ARTS Pick: Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors
Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors released Good Light in February and debuted at #84 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart fueled by the popular single, “Tennessee.” The album is drenched in southern sensibility with its easygoing rock and roll sound, and the authenticity the band infuses into their songs is sweet and beautiful.
Album reviews: Josh Rouse, Anais Mitchell & Jefferson Hamer, The Milk Carton Kids
Powerful happiness Josh Rouse The Happiness Waltz/Yep Roc Records The Happiness Waltz is filled with singer- songwriter Josh Rouse’s patented folk-pop charm that hearkens back to the warm, ’70s- era recordings. It finds Rouse singing with an ease and subtle richness reminiscent of Paul Simon. The album plumbs the depths of love and life with surprising [...]
Album reviews: Pickwick, The Cave Singers, and Caitlin Rose
Brian Palmer reviews the most recent releases from Pickwick, The Cave Singers, and Caitlin Rose.
Album reviews: eels, Quiet Fire and Matt Pond
Wonderful, Glorious attempts to continue this trend, but isn’t quite as successful. “Accident Prone”’s down-tempo guitars and Everett’s sedated, melodic vocals are beautifully unusual, and the way he channels Johnny Cash’s mumbling vocal on the dreamy guitar-driven ballad “On the Ropes,” is nothing short of eerie.
Album reviews: Ivan & Alyosha, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, and Melody Pool
Melodic moments Ivan & Alyosha All the Times We Had/Dualtone Music Group It is fitting that this Seattle-based indie pop rock band is named after characters in a Dostoevsky novel where moral dilemmas, God, and free will are among the topics of debate because similar content is found in this record. “God or Man” talks [...]
Album reviews: On An On, Late Night Alumni, and The Lone Bellow
Brian Palmer reviews the latest releases from On An On, Late Night Alumni, and The Lone Bellow.
Album reviews: Fiction Family, Trixie Whitley, and Sandra McCracken
Brian Palmer reviews the latest releases from Fiction Family, Trixie Whitley and Sandra McCracken.
Album reviews: The Joy Formidable, Brooke Annibale, and Ellie Lawson
With Wolf’s Law, The Joy Formidable have released what may be one of the best rock albums of 2013. Between the epic rock, gorgeous melodies, swelling choruses, singer Ritzy Bryan’s pixieish and ethereal vocals convey all the dramatic sweep of a concept album that fulfills its promise.
Album reviews: Jamie Bendell, Emperors of Wyoming and Dropkick Murphys
Butch Vig has been associated with a number of alternative bands over the years, having produced Nirvana’s legendary Nevermind and the Smashing Pumpkins’ Gish, in addition to spending time as part of Garbage.
Album reviews: 3 Doors Down, Maggie McClure & Shane Henry, Rachael Yamagata
Brian Palmer writes Tunes, a bi-weekly music column that reviews current releases.
Album reviews: Freelance Whales, Alyssa Bonagura, Soundgarden
Brian Palmer writes Tunes, a bi-weekly music column that reviews current releases.
Album reviews: Flyleaf, Ari Hest, and Danielia Cotton
Love and longevity Flyleaf New Horizons/A&M Records Flyleaf’s Lacey Sturm is well-established as one of alternative rock’s more recognizable voices. Since she recently informed fans that she is leaving the band to be a full-time mother, it is fitting that this last album with Sturm is entitled New Horizons. The video that accompanies the title [...]
Album reviews: A Fine Frenzy, Anberlin and Angel Snow
Alison Sudol, a.k.a. A Fine Frenzy, has one of the most heavenly voices in all of alternative folk rock, and she puts it to good use on her third release, Pines. A concept album about a pine tree being given a chance to create a life of its own choosing, Pines takes you on a mesmerizing musical journey.
Album reviews: Tift Merritt, Muse and Mumford & Sons
If you have been a fan of folk or Americana music at any point during the past decade, the chances are good that you have heard Tift Merritt’s arresting vocals, beautiful musical arrangements, and insightful lyrics. Merritt has been casting a spell on audiences and critics since day one, but on Traveling Alone she demonstrates that she is not above tossing out a few surprises.
Album reviews: No Doubt, Paper Route and The Bloody Angle
No Doubt Push & Shove/Interscope Records From the mid-’90s into the mid-’00s, No Doubt was one of the hottest bands on the planet, and even when lead singer Gwen Stefani went solo she continued to burn up the charts. Now the band has released a comeback album, its first of original material since 2001 and it [...]
Album reviews: Willie DE, Caitlin Canty, and Imagine Dragons
Imagine Dragons created a buzz earlier this year with the release of its debut EP, Continued Silence. The six-track album featured rock and pop tracks that were heavily guided by hip-hop and dance undertones. On Night Visions, the first full-length release, the band expands on this framework to create one of 2012’s more textured and diverse albums.