditionalist of sorts in recent years -- his music now has much in common with Brian Eno's ambient recordings of the late '70s and early '80s.
Washington City Paper |
Brent Burton |
12-11-2008 |
Reviews
The Fall of Troy's Melancholy is Coated in Enthusiastic Prognew
Phantom on the Horizon is a worthwhile listen for anyone looking to dip a toe a into contemporary mainstream prog scene led by Coheed and Cambria, blending screamo vocals and mathcore rhythms with punk antics and an art-school sensibility.
Washington City Paper |
Mike Riggs |
12-04-2008 |
Reviews
A Dresden Doll Goes Solo on 'Who Killed Amanda Palmer'new
Deviance is also a key topic on Amanda Palmer's debut solo album, but she examines it in a somewhat more personalized -- and occasionally even tender -- manner.
Washington City Paper |
Casey Rae-Hunter |
11-13-2008 |
Reviews
Grayceon Lets its Prog Rev Up Organically on 'This Grand Show'new
Though San Francisco's Grayceon sounds nothing like Dream Theater or Mastodon, it wouldn't sound too out of place on a bill with either band: The trio combines prog's obsession with long-form composition and unconventional orchestration with metal's crunchy guitars and hyperactive drumming.
Washington City Paper |
Brandon Wu |
11-06-2008 |
Reviews
Gang Gang Dance Decimates Every Jam-Rock Cliche on 'Saint Dymphna'new
In short, it's an album of such bizarre ambition that even Bjork will have to remove her headdress of human hair, have a long look at the mirror, and worry about what to do next.
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
10-31-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Gang Gang Dance, Saint Dymphna
The Return of Mingering Mikenew
For decades, D.C. songwriter Mingering Mike has refused to reveal his identity to the public. Given the right opportunity, though, he might just be ready.
Washington City Paper |
Jason Cherkis |
10-23-2008 |
Music
Fucked Up Finds Godliness in Down-to-Earth Punknew
The sextet no longer sounds like the sort of band that plays basement hardcore shows; it sounds like the sort of band that would follow a long concept album with another long concept album.
Washington City Paper |
Brent Burton |
10-17-2008 |
Reviews
TV on the Radio Defies Convention on 'Dear Science'new
Supernaturally good bands can get away with weird stunts, and the new album is full of them: Electronic drums, surf-rock guitar tones, pop-piano lines, and other ’80s ephemera accompany Tunde Adebimpe’s signature wailing vocals.
Washington City Paper |
Mike Riggs |
10-02-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: TV on the Radio, Dear Science
Two Archival CDs Reveal a Peculiar Hunger for the South's Old Waysnew
As literary endorsements of musicians go, it's hard to beat Mark Twain's praise for Polk Miller & His Old South Quartette.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
09-25-2008 |
Reviews
Tindersticks Recreate Their Somber Tone With Less Guysnew
In 2006, the band's membership was halved with the departure of three musicians--including Dickon Hinchliffe, who was responsible for all those sweeping strings.
Washington City Paper |
David Dunlap Jr. |
09-18-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: The Hungry Saw, Tindersticks
The Game and Solange Have a Hard Time Avoiding the Shadow of Bigger Namesnew
On their latest albums, the Game's LAX and Solange's Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams, both artists prove that parasitic music-making is a tough gig. You're only as good as your host.
Washington City Paper |
Sarah Godfrey |
09-11-2008 |
Reviews
Tussle's Still Looking For the Perfect Beatnew
Trying to sing any track from Cream Cuts, the San Francisco quartet's third full-length, without using a plosive is the kind of quasi-spiritual drum-guru pursuit to which Mickey Hart would dedicate three years of his life and an elaborate book.
Washington City Paper |
Aaron Leitko |
09-11-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Tussle, Cream Cuts
Saxophonist Joe Lovano's Orchestral Effort Lives and Dies by the Solosnew
In fact, he gives only three members of Germany's massive WDR Radio Big Band & Orchestra solo time on Symphonica, a live CD of a 2005 show in Cologne that puts his compositions in an orchestral setting.
Washington City Paper |
Michael J. West |
09-04-2008 |
Reviews
