Conor Oberst is a man of many faces. He’s best known as the founder and frontman of the band Bright Eyes, whose angsty, acoustic guitar-driven “emo” songs reached peak popularity in the early to mid-2000s. This of course oversimplifies the band’s music, which mellowed and matured significantly over the years, but the association remains. There’s […]
Review: Conor Oberst – Ruminations Read More »
Bands all deal with fame in different ways. Some embrace it, and actively cultivate their following, while others shun the limelight. For Irish rock group Two Door Cinema Club, it turned out to be too much of a good thing. Their 2010 debut album Tourist History propelled the band to fame with a dance-rock
Review: Two Door Cinema Club – Gameshow Read More »
It’s been nearly a decade since Bon Iver first released music that made their name a cultural touchstone, or at least an indie music touchstone. If that seems like a strong word choice, realize that many see frontman Justin Vernon as the perfect indie music archetype or stereotype (depending on who you ask). In a
Review: Bon Iver – 22, A Million Read More »
Kaoru Ishibashi, the man behind Kishi Bashi, has been one of the most upbeat guys making music since he hit the scene with his 2012 debut 151a. As a former touring member for of Montreal, he combined their whimsical energy with the violin looping techniques of Owen Pallett to create intricate yet cheerful melodies. He
Review: Kishi Bashi – Sonderlust Read More »
Typically when one person leaves a musical duo, you’d expect that to be the end of the band. After all, it’s hard to imagine the White Stripes without either Meg or Jack, Death From Above 1979 without Sebastian Grainger’s vocals or Jesse Keeler’s trademark distorted bass, or Flight of the Conchords without Bret or Jemaine.
Review: Crystal Castles – Amnesty (I) Read More »
Getting too attached to one of Montreal’s albums is generally a bad idea. During their 19 years on the scene, the band – or rather, sole consistent member and frontman Kevin Barnes – has released a total of 14 studio albums, constantly changing their style throughout. Starting with simple acoustic guitar ditties, Barnes then
Review: Of Montreal – Innocence Reaches Read More »
It’s always a strange feeling to hear that a band with a markedly long absence is going to be releasing a new album. The bar is almost always set impossibly high, since listeners are likely going to reminisce about where they were when the band last dominated musical conversations. Last year the Libertines released Anthems
Review: The Avalanches – Wildflower Read More »
Metronomy has most recently been known for producing some of the mildest synthpop out there. Their 2011 album The English Riviera placed subdued synthesizer melodies over traditional rock instrumentation, with frontman Joseph Mount providing vocals on almost every track. Its 2014 follow-up Love Letters added a retro tint to this formula, as it was recorded
Review: Metronomy – Summer 08 Read More »
As various indie rock trends have come and gone over the years, Band of Horses have remained remarkably consistent. Since the release of their debut Everything All The Time a decade ago, the band has put out three studio albums that all have the same distinct sound – a very American style of indie rock
Review: Band of Horses – Why Are You OK Read More »
Nick Thorburn can’t seem to catch a break. Although he gained a great deal of popularity with indie pop group the Unicorns, they released all of one studio album (Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone?) in 2003 before splitting. Despite a litany of musical projects since this time, including five releases as
Review: Islands – Should I Remain Here At Sea?/Taste Read More »
If you’ve paid attention to rock music at all in the past twenty years, you know that Radiohead are a pretty big deal. They’re one of the few alternative bands from the 90s that’s managed to stay relevant after 24 years, they almost constantly receive critical acclaim, and they can sell out an arena in
Review: Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool Read More »
Parquet Courts have been nothing if not prolific these past few years. After releasing their debut American Specialties in 2011, they released the acclaimed Light Up Gold in 2012 and the EP Tally All The Things You Broke in 2013. In 2014 they again earned critical acclaim with Sunbathing Animal, only for the band’s guitarists
Review: Parquet Courts – Human Performance Read More »
You must be logged in to post a comment.