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Thursday, March 11, 2010
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The Down and Outs - Cacophony (JOA Records) [upcoming shows] [audio]
There's a recent resurgence of Providence pop punk bands, music influenced by labels like Fat Wreck Chords and the bands Descendents and All—fast with fist pumping shout-along choruses. The tracks "All Because of You" and "Bridges and Breakdowns" add some ska and there's a surprise hyper-speed cover of a Paula Abdul song and a comical PSA. The catchiness of the choruses carries the pop end of things and with four songs under ninety seconds, they also have the punk end covered.
- mark
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Released 02.27.2010
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Monday, February 08, 2010
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Adiam Dymott - self titled (Razzia) [upcoming shows] [video]
Adiam Dymott is a Swedish twenty-something songstress with something to say. It's absolutely anticipated that Swedish popsters will make delightful, fantastic pop music, so that's what Adiam has done. Her self-titled debut works as both a complete album and a single factory, as songs like "John Denver", "Pizza", and "Miss You" sound like they were made for the radio station you wish existed.
- cormac
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Released 09.02.2009
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Friday, October 30, 2009
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Damien* - Crippled Cute (Suiteside) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Crippled Cute is the sophomore release by Italian trio Damien*, and though it might have a few '80s post-punk touches, it reminds me more of '90s bands like Girls Against Boys. Grinding bass and fierce drumming and a completely in-your-face presence charge these tracks in a way I'm sure the studio can't even fully capture. In a live setting, a song like "Unaware Unaware" would tear the roof off. The album does serve more nuanced material like "You Bombonniere" and "Lesser Thoughts" very well, however. Con la lode!
- paul
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Released 09.29.2009
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Wednesday, October 21, 2009
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Dead Stars - Break the Tide (self released) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Brooklyn's Dead Stars have some immediately familiar sounds even on the first listen—Pixies' loud-soft-loud trademark, Built to Spill, Pavement and Hum when they decide to unleash the wall of guitars. Anyone claiming to be a fan of those bands should get this album today. Heavily Dinosaur Jr. influenced and, while the vocals have nothing in common, "Stupid Town" has a guitar solo that is hard to believe was not played by J. Mascis himself (this is a compliment). The band should provide him with his share of royalties regardless.
- mark
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Released 09.29.2009
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Thursday, October 08, 2009
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Desmond & The Tutus - Tuckshop (Awesomeland) [audio] [upcoming shows]
They're probably not acquainted, but Desmond & The Tutus and Vampire Weekend are would-be members of a very tiny mutual appreciation society. Odd that D&TT (from South Africa) sound a little more Brooklyn while Vampire Weekend (from Brooklyn) sound a little more South African, but the fundamentals are the same for both. Tuckshop is a great collection of slightly dance-punky pop tunes, the best being "Kiss You on the Cheek," a wonderful little bit of jingle-jangle with harmonica you'll just love.
- paul
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Released 09.16.2008
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Tuesday, July 28, 2009
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The Dead Weather - Horehound (Third Man) [audio] [upcoming shows]
The parts of The Dead Weather are greater than its sum, and that sucks. When I first heard that Allison Mosshart (of The Kills) and Jack White (of The White Stripes, duh) were writing music together, I had to wipe the saliva from my chin. So when the album finally arrived, I was disappointed at what a non-event the whole thing turned out to be. There's a bunch of boozy swagger and hot shit riffing to be heard, but these songs are paper-thin. The Dead Weather is a musical curio and nothing more. Bummer.
- paul
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Released 07.14.2009
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Wednesday, July 01, 2009
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Dinosaur Jr. - Farm (Jagjaguwar) [audio] [upcoming shows]
There's really no negatives to Dinosaur's 5th album (with the original members). As usual, the songs are jammed with heavy guitar riffs and super-hooky melodies. Fans of Bug and Green Mind are going to love this record. "I Don't Want to Go There" can be put on their best-of list, while "Over It" should be getting major airplay across radio waves and "Pieces" has become one of my personal favorites. Three guys in their forties making music that is more relevant than anything on the radio and then some... radical!
- kyle j.
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Released 06.23.2009
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Thursday, June 11, 2009
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John Doe & The Sadies - Country Club (Yep Roc) [audio] [upcoming shows]
John Doe has several sides to his artistic personality: punk god from X, alt-hillbilly king from The Knitters, and an actor in bad-to-decent movies. The John Doe from The Knitters is easily one of the top two John Does around, and that's the one who shows up on Country Club. Together with the amazing Sadies, the resulting stripped-down album of (mostly) covers is initially not as good as expected... and then the outstanding moments begin to shine and you realize "Damn, that John Doe did it again."
- cormac
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Released 04.14.2009
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Friday, May 22, 2009
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The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love (Capitol) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Like a moth to a flame burned by the fire, rock bands are oft drawn to making concept albums only to disappoint longtime fans by creating sappy songs with no discernible beginnings or ends. The Decemberists have surpassed expectations by combining folk, mountain music, and sludge rock into a lush opera about the hazards of love, witches, infanticide, and shapeshifters. And for non-nerds, the guest vocals of Becky Stark and Shara Worden serve not only to breathe life into their characters, but also into this epic and remarkable album.
- cormac
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Released 03.24.2009
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Tuesday, April 14, 2009
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Deerhoof - Offend Maggie (Kill Rock Stars) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Deerhoof does three things well: makes weirdsy art-music, makes catchy pop music, and makes rockin' rock music. With Offend Maggie, the emphasis appears to be on the pop and rock, but without complete abandonment of their weirdsy strengths. While it is difficult to imagine any Deerhoof release that wouldn't fit in at the graduation exhibition for your local art school MFA program, the recent emphasis is more aimed at catching a groove than pure experimentation. Piss off the diehard fans by saying you like the mainstream stuff better.
- cormac
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Released 10.07.2008
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Monday, March 09, 2009
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The Diaphanoids - Astral Weekends (Bear Funk) [audio]
If Philip K. Dick novels came with a musical score, Astral Weekends is what it might sound like. Grounded in funk and disco, the alternating use of analog electronics and spacey guitar effects transform what would ordinarily be lackluster groove exercises into trippy, celestial anthems. If you can imagine the atmospherics of Boards of Canada with the dance sense of Daft Punk using the vintage technology of Tangerine Dream, you're halfway there. Strap on your rollerskates and head for the center of the Milky Way.
- paul
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Released 11.11.2008
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Wednesday, January 07, 2009
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Dinosaur Pile-Up - My Rock 'N Roll 7" (Friends vs. Records) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Remember that all-too-brief period in the '90s when grunge had died down, before anything else really stepped in to take its place, and these bands like Weezer and Nerf Herder had free reign to make poppy, crunchy quasi-rock music with no agenda? Dinosaur Pile-Up does, and this debut single is dripping with nostalgia. "My Rock 'N Roll" is all fuzz pedals and crash cymbals, while b-side "Love is a Boat" is a little more introverted but no less fun. Eight minutes of win.
- paul
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Released 12.09.2008
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Thursday, December 18, 2008
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Dir En Grey - Uroboros (The End) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Dir En Grey's band members opted to write songs independently before beginning the recording process for Uroboros. The result is a creatively diverse collection of songs which sounds unlike their previous releases. The music is grounded in metal, but incorporates very different textures that range from funk to oriental and from raging to serene. These songs are combined to form a surprisingly cohesive album, which I think is one of best metal offerings of the year.
- j.p.
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Released 11.11.2008
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Wednesday, November 26, 2008
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Death Vessel - Nothing is Precious Enough for Us (Sub Pop) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Joel Thibodeau, alias Death Vessel, has one of the most haunting, beautiful voices in today's folk scene. He brings his unique and mysterious arrangements to life on Nothing is Precious Enough for Us, his second full length produced by the ever-talented Pete Donnelly. At times his music is fun and poppy, at others slow and mournful. Together his songs create an overwhelmingly enchanting, lovely, and peculiar atmosphere that makes this album one of the best of 2008.
- cormac
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Released 08.19.2008
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Tuesday, November 18, 2008
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The Decemberists - Always the Bridesmaid: A Singles Series (self released) [audio] [upcoming shows]
The Decemberists are getting better with age, and it's the new material that is sounding more young and fun than ever before. In a three-part singles series, the gang is still offering their trademark melancholy beauty on songs like "Record Year" and "Raincoat Song", but also including a handful of dancey tunes like "Days of Elaine" and a version of The Velvet Underground's "I'm Sticking With You". The standout track might be "Valerie Plame", a song for the outed spy that's potentially as catchy as "16 Military Wives".
- cormac
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Released 10.14.2008
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Friday, October 17, 2008
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The Disciplines - Smoking Kills (Voices of Wonder) [audio] [upcoming shows]
I can't you tell how much I'd been hoping Ken Stringfellow would make a record like this again one day. The ex-Posies troubadour has guested with other bands, released a few solo discs and done some great production work, but none of it has really packed the punch I grew accustomed to with The Posies in the '90s. His new band The Disciplines seems to have recharged his harmony-rich power pop batteries, and Smoking Kills is an embarrassment of riches—the likes of which I've not heard in a long while.
- paul
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Released 05.27.2008
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Wednesday, September 24, 2008
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Liz Durrett - Outside Our Gates (Warm Electronic) [audio] [upcoming shows]
I am no connoisseur of female musicians, but when I fall, I fall hard. I still have no clue what the hell Jewel was singing about and am puzzled by Regina Spektor and her barrage of "uh ohs" at the end of every line of every chorus. With a raspy voice backed by gentle string arrangements and the help of Vic Chestnutt, Liz Durrett's album lets mellowness reign with exceptions: the upbeat groove of "Wild as Them" and the heavier moodiness of "Always Signs". If Cat Power and Nina Nastastia need some company, the potential is certainly here.
- mark
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Released 09.09.2008
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Tuesday, August 19, 2008
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Dag för Dag - Symmetry of Standing EP (self released) [audio] [upcoming shows]
At their most hushed levels, Dag för Dag (an American-born and Sweden-based brother/sister duo) recall the early sound of Damon & Naomi. When they ratchet up the energy ever so slightly as they do on "Ring Me Elise" and "Racing to Racine", though, it's easy to close your eyes and be reminded of Unrest or another like-minded band from the early '90s who traded call-and-response lyrics between singers of the opposite sex. A thoroughly enjoyable 4-song teaser for the upcoming album I'm keen to hear.
- paul
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Released 03.04.2008
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Monday, August 11, 2008
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Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs (Atlantic) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Nothing would make me happier as a fan than for Death Cab to release an album full of songs as good as the two or three really good ones that appear on each album, but it's never happened before and Narrow Stairs, though better, continues the frustrating tradition. I'm left with no choice but to think they're a lazy band, one that gives up incrementally after a "Movie Script Ending", "Crooked Teeth" or, in this case, "Cath" gets written. Prove me wrong next time, guys.
- sam
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Released 05.13.2008
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Friday, May 23, 2008
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Mike Doughty - Golden Delicious (ATO Records) [audio] [upcoming shows]
M. Doughty's strange, delightful, early solo records were the albums I was seeking for after the fall of the great Soul Coughing. The blessed arrival of Haughty Melodic was a bewildering letdown, forging a clear-cut path away from the deep slacker jazz of the past with plodding steps into silly-fun acoustic pop. A new perception of Mike Doughty as an artist with limited range was born, and has subsequently become a lamentable reality. This is for fans of Jason Mraz, Sister Hazel, and Barenaked Ladies.
- cormac
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Released 02.19.2008
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Wednesday, May 07, 2008
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Duchess Says - Anthologie Des 3 Perchoirs (Alien8 Recordings) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Duchess Says goes in the "difficult to accurately describe with so few words" column. The Montreal four-piece is high energy, high aggression synthpunk with one foot in disco and the other in the spaz/noize scene. Annie-Claude barrels out of your speakers like Kathleen Hanna at her most severe, but the sounds behind her constantly evolve. "Ccut Up" opens like Rush's "Tom Sawyer", yet ends like a CSS remix. "Tenen no Neu" rumbles along early PIL-style; the best wobbly bassline this year. Harsh, but huggable.
- paul
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Released 04.15.2008
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Wednesday, March 19, 2008
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Dark Captain Light Captain - Jealous Enemies/Mid-Session Interval 7" (Lo Alternative Frequencies) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Beats, acoustic guitars and angelic harmonies: people love to call it "folktronica" when these things get mixed together, but that sounds kind of stupid. Though it's thoroughly modern, "Jealous Enemies" is every bit as good as its folk-rock ancestors—songs by Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span—that once had the audacity to combine pastoral melody with pop tempos. You could group them with contemporaries like Tunng or The Memory Band, but you'll be listening to these dudes twice as often.
- paul
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Released 11.13.2007
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Wednesday, March 12, 2008
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Dub Trio - Another Sound is Dying (Ipecac) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Dub Trio's brand of dub-rock is a refreshing alternative to the normal pretentiousness of art-rock instrumental albums. Like any decent instrumental album, there is plenty of studio experimentation with complex layers, sounds, effects and sometimes wandering arrangements, but the music is never presented in a way that seems over the average listener's head. They've also included the additional bonus of a guest vocal performance on the track "No Flag" by Ipecac Recordings co-founder Mike Patton. This one flat out rocks from beginning to end.
- j.p.
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Released 01.29.2008
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Friday, February 15, 2008
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Damemas - Let Your Tape Rock EP (Part Mine) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Let Your Tape Rock sounds like a cross-breeding of desert rock with early New York punk. The loud guitars, melodic vocals, and driving bass lines, mixed with a healthy dose of fuzzy distortion, create the kind of rock music that makes you want to jump up and gyrate. There is no pretentiousness to be found on this recording. Only having three songs available to hear on the EP is too much of a tease for music this good. Give me more.
- j.p.
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Released 02.05.2008
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Thursday, February 07, 2008
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The Dø - A Mouthful (Cinq 7) [audio] [upcoming shows]
The Dø offer nothing if not variety on their stellar debut album A Mouthful. There's an effortless eccentricity at play in the album's tonal shifts, as the ADD-rattled French duo alternately ape, among others, Neil Young ("On My Shoulders"), The Concretes ("At Last") and Lily Allen ("Queen Dot Kong"), with the results often matching or surpassing their obvious creative impetuses. This is more than good time music, this is your favorite band delivering a career retrospective on their first try.
- troy
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Released 01.15.2008
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Thursday, January 10, 2008
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Dance Band - Returns From the Land After Tomorrow (self released) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Dance Band have the incredible honor of releasing the worst album by anyone anywhere in all of 2007. Why, you ask? Well this is what happens when you let hipster jerks listen to as much Funkadelic as they do disco punk, then pick up their instruments and mics and start rapping all at once like Sugarhill Gang did. It's not only offensive to those people who truly enjoy dancing, but also a big slap in the face of every funk and party band who came ahead of them.
- paul
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Released 12.04.2007
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Friday, October 19, 2007
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DJ Mehdi - Lucky Boy at Night (Ed Banger) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Lucky Boy at Night is the revamped, remixed version of DJ Mehdi's 2006 album Lucky Boy, and considering how absolutely amazing the source material was, the redux exceeds all expectations. Imagine driving Prince's little red corvette through an early-'80s block party in Brooklyn, then finding a timespace wormhole and arriving in a Paris studio as Daft Punk (whose Thomas Bangalter remixes "Signatune" here) began work on their debut. Though it's an homage to music that's already happened, music like this never actually existed until right now. OWN IT.
- paul
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Released 05.15.2007
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Wednesday, September 26, 2007
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Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof DVD (The Weinstein Company) [trailer]
On this 2-disc DVD, we get the international cut of Death Proof, which is about 20 minutes longer than the theatrical version. The second disc contains mini-docs on casting, the stunt drivers, Zoe Bell, editor Sally Menke and Kurt Russell. I highly recommended this for fans of the genre, even though Dimension will be double dipping later with a release of the theatrical version of Grindhouse. It's worth your money just for the missing reel scene and Kurt Russell licking Rosario Dawson's foot...creepy.
- kyle j.
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Released 09.18.2007
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Thursday, August 16, 2007
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Dead Heart Bloom - Chelsea Diaries (KEI) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Boris Skalsky is one heck of a songwriter, and his Dead Heart Bloom has
put out one heck of a free-to-download album. DHB has a largely
alt-country sound that seems to blend the acoustic side of The Beatles and
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, producing a sound that is a shade darker than
the melodies would suggest. And speaking of melodies, it's the vocal
melodies on Chelsea Diaries that stand out; these will get stuck in your
head and you'll be happy they did.
- cormac
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Released 05.22.2007
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Tuesday, July 31, 2007
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Linda Draper - Keepsake (Planting Seeds) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Hey, wanna come by the coffeehouse tonight? Linda Draper and her guitar will be there. Yeah, her songs are simple, but their spartan-ness showcases her lyrics and sweet Joan-Baez-on-the-low-notes voice. You know how I fixate on the words... she's got lines like "My eyes see things a little out of tune" and "looking over your shoulder/at the mountain of
salt you tossed." Guests will play bass and piano, and if we're lucky, she'll bust out the toy xylophone. I'll get us a table and a pot of tea.
- meredith
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Released 04.24.2007
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Wednesday, July 18, 2007
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Dream Theater - Systematic Chaos (Roadrunner) [audio] [upcoming shows]
20+ years since Dream Theater's inception comes the release of their tenth studio album Systematic Chaos. Do not listen to this album if you are seeking simple, riff-centric, catchy pop metal tunes about cars or girls that you expect will satisfy your musical yearnings in five minutes or less. Do listen to this album if you are seeking complex, solo-filled and technically proficient progressive metal compositions with religious/political undertones that average over nine minutes in length.
- j.p.
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Released 06.05.2007
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Wednesday, July 04, 2007
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Dntel - Dumb Luck (Sub Pop) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Consider the basic elements that make up your favorite music: singing, guitar, drums, etc. Exclude some of your favorites, like enjoyable melodies. Then add other sounds, like white noise and computerized drums. Now imagine that each and every one of these ingredients is completely and utterly mediocre. Imagine that the quiet lyrics, bleeps, beeps and fuzzy
noise all inspire your finger to hit the "next track" button. Not even indie-pop darlings Jenny Lewis and Conor Oberst can save this one.
- cormac
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Released 04.24.2007
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Thursday, June 28, 2007
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John Doe - A Year in the Wilderness (Yep Roc) [audio] [upcoming shows]
John Doe has been releasing music for well-nigh thirty years, but it wasn't until recently that he seemed to perfect things. His amazing Forever Hasn't Happened Yet in 2005 was easily his most impressive album released as a solo artist, and in 2007 his follow-up ranks among his best. The key to Doe's success is a long-developed blend of Americana country, rock and blues approached from a punk rock background. His secret weapon is his revolving lineup of guest players, currently including Dave Alvin, Kathleen Edwards and Aimee Mann.
- cormac
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Released 06.12.2007
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Wednesday, March 28, 2007
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Darling New Neighbors - Every Day is Saturday Night (I Eat Records) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Ever live next door to where a band practices? Most often it would get old really quickly,
but maybe not with this band. I bet if I lived next door to Darling New Neighbors, I'd
want to hear more! I'd probably even go to their shows. Great quirky pop songs. I hear a
cross between Camper Van Beethoven and Freakwater here, and I like it.
Austin, Texas is lucky to have this band in their neighborhood.
- c. daltry
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Released 04.18.2006
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Thursday, March 15, 2007
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Tamara Dearing - Yesterconfessions (self released) [audio] [more audio and upcoming shows]
"Ignore all [the] print/yes, jump straight through the text": Using a piano and some simple percussion, Tamara Dearing manages to combine ragtime and folk into a unique sound. Insistent notes (the first track lives up to its name, "Trickling") run beneath rather garbled lyrics as her Ani Difranco-ish voice swoops from a throaty murmur to high-pitched clarity. You never know quite where the strangely syncopated lines are going, which I find completely refreshing.
- meredith
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Released 01.31.2006
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Tuesday, January 16, 2007
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Deloris - Ten Lives (Dot Dash) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Very few A-List indie bands of the past few years came to play in 2006. The Shins? Busy. The National? Exhausted. Okkervil River? Touring. Enter Australia's best-kept secret Deloris and their new record Ten Lives. In a year where newbie bands tried to out-niche each other in order to gain favor with influential bloggers, semi-veterans Deloris just made a solid and potentially enduring rock record of (oddly enough) Americana with clever turns and deep hooks. Ten Lives filled the void and then some, earning the band every right to demand their own A-List status.
- paul
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Released 11.07.2006
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Monday, January 15, 2007
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Denelian - False/Positive EP (self released) [audio and upcoming shows]
Like a good bottle of wine, Denelian's False/Positive improves the longer it's open. And, in this case, on your playlist. This mellow, pleasantly bewildering album proves its richness with every listen. False/Positive caters to all tastes with a wide range of sounds reminiscent of New Order, The Magnetic Fields and even Suede. Allow the mournful vocals, photographic lyrics and surprising instrumentals—both piano and synths—to breathe. Then duly appreciate Denelian's beautiful multi-flavoured work.
- miriam
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Released 05.23.2006
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Thursday, December 21, 2006
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DMP - Dollars Mean Profit (Verse Recordings) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Tackling serious issues but with a smile on their faces, DMP recall the sense of fun that initially pushed hip-hop from the streets and into suburban homes while simultaneously reminding everyone how tough life can be for young black men. "It Was All a Dream" and "Lay Down" describe the dark reality of violence in the hood while the hilariously sharp "Skit" takes Wheel of Fortune into ghetto territory.
- michael s.
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Released 11.07.2006
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Saturday, December 16, 2006
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D.J. Foundation - (Have They Not Heard) God is Dead 7" (Metal Postcard) [audio] 7" Single Saturday Review
Maybe choosing Gary Glitter's "Rock and Roll Part Two" and Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" for samples isn't the most innovative way to compose electronic music tracks nowadays. However, dubbing them Sunni and Shia and peppering it with gunfire, flying missles and transforming it into "I Shot You Babe" just might be. Also, "God is Dead" throws in some vulgar porno clips—Gary would be proud. Only two tracks, though there's a couple of remixes of each tacked onto the end of this seven inch single.
- mark
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Released 11.14.2006
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Wednesday, December 06, 2006
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The Decemberists - The Crane Wife (Capitol) [audio] [upcoming shows]
The snickering behind the backs of The Decemberists was deafening as they approached the major label world (well...not literally), but it seems they will have the last laugh!! This is quite possibly their best release to date. For me, time is not on The Decemberists' side, as I quickly tire of Colin Meloy's voice for weeks at a time. Surprisingly, the new LP seems to have the magic to continually pique my interest. The shining jewel of the album is the outrageously pleasing contribution from the magnificent Laura Veirs on "Yankee Bayonet."
- cormac
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Released 10.03.2006
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Tuesday, November 07, 2006
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DJ Shadow - The Outsider (Interscope) [audio] [video] [upcoming shows]
So Picasso made these collages at one point in his career. You may
have seen them. They are pretty ugly. And Francis Ford Coppola still
made The Godfather III. So I mean, you know, it happens. So DJ Shadow
made this, half Dirty South, half music-modernica fruit salad album
that showcases a lot of his eclectic taste, but little of his
production talent. Don't expect another Endtroducing or Preemptive
Strike; nothing here will knock you on your ass like half those
tracks did.
- bob d.
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Released 09.19.2006
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Monday, October 30, 2006
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The Dears - Gang of Losers (Arts & Crafts) [audio] [video] [upcoming shows]
From the moment we first heard The Dears, overblown comparisons to The Smiths were made by people who really should know better. If we must explore that path, though, The Dears more closely parallel the music of solo Morrissey. It's well orchestrated, not always immediate, but always very aware of itself. Murray Lightburn does tend to croon at times, and occasionally these things work against one another. Gang of Losers seems to strike a balance the band were unable to find in their past work, however, and any comparisons may soon be unnecessary.
- paul
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Released 08.29.2006
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Monday, October 16, 2006
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DJ C - Traced Milk EP (Cozy Music) [audio] [podcasts]
The new album from Boston-area producer-dj-remixer-party boy DJ C is electronic poetry at its finest. Much akin to the Japanese style haiku, his downtempo beats are structurally simple but speak volumes. Through the use of subtle breakbeats, a sampled guitar riff here and there, the occasional glitchy moment, some stuttering drum sounds, a hint of dreamy vocals, and a well-placed bassline, something beautiful and mysterious has been made.
- heidi
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Released 08.29.2006
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Thursday, October 12, 2006
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Dragonforce - Inhuman Rampage (Roadrunner) [audio] [upcoming shows]
A month ago I would have told you that you'd be more likely to find a
unicorn singing Tom Jones covers in my living room than to find a
speed metal album in my car's CD player. Inhuman Rampage would have
made me a liar. By laying endlessly catchy lead guitar riffs over its
unbridled energy, Dragonforce was able to create a perfectly
listenable album even for the un-speed-rocked layman like myself. If
The Darkness felt like a gateway drug for you, this may be your next
step down the road of hard rock.
- bob d.
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Released 06.20.2006
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Wednesday, September 27, 2006
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Dyrdin (Skipping Stones Records) [audio] [upcoming shows]
This should be my alarm clock ... I want to start my day with Icelandic
twee pop. I’ll use the song "Wake Up" ... seems fitting ... or maybe
"Brottnumin." Dyrdin is reminiscent of bands like Go Sailor, Cub, and
numerous other female-fronted bubble gum pop punk bands with endless
amounts of melodic two-minute songs. I don’t care if it’s not in English (mostly), it’s so darn catchy! I mean, yowzers!! I want to bounce around like "a bubble girl in a bubble world"!!
- cormac
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Released 09.17.2006
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Friday, August 25, 2006
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Dirty on Purpose - Hallelujah Siren (North Street Records) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Dirty on Purpose release their full length debut “Hallelujah Sirens” at the perfect moment in the indie landscape. You see, Dirty on Purpose hails from the right scene - Brooklyn - and plays the right kind of music - spacey shoegazing rock that is all the rage. Yes, they are on the cusp of everything that’s trendy right at the moment, but it is ... ohhh so good. The delicate harmonies, the fuzzy guitars, and wispy vocals will have you bowing.
- alex
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Released 05.01.2006
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Wednesday, August 16, 2006
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Dirty Pretty Things - Waterloo to Anywhere (Interscope) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Kick the junkie out of gritty British band; can said band still be cheeky? With Dirty Pretty Things (not to be confused with thriller starring French cutie Audrey Tautou), Carl Barât, otherwise known as the sensible Libertine, attempts to wax the post-Doherty sound. Which turns out to be grimy and catchy in a Clash sort of way, but lacks the unpredictability and sincere harmonies that made the 'Libs famous.
- alex
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Released 08.08.2006
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Friday, July 21, 2006
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Lizzy Mercier Descloux - Zulu Rock (Ze Records) [audio]
After Lizzy Mercier Descloux’s initial recordings as part of the downtown NY
art rock scene of the late 70’s, she started to explore African rhythms more
along the lines of what Paul Simon’s Graceland would sound like. The major
difference being that she predated him by at least two years. Though not as
raw and funky as her earlier tracks, there are some worthwhile moments here.
The appropriation of African music into a western context tends to be more
lacking than rewarding however.
- lee
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Released 05.02.2006
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Thursday, July 06, 2006
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Lizzy Mercier Descloux - Best Off (Z.E. Records) [audio]
This is an essential collection for those unfamiliar with Lizzy Mercier Descloux’s funky, sparse brand of proto punk dance rhythms. Spanning her six albums that she completed before succumbing to cancer in 2004, this music is an integral link in the DNA chain that has brought us bands like LCD Soundsystem and the Rapture. The future of music isn’t happening now, it’s already passed you by. This collection makes for a great rear view mirror.
- lee
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Released 05.02.2006
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Thursday, May 04, 2006
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Dog Traders – Panic in a Pagoda (Sharing Machine) [audio]
Anyone familiar with the website Toothpaste for Dinner can appreciate Drew T’s talent for drawing stick figures and accompanying sardonic commentary. But did you know he could write songs, too? And play music? And sing? I suspect he also adores Guided by Voices, as this album could pass for a cover of Mag Earwig!, especially "Belgium," "Rebel & the Rock" and "Minister and Man." But that’s fine with me: "suburban sprawls and curtain calls are just expected / come back out and take a bow."
- meredith
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Released 01.10.2006
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Monday, March 13, 2006
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David and the Citizens – Self-Titled EP (Friendly Fire Recordings) [audio]
How could I not review a disc with a track entitled "Now She Sleeps in a Box in the Good Soil of Denmark"? It lives up to expectations, one of six excellent songs from this Swedish band that combine the sounds — and I stress "sounds," not necessarily lyrical content — of The Mountain Goats, Ben Folds, They Might Be Giants, and Bright Eyes. This EP collects songs off previous releases, none of which were available in the U.S. before; Friendly Fire plans to release one of their full-lengths before the year is out. Hurrah!
- meredith
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Released 03.07.2006
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Wednesday, February 22, 2006
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Dust Jacket - Our Tapestries are Thrift Store Quilts EP (self released) [upcoming shows, audio]
Never before have I had such a mixed reaction to a release. At times, it's Dashboard Confessional two hours after being slipped an Ex-Lax roofie but two of the songs are absolutely brilliant, crossing early Built to Spill and Modest Mouse. However, whether it was the piano ballads sung by someone wetting themselves or the overwrought "We are the World" singalong on the last track, I bounced between bitch slapping the nearest teenager or losing myself in it's fragile beauty. Give them a hug and wait for puberty, it will be worth it.
- junco tibet
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Released 12.10.2005
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Friday, January 27, 2006
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Mike Doughty - Haughty Melodic (ATO Records)
[audio] [upcoming shows]
Mike Doughty can sing anything and I'll listen to it. Even if he doesn't use many notes and sometimes sounds alarmingly like Dave Matthews (who guests on one track). Fans of Soul Coughing might miss the funky trappings, but the stripped-down sound here lets Doughty's gravelly voice come through. And lyrics like "Beware the thrum of hearts in your presence." Some of the songs sound the same, but the ones that stand out are definite ... stand-outs, like "I Hear the Bells" and "Sunken-Eyed Girl."
- meredith
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Released 05.03.2005
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Thursday, December 29, 2005
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Dirty Three - Cinder (Touch & Go) [audio & video] [upcoming shows]
Assuming you're already somewhat familiar with the work of the Dirty
Three, you know the best things about their work are the elaborate and
winding build-ups that make each track a pilgrimage to a celestial
place where noise and color collide into a brilliant display of light.
Those fireworks are mostly absent from Cinder due to shortened song lengths, leaving the build-ups to simply fade back into the silence from whence they came. Songs featuring vocals from Chan Marshall and Sally Timms offer some redemption, but not quite enough.
- paul
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Released 10.11.2005
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Tuesday, November 08, 2005
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Neil Diamond - 12 Songs
(Columbia) [audio] [upcoming shows]
If you could snoop through the studio outtakes for 12 Songs, chances are you'd find numerous instances of Rick Rubin in the talkback saying "let's try that again with less smiling, Neil." And that's the prominent flaw with this album. What turned out to be an exquisite venue for the rich, weathered voice of Johnny Cash just makes Neil Diamond sound like he's busking for subway fare. This isn't Neil's "essence." He naturally belongs in front of a 15-piece band and back-up singers.
- paul
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Released 11.08.2005
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Wednesday, October 26, 2005
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Drunk Horse - In Tongues (Tee Pee Records/Wantage) [audio] [upcoming shows]
If you ever spent time doing bong hits and listening to "On Your Feet
or On Your Knees" through your Koss headphones, this CD is going to sound awfully familiar to you. In fact, if you' ve recently spent time
listening to Queens of the Stone Age, Fu Manchu or just about any other
band mining the '70s stoner rock quarry, it will sound familiar to you
too. But you know what they say about familiarity.
- karen m.
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Released 06.28.2005
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Friday, October 14, 2005
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The Dandy Warhols - Odditorium or Warlords of Mars (Capitol Records) [audio] [upcoming shows]
The Dandy's return with another collection of insipid post-glam alterna-rock, while everyone but themselves and Capitol Records wonder what the big deal is. The highlight is "Down like Disco", which is nothing more than a glammed-up ripoff of Van Morrison's "Gloria". Now if they included a tiny mirror, cut straw and fifty minutes worth of cocaine, this cd might be bearable. In the end, their contribution to rock and roll may be the first band ever to feature an attractive woman who is better looking with her shirt on than off.
- junco tibet
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Released 09.13.2005
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Thursday, August 18, 2005
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The Duhks (Sugar Hill Records) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Living in Nashville taught me this important lesson: when musicians of the MTV generation tackle traditional acoustic music, the results
often kick the ass right out of their audience's collective pants.
So, when I find a 20-something Celtic/bluegrass/folk band from Canada
with a tattooed punk goddess of a lead singer, it gets bought. The
Duhks could very easily become the Norah Jones of bluegrass. After a
few listens, you find salsa drum rhythms, jazz violin solos, and pop
melodies. You also find yourself dancing.
- tom d.
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Released 02.08.2005
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Friday, August 12, 2005
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Dimension Mix (Eenie Meenie) [audio/more audio]
This impressive tribute to Dimension 5 Records (1962-1988) donates its proceeds to autism charities. All 18 songs were originally recorded by early electronic auteurs Bruce Haack and Esther Nelson and are interpreted by modern performers. The biggest name is Beck (weird, as a Scientolgist he would probably claim austism could be healed by vitamins), then followed by Stereolab, Apples in Stereo, Tipsy, Eels, Dj Me Dj You, and the Danielson Famile. If this compilation doesnt stop your child from counting to 13,957 using only prime numbers, no music ever will.
- junco tibet
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Released 08.23.2005
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Tuesday, July 12, 2005
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The Deathray Davies - The Kick And The Snare (Glurp)
[mp3]
[upcoming shows]
The key ingredient to the Deathray Davies' creative longevity is the
knowledge that good power-pop never goes out of style. Because of
this, they're allowed to borrow liberally from the past to make
something new (on "Plan to Stay Awake," they hijack the vocal melody
straight from the Beatles' "I"ve Just Seen a Face"). The downside,
however, is that most records of this nature contain as many misfires
as they do successes. As we wait for them to make their perfect
record, the successful half of this one will do.
- paul
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Released 05.17.2005
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Thursday, June 09, 2005
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The Dead 60s
(Epic) [audio] [video] [upcoming shows]
It would be easy to thumb your nose at the Dead 60s for basing their
whole existence not just on one band who came before them, but a
single album by that one band. The Clash's Combat Rock - a musical landmark on its own - is, without question, the blueprint for this jewel. The dubbed-out drums, infrequent guitar blasts and rubbery bass are unmistakably Clash-ish, and singer Matt McManamon's Joe Strummer impression is shameless. But, as egregious as the concept may be, it's a remarkably entertaining listen.
- paul
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Released 05.31.2005
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Tuesday, May 17, 2005
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The Dirtbombs - If You Don't Already Have A Look (In The Red) [upcoming shows]
Every night, thousands of bands are playing in dive bars all over the
world. If it's a night the Dirtbombs are on the bill somewhere, all
others may as well go home. The Dirtbombs, you see, are the fiercest,
sweatiest, meanest band to ever assault your senses. This new
double-disc set compiles their scattered singles and b-sides with
eight new recordings and unreleased material. While the studio has
never quite done them justice, these 52 tracks are a fiery baptism for
the curious among you.
- paul
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Released 06.07.2005
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Friday, May 06, 2005
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De Novo Dahl - Cats & Kittens (Theory 8) [audio] [upcoming shows]
By turns bouncy and melodic, De Novo Dahl's sound is a little bit of a lot of things; their PR people call it a combination of "new wave, 60s rock and modern indie pop." I definitely heard the Kinks and Supergrass at different points. Nearly every song on "Cats" is a keeper, and the best part is that they are all remixed on "Kittens." Perfect for a party on the deck this summer. I dare you not to dance to "All Over Town" and "Sexy Come Lately."
- meredith
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Released 02.11.2005
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Wednesday, May 04, 2005
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Disco Drive - What's Wrong With You, People? (Unhip) [mp3] [upcoming shows]
Disco Drive can sometimes sound like they went to Shellac High School, which isn't a bad thing. You'll also hear bits of a poppier Clash, while in other spots the pop suffocates the Clash influence. Although poppy, the fine guitar playing and vocal harmonizing more than make up for it. This isn't groundbreaking, but if you like to dance to art/punk, Disco Drive lays down the perfect grooves.
- kyle j.
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Released 04.26.2005
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Wednesday, March 16, 2005
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Charles Douglas - Statecraft (Enabler) [audio]
"Free at Last" is the perfect opener to a near perfect indie/pop record. Douglas has arranged a constant flow of catchy melodies while spitting out witty lyrics throughout the sixteen songs on Statecraft. Joey Santiago (of you know who) shows up to play guitar on a bunch of those songs. "Spitting the Atom" could easily be an radio hit, while "Chan" is a helpless ode to indie shy girl, Cat Power. Don't forget about those damn vibraphones that make "Beneath the Flowers" everything it should be.
- kyle j.
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Released 11.16.2004
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Friday, February 11, 2005
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The Decemberists - Picaresque (Kill Rock Stars) [upcoming shows]
Intelligent indie-folk-pop. The Decemberists third LP brings the
group's nasally nerdy lyrics to a head, verbally versatile and melodically pleasing indie to boot. Similar to their other albums, Picaresque takes us through the lives of seemingly fictional adventurers, all along the way making intelligent note of the complexities of the world around them and the strange situations in which the characters find themselves. I want to live in a Decemberists song, please.
- cat g.
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Released 03.22.2005
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Thursday, October 28, 2004
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DJ Green Lantern/Beastie Boys - New York State of Mind
[audio]
Working with both the blessing of and a little assistance from the
Boys themselves, DJ Green Lantern has compiled and mixed what is
probably the most solid release in the entire Beastie discography
(official or not). New backing tracks, re-cut rhymes, guest spots
from big names (Busta Rhymes, The Clipse) and a track-to-track flow
that's unparalleled makes New York State of Mind not only essential listening for fans of the group, but just the thing to win over the doubters you know.
- paul
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Friday, October 22, 2004
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Dogs Die In Hot Cars - Please Describe Yourself (V2) [upcoming shows]
A two pound bag of Skittles, some fuzzy guitars, forty seven Pixie Stix, a long car ride with a healthy game of punchbuggy, three soft kisses on the cheek in broad daylight from your secret crush and one ambiguously worded note to you passed in the back of geometry class is the best way to sum up
Please Describe Yourself. Fuzzy candy pop is supposed to be fun, after all.
- leslie
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Thursday, September 16, 2004
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The Delgados - Universal Audio (Chemikal Underground) [upcoming shows]
The Delgados are working with some sort of magic, or maybe even with the devil's blessing. No song they've ever recorded has been singularly spectacular, nor has any album of theirs been considered an absolute masterpiece. In fact, theirs is a faceless model of indie pop; an anually updated prototype. Universal Audio, while very nice in its own right, is the well from which many better copycat records will spring. When the Delgados speak, everyone listens.
- paul
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Thursday, August 19, 2004
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DJ Rels - Theme For a Broken Soul (Stones Throw)
Madlib's too busy for his own good. Hot on the heels of laying down the tracks for MF Doom's Madvillainy record, he assumes the pseudonym of DJ Rels and positions himself in left field far away from his estimable hip-hop sensibilities. Theme For a Broken Soul isn't a bad effort by any means, although it's certainly aimless. Tracks this repetitious which stretch on for six, seven, and even nine minutes should at least be rooted in solid grooves. It's DJ Shadow for dummies.
- paul
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Wednesday, August 18, 2004
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Diplo - Florida (Big Dada) [upcoming shows]
Florida is exactly what I've always wanted an electronic/hip hop/psychadellic/rock/dance album to sound like - yet, save for a very select few, none have come even close. Completely captivating, ridiculously layered beats that left me staring at the Turntable Lab equipment page thinking "you can do that with this???" Easily on par with the genre's biggest and brightest. An amazing debut.
- jon
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Wednesday, August 11, 2004
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Dreamend - ...as if by Ghosts (Graveface Records) [mp3s] [upcoming shows]
Dreamend can turn a sweet aural back rub into a noisy dish-breaking fiesta with the drop of a hat, but when the white noise comes the songs are never lost in a black hole of senselessness. Chaotic bursts aside, slide guitars, chimes and naked arrangements make this a mostly touching, surprisingly delicious post-rock haunting. "Ellipsis" and "Ten Guitars from Salem" will have to fight it out for a position on that all-instrumental CD you've been wanting to make.
- jason m.
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Friday, June 18, 2004
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Dykehouse - Midrange (Ghostly International) [mp3/another mp3]
The best records I've heard this year remind me, almost uniformly, of what I was turned onto in high school. Midrange is pure dreampop - the kind historically perfected by the Pale Saints, the House of Love, and (yes) My Bloody Valentine. It's as if this record were buried in 1989, only to be rediscovered and released fifteen years after it should've been. In Mike Dykehouse's world, there's no time like the present to pay homage to the past.
- paul
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Sunday, June 06, 2004
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The Dresden Dolls
(8 Foot Records)
[audio/video]
[upcoming shows]
A self-described "Brechtian punk cabaret" duo, the Dresden Dolls have such a stylized aesthetic that they'd be easy to dismiss as just another gimmick act. Doing so might be a mistake, however. Pianist/vocalist Amanda Palmer and percussionist Brian Viglione split this 57 minutes of music equally between slow burning torch songs and haunted carnival romps, crafting each with a delicate and slightly sinister touch. If Broadway musicals routinely sounded like this, the theater industry would be booming.
- paul
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Thursday, April 08, 2004
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The Dead Men - EP (electronic78/prescription records) [audio]
It's good to hear Sonic Boom put the joint down and stopped twiddling knobs long enough to return to a more rock and roll orientated record. Although he is only credited with percussion, synths and guitar feedback, his stamp is all over this EP. From the simple two chord guitar progressions, to whispered reverbed vocals and vibed-drenched organs, some of these tracks could be mistaken for outtakes from Recurring. This is a nice morsel of spaced out musical mellowness that could be stretched out to allow maximum bongular absorption.
- mark
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Thursday, March 25, 2004
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The Decemberists - The Tain (Acuarela Discos) [upcoming shows]
The concept is simple, so why didn't they do it before now? Hijack an ancient Celtic poem, score it with equal parts folk and prog, and release it on a tiny Spanish indie. A single 18 minute track split into five somewhat distinct movements, "The Tain" is completely engaging from beginning to end - even on the first listen. And, though the Decemberists are still a bit wet behind the ears, they may have just instituted the standard by which all their other offerings will be judged.
- paul
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Wednesday, March 10, 2004
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Destroyer - Your Blues (Merge) [mp3s] [upcoming shows]
It took me three listens to notice the absence of drums on this album. Two more before I realized that, besides an acoustic guitar, there aren't even really any instruments on the disc. But somehow, between Bejar's subtle vocals, overstated songwriting and the greatest (only?) use of MIDI samples indie pop has ever seen, everything in life seems to balance out.
- jon
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Wednesday, November 12, 2003
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Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism (Barsuk) [mp3s] [upcoming shows]
I constantly get this look when I tell most people I like Death Cab for Cutie. It's this smirk/pained look that tells me without words that they feel better than/bad for me. Hey, whatever. You're missing out on Transatlanticism's sweeping rock opus, a beautiful and delicate thing that bombasts on any car stereo. I've listened to "Lightness" on repeat many a night watching the sunset, quietly singing "Ooh-Wah-Ho," and if that makes me lame, so be it.
- kate
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Thursday, October 23, 2003
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The Decemberists - Her Majesty The Decemberists (Kill Rock Stars) [mp3] [upcoming shows]
The songs are so pretty you know all the words before you realize how delicate the lyrics are, and how much you can get lost in the album like a good book with a surprise ending. If the mysterious guy in the back of your geometry class who kept to himself but had pretty eyes and spent a lot of time in detention for just being too weird made a record, this would be it.
- leslie
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Thursday, September 25, 2003
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Drive-By Truckers - Decoration Day (New West Records) [audio] [upcoming shows]
Here in the American south, decoration day refers to placing bouquets of flowers on loved ones' gravesites. A more fitting name couldn't be found for this brilliantly crafted collection of songs covering dour and depressing topics with southern boogie, insightful lyrics and country wisdom. Whether it's a song about an incestuous brother and sister ("The Deeper In"), an ode to a father and his advice to an unheeding son ("Outfit") or the reaction to a friend's suicide ("When The Pin Hits The Shell"), "Decoration Day" manages to flesh out its stories while never losing its dignity.
- dave
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Thursday, August 07, 2003
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The Datsuns (V2) [audio/video] [upcoming shows]
Someone tell the Datsuns, unrelenting balls-to-the-wall energy can grow repetitive fast. With over-the-top solos, sing-along choruses, and we-all-have-the-same-last-name antics, there isn't much more than gimmick here. The first two tracks, "Sitting Pretty" and "Motherfucker from Hell" aren't half bad, but become tiresome after exactly five listens. The rest of the album is a murky blur, where they seem to play the same song over and over and over. File under tedious cock-rock.
- jules
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Monday, June 30, 2003
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Delerium - Chimera (Nettwerk) [mp3]
Pre-Karma Delerium: Lush orchestration. Dark soundscapes. Deep beats. The occasional breathy female vocal thrown in with the instrumental tracks.
Post-Karma Delerium: Electro-pop hooks. Cloyingly sweet melodies. Bland beats. The occasional instrumental track thrown in with the breathy female vocals.
I miss the old Delerium.
- kean
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Monday, June 09, 2003
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Deftones - Deftones (Maverick/Warner)
The White Pony went and got herself knocked up and had a bunch of babies. The Deftones, startled and not knowing what to do, grabbed all of those babies and released them as this self-titled album. As with every "litter" you can't expect all of the li'l boogers to be as good lookin' as their mommy. Flashes of White Pony's power are visible, but horrible choruses (see: the first track) derail a couple of the tracks before they even get out of the station. I think I'll just keep waiting for that Team Sleep record...
- brian
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Thursday, May 01, 2003
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DJ Green Lantern - Shady Invasion II: Conspiracy Theory (Shady/Aftermath) [audio]
Getting mad at Ja Rule for being a punk is like yelling at a dog for licking it's genitals; however, this doesn't stop Em, 50 Cent and the G-G-G-Unit, and even a surprisingly hardcore Busta Rhymes from dropping lyrical bombs on everyone's favorite singing "thug." Fortunately, this quasi-legal compilation is more than just Hallie asking "daddy, is Ja Rule taller than me?" as Cypress Hill's DJ Muggs, Marshall's less-well-known protégé Obie Trice, and even the typically-lackluster D12 shine with their non-diss tracks too.
- nick
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Monday, March 10, 2003
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DJ Krush - The Message At The Depth (Red) [upcoming shows]
Forget drugs - this is your brain on glitch. Locked up drum machines, arrhythmic Blade Runner beats, and misfiring synth laser cannons all combine on DJ Krush's soundtrack to some imaginary robot revolt. The machines are too pissed to dance, which is a shame - even a little bit of head-nodding would do this disc well. However, Krush's groove is more unique than most conceptual DJ efforts these days.
- nick
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Monday, October 07, 2002
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Do Make Say Think - & Yet & Yet (Constellation) [mp3]
Nothing like extensive European touring to tighten a band's sound. DMST leave behind GYBE! influenced sublimity for upbeat instrumentation at times reflective of post rock and dubby jazz. Song titles like "Reitschule" and "Classic Noodlanding" reference tour experiences such as the Swiss club whose owner housed them in an adjoining hostel and allowed use of his stage for jam sessions, or a Dutch tour poster in the case of the latter. A consistently relaxed and natural album; may cause spontaneous purchase of Eurorail pass.
- jules
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Friday, August 02, 2002
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The Dissappointments - s/t Ragged Dick Productions
This original release brings to mind a combination of an unplugged NoMeansNo, Doo Rag and Rob Crow presenting a demented reworking of musical americana with a giant smirk on their faces. Essentially a disjointed, acoustic based record with crazed song titles, it actually deserves quite a bit of respect. Throw in a protest song against modern fashion trends and twisted cover versions of Elton John, Cyndi Lauper, Body Count and Whitney Houston and you have a eclectic, quirky band issuing a challenge only a select audience is ready for.
- mark
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Friday, July 19, 2002
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thedamnwells - PMR [mp3, mp3, mp3]
Despite the fact that the band features ex-Whiskeytown drummer Steven Terry and current Star City guitarist Dave Chernis, thedamnwells are neither a country band nor an alt.country band. They do, however, have a cornfield-meets-city-skyline sound (think Clem Snide, the Jayhawks, Josh Rouse). thedamnwells play the type of music that you want to hear late at night in a half-empty bar as you try to convince the cute girl sitting at the bar to go home with you.
- chip
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Wednesday, May 01, 2002
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Doves - The Last Broadcast (Heavenly)
With moments of brilliance (songs like "Words" and "Pounding") surrounded by a moat of mediocrity, it seems that British swirl-rockers Doves have gone and sucked on the same lemon as Travis by releasing a brilliant first record (2000's Lost Souls), and then following it up with a more straightforward effort in the interest of hit-making. The Last Broadcast is an entertaining record, but it sometimes feels a bit too much like a bid to be the next Coldplay. For some reason, I'm not so sure that's a good thing.
- cory
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Tuesday, April 30, 2002
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Tom Daily - The Burlington Northern (Thick Records) [mp3s]
This LP kicks off with the anthemic track "The Kids Are Not Alright", sounding not unlike something found in Bob Pollard's suitcase. The next two songs fall somewhere near Superchunk/Weezer and one even manages to name drop Reese Witherspoon, perhaps an indie rock first. If albums were judged by only the first three tracks, this would be an album of the year candidate. The quality drops off but all fans of Mac McCaughan and the Apples In Stereo will be pleased with the entire collection.
- mark
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Tuesday, March 26, 2002
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Desaparecidos - Read Music/Speak Spanish (Saddle Creek) [mp3]
Emo boy goes punk, gets mad at urban sprawl. Poor Omaha. It has been beset by highways, chain stores, and patriots. But oh, does this record make it all sound so majestic. Even the quavering, anguished vocals come off as triumphant, with the overall vibe teetering on the edge of Blink-style pop bliss, but saved by screaming and a certain rawness. Exhilarating despite unintentionally funny anti-consumerist lines such as "He's hungry. I should buy some popcorn."
- catherine
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Thursday, February 28, 2002
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DJ P - Hell On Wheels (self-released)
I always thought the police lineup in Candyman where the different thugs have to repeat, "y'all lookin fo' Candyman, bitch?" would make a killer sample. DJ P agrees, but ups the ante with an entire album of horror film dialogue interspersed with ominous hip-hop tracks. Like DJ Shadow on 'shrooms and Saturday morning cartoons, P effortlessly splices the Geto Boys' hood paranoia with haunted-house theremin and Casper dialogue on top, scratching trick-or-treat sound effects like it was the dopest record in his collection.
- nick
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Wednesday, February 27, 2002
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Data Was Lost - Building 2002 Compilation
Mention Ohio and Dayton is the first city to come to mind, not Cincinnati but this collection should change that opinion. This fine compilation features lots of awkward indie rock (Swissfarlo, Haleymill, Chalk and others), bedroom hip-hop (DJ Aphid, Coltrane Motion), and new wave (Deltoro). The highlight- DJ Aphid lays down phat hip hop beats and samples the MC5, while busting out "my Lowenstein to your Barlow" during his rap. I'm packing my bags, Cincinnati here I come.
- mark
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Thursday, February 14, 2002
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Desaparecidos - Read Music/Speak Spanish (Saddle Creek) [mp3]
Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst does his best Cursive impression while showing he has inherited Isaac Brock's disdain for parking lots and shopping centers on his new wall-of-sound rock project. Switching lyrical gears from personal problems to local politics, Oberst screeches mercilessly while hammering on his guitar. Although I prefer Conor-the-singer over Conor-the-screamer, the guitar and keyboard work saves the project from becoming an overwrought mess. Slightly juvenile, yet oh so convincing.
- cory
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Thursday, January 24, 2002
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Dealership - TV Highway to the Stars (Keiki) [mp3s]
After only a few listens, Dealership's first full-length felt like an album I'd had for years. The songs were so instantly and endearingly familiar that I couldn't help adoring them. Melodic choruses explode from often understated verses, poignant lyrics nicely move along the whole affair, and certain tunes suggest small indie classics. The record isn't flawless -- a few tracks are less exciting than others, and it's a bit on the long side. Still, these things are easily overlooked on a release so overwhelmingly enjoyable.
- chris
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Monday, November 19, 2001
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Daft Punk - Alive 1997 (Virgin)
Anyone familiar with Underworld's Everything, Everything will know what to expect from the live techno genre. Imagine the exact opposite of Discovery - pure, back to basics, techno for the sake of being techno. All of your favorite early Daft Punk hits, consolidated into a single 45 minute track makes for fun, mindless listening. Rumor has it, this album is only on the shelves until Christmas, so fans should act swiftly.
- jon
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Friday, November 16, 2001
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The Dark Fantastic - Goodbye Crooked Scar (Up)
The Dark Fantastic turn down the rock and roll dimmerswitch to set a mood that brooding sophisticates can sulk to. Generally slow, a restrained beat struggles to propel things forward before finally giving up the fight. Most songs seem trapped in a musical no-man's land that is neither slow nor fast enough. If the band Truly floated your boat this may be your Pacific Princess, as they feature former member Mark Pickerel, but it ends up sounding somewhere near Mark Lanegan and Ian McCulloch sitting in with The Proclaimers.
- mark
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Wednesday, November 14, 2001
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Neil Diamond - The Essential Neil Diamond (Sony/Legacy)
Kids love Crooked Fingers, and with good reason, haunting melodies, delivered with a certain smooth whiskey baritone are as addictive as crack even to untrained ears. Discover where Eric Bachmann got his groove by listening to Neil for a while. Girl You'll be a woman Soon and Shilo are reason enough to love the grandaddy of ennui, and forgive I am I Said and a Streisand duet. Bonus: for the first time, your mom will actually think you're cool.
- leslie
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Tuesday, November 13, 2001
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Death Cab for Cutie - The Photo Album (Barsuk)
Don't tell anyone, but the new Death Cab sounds like Elliott Smith and BTS co-wrote it. Keep the secret to preserve the indie cred of the band who's put out one of 2001's best records. Successfully pulling off heart wrenching lyrics without sounding cloying, it's a great soundtrack for those times you're almost ready to have a nervous breakdown, but don't want to go all the way over the edge.
- leslie
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Saturday, October 27, 2001
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The Dismemberment Plan - Change (DeSoto Records)
There's a big black cloud over the Dismemberment Plantation and the indie bootyshakers will be crying in their Rolling Rocks. "There's no heaven… no hell" croons Travis Morrison on the opening track, and the pessimistic lyrical attitude reigns supreme from there on out. The frantic energy of "Emergency" is replaced with a rolling groove, yet The Plan impresses with an amazing ability to convey feelings of sadness without writing morbid music. An attempt to sort out issues: disaffection, loneliness and most of all: finding oneself jaded as all hell with life.
- cory
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Tuesday, October 23, 2001
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Dead Kennedys- Mutiny on the Bay (Manifesto Records)
Rather than sell off Jello's body parts to settle their lawsuit, the members of the Dead Kennedys have decided to remaster their albums and also release this collection of live tracks from 1982 and 1986 on the Manifesto record label. These recordings are solid and if you liked them fifteen years ago, you'll love them now. These reissues also sound like much better idea than some stupid Gap commercial would have with Holiday in Cambodia in the background. Thanks to Jello for sticking to his guns.
- mark
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Monday, October 22, 2001
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Drag City Supersession- Tramps, Traitors and Little Devils (Drag City Records)
After running out of hypodermic needles and realizing he had been married to Keith Richards for five years, Neil Hagerty promptly quit Royal Trux and spent a month scrubbing his skin with steel wool. This "supergroup" features Hagerty along with appearances by Bill Smog, sounding as if he is singing barefoot on an increasingly hot floor and Edith Frost. Not much consistancy but there rarely is in projects like this. To their credit, "One Chord Compliant", the last track, is as good as anything recorded by the Flaming Lips or the Charm Pops.
- mark
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Wednesday, October 17, 2001
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David Candy - Play Power EP (JetSet)
Nation of Ulysses flat-out ripped it up and The Make-Up had two great "live" albums and a busload of wonderful singles. Ian a.k.a David Candy comes back with a new EP that reminds the listener of what it is like to take a shit with the lid down. Ian asks "May I piss in your mouth? That will be eight dollars please". Spend your money on anything else and if you are in DC and see Ian on the streets, tell him Cornelius from Planet of the Apes wants his head back.
- junco tibet
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