“Memory Drawings” by The Drift (Temporary Residence) – Out now
Bubble-gum pop enthusiasts, look not on The Drift’s “Memory Drawings” for succor. Might as well pass up their first full-length album, 2005’s “Noumena,” as well.
The San Francisco instrumental group draws from numerous sources—jazz, dub, electronica, funk—but the one thing it did not inherit is [...]
"Pershing" by Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin (Polyvinyl) - Out now
There’s definitely music for every season. The downbeat baroque that fits New England’s colder months just isn’t cutting it now that we’ve finally tasted 80 degrees again. And while summer calls for wide-open rock grandeur (think Bruce Springsteen’s "Thunder Road"), spring begs for something [...]
Worldwide by TheDeathSet (Counter Records)- Out now
Punk music has always been a vibrant and energetic scene, since the early days of the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, the Dead Kennedys. It’s a mainstay of the genre. Punk bands generally are made up of (sometimes) angry youth. Youth symbolizes resistance to the norm, so it would make [...]
Good news: Record stores still exist, apparently. In recognition of that — and also in hopes of keeping them in existence — today, April 19, 2008, is Record Store Day. What does all this mean? Basically it’s a chance to listen to some tunes, get some free stuff and give your local music store a [...]
"Transnormal Skiperoo" by Jim White (Luaka Bop) - March 4, 2008
On “Transnormal Skiperoo,” Southern troubadour Jim White continues his maturity as a musician, but it’s his ability to tell a story his lyrics that stands out above all else.
On the intensely personal “Plywood Superman,” White sings about his father, who “used to beat on [...]
"Colin Meloy Sings Live!" by Colin Meloy (Kill Rock Stars) - Out now
When a band’s singer does the semi-required solo tour, it can go down one of a few ways: 1. He or she plays acoustic versions of the bands’ hits before adoring crowds; or 2. He or she plays some of their own tripe [...]
"For Emma, Forever Ago" by Bon Iver (Jagjaguwar) - Out now
The falsetto is a strange animal, especially when it comes to folk music. It’s unnatural and can be a bit jarring, but it can be beautiful, acting as another instrument. Lots of singers use it - and use it well - but few use [...]
“Angels of Destruction” by Marah (Yep Roc) – Out now
An album titled “Angels of Destruction” should sound dark and melancholy. Maybe some sort of Christian metal thing.
But the ninth full-length release by Philly rockers Marah is bright and happy; folksy and smooth. It rocks out but not too hard. In a blending of styles, [...]
"Distortion" by The Magnetic Fields (Merge) - Out now
Those who pick up The Magnetic Fields’ “Distortion” are probably listeners of their other hit album, “i,” or “69 Love Songs”. For a first-time listener of the band, it could take a few tries to find the gold that lies underneath “Distortion.”
The name of the album is [...]
With major record labels in a bit of a paranoid funk, focusing more on selling cell-phone ringtones and single-song Internet downloads, indie music labels are gaining a bit more prominence. When the biggest band in the world - Radiohead - is on an indie label, you know things are changing.
