AltWeeklies Wire
Tipping Ever So Slightly to the Centernew
Even though Tipping is weaker that The Roots' last album, Phrenology, it still smacks the pants off most commercial-rap-radio fare.
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
08-05-2004 |
Reviews
Phish Say Pharewell to Phans
Phish may be fading away, but not without leaving their musical mark.
Monday Magazine |
Greg Fenske |
08-03-2004 |
Reviews
Exploring Paul Simon's Solo Catalognew
Listening to this compilation CD, it becomes clear that our most nostalgic songwriter has an uneasy relationship with time.
Seattle Weekly |
Neal Schindler |
07-27-2004 |
Reviews
The Bright Lights Tonightnew
Generally positive review of the band's latest disc, includes conversation with band members, look at their history.
Mountain Xpress |
Marsha Barber |
07-23-2004 |
Reviews
Young Heart Attack Rocks Out Texas Style
Mouthful of Love is a short ride to a good time, a hair more than 35 minutes of drug-addled, sex-crazed, head-bangin’ blues rock – just enough to tease, not enough to revolutionize.
Austin Chronicle |
Darcie Stevens |
07-23-2004 |
Reviews
UT's College Radio Station Masters the Mix-Tape
This eighth installment of tracks from the college radio station’s touted Local Live Sunday night show shines with a melange of genres and an honest representation of Austin’s rabid music scene.
Austin Chronicle |
Darcie Stevens |
07-23-2004 |
Reviews
Midlake's Debut Full-Length Is a Masterpiece
Somewhere in the sea of disenchantment floats Midlake, kept adrift by rolling waves of keys and Tim Smith’s lighthouse vocals that warn of future doom and tell life’s stories, and the Denton quintet’s full-length debut, Bamnan and Slivercork, comprises limestone layers and swirling pools, dreamscapes and foggy mornings.
Austin Chronicle |
Darcie Stevens |
07-23-2004 |
Reviews
Tags: Midlake, Bamnam & Slivercork
PJ Harvey's Newest Proves She's Still the Queen
Four years after PJ Harvey illustrated Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea, her voice growls with unbelievable ferocity and passion with Uh Huh Her.
Austin Chronicle |
Darcie Stevens |
07-23-2004 |
Reviews
Despite Kookiness, Mark's New CD Delivers Great Tunes
The bastard love child of John Prine and Patsy Cline, Carolyn Mark returns with an album that, while occassionally frustrating, is one of the finest I’ve heard this year.
Monday Magazine |
Robert Wiersema |
07-22-2004 |
Reviews
Songs That Demand to Be Hummednew
A honeycomb tangle of bright, sticky hooks and tart counterpoint, this disc teems with ideas. Also reviewed is Petracovich's Blue Cotton Skin.
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
07-22-2004 |
Reviews
Tags: A.C. Newman, The Slow Wonder
Shooting Blanksnew
Imagine the rock world’s version of The Real World (or, more appropriately, The Surreal Life). Take one estranged-and- palpably-frustrated backup band; add one charismatic (and often socially troubled) lead singer -- preferably one who hasn’t had a hit in a while; stir in a liberal dose of media hype; and, voila! Instant million-seller.
Tags: Velvet Revolver, Contraband
The More Things Change...new
The sound of !!! is goofily anarchic, a jumble of scabrous funk, brittle postpunk, and pockmarked disco, a clanging, clattering, sample-studded din that suddenly opens up to reveal disquieting spaces. Also reviewed is Eleni Mandelli's Afternoon.
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
07-15-2004 |
Reviews
Tags: !!!, Louden Up Now
Haunted by High Expectations, Wilco Produces a Minor Ghostnew
Ghost is far from awful -- in fact, it's often painfully lovely -- and, if you can get past the occasional proggish pretense, the interminable stretches of pure noise, and some embarrassing lyrical missteps, you'll find much to admire.
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
07-08-2004 |
Reviews
Defenders of the Faithnew
The music Judas Priest made was easily marginalized, and at a remove of several decades, most of the material on their "Metalogy" boxed-set sounds ephemeral.
Boston Phoenix |
Carly Carioli |
07-08-2004 |
Reviews
Remain the Same, or Reinventnew
Most artists survive by reinventing themselves. But rock star Patti Smith, like God and Edith Piaf, is eternal. Also reviewed is "Uh Huh Her" by PJ Harvey, who is in some ways Smith's heir and in others her opposite.
Illinois Times |
René Spencer Saller |
07-02-2004 |
Reviews
