Spins
Vincent Black Shadow reviewed
The Vincent Black Shadow Fear’s In The Water (Bodog) The infiltration of indie rock has created a shortage of sassy, street-smart pop punks. Appearing: April 6th at Metro in Chicago.
RTX Reviewed
RTX Western Xterminator (Drag City) The Satanic-sounding psychedelia of Western Xterminator brings RTX further away from their art-damaged roots. Appearing: May 7th at Empty Bottle in Chicago.
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Reviewed
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver More Behind The Picture Than The Wall (Rounder) Gospel-bluegrass pioneer Doyle Lawson leaves the message part of his churchin’ in the parish parking lot.
Secretary Bird reviewed
Secretary Bird Secretary Bird (In De Goot) Friends Of Dean Martinez guitarist Mike Semple takes flight on this early-shoegaze/shimmering alt-country pop album.
The Earlies reviewed
The Earlies The Enemy Chorus (Secretly Canadian) Released nearly two-months ago, The Earlies’ second album is every bit as challenging as the day we cracked the cellophane wrap, a spinning mass of amebic prog and virtual CS&N harmonies.
Cyann & Ben reviewed
Cyann & Ben Sweet Beliefs (Ever) Originating from the same eastern French town that spawned poet Arthur Rimbaud, Cyann & Ben make a rattle all their own.
Stemage reviewed
Stemage Strati (Silent Uproar) There are almost an obnoxious number of one-man artists hiding behind bandnames (Nine Inch Nails, Sparklehorse foremost), though the disciplined, Helmet-like tones of Stemage are a new angle.
Arab Strap Reviewed
Arab Strap Ten Years Of Tears (Chemikal Underground) Rubbishing a farewell tour and album, Arab Strap’s final contribution is a hodgepodge of live tracks, B-sides, and what not, the sort of thing most bands pass off when they don’t know what to do next.
The Broken West reviewed
The Broken West I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On (Merge) The unprecedented successes of Merge Records’ bands (Arcade Fire, Spoon) has assuredly elevated the profile a label known basically for Superchunk and a supporting cast of many a dedicated indie rocker. Yet The Broken West seem an unlikely addition. Appearing: March 11th at Schubas […]
The Colour reviewed
The Colour Between Earth & Sky (Rethink/EMI) Stonesy L.A. band cast as many images as they can, no matter how conflicting.
Sophe Lux reviewed
Sophe Lux Waking The Mystics (Zarathustra) Sophe Lux toe the line between careening, surreal Dresden Dolls pastiches and the auburn moll herself, Tori Amos.
Brent Amaker & The Rodeo Reviewed
Brent Amaker & The Rodeo Brent Amaker & The Rodeo (J-Shirt) A gang of Seattle music vets take a love of whiskey and Cash and turn it into what can best be described as a reverent parody.
El Perro Del Mar Reviewed . . . Again
El Perro Del Mar El Perro Del Mar (Control Group) Between helpings of crow, El Perro Del Mar’s self-titled debut redeems itself upon repeated listens.
The Showdown reviewed
The Showdown Temptation Come My Way (Mono Vs. Stereo) Tennessee boys The Showdown are out to oust sensitive rock and bring back the bad boys. Let’s hope they can find some bad boys, ‘cuz it sure ain’t them.
Paolo Nutini reviewed
Paolo Nutini These Streets (Atlantic) A fourth-generation Scot with a Portugeuse/Italian name, singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini’s music couldn’t possibly sound less international.










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