With Another Life-Affirming Jolt, Guerilla Toss Remind Us That We’re All ‘Famously Alive’
Quirky art-rock outfit Guerilla Toss sacrifice little of their magnificent strangeness by leaning mainstream on their Sub Pop debut, Famously Alive.
art rock
Destroyer Hit a Career Peak on the Vibrant and Pensive ‘LABYRINTHITIS’
On LABYRINTHITIS, indie rock’s Destroyer address North American anxiousness while successfully tackling styles hitherto untouched by the project.
No More Talk Talk: Mark Hollis Biography Makes You Listen
Former Talk Talk member Mark Hollis was ruthlessly honest in his pursuit of a musical vision. This biography attests to the gifts and costs of his artistic pursuit.
Franz Ferdinand’s ‘Hits to the Head’ Highlight’s Catchy Tunes and Artistic Shortcomings
Franz Ferdinand’s potential is repeatedly hinted at rather than fully realized on Hits to the Head. But it’s better to show potential than to have none at all.
Outside Is America: 35 Years After U2’s ‘The Joshua Tree’
U2’s classic album The Joshua Tree offers insights into the power of art to challenge the stories we tell ourselves 35 years after its initial release.
20 Years Ago the Internet’s Music Community Gave a Boost to …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead
Today, 20 years later, the legacy of Trail of Dead’s Source Tags & Codes has developed as one that’s intertwined with Internet-based music journalism itself.
Alt-J Return With Paternal Earnestness on ‘The Dream’
Alt-J may have tempered their eccentricities on The Dream but there’s still plenty of death and genre-bending to satisfy veteran votaries.
Our Lady Peace Successfully Evolve Their Sound on ‘Spiritual Machines 2’
With Spiritual Machines 2, Our Lady Peace drew back all the curtains. And they did it while dancing squarely into the future as it’s a successful evolution.
Elbow’s ‘Flying Dream 1’ Soars Quietly
Elbow’s Flying Dream 1 trusts its listeners, asking us to hold a quiet space for the music and let it reveal itself over time.
Kate Bush Created a Winter Wonderland on ’50 Words For Snow’ 10 Years Ago
Kate Bush’s 50 Words For Snow is a jazzy wonderland of mystical creatures and fleeting romance with nuanced themes of impermanence and ephemeral love.
Genesis Ride Into the Sunset With a Compilation to Cap Their Career
Genesis compilation The Last Domino? The Hits reminds us of a time when rock music, be it progressive, popular, both, or neither, was afraid to stay stagnant.
Japan’s Timeless ‘Tin Drum’ Turns 40
Japan’s Tin Drum serves as a lasting document of a band ahead of their time and one that rises far above the pretensions of their contemporaries.