Tag: Spun

By Stefanie Achkewich

Singing principally in Kuanuan and Tok Pisin (Pidgin English), Telek weaves the history and culture of the Tolai people of Papua New Guinea in Serious Tam. This album includes a three-part harmony where ancestral drums, resonant acoustics and the hauntingly beautiful voice of Telek combine in a re-telling of traditional songs with a contemporary edge.… Continue reading Serious Tam

By Alex Brown

Kina Cosper, formerly of R&B group Brownstone, released her debut solo album this summer. Cosper’s self-titled album is a creative infusion of rock, blues, soul and pop. Hard-edge tracks such as her single, "Girl from the Gutter," radiate with angry passion, while slower ballads "Give and Take" and "Still Here" showcase Cosper’s considerable artistic ability.… Continue reading Kina Cosper — self-titled

By Shawn Hoult

For almost two decades, the name Chuck D has been associated with intelligent political commentary and innovative music. Those days are now over. By combining with former Public Enemy bandmate Professor Griff and Kyle Ice Jason to create Confrontation Camp, Chuck D sold his soul to the devil we know as rap-metal. Although it is… Continue reading Hopefully Objects… — Confrontation Camp

By Andrew Ross

This album, Ferrell’s first recording of new material in eight years, serves as an excellent showcase for her awe-inspiring voice. With a range of nearly seven octaves, she moves from throaty, soulful lows to incredible highs that are almost too high to hear. Although she is known as a jazz singer, Ferrell also delves into… Continue reading Individuality (can I be me?)

By Dave Teeuwen

Imagine this: Bob Dylan picks up his guitar and plays Bruce Springsteen’s catalogue. Then, when he’s finished with that, he plays Tom Cochrane’s. Matthew Ryan is a good songwriter, excellent with hooks and adequate with lyrics. But he’s cursed with mediocrity. This record catches your attention at first and then drops you off in a… Continue reading East Autumn Grin

By Dave Teeuwen

Deep, dark and mystical is not easily attained. Sunna tries, but it eludes them. The feeling you get when you put on Tool isn’t here, but they try; they really try. The first track "I’m Not Trading" begins with mechanical grinding sounds before a meaty bass jumps in. You think you’re about to be assaulted… Continue reading One Minute Science

By Nicole Kobie

Here Comes Death is the perfect name for Speedealer’s second release. If forced to listen to this punk-metal trash, you’ll wish you were dead. This CD is a re-release. The band was originally signed to Royalty Records, who went bankrupt quickly after this was originally released upon the unknowing public. There must be a connection.… Continue reading Here Comes Death

By Phil Vorvis

Scratching Post’s album, This Time It’s Personal, comes as their latest edition since Destruction of the Universe and their debut album entitled Flamethrower. Featuring vocals by Nicole Hughes, Scratching Post perpetuate an addictive metal guitar riff that you can’t help but bang your head to, while at the same time Hughes teenage-pop voice soothes the… Continue reading This Time It’s Personal Scratching Post

By Dave Teeuwen

This CD will haunt you. Damien Jurado’s newest foray into folk is nearly perfect in its ambience. Probably Sub Pop’s angel at this point, Jurado has made a career of moody folk over the past few years. This record proves his song-writing strength. Not unlike Hayden or Julie Doiron, Jurado sounds like Neil Young’s earlier… Continue reading Ghost of David

By Natalie Sit

Woodland is an apt name for this rock/country album. At first, the aural landscape is lush with banjo notes but then it becomes monotonous like an eternal trip through Kananaskis country. The album starts out promising with "Field of Corn." It’s a good piece of ear candy, with mysterious lyrics and strange banjo licks. In… Continue reading Woodland