Review: Lindi Ortega – The Drifter EP (2008)
After watching the Toronto-based country-folk singer-songwriter perform before Noah and the Whale in Chicago, I sought out an EP online. The Drifter E.P. (Cherrytree Records, 2008) is a short, simple sampling of her live show with a couple gems (one polished, one rough) amongst t
REVIEW: THESE ARMS ARE SNAKES – TAIL SWALLOWER AND DOVE (2008)
Lead Beater, the eighth track on Tail Swallower and Dove (Suicide Squeeze Records, 2008) lands with such a foreboding bass it’s difficult to distinguish whether speakers are trembling because of the music, or the sheer calculated viciousness These Arms Are Snakes’ approach on their lat
Review: Zaho – Dima (2008)
As an American, French music tended towards the side of the listenability spectrum that was frankly bland. The chanson genre is a French specialty that just didn’t cross borders as well as other imports like-in cinema-Amélie or l’Auberge Espagnol. It seemed too comfortable and sentimental. Rece
Review: Laura Marling – My Manic And I EP
This year’s Mercury Prize in the UK was given to Elbow‘s The Seldom Seen Kid (Geffen Records, 2008). While it is a fine album who’s flourishes grow subtly over time, it failed to immerse the listener as the melodious music of Laura Marling does. Laura is a young folk singer-songwriter f
Review: Noah & The Whale – Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down (2008)
Should you have only been exposed to Noah and the Whale’s single, 5 Years Time, through the Saturn Outlook commercial or a few cursory listens, it may be too catchy to be taken seriously. The Twickenham, London four piece (including Laura Marling at times) has been stirring up excitement for w
REVIEW: MURDER BY DEATH – RED OF TOOTH AND CLAW (2008)
Murder By Death takes a more narrative route towards their music. The spaghetti western influence has always been evident (a tribute to Ennio Morricone) with Adam Turla’s deep, darkened voice telling tales over campfire flames of Sarah Balliet’s cello and Dagan Thogerson’s nearby rai
REVIEW: SIGUR RÓS – MEÐ SUÐ Í EYRUM VIÐ SPILUM ENDALAUST (2008)
When the track details emerged with an English song included, the latest artistic endeavor from Sigur Rós ratcheted expectations after 2005’s Takk…and 2007’s Heima film (one of the most visually stunning cinematic films of recent memory). Með Suð Í Eyrum Við
REVIEW: FOUR STAR ALARM – SELF-TITLED EP (2006)
Small, yet gearing up to start setting them off with their upcoming debut album, Four Star Alarm is one of the few Chicago punk bands that has risen through dozens of Chicago punk denizens to treat those who listened with a remarkable debut EP. The self-titled EP (Thick Records, 2006) is a
REVIEW: PAST LIVES – STRANGE SYMMETRY (2008)
Strange symmetry. An awkward correspondence. Although you wouldn’t label the music awkward in the common sense, but as unconventional or perhaps hesitant in the deconstruction and construction of melodies unsure of what could be. The Seattle-based specter of The Blood Brothers‘ remains,&nbs