Review: Johnny Foreigner – You Thought You Saw a Shooting Star But Yr Eyes Were Blurred With Tears and That Lighthouse Can Be Pretty Deceiving With the Sky So Clear and Sea So Calm (2010)
Frankly, I don’t know what compelled me to do this EP more; the fact that Johnny Foreigner is the sole reason I would ever go to Birmingham (my Birmingham friends, I’m exaggerating), or the fact that the EP title is so long I fear Twitter, WordPress, or any other method of publishing a
Review: Witness – The Everafter LP (2010)
There is a magic to the internet these days. Some people find love forever or just for one night through dating websites. Some find old friendships or family members through Facebook. I happened to find a date, through Twitter. A date with a new LP, that is. As most social networks t
Review: Hiss Golden Messenger – Bed Debt (2010)
It’s been said before that my favorite genre of music is folk noir and it’ll be said again. In fact, it’s about to be said again here, right now: My name is Amber Valentine and my favorite genre of music is folk noir. I love a good murder ballad, or a good ballad that sounds […]
Review: Digitata – Sexually Transmitted Emotions (2005)
The last trip to Minneapolis brought back memories and, more music-based, Maggie Morrison’s Lookbook. The word was that she had a tremendous voice confirmed during the Eau Claire native’s performance at the Pizza LuceBlock Party. Since then, Minneapolis/Eau Claire cohorts Gayngs&n
CMJ 2010: ArpLine Ready for Take Off
Frederick Maus is a Brooklyn musician who had the opportunity to step out of the shadows and explore the deafening depths of New York City’s 2010 edition of CMJ Music Marathon. CMJ is, along with SXSW, one of the most important music showcase events in America. We warmly welcome this mysterious gu
Review: Blue Water White Death – Blue Water White Death (2010)
When Blue Water White Death announced its existence mere months ago via what kids these days call “The Pitchfork”, I literally squealed with excitement. Yes, readers, I, a full grown woman, squealed. To understand why, you must first understand that half of conceptual rock duo Blu
Review: Lookbook – Wild at Heart (2010)
Consider Lookbook the first band ever to capture my attention solely due to the videography in their music video. “Over and Over” is high quality slow-motion, so slow it draws your attention heavily to Maggie Morrison’s vocals despite the riveting guitar and pulsating kick drum from
Review: Alaska – Alaska E.P. (2009)
Music discovery is a funny thing. I’ve mentioned before how often I get new favorite bands gift wrapped and handed over to me like birthday gifts from good pals. Groups opening for an already beloved act? That’s a great way to give yourself some exposure to the little known and/or bran
Review: Castevet – Summer Fences (2009)
Chicago’s Castevet has undergone musical changes, tilting the light upon vocals and away from the musical landscapes crafted in Summer Fences. I had not known this digging into 2010′s The Echo & The Light. So when the album started spinning, this revelatory illumination b