NOW Magazine | Music | AAN.org

Is There More to Interpol than Fancy Matching Suits?new

The band's latest disc abandons the oppressive claustrophobia that had become their aesthetic cliche -- the songs have breathing room, stretching out along more expansive arrangements of keyboards and shimmering guitars.

NOW Magazine | Sarah Liss | 09-07-2007 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Interpol, Our Love To Admire

The Delgados' Emma Pollock Releases Solo Debutnew

Pollock seems to draw inspiration from the late-90s alt-rock heyday of piss-and-vinegar girls-with-guitars (think Juliana Hatfield and 4AD babes Tanya Donelly and Kristin Hersh).

NOW Magazine | Sarah Liss | 08-31-2007 | Reviews

Tags: Emma Pollock, Watch the Fireworks

Maps Creates Pretension-free Psychedelic Popnew

The simplicity of James Chapman's modest 16-track home recorder leads to intimate, immediate results.

NOW Magazine | Benjamin Boles | 08-31-2007 | Reviews

Tags: maps, We Can Create

Ben Harper Sharpens Focus on 'Lifeline'new

The group occasionally slips into derivative territory, Beggars Banquet-era Stones in particular, but strong solo material saves Lifeline near the end.

NOW Magazine | Jason Keller | 08-31-2007 | Reviews

Tags: Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Lifeline

Tusks Emerge From Ashes of Ontario Indie Iconsnew

With members from Wooden Stars and Kepler, the Toronto quartet's sound is an addictive combination of driving, locked-in drums, textured cymbal fills, restrained vocals and spectacular, pristine guitar tones.

NOW Magazine | Sarah Liss | 08-31-2007 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Tusks

Talib Kweli's Best Album Since 'Reflection Eternal'new

Now that Ear Drum is out, Quality and The Beautiful Struggle can be contextualized as signposts along Kweli's awkward road from respected MC to total artist.

NOW Magazine | Jason Richards | 08-31-2007 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Talib Kweli, Ear Drum

Stereo Total Go Loony for Femmes Fatalesnew

You start to feel as though the band is on a mission to rehabilitate the reputations of historically misunderstood femmes fatales.

NOW Magazine | Sarah Liss | 08-24-2007 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Stereo Total, Paris-Berlin

M.I.A. Turns Visa Woes into Dancefloor Glorynew

Of all the collaborators and guests on the post-colonial hip-hop hot shot's new album, one looms a bit larger than the rest -- the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

NOW Magazine | Benjamin Boles | 08-24-2007 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: M.I.A., Kala