Category: Music Reviews

Posted on: April 19, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Jamie McLean Band – Live At Gibson (CD)

The Jamie McLean Band is one of the acts that are tight enough to make a live recording sound as good as a recorded one. The band, tying together McLean (guitar / vocals), Brian Griffin (drums / vocals) , and Ben Mars (bass / vocals), releases their Live At Gibson in May. This album takes ten tracks and two guests (Jason Crosby and Taylor Hicks) and will convert anyone lucky…

Posted on: April 18, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Good Old War – Come Back as Rain (CD)

Good Old War has continually innovated and evolved their sound since their 2008 debut, Only Way To Be Alone. Come Back as Rain is their third full-length, and showcases an act that is incredibly comfortable in their overall dynamic as a band. The album starts off with Over and Over, a track that builds off of the repletion alluded to by the title and subtly shifts the arrangement, until what…

Posted on: April 18, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Anais Mitchell – Young Man in America (CD)

Anais Mitchell is one of the most exciting performers currently active in America. This is because ey fully takes up a role with Young Man in America, and does not drop the façade until after the disc’s final track, Ships, closes up. This theme album is able to succeed in any fashion, whether listeners are just able to pick up a single track, can listen on repeat, or even see…

Posted on: April 17, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

The Lumineers – The Lumineers (CD)

The Lumineers gained much critical acclaim upon the release of their debut EP in 2011. This 2012 release looks to expand upon the styles, approaches, and genres originally broached during this title and expand upon a variety of different sounds. Flowers in Your Hair is the first track on this LP, and provides listeners with the first hint of the band’s inimitable new-folk leaning. Throughout the tracks on this LP,…

Posted on: April 17, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Ravens & Chimes – Holiday Life (CD)

New York City has always been a hot spot for music, but its’ allure has faded ever so slightly with the prominence of other cities and countries in the last decade. Ravens & Chimes look to restore that luster to the Big Apple with their new title, Holiday Life. Holiday Life begins with Division Street, a track that captures the different tacks taken by the band throughout each of the…

Posted on: April 16, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Extra Life – Dream Seeds (CD)

Few bands truly break free of genre conventions. Acts that have been tagged as doing so, such as the Refused or the Arcade Fire merely expand on what is acceptable in a genre. Extra Life, from the initial No Dreams Tonight to the final cut Ten Year Teardrop, look to establish a completely new method of creating music. Extra Life is a spin-off act from Zs / Dirty Projectors member…

Posted on: April 15, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Ash Gray and the Girls – Born In The Summer (CD)

  Ash Gray and the Girls creates a sixties, Hippie type of sound with Purple and Gold, the first track on Born In The Summer. In the four minutes that the track occupies, hints of The Turtles, Strawberry Alarm Clock, and the Mamas and the Papas can all be heard. All the Good Girls starts softly and gathers considerable steam before the vocals even start. Whether it be a Sonny…

Posted on: April 15, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Oberhofer – Time Capsules II (CD)

Oberhofer is a band that is tremendously capable at what they do. They are able to take on a variety of different musical styles and genres, creating a cohesive entity with their Time Capsules II. Whether touching on new wave, punk, surf (Beach Boys meets Turtles), or straight rock, Oberhofer are able to speak directly to their listeners. Oberhofer plays to the wide expanses; with arrangements that look to the…

Posted on: April 14, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Bad Weather California – Sunkissed (CD)

What Bad Weather California do on Sunkissed is create a new form of music that takes on various genres, whether it be desert-rock, punk, or even jam-band styles. The 11 tracks on Sunkissed cover a wide variety of tempos, influences, and styles, but Bad Weather California is a band that is talented enough to make it all work. The band is signed to the new Akron/Family label Family Tree, and…

Posted on: April 13, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Esperanza Spalding – Radio Music Society (CD)

Esperanza Spalding is an astonishing performer, and puts forth eir all in creating a stellar album in Radio Music Society. It may be only two years since 2010’s Chamber Music Society, but I feel that there has been considerable evolution in terms of the types and styles of music that issue forth here. Radio Song is a straight flip of what one would expect; I believe that what Spalding is…

Posted on: April 12, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Robert Nix – Walk Down The Street (CD)

Robert Nix cannot be pigeonholed; his work on Walk Down The Street simply defies genre convention. This is the reason that this release is so compelling. The album begins with the titular track, a ball of frenetic energy that firmly plants listeners in their seats. The momentum garnered by this opening is used to great effect in Should You Should I. This early-disc masterpiece pushes Nix’s vocals to the fore;…

Posted on: April 12, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

The Chorderoys – No Man’s Land EP (CD)

The Chorderoys create an EP that speaks more to listeners than many bands do on a full-length album. The Train is the initial salvo on No Man’s Land, and it will immediately snare fans through a blending of intelligent arrangements and utterly soulful singing. The confidence exuded by the band will endear The Chorderoys to their listeners. Keeping things strong, the band is able to move to The Train. The…

Posted on: April 11, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

In Cages – In Cages (CD)

In Cages are an incredibly eclectic rock act that looks to challenge the stuffiness of the genre. Their unique style ensures that listeners will take note, while their attention to detail and sheer musical ability will make a fan out of anyone. Dirty Water blends catchy arrangements with a down and dirty style; putting the guitars at front and center ensures that listeners stick around for the long haul. In…

Posted on: April 11, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Good Lovelies – Let the Rain Fall (CD)

  The Good Lovelies is an act that looks to create a wholly unique sound with their Let the Rain Fall. This is done through the inclusion of multi-part vocal harmonies and a bright feel to each of the tracks presented on Let the Rain Fall. The act has been around since 2006, and this title showcases the sheer maturity of their compositions. Listeners will be impressed from the introductory…

Posted on: April 10, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

RoGizz vs. Black Blago (CD)

What’s His Name is the first track on RoGizz vs. Black Blago, and the track immediately will draw listeners’ attention to the disc. RoGizz’s flow is utterly unique as it touches upon the new New York City (French Montana, Red Cafe) rappers just as much as Atlanta (T.I., Shawty Lo). The production of this cut takes on past and present. The track moves through the work of Mannie Fresh and…

Posted on: April 9, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Ahmad Jamal – Blue Moon (CD)

Ahmad Jamal is still creating tremendous music in eir eighth decade on this earth. I feel that the tracks on Blue Moon allow Jamal to come back to eir roots. In doing so, I believe that the recordings are much more polished than these initial efforts, and represent a considerable evolution from all other stages in eir career. Autumn Rain immediately throws listeners into the fray, the seven minute runtime…

Posted on: April 9, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Loreena McKennitt – Troubadours on the Rhine (CD)

Loreena McKennitt has found a great groove with eir latest album, Troubadours on the Rhine. I believe that this title does tons for expanding the celtic genre, and does so in a way that will appease fans and newbies alike. This is largely due to McKennitt’s inimitable vocals, but the supporting instrumentation that is present deserves ink. I believe that the arrangements on a track like The Wind That Shakes…

Posted on: April 7, 2012 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Kevn Kinney & the Golden Palominos – A Good Country Mile (CD)

Born out of friendship between Drivin’ N’ Cryin’s Kevn Kinney and The Golden Palomino’s drummer  Anton Fier (also with the Feelies, Bob Mould Band, etc.), A Good Country Mile takes the best influences from both and a slew of 60’s and 70’s rockers resulting in an unforgettable slab of Blues-soaked Americana, punctuated beautifully with plenty of harmonica and Hammond organ.   The record includes some new material, some inspired covers…

Posted on: April 6, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Magnetic Fields – Love At The Bottom of the Sea (CD)

  Stephin Merritt is able to create a title that both works with the existing Magnetic Fields discography as well as establish a new tack for the band to take. What results with Love At The Bottom of the Sea is a title that will appease old and new fans alike, while adding a different tool to the band’s repertoire. I like the transitory opening God Wants Us To Wait,…

Posted on: April 5, 2012 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Pat Mastelotto – Recidivate (CD)

  Pat Mastelotto may just be the most well-known musician that you’ve never heard. Recidivate, eir latest work, looks to change that. With each of the releases’ 42 tracks, Mastelotto shows that ey has a lot to say I the current period. Whether working with members of King Crimson (of which ey is a part), Porcupine Tree, or breaking out some crazy rare tracks, Mastelotto tries to imbue Recidivate with…