Tag: Spun

By Alyssa Morrell

On his solo effort At Sixes and Sevens, Jason Lowenstein ventures where many have gone before. Possibly a hollow attempt to follow in the steps of Pavement (who were following in the footsteps of the Dinosaur Jr.), the end result is like any photocopy of a photocopy. The original quality is completely lost. One would… Continue reading Jason Lowenstein, At sixes and sevens

By Sara Grawbarger

You know that expanding feeling you get in your chest during the emotional parts of movies–whether you hide it or not? Alex Lloyd’s new release, Watching Angels Mend, features sweeping songs with the sincerity and stirring nature to stimulate that same part of you.Aside from the attraction the songs possess, they stir up a different… Continue reading Alex Llyod, Watching Angels Mend

By James Keller

I guess The Vines named their latest album Highly Evolved to pay homage to the idea of “rock revival,” a style of music they no doubt tried to emulate when writing the 12 primitive songs that fill the album.There’s nothing inherently wrong with the genre, or even with some of the songs The Vines have… Continue reading The Vines, Highly Evolved

By Myke Atkinson

Doves have definitely hit a high note on their latest effort. Simply put, The Last Broadcast is a feel-good rock record, packed with catchy sing along choruses and head-bobbing guitar riffs. Throw in a couple spacey instrumentals for good measure and you’re listening to the Manchester trio’s best disc to date. Fans of the sounds… Continue reading Doves, The Last Broadcast

By Kyle Young

I have to admit I had low expectations going into this, due in large part to the B-Movie bondage girl all over the booklet and the lyrics which looked like a compilation of teenage internet handles. However, upon pressing play I was shocked to hear a track that sounded half-decent. It lasted three minutes. Then… Continue reading Danzig, 777:I Luceferi

By Andrew Ross

Regardless of what the cover says, Laika Come Home is really a Spacemonkeyz album, so don’t pick it up expecting to hear a lot of Gorillaz. Each and every Gorillaz track has been thoroughly remixed. For example, “Sunshine” is the only surviving word from the original track “Clint Eastwood,” now under the name of “A… Continue reading Spacemonkeyz vs. Gorillaz, Laika Come Home

By James Keller

You wouldn’t know it listening to Daybreaker, but Beth Orton once collaborated with the Chemical Brothers, adding volumes to their cutting-edge hard-techno sound. Orton’s third release is an intricate mix of folk backdrops, piercingly melodic vocals and introspective lyrics, complemented at times with down-tempo atmospheres and synthesized transitions. In fact, Daybreaker’s first single, “Concrete Sky,”… Continue reading Beth Orton, Daybreaker

By Nicole Kobie

Only somebody Born in the USA could create such an honest CD in the wake of September 11. His first release with the E-Street Band since that 1984 hit, Bruce Springsteen is back showing is patriotism with songs written mainly in reaction to the terrorist attacks. For the most part, the songs effectively capture the… Continue reading Bruce Springsteen, The Rising

By Myke Atkinson

Two months back I started receiving the release sheets proclaiming the upcoming release of a new Morcheeba album. And so my impatience grew.After a minor delay in shipping, it arrived. And angels flew and heralds trumpeted–or something like that.Charango has exceeded every expectation I placed before it, and has delivered one of the most beautifully… Continue reading Morcheeba, Charango

By Sara Grawbarger

Audiovent’s debut album reinforces the old adage, “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” You might expect something wild or funky from a disc called Dirty Sexy Knights In Paris. However, after hearing the record, “run of the mill” seems more appropriate.It’s not that the band sounds bad, it’s more that there is nothing… Continue reading Audiovent, Dirty Sexy Knights in Paris