Music
▼ National Reviews
Reviews: TEEN – The Way and Color
I knew TEEN would evolve beyond their psychedelic girl group sound—last year’s Carolina proved that. I wasn’t expecting something this good, though. The first track, “Rose 4 U” is familiar enough, but the next one, “Not For Long,” begins to meld ‘90s R&B–style vocal harmonies, modern beats and instrumentation, and spacey textures that are singular to this record and the band itself. … read more
Reviews: Sweet Apple – The Golden Age of Glitter
J Mascis’ signature geetar-wailing paired with John Petkovic’s (Cobra Verde) trembly vocals results in a glistening, ’70s-esque powerpop juggernaut … … read more
Reviews: Smoke Fairies – Self-Titled
Calculating and sterile, Smoke Fairies’ eponymous new album opens with an old-school pop song wrapped in a Feist guise, called “We’ve Seen Birds.” A solid song to be sure, though perhaps a bit misleading, as none of the songs afterward reach its delirious heights and joy. … read more
Reviews: Small Black – Real People EP
Imaginative, youthful and perfectly synthesized, Small Black gives us a shining example of how the chillwave and lo-fi genres are supposed to sound. While Real People offers us only a small taste of their delightfully nostalgic romance, it’s dense enough that you can keep listening to it and find something new each time. … read more
Reviews: Sleep – Oregon Failure
“Thrift Shop” did more than provide an anthem for white tweenagers who don’t otherwise enjoy hip-hop. It also inspired artists like Sleep (not to be confused with the rock band) to make rap so terrible that Vanilla Ice seems legit by comparison. … read more
Reviews: Rodrigo Amarante – Cavalo
The feel of this album is enchanting and ethereal. Portrayed through several songs being sung in Portuguese, it is also present in the richness and vibrancy of Amarante’s songwriting. … read more
Reviews: The Rich Hands – Out of My Head
This angst-filled power-pop coupled with bubblegum rock n’ roll is catchy and energetic. Bringing on memories of when pop was good, they reintroduce lyrical simplicity, while brandishing the snotty teenager attitude of a rock n’ roller. … read more
Reviews: Red Death – Demo 2014
This DC punk/thrash extravaganza features current/former members of Zoom, Intent, Protestor and Coke Bust. This demo takes gravelly cues from Discharge, the “bandana thrash” bands of the early millennium and even DC coremen of yore … … read more
Review: Prong – Ruining Lives
One might imagine following 2012’s Carved Into Stone—Prong’s most acclaimed and commercially successful album since the landmark 1994 record Cleansing—would put some pressure on the band. … read more
Reviews: The Precious Lo’s – Self-Titled
The Precious Lo’s have established themselves as Circle Research, a DJ/production unit from Toronto. I can understand a pair of DJs wanting to try their hand at songwriting. My head naturally bobs to their down-tempo funk beats, but it’s the vocals that make me feel like I’m listening to the robot from Short Circuit trying his hand at R&B. … read more