Erik Highter

The Velvet Underground: The Velvet Underground – 45th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition
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The Velvet Underground: The Velvet Underground – 45th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition

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 / 26 November 2014
Few bands ever had a year like the Velvet Underground did in 1969. Even fewer have a set that documents a year like that as beautifully as this one.
Music Blues: Things Haven’t Gone Well
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Music Blues: Things Haven’t Gone Well

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 / 2 September 2014
There is a dark, dark humor that bubbles up on occasion, but its dry wit can't keep the record from being a depressing listen.
Spider Bags: Frozen Letter
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Spider Bags: Frozen Letter

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 / 6 August 2014
With Frozen Letter, the North Carolina trio dives headfirst into the psychedelic end of the garage rock pool.
Earthless Meets Heavy Blanket: In a Dutch Haze
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Earthless Meets Heavy Blanket: In a Dutch Haze

By
 / 17 July 2014
To measure the success of a jam session is a daunting task. The parameters of success are different than with a composed work, and require a different kind of empathy and listening from both players and audience.
Judas Priest: Redeemer of Souls
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Judas Priest: Redeemer of Souls

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 / 7 July 2014
This is Judas Priest as they haven't been heard in nearly 25 years. Not since Painkiller has the band had this much power, energy, or hooks.
Dex Romweber Duo: Images 13
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Dex Romweber Duo: Images 13

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 / 21 May 2014
Images 13 shows that this current Duo is Romweber's strongest, most empathetic pairing since the days of the Flat Duo Jets.
Linda Perhacs: The Soul of All Natural Things
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Linda Perhacs: The Soul of All Natural Things

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 / 12 March 2014
To live up to the legacy of a cult classic is a daunting task. While The Soul of All Natural Things isn't quite up to the challenge, it does add a number of memorable songs to her catalog.
Neneh Cherry: Blank Project
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Neneh Cherry: Blank Project

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 / 26 February 2014
Neneh Cherry has always followed her own path in her style. With Blank Project, Cherry has reclaimed the spotlight to deserved applause.
Various Artists: Killed by Deathrock, Vol. 1
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Various Artists: Killed by Deathrock, Vol. 1

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 / 3 February 2014
Sacred Bones delves into the darkened corners and crevices of obscure '80s post-punk, goth, and death rock with Killed by Deathrock, Vol. 1. The result is a reclamation project of the highest order.
Lambchop: Nixon
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Lambchop: Nixon

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 / 28 January 2014
Age has given Lambchop's Nixon additional poignance and grace, and it fully deserves the recognition Merge Records is giving it as the launch of their anniversary celebrations.
Humble Pie: Performance – Rockin’ the Fillmore: the Complete Recordings
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Humble Pie: Performance – Rockin’ the Fillmore: the Complete Recordings

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 / 10 January 2014
Rockin' the Fillmore was an excellent double live album in 1971, but the complete recordings from which it was created show the true greatness of Humble Pie.
Various Artists: Qat, Coffee & Qambus – Raw 45s from Yemen
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Various Artists: Qat, Coffee & Qambus – Raw 45s from Yemen

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 / 8 January 2014
Qat, Coffee & Qambus, a collection of Yemeni 45s from the 1960s and '70s, captures this musical culture when it was relatively untouched by Western influence. As such it is more than a curio; it's an intriguing glimpse into a rarely heard part of the world's music.