Music Reviews
-
Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavilion
Merriweather Post Pavilion, Animal Collective's ninth full length album, had aura to burn long before most of us heard it. Can we revel in its myriad treasures without stumbling over the pre-release hubub? Can we weigh its merit in words without quaking in the shadow of its imminent acclaim?
Tom Whalen wonders what we talk about when we talk about Animal Collective... -
My Dear Disco DanceThink LP
Ann Arbor's very own dance band's latest release is ambitious, but If you're into house, disco, and electronica, you could probably do better elsewhere.
Kevin Walker searches for his disco ball... -
Clipse Road To Till The Casket Drops
2008 was a tough year for hip-hop. Thankfully, Clipse wrap a small promise of greatness in a self-aggrandizing, mixtape/advertisement end-of-the-year package, and gracefully offer it up for immediate download.
Kevin Walker freely downloads... -
The Muslims The Muslims
What's in a name? Don't worry about it; pay more attention to the music.
Kevin Walker reviews a record (not Islamists)... -
Cat Power Dark End of the Street
This EP proves Cat Power’s transformation from jaded indie queen to credible soul singer is almost complete; but rather than bordering on brilliant, these covers border on bland.
Cara Nash reviews... -
The Old Romantic Killer Band The Swan With Two Necks
This Leeds duo aims to fuse blues-rock guitar with punk rhythms; sadly it winds up sounding like a stodgy mess.
David Coleman struggles through... -
Thousand & Bramier Go Typhoon!
In the last five years there have been a clutch of non-American artists serving up moody 'Americana' music. Parisian duo Thousand & Bramier might well be the very best.
David Coleman digs out his banjo and strums along... -
Kanye West 808s & Heartbreak
For an artist who once claimed he wanted to be the biggest pop star in the word, Kanye West has ridden on the success of the same winning formula for some time now. 808s & Heartbreak is set to change that - with a little help from Auto-Tune.
Cara Nash reviews... -
Viva Stereo Roar Lion Roar
Viva Stereo's stab at New Order-ish indie-dance falls short of all acceptable standards.
Angela Power yawns... -
No-Neck Blues Band Clomeim
Clomeim is a dense, multifaceted sound-work that captures the No-Neck Blues Band in prime, eclectic splendor, and is the most inviting collection yet from a group renowned for its willful obscurity.
Tom Whalen stands in awe...
