REVIEW: THESE CITY LIMITS – THE MODERN STANDARD (2012)
One of the perks (if not THE only perk) of reviewing albums is getting a free copy of a record before anyone else. In this case, Indiana’s These City Limits sent me their new EP before they even have a label to release it. It’s definitely a privilege, but I also felt a stra
REVIEW: LELIA BROUSSARD – MASQUERADE (2011)
I see big things for Lelia Broussard’s voice. It’s sweet but not annoying. It’s got texture, but not so much that she would narrow her audience. It’s original enough that you won’t think twice to compare her to a Michelle Branch or a Colbie Caillat. I remember listening to Rise, an ear
REVIEW: HEMMINGBIRDS – DEATH WAVE (2010)
When I review a new album, I like to give it a couple listens before putting fingers to keyboard. I contend that the most important of these listens is what I refer to as the Morning Commute Test. Sure, the D.C. Metro has some things going for it: it’s clean, has blinky lights that flash […
REVIEW: L’ALTRA – TELEPATHIC (2011)
It was up until recent when I started to become curious about what this whole Nouvelle Vaguemovement was in film. I would not say I’m a film buff, but after undergrad I unexpectedly had too much free time and started to watch classics left and right. Up until recently, the 1950s and 1960s mov
Review: Sara Lov – I Already Love You (2011)
If there’s one thing I love, it’s a good cover song. In fact, I love a good cover song so much that I started a weekly column about cover songs over at Radio Free Chicago, People Covering Songs I Love. With People Covering Songs I Love, I get to share my vast collection of cover songs
REVIEW: CROOKED BARS – EP (2011)
I was a little intimidated when I first turned on Crooked Bars’ self-titled EP. The Portland quartet describes its sound as being heavy in jazz influences, and it is, in fact, jazzy. Perhaps jazzier than anything in my music collection. Just by clicking the “play” button I was venturing int
REVIEW: GREENLAND IS MELTING – OUR HEARTS ARE GOLD, OUR GRASS IS BLUE (2009)
“And I know that I’ll always be alright, as long as I got them singing boys by my side. We drive from city to town still trying to figure out just what we have found.” What has happened to Gainsville? Against Me! infuriated the purists with New Wave, and poor Less Than Jake
SINGLE REVIEW: KANYE WEST & JAY-Z – H•A•M
Returning to Mezzic is Madison’s own composer/producer Jimmy Roxy. Ever since his dog died, the world has become a cruel, senseless place filled with hateful cats who feel the need to mark their territory in his closet. When the gangsta rappers of yore are playing cops on Law and Order, starring i