Tag: Spun

Bloodflowers — The Cure

By Darby Sawchuk

Haunting and dark, with the conspicuous abscence of a fluffy single, the Cure’s Bloodflowers, beginning to end, throws itself into lead vocalist/songwriter Robert Smith’s melancholy side. Soft, brooding and gripping melodies lead to inevitable, but restrained emotional bursts then drift back into gentler pop sounds. These lengthy songs prolong the experience at the bottom of… Continue reading Bloodflowers — The Cure

Rubber — Self-titled

By Lauralee Myers

Some albums are boring, fluffy or just plain bad the first time you listen to them. More often than not, these disks prove useful as drink coasters or eye-catching reflective mobiles, but not much good for listening purposes. Other albums, just need to be battered against your ears a few times before you realize they… Continue reading Rubber — Self-titled

Suicide Pact — You First — Therapy?

By Shawn Hoult

Although nobody is entirely certain, most scientists believe that grunge died sometime in November during the cold winter of 1996. However, it looks like the scientists were wrong as Therapy? dishes out grunge in a way nobody has since Starbucks took over Seattle. On their newest album, the cleverly titled Suicide Pact-You First, Therapy? manages… Continue reading Suicide Pact — You First — Therapy?

Stiff Upper Lip — AC/DC

By David Granger

Following on the heels of Bonfire, a 5-CD box set tribute to former AC/DC lead singer Bon Scott, comes Stiff Upper Lip, the first album of "original" songs since ’95s Ballbreaker. Forgive the sarcasm, but while the band has consistently rocked for the past couple of decades, the aging fivesome’s music has also stayed consistently… Continue reading Stiff Upper Lip — AC/DC

Drop the Beat / 3 Strikes — Various Artists

By Justin Lee

Other than providing soundtracks for hip-hop based film and television productions, these two discs are as different in content as they come. The soundtrack for the CBC series Drop The Beat–a behind-the-scenes look at a college hip-hop station–is packed with some of the illest MCs in Canada and the us. The album features the higher-conscious… Continue reading Drop the Beat / 3 Strikes — Various Artists

Supreme Beings of Leisure — Self-titled

By Dave Teeuwen

Electronica is still finding itself. Unlike rock or jazz, which have relegated its members to certain styles within the genre, electronica still has blurred lines of discovery surrounding it. Musicians are not made to produce only slow grooves or fast dance beats. Supreme Beings of Leisure have produced a solid album that delivers a track… Continue reading Supreme Beings of Leisure — Self-titled

Air — The Virgin Suicides

By David Kenney

How refreshing. On Air’s second album in a year, the French band switches modes and opts for a slow-burn sound. The Virgin Suicides avoids Air’s usual lucid synths and drizzling-rain beats, boasting a spooky, frightening score. A weary-sounding saxophone, Pink Floydish-hallucinogenic guitars, and choral vocals make Virgin Suicides an ear trap; and getting caught is… Continue reading Air — The Virgin Suicides

Get Some Go Again — Henry Rollins

By Darby Sawchuk

With a barrage of body blows, Henry Rollins’ vocal pugilism returns to the recording studio for the hard rock of Get Some Go Again. More true to his past image of a tattooed, thick-necked, testosterone-oozing, ass-kicker than his motivational speaker and publisher personae, Rollins’ latest effort returns to the thick guitars and punchy yells for… Continue reading Get Some Go Again — Henry Rollins

Kaleidoscope — Kelis

By Dave Teeuwen

When Lauren Hill released Miseducation, she set a new standard for the depth and quality of female soul/hip-hop. Like it or not, it redefined what listeners expect of the genre. Kelis’s new album, Kaleidoscope, may not quite measure up to the over-all quality of Hill’s, but it comes pretty close. Its first single, "Caught out… Continue reading Kaleidoscope — Kelis