AltWeeklies Wire
Pacific UV Flexes Its Growth on Sophomore Effortnew
The band isn't bashful of its myriad influences (Radiohead, Lamb, the Smiths, Spiritualized) when touted in interviews, but Longplay 2 not only mines rock touchstones, it does so damn well.
Willamette Week |
Michael Mannheimer |
04-23-2008 |
Reviews
Jujuba Speaks a Universal Languagenew
Jujuba, a band that sometimes play three-hour shows, combines elements of Fela-spiked Afrobeat and Juju with traditional Ghanaian and Nigerian music.
Willamette Week |
Ap Kryza |
04-23-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Dusty York Creates Another Praiseworthy Albumnew
In addition to his own music, York's an advocate for pushing Portland jazz in new, inventive directions -- primarily through his label, Diatic Records
Willamette Week |
Lance Kramer |
04-16-2008 |
Reviews
Amelia Contemplates Its Accidental Adult Contempo Existencenew
However Amelia's Napster designation may read, the band's music has never been what you'd call "easy listening."
Willamette Week |
Jay Horton |
04-16-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
England Gets The Gossipnew
Beth Ditto's queer/weight activism should be applauded, but one worries that the singer's sudden celebrity rather ignores her day job.
Willamette Week |
Jay Horton |
04-09-2008 |
Reviews
Emily Katz: Like Cat Power Before the Molenew
Katz -- named after Simon & Garfunkel's "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her" -- fronts local folk ensemble Love Menu, a group built around her lyrical songwriting and stunningly rich voice.
Willamette Week |
Michael Mannheimer |
04-09-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Shelley Short Quietly Saves Country Musicnew
Rather than waxing naively cute, a la Jenny Lewis, or idiotic, Short encapsulates much of what makes old-school Nashville country great: a showman's charisma, credible melancholy and close geographical ties.
Willamette Week |
Amy McCullough |
04-09-2008 |
Reviews
Keep It Like A Secretnew
New Bloods unearth roots, but hold the marrow sacred.
Willamette Week |
Anika Sabin |
04-02-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: News Bloods, The Secret Life
A Guidance Counselor Like No Othernew
Ian Anderson catches dreams and makes 'em danceworthy.
Willamette Week |
Nilina Mason-Campbel |
04-02-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Guidance Counselor
The Real Dealnew
Laura Gibson gives new meaning to SXSW's dirtiest word: "networking."
Willamette Week |
Casey Jarman |
03-19-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Laura Gibson
Nostaligic Goodness with a Touch of Playfulnew
A female vocalist starting an album with the words, "Cried all night till there was nothin' more" probably sounds a bit offputting. Unless that girl is Zooey Deschanel accompanied by M. Ward.
Willamette Week |
Amy McCullough |
03-12-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: She & Him, Volume One
Valet Ushers in Pre-Springnew
Valet, a.k.a. Honey Owens -- most notably of Jackie-O Motherfucker's interchangeable cast -- crafts tunes that are much like fierce saplings struggling to break through layers of brittle frost.
Willamette Week |
Erik Bader |
03-05-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Naked Acid, Valet
Little Beirut's Not Quite Popnew
It goes down easy enough -- infectious melodies, casually perfected structures, instantly memorable turns of phrase -- but pop demands singles.
Willamette Week |
Jay Horton |
03-05-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: High Dive, Little Beirut
Stephen Malkmus Lets the Guitar Do the Talkingnew
Real Emotional Trash sees Malkmus continuing the guitar wankery of 2003's Pig Lib, but while some of the longer tracks used to meander only to showcase his ever-increasing guitar vocabulary, Trash highlights his interplay with the rest of the band.
Willamette Week |
Michael Mannheimer |
02-27-2008 |
Reviews
China Forbes Flounders Out of Pink Martininew
The platitudes of '78, Forbes' first solo effort since 1995's Love Handle, clumsily grapple with maturity.
Willamette Week |
Jay Horton |
02-20-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: '78, China Forbes
