With a rich catalogue of intricately-written songs and a 2011 Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album in their back pocket, this Alternative Rock band from San Diego has delivered yet another brilliantly uplifting album. Right from the get-go, the thundering beat of the opening track, “Love Alone is Worth[Read More…]
Music
Rosanne Cash—The River and the Thread
On Rosanne Cash’s latest album The River and the Thread—her first new record in eight years—the veteran country music singer-songwriter proudly displays her virtuosic talents as a vocalist, lyricist, and a tasteful composer with an acute sense of how to use musical devices to keep her tunes interesting. The themes[Read More…]
Deep Cuts
Indisposed (feat. Cyph4) Artist: Deluxe Album: The Deluxe Family Show Released: Sept. 20, 2013 Deluxe takes you on a wild journey through genres and styles held together by the boundlessly energetic singer Liliboy and her mustachioed musicians. As it brings together electro, hip-hop, jazz, and swing, the French band’s new[Read More…]
James Vincent McMorrow — Post Tropical
Irish singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow is set to release his new album, Post Tropical, only his second full-length album since the 2011 release of Early In the Morning. The album is jam-packed with soulful folk ballads woven with delicate lyrical themes and a breezy breathlessness alluded to by its title.[Read More…]
Igloofest preview
As January reaches its midpoint, it seems fair to assume that winter is getting to you. Going out becomes increasingly less appealing when it’s 30 degrees below zero and the icy streets make walking anywhere downright treacherous. You’re likely getting to the point where you’d much rather get cozy with[Read More…]
Deep Cuts
Sweatpants Artist: Childish Gambino Album: Because the Internet Released: December 6, 2013 With the release of his new album, Because the Internet, Childish Gambino introduces us to head banger, “Sweatpants.” ‘Bino uses his intelligent wordplay, and ghostly beat to create a musical aura of contagion. Rapping about the luxuries of[Read More…]
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings — Give The People What They Want
Give the People What They Want, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings’ fifth studio album—and first release in almost three years—harks back to their critically acclaimed 2007 album, 100 Days, 100 Nights. Thematically, this album is similar to their previous efforts of love and heartbreak, happiness and personal crises; however, it[Read More…]
Karneef – Love Between Us
What place does retro pop have in the contemporary indie and electronic soundscapes of Montreal? Local musician Karneef doesn’t seem to care, and his debut LP Love Between Us presents his fastidious funk vision, with all its offbeat lyrics and diverse instruments, largely arranged and played by Karneef alone. Karneef[Read More…]
Where have all the role models gone?
In our sex-saturated society it’s easy to wonder where all the positive female role models in pop music have gone; tweens and young women are bombarded with images of barely-clothed women writhing around on the floor, or, oddly, humping foam fingers. Sometimes, even the few female artists who donít have[Read More…]
Lady Gaga – ARTPOP
Although ‘dull’ isn’t a word you would usually associate with the avant-garde, publicity stunt-loving ‘Queen of Monsters,’ the first time I listened to Lady Gaga’s new album, I skipped pretty much every song. The only one I managed to listen to all the way through was piano ballad “Dope,” which[Read More…]
