Stereo Subversion

How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive is creative but a little distracting.

Dan MacIntosh — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:05:45 +0000

If you keep track of the many sequels, remakes and retreads that the Hollywood movie machine churns out each year, you’re well aware that the state of originality in our culture should be at the top of…

Adam and the Amethysts color within the indie-pop lines using lovely crayons

Fletcher Martin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:00:26 +0000

I know what you’re thinking: “not another quirky Canadian indie pop band.” Then, of course, you are expecting me to follow up with a “but wait don’t write this band off yet!” sort of thing. For sure,…

The Exit Strategy deal in equal parts sneer and melody on new EP

Scott Elingburg — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:00:22 +0000

If you’re like me, and most of the music world, you’re wondering when Fugazi will gather their collective gear and unite once more to blow our collectively numbed minds. It will happen, dear readers, mark my words.…

Heartless Bastards hit the mark with confident Arrow

Ed Morales — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:00:55 +0000

In articles about Erika Wennerstrom, singer and leader of the Heartless Bastards, the term “shy” crops up time after time. Whether meeting people at a party or fronting her band before a cast of thousands, Wennerstrom’s first…

Ólafur Arnalds finally makes the film score we all knew he would

Matt Conner — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:00:03 +0000

Anyone who has even caught a tinge of Ólafur Arnalds’ music over the last few years knew this move was coming. The Icelandic composer’s cinematic structures were destined for the silver screen, and Sam Levinson’s first major…

Mike Doughty's memoir of his drug addiction is a standout in a crowded field of memoirs.

Scott Elingburg — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:35:39 +0000

You’re going to get exactly what you want from Mike Doughty. “I’m writing mostly drug stories,” he warns from the outset of the oh-so-appropriately titled memoir, The Book of Drugs. “I have them. People read them.” He…

Trent Dabbs and Amy Stroup take us back to the lighthearted music of the 50s and 60s

Olivia Snider — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:00:53 +0000

In times of joblessness and Standard & Poors downgrades worlwide, Sugar + the Hi-Lows have created a lively, playful album. “With the climate of everything right now – with the economy – you could write the most…

Human Again is Ingrid Michaelson's strongest release yet

Brian Palmer — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:00:37 +0000

Ingrid Michaelson has made a career of being emotional, quirky and waltzing to her own drumbeat. Her lyrics have ranged from lovey-dovey and witty to heartbroken and sharp as a knife, all while singing in a voice…

All the Usual Shearwater Stuff (Birds, Animals, Excellence) Spun In a More Positive Direction

Daniel Kirschenbaum — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:00:57 +0000

On Animal Joy, Shearwater has mustered up its most absolutely cheery work to date. Now, before fans assume the worst, we all know that the bar for cheeriest Shearwater music is pretty damn low. And Animal Joy,…

MUTEMATH battles through Armistice to realize the beauty of Odd Soul

Brian Palmer — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:10:18 +0000

The career trajectory of New Orleans-based alt-rockers MUTEMATH has been about one corkscrew short of being one of the most vomit-inducing roller coaster rides ever. From the buzz surrounding their early work and their subsequent meteoric rise…