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The Stone Foxes aim for The Black Keys and end up with Jet

There have always been bands like The Stone Foxes, whether they’ve actually sounded the same or not. When The Beatles were big there were The Monkeys. In Nirvana and Pearl Jam’s heyday there were Sponge and early…

Will Courtney's escape leads to a beautiful solo turn

Those that may be wondering, “O brother, where art though?” with regard to Will Courtney, the male half of Brothers and Sisters (along with sibling Lily Courtney), the singer-songwriter can be found with a new seven song…

Robyn Hitchcock is still (slightly) twisted fun

It’s hard to believe Robyn Hitchcock is now 60. He used to be the weird young singer/songwriter with a twisted imagination. Now he’s like a strange, older uncle that still says the unexpected sometimes. Hitchcock sings about…

British Sea Power's latest offering is subdued but perfectly formed

British Sea Power is a rare breed of band. It’s played atop the Great Wall of China, at London’s National History Museum, down a Cornish slate mine and at the Chelsea Flower Show. It’s live shows are…

A Gentle Hand Guides a Gentle Band

Frank Black, when commenting on the success of The Pixies reunion tour, made a remark to this effect: We’re lucky that we never moved around much onstage when we were younger, because now we can’t, and it…

Frontier Ruckus’ Eternity of Dimming is an impressive double-album of subtle story songs

Admittedly, I was a little late to the Frontier Ruckus party — 2008’s The Orion Songbook first gracing my ears in late 2011. But ever since, they’re been an easy favorite. What really struck me about these…

Caveman expertly crafts sad beach pop set far from the beach

The self-titled sophomore album from New York City’s Caveman is pitch-perfect. While the reverb-y melodies are reminiscent of dream pop, the songs don’t succumb to getting too caught up building synth dreamscapes—perfect, as the album’s lyrics are…

Misguided tendencies hold down ambitious band

Thinking Machines‘ are certainly not lacking for ambition — their website refers to their sound as “space-metal prog-punk psychedelia,” which is quite the combination. It’s a credit to them that a few spins of their new album,…

This European duo has worked hard to become this year's hottest pop import

It’s taken two years for the musical waves of Sonja Glass and Valeska Steiner, also know as Boy, to wash upon American shores. From a tiny music venue in Switzerland to a national U.S. tour, the power…

Disappears fades into obscurity with dull Kone

A band will tout an affinity for shoegaze noise rock, loaded with garage tendencies, and I’ll take an immediate interest. Since the early days of Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth, I’ve been…