Tag: Spun

Robin Holcomb, The Big Time

By Sarah Wostenberg

Robin Holcomb’s album The Big Time is musical poetry. The album’s tone is simple and straight forward with complex instrumentals supported by strong vocals and seemingly simple overtones. In sections, the music conveys a hard impact using her choice of words and lyrical structure. Throughout the disc, Holcomb speaks candidly of emotion behind the elusive… Continue reading Robin Holcomb, The Big Time

US3, An Ordinary Day in an Unusual Place

By Lawrence Bailey

After half a decade seemingly spent in oblivion, US3 are back with an album reminiscent of their critically acclaimed Hand on the Torch. This latest effort is more mature than their previous work, a definite step away from the urban chic of the streets to a more intellectual, reflective style.With a definite latin influence, the… Continue reading US3, An Ordinary Day in an Unusual Place

Bill Frisell, The Willies

By Corinna Callsen

The Willies is charming because of its simplicity. Acoustic and electric guitars combine with banjo and bass for 16 songs–no lyrics, and no extravagant synthesizer sounds. Even though the variations between the songs are subtle and the country influence can be heard in every song, the cd doesn’t get annoying. Well-arranged, relaxing music, especially nice… Continue reading Bill Frisell, The Willies

Meshell Ndegeocello, Cookie: The Anthropological Mistake

By Kris Kotarski

This album is really cool. To be honest, I haven’t been this impressed by a female vocalist since The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Perhaps the most noticeable trait of the cd is Ndegeocello’s seamless fusion of jazz, hip-hop and soul. It’s noticeable because it isn’t–with the album over I thought back and realized just how… Continue reading Meshell Ndegeocello, Cookie: The Anthropological Mistake

B Rich, 80 Dimes

By Andrew Ross

Generic, uninspired hip-pop has reached a new level with the debut album by B Rich. 80 Dimes? More like 80 cents. In fact, this disc isn’t even worth that much. The album is about as engaging as a plywood trade convention, and B Rich himself is a textbook specimen whack mc. Every person who listens… Continue reading B Rich, 80 Dimes

Green Day, Shenanigans

By Sara Grawbarger

Shenanigans is an appropriate title, from the punk feel and sound of the 14 short but energetic tracks to the spray paint theme throughout the cover art.The album rounds itself out with upbeat, quick-paced, attitude-filled songs, interspersed with other treasures. Two such noteworthy gems are the spy-versus-spy-esque "Espionage" and the slower, more sentimentally driven "Rotting."Dynamic… Continue reading Green Day, Shenanigans

Eliades Ochoa, Estoy Como Nunca

By Sarah Wostenberg

It is interesting how a foreign language can communicate a feeling better than something expressed in a mother tongue. Cuban and world renowned Eliades Ochoa takes listeners through a journey of emotion on his new release “Estoy Como Nunca”. The music on the album incorporates trumpet, guitar and percussion, featuring vocals by David Hidalgo of… Continue reading Eliades Ochoa, Estoy Como Nunca

Cousteau, Sirena

By Corinna Callsen

Lean back, relax and enjoy this very pleasant compilation of songs. The album? Sirena. The band? Cousteau. The result of their latest work? A multi-purpose album of groovy voices and different lyrics in a well-known soft-rock style. This album is great for driving, but it can also be used for background music at a candlelight… Continue reading Cousteau, Sirena