AltWeeklies Wire
Yule's Tidenew
A critic searches the season's discs for gems and finds that Elton John has better taste in Christmas pals than Martha Stewart.
Hear What We Hearnew
Don't waste your time at the local listening station comparing 20 versions of "Deck the Halls." The critics have already done that for you (ugh) to recommend the best seasonal albums of 2005.
Dallas Observer |
John Nova Lomax and Sam Machkovech |
12-21-2005 |
Reviews
Seminal Syntaxnew
Having grown sick of impenetrable jargon, a rock critic pledges from this day forward not to describe anything as "a seminal, coruscating slab of minimalist pop."
Dallas Observer |
Rob Harvilla |
12-21-2005 |
Music
Tags: Various Artists, vocabulary
The Hanukkah Songsnew
When it comes to music, Jewish songwriters and performers have played no small part in fostering confusion over the question of whether Hanukkah is the Jewish Christmas.
Juelz Santana Takes the Keys from Cam’ronnew
In Santana, the Dips have found their Golden Child. One of the youngest of the bunch, he has the charisma and the good looks to pull the ladies, an audience key in translating street-level success into mainstream acceptance.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Nelson |
12-20-2005 |
Reviews
Declaration of Independencenew
Def Jux reasserts its status as this decade's most artistically vital and commercially viable independent hip-hop label.
New Times Broward-Palm Beach |
Sam Chennault |
12-20-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
Christmas-List Albumsnew
Tapes compiled by rock 'n' roll keyboard legend Al Kooper reveal the darker side of stars like Barry White, Buddy Rich, Casey Kasem and Orson Welles, and now you can find the best of the weirdness online.
Houston Press |
John Nova Lomax |
12-19-2005 |
Music
Lost and Foundnew
The light in the eyes of the kids at a Lightning Bolt show, as they press in with blazing faces on the two players, is the light of thrilled recognition or rediscovery: at last, thank God, here it is.
Boston Phoenix |
James Parker |
12-16-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
Halloween Ain't the Only Holiday of Horrorsnew
The Cheetah Girls, Jim Brickman, Manheim Steamroller, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, The von Trapp Children and Reverend Horton Heat all contribute to this Christmas season's embarassing demise. That's right, they're all coming to town.
Dig Boston |
Jedd Gottlieb |
12-15-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
Step Away From the Band Namenew
Don't worry, they don't condone AIDS...it's just that AIDS Wolf believe in messages from God. Hence the name.
Dig Boston |
Michael Brodeur |
12-15-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: AIDS Wolf, The Lovvers
Howly Shit!new
Despite their semi-frightening name, We Are Wolves claim that their personality doesn't fit the name...but their music does.
Dig Boston |
Chase Stauffer |
12-15-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: We Are Wolves
Gut-Busting Drones Could Get a Little Messynew
Sunn o))) is not your typical drone band; their mission is to introduce listeners to the "brown sound." In case you're unaware of what that is, just go to a Sunn o))) show and check your pants afterward.
Dig Boston |
Michael Kanin |
12-15-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Sunn o)))
Box Set Captures Significant Momentsnew
Donovan released a body of work that has become symbolic of the times, and has bred numerous covers and instantly recognizable melodies.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
James Kelly |
12-15-2005 |
Reviews
This One Guarantees Smilesnew
This album is full of original rock ditties that give props to all the cool cultural elements of the holiday, even down to questioning how it's spelled.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Tamara Palmer |
12-15-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: Hanukkah Rocks, The LeeVees
Album Aims to Turn Dancefloor Into Saunanew
Album offers up sleek tracks imbued with regimented physicality and retro characteristics that pulse with the moody current of underground European electro-house.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Tony Ware |
12-15-2005 |
Reviews
Tags: Body Language, Vol. 1, M.A.N.D.Y.
