REVIEW: CHARLIE – CHARLIE (2009)
It’s approaching a year since her self-titled album was released on the independent rock label at(h)ome in Paris as well as her biggest-to-date concert at Place de la République’s Café de la Danse. Since then she’s carried away the Prix des Écritures de la Chanson 2009 f
REVIEW: KERO ONE – EARLY BELIEVERS (2009)
“It seems like it took forever for that sun to shine…” follows the lead on When the Sunshine Comes, the second track off of San Fran’s up and coming Kero One‘s sophomore album. Dropping from his Plug Label, Early Believersattempts to wrap up all those anticipated feelings of the upcomi
REVIEW: CURSIVE – MAMA, I’M SWOLLEN (2009)
Mama, I’m Swollen was ‘released’ a bit over a week ago and has proven to be the most difficult album to wrestle with. Previous albums held solid themes (the chef-d’oeuvre example being Domestica), though gradually this has dissipated with a discography resembling Picasso than anyth
REVIEW: POMPEII – NOTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON (2008)
A tempered indie rock plucked my tastes after going full on with punk years back, far more calm, yet with vastly improved melodies and a concentration on the complexities of music. Pompeii fits into this world, a relaxing album akin to the melodies of such pop punk offerings on the radio t
REVIEW: FUNERAL PARTY – THE BOOTLEG EP (2008)
Adding another gift under the dance punk tree this holiday season, Funeral Party unveiled their first EP early December. Despite the genre being dominated by the likes of The Faint or, stretching, Jaguar Love, few have garnered such early overseas notice like these Californi
REVIEW: JAKE ONE – WHITE VAN MUSIC (2008)
Producer extraordinaire Jake One recently released his Rhymesayers and full on debut album, White Van Music this year, heavily anticipated due to his work with 50 Cent, Young Buck, and De La Soul. It’s a collective work featuring well over a dozen contr
REVIEW: GUNS N’ ROSES – CHINESE DEMOCRACY (2008)
Back in elementary school, the teacher told us to bring things of that time period the following day that would be put into a box to be sealed and buried, only to be opened decades later. To me, Chinese Democracy (Geffen, 2008) is the recorded embodiment of a time capsule. You speak of Axe
REVIEW: KANYE WEST – 808S & HEARTBREAK (2008)
From the university and parties of 2007’s Graduation, Kanye reigns in a distinct dark departure leaving heart and love in the spotlight. West will alienate many listeners much in the way Beck did with Sea Change in 2002 with this album, especially those seeking follow-ups to the&nbs
Review: Mumford & Sons – Love Your Ground EP (2008)
Up until recent, Mumford & Sons has been that still, crystal clear water. After their recent touring stints, people have taken to the band so that they’re starting to take their course into the currents of music. The London-based folk and bluegrass outfit, briefly, is on the heels of