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Tegan and Sara (Retrospective)
I reminisce about one of the music acts most responsible for breaking me out of my high school "classic rock" phase. (read more)
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Tegan and Sara – “Heartthrob”
In an admitted attempt to raise sales, Tegan and Sara embrace contemporary, overproduced pop with ‘Heartthrob.’ What’s lost in translation? (read more)
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The Beatles – “The Beatles”
Everything The Beatles were is encapsulated in this double album. From R&B rock, to folk, to psychedelia and beyond. This is ‘The Beatles.’ (read more)
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The Magnetic Fields – “Distant Plastic Trees”
The debut album by the legendary indie pop artist The Magnetic Fields features vocal contributions from Suzan Anway. Distant Plastic Trees will leave you cold—but not in the way you’ll expect. (read more)
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Saint Etienne – “Asleep at the Wheels of Steel” (2002)
‘Asleep at the Wheels of Steel’ features more soundtrack work by Saint Etienne. Is anything on this compilation worthwhile? (read more)
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Jeff Lynne’s ELO – “Alone in the Universe” (2015)
Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) were a band primarily popular in the ’70s due to their unique combination of elaborate, classical instrument arrangements over combinations of light pop rock and progressive mini-suites. There’s no band quite like Electric Light Orchestra in the perpetual boiling pot of ’70s music, a band both conservative and kitsch. They were… (read more)
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The Monkees – “Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.”
The fourth album by The Monkees is among the greatest rock records of the ’60s, exceeding all expectations. (read more)
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Belle and Sebastian – “Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance”
Ah, fuck. On Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance, Belle and Sebastian were just a minute too late. Everyone made a big deal about Reflektor, but Arcade Fire couldn’t groove their way out of a paper bag. Turns out Belle and Sebastian totally can, but if you were to upgrade to plastic, they’d probably be… (read more)
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Belle and Sebastian – “Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant”
Yo, get out of here slow-tempo Belle and Sebastian haters, ‘Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant’ has some of their most immaculate arrangements. (read more)
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The Wake – “Assembly” (2002)
Oi, The Wake tricked me with Assembly, so this review is dedicated to the other five fans of The Wake. The compilation Assembly ostensibly has five unreleased songs, but it’s actually two. “Rise and Shine” is a demo of “Sail Through.” “Make You Understand” is “World of Her Own.” “The Calendar” is “Torn Calendar.” They’re… (read more)