AltWeeklies Wire
Disco Popsters the Juan MacLean Are Only Human -- More or Lessnew
Although it has taken on a massive life outside of the new album, the teaser single "Happy House" shows what the Juan MacLean is capable of: namely, superb pop that uses dance music's production techniques and structures.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Brandon Bussolini |
06-03-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Secret Handshake's 'My Name Up in Lights'new
Few acts among the crowded Dallas mall-pop scene are as sonically promising as The Secret Handshake.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
04-27-2009 |
Reviews
Light in the Attic Releases the "Sgt. Pepper's of French Music"new
Seattle-based Light in the Attic Records has become the first label to release Serge Gainsbourg's Histoire de Melody Nelson in the United States. Knowing this, the question is: Why didn't anyone else ever think of doing it?
Seattle Weekly |
Brian J. Barr |
04-06-2009 |
Music
Butch Walker Rises From the Ashesnew
Butch Walker's music has grown more nuanced, and he's also grown quite successful as a pop producer -- think Katy Perry, Avril, Pink, The Academy Is and so on.
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Aaron Jentzen |
03-16-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Manilow Buries Christopher Cross, Rick Astley, and the 1980snew
There's nothing ironic about the crooner's latest covers collection.
Seattle Weekly |
Mike Seely |
03-16-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Bruce Springsteen's 'Working on a Dream'new
Springsteen accurately captures the catchy simplicity of '60s pop on his latest record.
Tucson Weekly |
Michael Petitti |
02-20-2009 |
Reviews
Tommy Keene's 'In the Late Bright'new
With In the Late Bright, Tommy Keene once again unveils 11 expertly crafted, guitar-powered pop songs.
Tucson Weekly |
Jarret Keene |
02-20-2009 |
Reviews
Melinda Doolittle's 'Coming Back to You'new
You want it to be good, because she's so damn likeable. Unfortunately for former "American Idol" contender Melinda Doolittle, her debut album is only listenable.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
L. Michael Gipson |
01-28-2009 |
Reviews
Despite Four Grammy Nominations, Adele Is Figuring Out How to Be Herselfnew
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, who performs under only the first of her four names, has earned plenty of plaudits for 19, an album whose title corresponds to her age at the time of its release. As a result, she's earned four Grammy nominations.
Westword |
Michael Roberts |
01-26-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Doll Parts: The Making of Lissy Trullienew
Plenty of models have tried their hands at music; the architects behind Lissy Trullie have done a smooth retro take on hookladen pop. A bisexual teenybopper fantasy is being built, but there are no buyers yet.
New York Press |
Matt Harvey |
01-22-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Ray Davies is a Big Deal, Peoplenew
There's plenty of good pop music out there (too much, perhaps), but there's a very small amount of perfect pop songs--and Raymond Douglas Davies is responsible for about 40 of them.
The Portland Mercury |
Ned Lannamann |
07-17-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
ABBA's Pop Goes Head-to-head with the Darker Rock of 'Lou Reed's Berlin'new
Both Mamma Mia! and Lou Reed's Berlin reveal what impact pop music has on the aesthetics and sensibilities of filmmakers, pointing to a bigger issue: What meanings do people take from pop music?
New York Press |
Armond White |
07-17-2008 |
Reviews
Where's This Year's Song of the Summer?new
After Gnarls Barkley raised the bar, we're still waiting for this summer's hook-filled hit. And Walter Meego has my vote.
New York Press |
Greg Burgett |
06-19-2008 |
Music
Carly Simon in the Same Breath as Carole King and Joni Mitchell?new
Vogue and Vanity Fair journalist Sheila Weller's thorough and well-written triple biography is less an attempt to put these singer/songwriters on the same artistic plane than it is to connect them to key moments in contemporary women’s history.
NOW Magazine |
Susan G. Cole |
06-16-2008 |
Nonfiction
The River's Edgenew
While Okkervil River's Will Sheff ranks among modern music's most literary songwriters, he stops short of turning lyrics into inaccessible, unfeeling academic exercises.
SF Weekly |
Andrew Miller |
04-02-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
