REVIEW: ALKALINE TRIO – AGONY & IRONY (2008)
Opening the sleeve of Agony & Irony (Epic Records, 2008), you pull out a rather simple, but elaborate disc with the retro font logo of Epic Records. Alkaline Trio’s first release with this label isn’t the pinnacle, nor the penultimate in their catalog, but is the strongest effort s
REVIEW: THE HOLD STEADY – STAY POSITIVE (2008)
A couple years ago, Cursive responded to The Ugly Organ (Saddle Creek, 2003) with a definite political-themed album interspersed with their unique spinning of entangled tales. Intertwining references continued with their fourth album, Happy Hollow (Saddle Creek, 2006).
REVIEW: GIRL TALK – FEED THE ANIMALS (2008)
Gregg Gillis released Feed The Animals (Illegal Art, 2008) today à la the new model, throwing Girl Talk‘s latest online while promising those who pay more will receive an eventual disc. It’s an effective mode to get your work out there now, assuming people know who you are o
REVIEW: LOS CAMPESINOS! – HOLD ON NOW, YOUNGSTER (2008)
Hold On Now, Youngster… (Wichita Recordings/ Arts & Crafts, 2008) is as enjoyable as a young child with a pop-up book bursting with excitement at the sight of a paper castle unfolding before their eyes. Now we all aren’t children and I’m bordering on being an ex-youngster (Ah! Graduation
REVIEW: DR MANHATTAN – DR MANHATTAN (2008)
Dr Manhattan heralds from Wauconda (déjà vu?-yep, see previous post on their record release show), or as most say “Northern Illinois.” They’ve proved hard to describe in conversation: pop punk, but more punk and dance punk with a dash of rock. Think heavy hitting dance drums c
REVIEWS: LOS CAMPESINOS! – EPS (TWEEXCORE AND SOCKETS)
Los Campesinos! just released their first full length, Hold On Now, Youngster…, throughout the world today to threaten the dominance of Vampire Weekend on top of the indie pop darling charts. While one quickly lost a bit of critical momentum once they hit radio stations in America,
REVIEW: MURDER BY DEATH – FUEGO! EP
Oh the irony. The day Fuego! is released, only through digital stores, is the day there’s non-stop snow flurries around Milwaukee. For now I won’t give a rating on a scale or whatnot, but for those who want a recommendation I will say Fuego! is a ($2.97) purchase for those who’ve alr