Reviews
bar italia (2023)
Tracey Denim
Attention-demanding and experimental mix of moody rock, pop, post-punk and trip-hop on third album from elusive London-based trio bar italia
Belle And Sebastian (2023)
Late Developers
Eclectic latest album from Glasgow indie-pop band Belle and Sebastian
Brightblack Morning Light (2008)
Motion to Rejoin
Dull second album from American new age psychedelic folk rockers Brightblack Morning Light
Cave Singers (2009)
Welcome Joy
Endearing combination of pyschedelic folk, country and roots rock on second album from Seattle-based band, the Cave Singers
Ceremony (2012)
Zoo
Energetic and imaginative fourth album from San Francisco-based band Ceremony, which finds them reinventing themselves and leaping forwards and away from their hardcore roots
Cold Cave (2011)
Cherish the Light Years
Brash, but dismissable second album from New York-based goth pop outfit, Cold Cave
Condo Fucks (2009)
Fuckbook
Chaotic, but likeable set of covers of bands such as the Faces, Electric Eeels and the Beach Boys from Connecticut punks, Condo Fucks
Cornelius (2002)
Point
Contradictory and colourful new album from increasingly acclaimed Japanese solo artist who sounds like he is catching "the first and fastest bullet train out of neo-Tokyo."
Dead Meadow (2008)
Old Growth
Rewarding latest slbum from 60's and 70's psychedelic-influenced act, Dead Meadow
Esben and the Witch (2010)
Violet Cries
Hauntingly beautiful debut album from Brighton-based indie group, Esben and the Witch
Fucked Up (2010)
Couple Tracks: Singles 2002-2009
First rate career-spanning compilation from challenging, but forceful Toronto-based hardcore band, Fucked Up
Fucked Up (2011)
David Comes to Life
Fresh-sounding and thrilling third album and concept record from Toronto-based hardcore band F**ked Up
Fucked Up (2008)
The Chemistry of Common Life
Fuse-blowing speed metal punk on powerful second album from abrasive Canadian hardcore group, F**ked Up
Harlem (2010)
Hippies
Attention-grabbing wacky sixties-influenced punk pop on second album from Austin, Texas-based duo, Harlem
Interpol (2002)
Interpol
Atmospheric new EP from New York group, reminiscent of both Mogwai and the Cure
Interpol (2005)
C'mere
Achingly beautiful new single from Interpol, which contains four B-sides of tracks off their new album 'Antics' each one remixed by a different member of the band
Jaguar Love (2008)
Take Me to the Sea
Distinctive debut album from Jaguar Love, which consists of former members of Blood Brothers and Pretty Girls Make Graves
Jay Reatard (2008)
Matador Singles '08
Fantastic punk rock on timeless-sounding compilation album from Memphis-based singer Jay Reatard, which collects together six of his recent limited edition vinyl only singles, and proves to be the most joyful celebration of music yet released this year
Jay Reatard (2009)
Watch Me Fall
Limited-in-vision old-style punk on latest album from Memphis-based singer and musician, Jay Reatard
Julian Plenti (2009)
Julian Plenti is Skyscraper
Wonderful debut album from Julian Plenti, the solo project of Paul Banks, the front man with Interpol
Kurt Vile (2009)
Childish Prodigy
Excellent third album of distorted rock from Philadelphian genius singer-songwriter Kurt Vile, whose seeming amateurish exuberance does not conceal his ability to write a sharp tune
Kurt Vile (2011)
Smoke Ring For My Halo
Masterful and addictive fourth album from magnetic Philadelphia-born singer-songwriter, Kurt Vile
Lou Reed (2008)
Berlin : Live at St Ann's Warehouse
Live reworking of Lou Reed's infamously controversial 'Berlin' album, which shows that Reed still has the power to enthral and shock
Lucy Dacus (2016)
No Burden
Lyrically talented but badly executed debut album from much acclaimed Virginia-based singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus
Mission Of Burma (2009)
The Sound, the Speed, the Light
Compelling fourth album from influential Boston-based alt.rock band, Mission of Burma
New Pornographers (2010)
Together
Thoughtful yet melodic fourth album from mainly Canadian indie-supergroup the New Pornographers, which by the group's own high standards, however, proves to be something of a disappointment
New Pornographers (2002)
Mass Romantic
" Classy neon-coloured turbo-fuelled power pop" with "more catchy choruses than the entire history of the top ten" by Canadian indie supergroup, the New Pornographers
Ponys (2007)
Turn the Lights Out
Not-for-the faint-hearted, but fantastic-sounding sonic guitar rock, which will be enjoyed of fans of Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine and the Pixies
Savages (2013)
Silence Yourself
Stunning debut album from heavily acclaimed all-female post-punk four-piece, Savages
Shearwater (2010)
The Golden Archipelago
Fertile latest album from Shearwater, who increasingly draw comparisons with Talk Talk and Mark Hollis in their passion and ability
Shearwater (2008)
The Snow Leopard EP
Mesmerising compilation of highights from this year's 'Rook' album, B-sides and live tracks on new EP from highly acclaimed baroque pop outfit, Shearwater
Shearwater (2008)
Rook
Excellent latest album from one-time Okkervil River offshoot Shearwater, which taking a wildly disparate range of influences, have shaped them into something which manages to be both gentle and epic at the same time
Sleater-Kinney (2001)
All Hands On The Bad One
There is always a much warranted level of excitement that surrounds Sleater-Kinney whenever they release a new album. Now on the release of their fourth full-length album: “All Hands on the Bad One”,
Soft Boys (2002)
Nextdoorland
Fantastic new album from the recently reformed the Soft Boys, which follows on naturally from their classic 'Underwater Moonlight' album of 22 years years ago
Techno Animal (2002)
The Brotherhood Of The Bomb
Impressive second offering from paranoiac, but powerful hip-hop metal act.
Thalia Zedek (2001)
Been Here And Gone
As the co-leader of the highly acclaimed Come, Thalia Zedek developed a reputation in the 1990s for playing Sonic Youth style discordant rock with an abrasive edge. All four of Come's albums- 'Ele
Times New Viking (2008)
Rip It Off
Potentially promising third album of punk from Ohio-based group Times New Viking, ruined by its deliberately terrible recording
Wisdom Of Harry (2001)
House Of Binary
'Almost Prayed' was my favourite Weather Prophets single and when the debut by former frontman Pete Astor's The Wisdom of Harry came along last year, I was pleasantly surprised by its similar combina
Yo La Tengo (2001)
And The Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out
New Jersey's finest folk-pop trio have brought out something very substantial here. Ever thought, a Yo La Tengo track lasting over 17 minutes, "A Night in Hoboken", could be excellent? It is on this n
Yo La Tengo (2007)
Live Sessions EP
Download only live single from ever versatile American alt. rockers Yo La Tengo. which includes a previously unreleased song
Yo La Tengo (2006)
I'm Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass
Impressive tenth studio album, which has been released in both a CD and double vinyl edition, from the ever experimental Yo la Tengo, and which is their equivalent of the Beatles 'White Album'
Yo La Tengo (2010)
Here to Fall Remixes
Inspirational hip-hop influenced reinterpretations on vinyl only of lead track from Yo La Tengo's latest 'Popular Songs' album
Yo La Tengo (2013)
Fade
Playful and versatile thirteenth album and first release in four years from acclaimed New Jersey-based trio, Yo La Tengo
Related
Interviews
Shearwater
Interview
After being dropped by their record label, Shearwater have just re-released their 2006 fourth album, 'Palo Santo', on the larger Matador Records with five songs re-recorded and a CD of extra tracks. John Clarkson speaks to front man Jonathan Meiburg about it