review Archive
16 Dec 2011
Album Review: The Grip Weeds – Under the Influence of Christmas
I suspect I’m not alone in my thinking that holiday-themed albums are often greeted with some trepidation. Oftentimes saccharine sentimentality trumps all, and the results are mawkish, half-baked or otherwise […]
15 Dec 2011
Album Review: Ray Charles – Singular Genius: The Complete ABC Singles
Quick: name a musical artist other than Ray Charles who could operate credibly in all of these genres: jazz, blues, gospel, soul, R&B, country and western, rock, pop. I’ve spent […]
14 Dec 2011
EP Review: Jamie & Steve – The Next Big Thing
I could be wrong about this – this assertion is based on observation, not specific knowledge – but as of about 2010, I think that The Spongetones ceased operation as […]
13 Dec 2011
Album Review: Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks #35
I’m sometimes accused of hating the Grateful Dead. That’s an unfair accusation, though I understand why people level it toward me. I am fond of pointing out that a 1989 […]
12 Dec 2011
Album Review: The Cleaners From Venus – In Chimp World
In a world rife with uncertainty, it’s comforting to know that some things remain sturdily reliable. One of these things is Cleaners From Venus, the nom de rock of Martin […]
09 Dec 2011
Book Review: Jerry Lee Lewis, Lost and Found
In the 21st century, it’s a bit of a challenge for a writer – even a very good one – to write a book about one of rock’n’roll’s early leaders. […]
08 Dec 2011
Album Review: Apteka – Gargoyle Days
It’s difficult to know what one’s in for, listening to the opening strains of the first (and title) track on Apteka‘s Gargoyle Days. Washes of heavily treated (reverb, distortion) guitars […]
07 Dec 2011
Album Review: The Franco Proietti Morph-tet – Like the Shore is to the Ocean
Combining not-traditionally-related styles is pretty much the thing to do in the 21st century. But doing it well, that’s a completely different story. One can’t simply toss assorted genres into […]
06 Dec 2011
Album Review: Mikal Cronin
When a record opens with wordless vocal harmonies, the first place my mind goes is to “Our Prayer” from the Beach Boys‘ SMiLE. But on Mikal Cronin‘s self-titled album, he’s […]
05 Dec 2011
Album Review: Meyerman – Who Do You Think You Are?
I’ve pretty well decided that powerpop is that sort of thing one either “gets” or doesn’t get. The oft-maligned subgenre isn’t likely to win over many new converts, despite the […]