new release Archive
26 Jul 2018
Album Review: The Eyebrows — Volume
Here’s the thing about powerpop: it’s either very good or hopelessly bland. There’s seemingly no middle ground; artists working in the idiom either knock it out of the park – […]
25 Jul 2018
Album Review: Craig Smith — Love is Our Existence
This is a fascinating release. Singer-songwriter Craig Smith got his early professional start as a member of the Good Time Singers, a folk ensemble in the mold of the New […]
23 Jul 2018
Album Review: The Last Poets – Understand What Black Is
One lens through which one can view hip-hop/rap is as spoken word with musical accompaniment. Though there are myriad exceptions to the rule-as-such, lyrics are often the primary focus of […]
21 Jul 2018
Album Review: Sluka – Colorful Radiation
I try not to be overly influenced by an album’s cover art: don’t judge a book, etc. But the gruesome artwork on this one nearly scared me off. The music […]
21 Jul 2018
Album Review: Alien Country – Like My Life Depends On It
A few years back, I recall there was a motion picture called Cowboys and Aliens or somesuch. Based only on the title – I didn’t care to investigate further – […]
21 Jul 2018
Album Review: Eric Anders and Mark O’Bitz – Of All These Things
If you’re one of the discerning fans who heard and appreciated the music Pete Yorn made in the first decade of this new century – musicforthemorningafter, Day I Forgot and […]
20 Jul 2018
EP Review: Sister Ivy – Plecia
Sister Ivy is an Asheville-based project, the nom de musique of Rachel Waterhouse. Sister Ivy has had a relatively lengthy gestation period: the group played its first gig some three […]
18 Jul 2018
A Teenager in Rock: The Regrettes’ Lydia Night (Part Two)
Continued from Part One… Other than being signed, what was the Regrettes’ first big break? A really huge moment for us was when we played Conan [The Regrettes performed “Hey […]
17 Jul 2018
A Teenager in Rock: The Regrettes’ Lydia Night (Part One)
Los Angeles-based rockers the Regrettes came roaring out of the gate with their debut single, “Hey Now” in 2015. The song introduced the group’s template: hooky, catchy classic pop delivered […]
09 Jul 2018
Fifty-word Reviews for July 2018, Part 2
Here’s ten more quick reviews of new music worth your time. Beth McKee — Dreamwood Acres This lovely clutch of original songs features the sultry, soulful vocals of McKee, and […]