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"Prolonging The Magic" by Cake

"Prolonging The Magic" by Cake

This third release from Cake sounds very much like their first two, and there's nothing wrong with that. They have an undeniable mischievous charm, distinctive vocals and repetitive lyrics, with their tongue firmly planted in their cheek. In a fashion similar to Beck, they have virtually created a... [More]

Written By: Robert Shupe
"Gran Turismo" by The Cardigans

"Gran Turismo" by The Cardigans

Though this is the Cardigans fourth studio effort, like myself you're probably most familiar with them for their 97 Blondiesque hit "Love me love me say that you need me, hold me hold me . . ." You probably know the song. I didn't mind it the first few times I heard it, but I knew a girl who insi... [More]

Written By: Kevin Jones
"Blues Blues Blues" by Jimmy Rogers All-Stars

"Blues Blues Blues" by Jimmy Rogers All-Stars

Jimmy Rogers was one of the most influential blues songwriters and guitarists to ever finger the frets. Comprised of such greats as Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Taj Mahal, Jeff Healey, Mick Jagger and Robert Plant--the Jimmy Rogers All-Stars have given us this lasting tribute to the fa... [More]

Written By: Kelly Patch
"Painted From Memory" by Elvis Costello w/ Burt Bachara...

"Painted From Memory" by Elvis Costello w/ Burt Bacharach

This album is brilliant. Pick any superlative in the English language and apply it to this album and the description fits. This unlikely collaboration between post-punk icon Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach (arguably among the best tunesmiths of the century) has produced what is unquestionably one... [More]

Written By: Jeremy Harmon
"Bring It On" by Gomez

"Bring It On" by Gomez

With Bring It On, Gomez, the latest export from Liverpool, is proving to be a worthy addition to their celebrated predecessors (The Beatles, Oasis). Even more impressive is that their approach is a significant departure from the "Mersey beat" sound that the Liverpudlians have turned into such a reco... [More]

Written By: Kelly Patch
"Roseland NYC Live" by Portishead

"Roseland NYC Live" by Portishead

Don't hold back the applause on this one. Portishead, together with a full orchestra, has somehow managed to produce what is absolutely the best live recording ever captured on tape. Who would have thought that Beth Gibbons voice, Geoff Barrows turntables and an orchestra would blend together so s... [More]

Written By: Robert Shupe
"Up" by R.E.M.

"Up" by R.E.M.

Much of what has already been written about this album would lead one to believe that Up is the beginning of a new era for R.E.M. I couldn't agree more. The album is an entire world away from the work the band did while on I.R.S. and half a world away from the remainder of their catalog that has... [More]

Written By: Jeremy Harmon
"The Masterplan" by Oasis

"The Masterplan" by Oasis

The blessed day has arrived! Oasis has many, many great B-sides and they have finally decided to release these treasures upon the North American continent. The sad part being that this is not a complete B-sides collection. However, I still thank them for what they've offered. If you haven't f... [More]

Written By: Kelly Patch
"The Story of the Ghost" by Phish

"The Story of the Ghost" by Phish

Wanted: A new album by Phish that continues to prove their worth as the nineties feel good rock gods. It seems the title about says it all. If Phish continues to put out albums like this one their band will become an apparition. Where are the good old days of Fee? Why can't we have another R... [More]

Written By: Robert Shupe
"Wander This World" by Jonny Lang

"Wander This World" by Jonny Lang

Jonny Lang's debut album, Lie To Me, was a collection of great blues lyrics matched with some fiery guitar playing. Together with Kenny Wayne Shepherd, they resurrected the guitar driven blues sound that seemed to have died with Stevie Ray Vaughan. Now two years and one haircut later, Lang once aga... [More]

Written By: Wayne Kerr
"Mutations" by Beck

"Mutations" by Beck

If you condensed Radiohead down to a single person you'd be left with Beck. The moniker of genius is sometimes too liberally bestowed, but even at it's most narrow definition Beck qualifies. The man continues to forge ahead even as he digresses. By which I mean that the songs on Mutations aren't... [More]

Written By: Kevin Jones
"Sumday" by Grandaddy

"Sumday" by Grandaddy

Three years after their critical breakthrough, and one of the greatest titled sophomore albums ever, the "Sophtware Slump" Grandaddy have released their simply titled third album Sumday. Looking like Wyoming farm workers, you wouldn't think that these California guys would base their influen... [More]

Written By: Kyle England
"From Every Sphere" by Ed Harcourt

"From Every Sphere" by Ed Harcourt

Ed Harcourt may possibly be one of the most talented singer songwriters to come along in quite a while. Ed's last album, Here Be Monsters was a fun romp through some mid tempo numbers that reminded me of an upbeat Badly Drawn Boy. For his sophomore album, Harcourt has taken on a much more s... [More]

Written By: Kyle England
"Mit Gas" by Tomahawk

"Mit Gas" by Tomahawk

Prolific hard rock genius Mike Patton with a pedigree that includes Faith No More, and Mr. Bungle is back with his second album as the lead singer for Tomahawk. Once again teaming up an allstar crew that includes ex members of the Melvins (kick ass!) Jesus Lizard (double kick ass!) and Helmet (kic... [More]

Written By: Kyle England
"Think Tank" by Blur

"Think Tank" by Blur

It should have been the easiest call in the world to write Blur off, after Damon Albarn's mega-success as a cartoon (of all things) with his monster side-project Gorillaz. Albarn publicly admitted he didn't know if there was a future for Blur amid all the in-fighting with drummer Dave Roundtree an... [More]

Written By: Kyle England