Collapse Board Whatever happened to the music press?

Album Reviews

REVIEWED LOCALLY: Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee Part Two (Capitol)

I guess the debate here is whether or not a band is required to continue attempting to evolve past a certain point. Beastie Boys have a solid formula with beats + one-liners = fun, so why should they change?…

Sky Needle – Neckliner (Albert’s Basement)

Sky Needle’s hidden magic reveals itself to those who are adventurous enough to let them inside of their dreams. …

Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues (Sub Pop)

Helplessness Blues is 50 minutes of laments for one’s self in the face of shifting uncertainty, framed in endless soothing harmonies, an opiate of sighs.…

No Anchor – Real Pain Supernova (self-released)

Listening to No Anchor, it’s hard not to hear a weaker, less interesting version of their heroes. …

Ponytail – Do Whatever You Want All The Time (We Are Free)

The music sounds like well-made computer-generated songs designed to provide aural stimulation while staring at some kind of never-ending optical illusion screensaver…

Yelle – Safari Disco Club (Barclay)

A scuzzy disco grind, a glorious hark back to the 70s and a breathy French chorus to sing along to…

The Mountain Goats – All Eternals Deck (Merge)

I breathe a sigh of relief knowing that this relationship is far from over. This is, without a doubt, The Mountain Goats’ best album in years.…

THE BAD REVIEW Vivian Girls – Share the Joy (Polyvinyl)

When you think about it, music can be compared to the difference between kiddie rollercoasters, and humongous, death-defying coasters.…

THE GOOD REVIEW Vivian Girls – Share The Joy (Polyvinyl)

There are still songs about love, but even the love songs sound wiser, more ferocious, more bitter, and ultimately more hopeful. Vivian Girls have grown up. …