Those of us who underestimated Dum Dum Girls have to reckon with End of Daze. Their debut LP, 2010’s I Will Be, was perfectly enjoyably, made up of simple, fleet-footed pop-rock, but it seemed to be the…
Band of Horses never came off as the most ambitious band in the world, seeming happy to supply the comfort-food version of the gauzy, reverb-dipped My Morning Jacket/Fleet Foxes sound they traded in. But as lead singer…
Matthew Ryan’s In the Dusk of Everything is a study in consistency. However, it starts off in such a way that I literally thought I’d put the wrong record in. The first track, “Lonely Not Homesick” sounds…
It has always been a wonder why the Los Angeles-based Alison Sudol, whose band goes by A Fine Frenzy, never made it to superstar status in her native United States, but has in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.…
Tracey Thorn is not trying to break your heart, but she’ll do it anyway. She’ll break your heart with her tender voice, especially the way that it adds extra layers of nostalgia and serenity to Dolly Parton’s…
It was clear from the outset that Matt Hines was thoughtful about his art. The music of The Eastern Sea, as heard on their album entitled Plague, is a beautiful, haunting collection of orchestral folk/pop creations, and…
It’s difficult to get over the overwhelming impression of Aimee Mann as the Lisa Simpson of rock: although she’s beautiful, she’s just so much smarter than all the other girls on the playground. Charmer displays her high…
Let’s review some recent facts: 1. WHY? has come back to the fold after a lengthy time off with LP number four, Mumps, etc. 2. It’s been nearly a decade since the initial LP, 2004’s Oaklandazulasylum. 3.…
After Mumford & Sons’ 2009 debut, Sigh No More, you could almost feel it coming: crushing expectations, hysterical hype and an almost sure bet of a let down on the next record. Except it didn’t happen like…
Canadian alternative quintet Stars reel off their sixth full-length album in 11 years, succeeding at keeping their tried-and-true heartfelt pop sound and dual-singer threat intact and, yet, remaining relatively fresh. The North starts off with the pulsing beat…