The singer has yet to discover a sound or sensibility that truly distinguishes her.
There’s a real coherence and a definite focus on a common theme of keeping one’s head, no matter how hard times may get.
There’s nothing really contemporary about Forth, but that gives it a certain retro-minded charm that carries it through some weaker moments.
Playhouse is a major disappointment for anyone other than George Jones completists.
Nelson is capable of taking unexpected material and tailoring it to his strengths as a performer and interpreter.
31Knots crafts challenging rock music in the grand tradition of iconoclasts like Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa.
Curse him for his heresy against indie/math rock/whatever, but Damon Che can still play those drums.
Brian Wilson’s greatest strength has always been his ability to express grief in the almost excruciating beauties of harmony.
For a rapper who doesn’t rap very well, the Game is proving to be amazingly resilient as well as oddly charming.
What began as an internet rumor turned into self-fulfilling prophecy.
The contrast between Human Highway’s Moody Motorcycle and Arm’s Way could hardly be more stark.
Like most popular videos, “Got Money” bounces between a performance part and a plot/narrative.
Venturing off into the unknown plays well for Solange.
The Gaslight Anthem’s interpretation of their influences makes for one of the more rewarding punk albums of the year.
North Hollywood Shootout is Blues Traveler’s slightly over-reaching attempt at reclaiming some of their former commercial relevance.
Sweet’s production foregrounds the massive guitar hooks, giving the album a punch that carries some heavy follow-through.
The album goes a long way toward definitively documenting their trippy, ingenious maunderings.
The album’s more energetic moments only serve as a frustrating indicator of Thibodeau’s potential.
The album suggests a larger community working to redefine itself.
Pro Tools serves as a hip-hop state-of-the-union address.
The sheer quality of the Dandy Warhols’s songcraft on Earth goes a long way toward earning them a measure of goodwill.