Okkervil River’s ‘Black Sheep Boy’ Is Still Brilliant at 20
Okkervil River’s complicated and flawed masterpiece, Black Sheep Boy, found inspiration in an unexpected place, ultimately becoming career-affirming.
indie rock
Craig Finn’s Narrative Songwriting Doesn’t Achieve Liftoff
Craig Finn delivers his typically strong songs about broken promises and dead ends, but producer Adam Granduciel of the War on Drugs fails to elevate them.
Dean Wareham Reunites With Galaxie 500 Collaborator
Dean Wareham savors meaningful relationships, especially when their collaboration is this kinetic. The Price of Loving Me shows noticeable depth.
My Morning Jacket Carefully Capture Immediacy With ‘Is’
This experience is best brought about through careful craft, which My Morning Jacket utilize throughout Is without any sacrifice of their long-running success.
The 10 Quintessential Tame Impala Songs
Tame Impala’s deeply revealing songs disclose important details about Kevin Parker’s life and outlook and mark the cornerstones of his individuality.
Great Grandpa Mix Acoustic Rock With Welcome Surprises
Great Grandpa sound like a solid acoustic rock band for most of Patience, Moonbeam. Then they pull out a Radiohead pastiche, a trip-hop track, and things get more interesting.
When Britpop and Radiohead’s ‘The Bends’ Battled for Britain’s Soul
Thirty years ago, Britpop celebrated England’s past, while Radiohead’s The Bends pointed to guitar rock’s future with a unique vision.
Japanese Breakfast Find Inspiration in the Past
On For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women), Japanese Breakfast quiet the fanfare but deliver enough quality to stay relevant.
SASAMI Delivers a Dazzling Shimmering Pop Rock Gem
Blood on the Silver Screen sounds like a sonic masterpiece for modern times, with SASAMI’s ability to dazzle in varying formats while singing her heart out.
Liverpool’s Courting Successfully Try Some New Ideas
Despite a title nearly as long as the record itself, Courting’s ambitious attempts to stretch beyond basic guitar rock pay off richly on their third album.
Joy Burklund Crafts Irresistible Power Pop on ‘Songbouquet’
While Joy Burklund’s Songbouquet sounds inspired by many of the classic pop and rock records that preceded it, it also affirms the power of community.
The Lathums Create Delightful British Rock on New LP
The Lathums have fulfilled the promise of “Crying Out” with a series of singles and two hit albums. Now, they have released a hard-hitting third album.