Music Reviews
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Circa Waves Different Creatures
On their second effort, Circa Waves shrug off their reputation as a lightweight guitar band and produce something much more substantial and self-aware.
Matthew Smith reviews... -
Damaged Bug Bunker Funk
Accent on the “funk,” Thee Oh Sees’ John Dwyer releases Bunker Funk, a new album from his synthesizer-as-outlet alter, Damaged Bug.
Sean Caldwell reviews... -
The Shins Heartworms
James Mercer's fully-produced fifth effort follows a musical template that amplifies the band's early material, using and manipulating a series of sonic trinkets that enhance what are essentially painterly folk songs.
Juan Edgardo Rodríguez reviews... -
Los Campesinos! Sick Scenes
Sick Scenes finds Los Campesinos! raging against the passage of time and all it entails. But while the band is getting older, it's ferocious energy, earworm melodies and crackerjack lyrics are as fresh as ever.
Joe Marvilli has Got Stendhal's from this album... -
Stormzy Gang Signs and Prayer
The debut studio album by British grime MC Stormzy gives a voice to both the street and religious sides of his life. He is not the best pound-for-pound spitter, but he is certainly climbing the ladder and getting close.
Michael J. Barilleaux reviews... -
Grandaddy Last Place
The veteran California indie rock band return with their first album in ten years, where elusive frontman Jason Lytle allows himself to reflect in the past few years in a more direct manner over their spacey flights of fancy.
Juan Edgardo Rodríguez reviews... -
The Courtneys The Courtneys II
The Vancouver trio's second release strips away any semblance of amateurism and flexes their songwriting muscles even further.
Juan Edgardo Rodríguez reviews... -
NE-HI Offers
NE-HI return with their sophomore effort, and just as was the case with their debut, it's difficult not to be charmed by their brand of infectious guitar pop.
Matthew Smith reviews... -
The Flaming Lips Oczy Mlody
On their fourteenth studio album, The Flaming Lips are as over-the-top and weird as ever, but with a little more focus as they continue to explore new possibilities and ideas.
Jeremy Monroe reviews... -
Elbow Little Fictions
Elbow's seventh album finds the band moving toward subtler sounds with mixed success. But when it works, Elbow can still create magic like no one else.
Joe Marvilli navigates this gentle storm...
