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"The Crane Wife" by The Decemberists

"The Crane Wife" by The Decemberists

I saw the Decemberists perform at last years Vegoose festival and was very much bowled over. Although they took a respectable third behind the amazing Arcade Fire and the even more amazing Spoon, they beat out bands such as the Shins, Beck, The Flaming Lips, DMB, Sleater Kinney the list is long. Of... [More]

[Sun Sep 24th, 2006] Written By: The Boneman
"Inside In/Inside Out" by The Kooks

"Inside In/Inside Out" by The Kooks

Well I'm certainly getting around to this review late in the game, especially for such a gem. It kept falling victim to the "something else more pressing always bumping it off the front burner" syndrome. Still, for a band this fun and fascinating, late beats the hell out of never. Though their name... [More]

[Fri Sep 22nd, 2006] Written By: The Boneman
"Avalanche: Outtakes and Extras from the Illinois Album...

"Avalanche: Outtakes and Extras from the Illinois Album" by Sufjan Stevens

The hyper-prolific Sufjan Stevens (who's vowed to record albums highlighting the history and attributes of every state in the U.s.- two down 48 to go) has now released a landslide of extras and outtakes from the critically lauded Illinois sessions. The majority of these tracks have the Renaissance-F... [More]

[Wed Sep 20th, 2006] Written By: Doug Radunich
"Magic Potion" by The Black Keys

"Magic Potion" by The Black Keys

Magic Potion marks The Black Keys first album since leaving the minor leagues of the well-respected Blues label Fat Possum for the cushy confines of new home Nonesuch; label to such heavy hitters as David Byrne, Emmylou Harris and big shots of the moment Wilco. Maybe it's because of this change then... [More]

[Wed Sep 20th, 2006] Written By: Kyle England
"I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass " by Y...

"I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass " by Yo La Tango

It's funny how a band can be the model of genius-like consistency for almost 20 years, but as soon as they finally release one sub-par album they're put on 24-hour suicide watch. That's what happened to Yo La Tengo after their 2003 record, the drab misfire of the anything but sunny "Summer Sun." S... [More]

[Wed Sep 20th, 2006] Written By: Kyle England
"Yellow House" by Grizzly Bear

"Yellow House" by Grizzly Bear

Some albums should come pre-packaged with warning stickers. No, I'm not talking about those misbegotten parental advisory stickers that send housewives and Wal-Mart shoppers screaming "Won't somebody please think of the children!" And, of course, only strengthens the disire of the kiddies to have th... [More]

[Tue Sep 19th, 2006] Written By: Kyle England
"Various Greats" by Old Grey Whistle Test

"Various Greats" by Old Grey Whistle Test

In collaboration with BBC Video, Warner has released three volumes of the best of the Old Grey Whistle Test, the British music variety show that ran from 1971 to 1987, predating both Later with Jools Holland (who is one of the dvd's commentators) and Austin City Limits. The original intent of the sh... [More]

[Tue Sep 19th, 2006] Written By: Tyler Sanders
"The Beautiful Lie" by Ed Harcourt

"The Beautiful Lie" by Ed Harcourt

I've been holding off on writing this review because at present Harcourt's latest is still only available as an import, which was something that I assumed would change since it's release in the UK over three months ago. The truth is, the music industry is in such a quandary right now, what with the... [More]

[Sat Sep 16th, 2006] Written By: The Boneman
"Modern Times" by Bob Dylan

"Modern Times" by Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan's career has been quite the tumultuous path of peaks and valleys. 40 years will bring your fair share of ups and downs. Dylan has been the Michael Jordan of his peers at times (Blonde On Blonde, Blood On The Tracks, countless others you can take your pick from) and also the twit at the end... [More]

[Wed Aug 30th, 2006] Written By: Kyle England
"Post War" by M. Ward

"Post War" by M. Ward

I always had a distinct feeling in the back of my mind that Matt Ward would eventually get around to making an absolute masterpiece, I just had no idea that it would show up in this form. The introspective Indie-Folk troubadour had made four other albums besides this one, all subtle lo-fi minimal p... [More]

[Wed Aug 30th, 2006] Written By: Kyle England
"All This Time" by Heartless Bastards

"All This Time" by Heartless Bastards

Cincinnati three-piece Heartless Bastards virtually came out of nowhere last year to release Stairs and Elevators, a supernova of Southern Rock and one of the best debut albums of 2005. All This Time is their quick follow-up and how relived I am to tell you readers that Heartless Bastards are far fr... [More]

[Mon Aug 28th, 2006] Written By: Kyle England
"Classics" by Ratatat

"Classics" by Ratatat

Evan Mast and Mike Stroud, the duo that make up the mostly instumental Dance-Rock outfit Ratatat, are back with their sophomore release Classics. Classics delves generally into the same territory that their self-titled debut of two years ago did, sounding somewhere between Electronic acts such as Da... [More]

[Mon Aug 28th, 2006] Written By: Kyle England
"Happy Hollow" by Cursive

"Happy Hollow" by Cursive

With the departure of Gretta Cohn, the cellist and secret weapon for Cursive's 2003 masterpiece The Ugly Organ, Tim Kasher and company came to quite the crossroads as to which direction to take Cursive next. Should they return to their bleak, early scream-o style sound, or keep mining the challengin... [More]

[Mon Aug 28th, 2006] Written By: Kyle England
"The Body, The Blood, The Machine" by The Thermals

"The Body, The Blood, The Machine" by The Thermals

Portland Punk/Indie-Rock group The Thermals have made a quick return to the musical fold with The Body, The Blood, The Machine; their follow-up to 2004's stellar (and stellarly titled) Fuckin A. A lot has happened in such a short amount of time since we last heard from these Oregonians. Founding dru... [More]

[Fri Aug 25th, 2006] Written By: Kyle England
"At War With the Mystics" by The Flaming Lips

"At War With the Mystics" by The Flaming Lips

To begin with apologies are due for not getting a review for At War w/the Mystics until well over 4 months of its release. But I have a good excuse. I'm sure all of you have heard or read the news of my harrowing tale of survival in the wilds of Scotland. As it happened I was just pulling ashore aft... [More]

[Mon Aug 21st, 2006] Written By: The Boneman