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Aarik DanielsenReviews
Big Fresh: Big Fresh ForeverThe record amounts to an exuberant love letter addressed from a stable of hard-working, veteran musicians (the band has been making albums for over a decade) to some of the quirkiest and most innovative pop/rock acts of the last few decades. [20 July 2009] 
Rocco DeLuca and the Burden: MercyThe music on DeLuca's second album with his band the Burden is so good it doesn't need to be rescued by Jack Bauer. This is a first-rate soul record which charms the listener more and more with each successive spin. [15 July 2009] 
Mouthful of Bees: Mouthful of BeesSoaring, layered harmonies intermingle with wandering instrumentals, swinging percussion and sharp guitar work on this self-titled collection of twelve songs. [14 July 2009] 
Greater California: All the ColorsAll the Colors not only relays the carefree spirit of the season in requisite, buoyant, Brian Wilson-esque tones, but it captures the idle moments and lazy lulls which summer brings. [23 June 2009] 
Here Holy Spain: ManicEach of the album's ten songs is delivered with an immediacy, an earnestness and an energy that augments the band's skill and amplifies the strength of their presence. [21 June 2009] 
Peter Holsapple & Chris Stamey: Here and NowThe foundation on which Holsapple and Stamey have long built their work (a tremendous sense of melody, almost-familial harmonies) is ever-present here. [15 June 2009] 
Carbon Leaf: Nothing Rhymes with WomanThose already predisposed to liking the band's blend of infectious melodies, affirming lyrics and frat-folk will again be pleased. Listeners asking for a bit more may find the record a mixed bag. [10 June 2009] 
Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses: Roadhouse SunYes, this is the thinking man's honky-tonk music. [4 June 2009] 
David Berkeley: Strange LightBerkeley's songs go down easy but remain and resonate in the soul long after the last strains of Strange Light have faded away. [20 May 2009] 
The Low Frequency In Stereo: FuturoNearly every track is a tribute to the band's ability to match their remarkable versatility with equal portions of clarity of vision and generosity of spirit. [18 May 2009] 
The Photo Atlas: To Silently Provoke the GhostVolatile and captivating, this Denver act packs every second of their newest EP with musical and emotional intensity. [4 May 2009] 
The Traditionist: Season to SeasonWith a love for luminaries like Dylan, Van Morrison, and Simon & Garfunkel Barro seeks to "acknowledge and update" their music. [27 April 2009] 
Hotels: Where Hearts Go BrokeHotels come off like the ultimate '80s soundtrack band, something akin to a cross between the dreamy haze of M83 and the angsty garage rock of The Strokes. [21 April 2009] 
Youth Group: The Night Is OursYouth Group seems an almost perfect bridge between the gloomier, more darkly melodic pop bands of the '80s and the grandly ambitious Brit-rock acts of the past decade. [16 April 2009] 
The Bran Flakes: I Have HandsBright, upbeat and funky (though far less club-friendly), Otis Fodder and Mildred Pitt of the Bran Flakes come across like Girl Talk's Greg Ellis' older, more-eccentric uncle with a penchant for collecting obscure sonic references. [15 April 2009] 
Peter Joseph Head: Normal OursAccording to the album's press release, Head is attempting to document "…the search for the sublime in the mundane;" in writing an album full of carefree buoyancy, Head has, at the least, succeeded in introducing a few sublime moments into the life of the listener. [7 April 2009] 
Horde of Two: Guitar & Bass ActionsCollectively, the pair has combined to record the aptly-titled Guitar & Bass Actions, an entirely instrumental album that sets them up as an antithesis to the White Stripes. [1 April 2009] 
Various Artists: Dorm Sessions 6Dorm Sessions 6 gives the savvy listener a chance to get in on the ground floor before these young musicians' stock begins to rise. [30 March 2009] 
Cameron Matthews: green.blue.whiteThe St. Louis native seems almost incomparable, hard to peg down, showcasing an eccentric style and a worldliness that belies his age. [12 March 2009] 
Willie Breeding: Cheap Vodka RainCheap Vodka Rain is a collection of eleven songs with enough twang to produce a few tears in a few people's beers yet Breeding and his band never skimp on the rock and roll. [11 March 2009] 
Gaby Hernandez: When LoveHernandez and her musical associates take musical strands of all sorts and delicately weave them together, creating a record that is gentle, subdued and, in its best moments, quite lovely. [9 February 2009] 
Scott Pinkmountain & The Golden Bolts of Tone: The Full SunThe album plays like the soundtrack to a great art house film. [8 February 2009] 
Gramercy Arms: Gramercy ArmsIt's nice to hear successful musicians do something that actually enhances their legacy. [5 February 2009] 
Ally Kerr: Off the RadarKerr's best tracks are radio-friendly yet possess a certain self-deprecating charm that would appeal to fans of independent, literary pop/rock. [4 February 2009] 
Cash Cash: Take It to the FloorPegged as a throwback, Take it to the Floor is, ironically, a mix of the styles that have dominated Top 40 radio over the past five years or so. [3 February 2009] 
Brett Dennen: Hope for the HopelessDennen is certainly no Dylan or Lennon, but he does capture the spirit of a generation attracted to the hopeful promise of Barack Obama's candidacy. [2 February 2009] 
National Eye: The Farthest ShoreNational Eye treads the ground between power pop and psychedelia, resembling a far more subdued version of the Flaming Lips or a spacier manifestation of Wilco's sound. [26 January 2009] 
Meaghan Smith: The Cricket’s QuartetPaying attention to Smith now would be a wise move; pretty soon, the opportunities to claim "I liked her before..." will be at a premium. [5 January 2009] 
French Kicks: Covers EPFrench Kicks have taken on four cover tunes that spring from seemingly disparate sources. [18 November 2008] 
Beth Rowley: Little DreamerWith a microphone in her hand and a soul to bare, Rowley delivers the goods much in the same way her predecessors did, making Little Dreamer one of the strongest and most soulful records of the year. [13 November 2008] 
Pale Young Gentlemen: Black Forest (Tra La La)One of the best Britrock records of 2008 comes to us special delivery from Madison, Wisconsin and the band Pale Young Gentlemen. [11 November 2008] 
The Aimless Never Miss: The Aimless Never MissAfter just two EPs, Bay Area rockers The Aimless Never Miss have delivered a full-length debut marked by the type of maturity and consistent vision usually seen in far more veteran acts. [21 October 2008] 
The American Dollar: A Memory StreamOn the continuum of popular instrumental music, The American Dollar have created an outpost somewhere between Moby's catchy pop/soul-influenced songcraft and the expansive, emotional yet equally melodic rock of Explosions in the Sky. [20 October 2008] 
Johnny Foreigner: Waited Up ‘Til It Was LightThe members of Johnny Foreigner have crafted a debut that is rebellious, cheeky, funny, loose, and musically solid all at the same time. [16 October 2008] 
Old Crow Medicine Show: Tennessee PusherOld Crow Medicine Show is the rare band that has found a way to be all things to all people without ever sacrificing their integrity at the oft-visited altar of universal appeal. [25 September 2008] 
Joan Osborne: Little Wild OneThe record is essentially, in lyric and spirit, a tribute to several distinct ideas that Osborne pulls together with skill and sincerity. [18 September 2008] 
Various Artists: Rock the Net: Musicians for Network NeutralityThe compilers do a wonderful job of planting a seed in the listener's mind as to just what might be at stake. [17 September 2008] 
The Break and Repair Method: milk the bee.Matchbox Twenty's rhythm guitarist Paul Doucette has his own transcendent moment on this, his first solo project. [15 September 2008] 
The Baseball Project: Vol. 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying QuailsThe Baseball Project's lineup (Steve Wynn, Scott McCaughey, Peter Buck, Linda Pitmon) proves that gritty veterans often outperform a band of sexy superstars when the pressure's on. [5 September 2008] 
Giant Sand: proVISIONSGiant Sand mastermind Howe Gelb is equal parts Jack Kerouac, Willie Nelson, and Raymond Chandler on his collective's latest album. [3 September 2008] 
The New Frontiers: MendingAs the band learns to live comfortably in the tension between tempos, influences and styles, their stock can only rise. [27 August 2008] 
Donovan Frankenreiter: Pass It AroundAlthough Frankenreiter’s sound occasionally approximates Jack Johnson’s acoustic surfer-cool (especially in his vocal delivery), he most clearly distinguishes himself from his pal by the quality of sounds that support him. [21 August 2008] 
Matthew Perryman Jones: Swallow the SeaWith songs like these, delivered both with power and grace, Jones' solid fanbase looks ready to explode. [18 August 2008] 
Miller Carr & The Shalants: Passage Through Wilderness Vol. IIA nearly flawless mix of the fresh and familiar, Passage Through Wilderness Vol. II is a strange and lovely trip worth taking. [7 August 2008] 
Escape the Floodwater Jug Band: Wrong Doings and Done WrongsEscape the Floodwater Jug Band plays a "third wave" style of jug band music: a combination of the genre's history with "the ethos and energy of punk rock. [4 August 2008] 
Peter Salettt: In The Ocean of the StarsSalett tinges his timeless pop with hints of country, folk and jazz. [1 August 2008] 
Sister Hazel: Before the Amplifiers-Live AcousticSixteen tracks just ends up being too long to keep the feel going. By this album's end, the proceedings begin to resemble a marathon. [31 July 2008] 
Hacienda Brothers: Arizona MotelNot only is Arizona Motel an album full of beauty and a postscript worthy of the man who helped create it, it is one of the best country albums of the year. [24 July 2008] 
The Classic Crime: The Silver CordThe Classic Crime is not your older brother's emo band. [23 July 2008] 
Various Artists: Ten Out of Tenn Volume 2If it's a special thing to witness an artist on the edge of stardom, seeing it times ten is all the more electrifying. [16 July 2008] 
The Takeover UK: It’s All HappeningWhen the melodies and production catch up to their enthusiasm, it might be hard to stop the Takeover UK. [8 July 2008] 
Graham MacRae: Graham MacRaeGraham MacRae takes a refreshingly unvarnished approach to his eponymous debut. [24 June 2008] 
Mick Hucknall: Tribute to BobbyHucknall not only gives a ring of truth to the dozen cover versions, he brings an authenticity which solidifies the notion this is the music he's listened to for a lifetime. [19 June 2008] 
Anna Ternheim: Halfway to FivepointsFull of dichotomies and mysteries, this collection of 12 tracks is a frontrunner in the race for most intriguing album of the year. [11 June 2008] 
Tristan Prettyman: HelloPrettyman is a tremendous vocalist who injects personality and depth into every word and every note she sings. A presence so charismatic is hard to ignore or pass by. [3 June 2008] 
In Flight Radio: The Sound InsideThe band shines due to an ability to marry the grandeur of Brit-rock influences with more temperate, mellow sensibilities, a unique musical personality, and a seemingly effortless charm. [19 May 2008] 
Sarah McLachlan: Rarities, B-Sides, and Other Stuff Volume 2McLachlan is an inimitable vocal talent able to bring her ability to bear on others' material, skillfully interpreting words and melodies in virtually any context. [14 May 2008] 
Sleep Station: The Pride of Chester JamesThe tuneful, semi-conventional folk rock of principal songwriter David Debiak and adorning it with the sounds of musical exploration. [7 May 2008] 
Nat Baldwin: Most Valuable PlayerBaldwin receives major points for style and innovation, but occasionally does so at the expense of tunefulness and palatability. [5 May 2008] 
Honeyhoney: Loose BootsLoose Boots is a piece of art painted with a wide variety of musical colors. [25 April 2008] 
Mason Proper: Shorthand EPOn their second recording, Michigan indie collective Mason Proper come across a little quirky, a little moody and really talented. [24 April 2008] 
The Teenage Prayers: Everyone Thinks You’re The BestThe Teenage Prayers are a throwback to another day. Raw, rambunctious, and sexually charged, the NYC-based band knows how to blow the top off a rock song and create three-to-four minute long musical parties. [11 April 2008] 
Jason Reeves: The Magnificent Adventures of HeartacheOn the spectrum of laid-back, acoustic rock nice guys, Jason Reeves falls somewhere in the middle. [10 April 2008] 
The Diableros: Aren’t Ready for the CountryWell-played and well-realized, Aren't Ready for the Country is a testament to what can happen when an artist has the freedom and the instincts to create something unique. [8 April 2008] 
Yesan Damen: Chronos/KairosGorgeous and grounded, the album presents a slightly more colorful and interesting view of real life that should resonate with listeners. [7 April 2008] 
Morning Recordings: The Welcome KineticMorning Recordings have delivered an album that is a feast for the ears but never feels overwhelming, pretentious or weighty. [4 April 2008] 
Playradioplay!: TexasThe album should be judged with grace and an attempt to look forward into the bright sunlight of the career that awaits the young Texan. [24 March 2008] 
Bret Mosley: Light & BloodBret Mosley has handed over a debut album of first-rate Americana tunes delivered with world-weary wisdom. [7 March 2008] 
Iretsu: The Moon and Stars Remain in the Morning SkyIn the world where indie folkies Iretsu dwell, long and winding instrumental passages are nothing to be afraid of. [29 February 2008] 
Demolition String Band: Different Kinds of LoveDemolition String Band infuse their fourth record with enough spirit, swagger and country swing to make you swear they've lived a thousand lifetimes in the heart of the Bible Belt. [28 February 2008] 
Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey: MavericksIn whatever decade you first discover it, Mavericks is a great album. [27 February 2008] 
The Afters: Never Going Back to OKThe 12 songs on this project showcase The Afters' incredible musical tightness and cohesion. [26 February 2008] 
Prize Country: Lottery of RecognitionWith the attitude of punk, the riffing of, in some cases metal, some melodic hard rock and a world of passion infusing each note, Lottery of Recognition establishes Prize Country as a genuine force. [18 February 2008] 
Jon Foreman: Fall & WinterThe EPs are a return to a renewed emphasis on Foreman's remarkably and consistently perceptive lyrics, as well as the types of soundscapes which best frame his impassioned vocals. 
The Cicadas: The CicadasWhen critics and fellow artists recount the best of Rodney Crowell, here's hoping they don't forget about The Cicadas , a project marked by first-rate songcraft and musicianship. [6 February 2008] 
Wild Sweet Orange: The Whale EPSparkling with the luster of seemingly unlimited potential, Birmingham, Alabama's Wild Sweet Orange is a perfect five-for-five as far as delivering excellent songs on this recent EP. 
Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez: Live from the Ruhr TriennaleThis project is the reason live albums were made: to emphasize connections, to show how new creative brushstrokes affect timeless material, and to give fans a reference point for what makes the artist excel. [29 January 2008] 
John Ralston: Sorry VampireWhile Sorry Vampire is not quite to the level of being a masterpiece, the album proves that Ralston may just be the type of artist who has a masterpiece in him. [28 January 2008] 
The Yarrows: PlumThe maturity and depth of the sounds presented by this New Jersey quartet make it had to believe that Plum is The Yarrows' debut. [24 January 2008] 
Salim Nourallah: Snowing In My HeartNourallah reminds us that the contemporary pop music world isn't solely made up of wannabe Justin Timberlakes. [22 January 2008] 
Anna Kramer & The Lost Cause: The Rustic, Contemporary Sounds Of…Kramer's assured vocals and her band's capable backing and collective spunk make the album a breath of fresh air. [21 January 2008] 
The Wreckers: Way Back Home: Live From New York CityTranslating the live experience to CD is tricky business and though the record shows off the Wreckers' talents, the reward does not prove equivalent to the inherent risk. [17 January 2008] 
Hundred Air: Makeout CityThis is a delightful record that shouldn't be missed by anyone who truly values songcraft, quality production and the type of melodies that get stuck in your brain and don't leave for days. [16 January 2008] 
The Spill Canvas: http://www.thespillcanvas.com/Too often, the band falls into the creative boxes and conventions of the emo/pop-punk/call it what you will genre. [14 January 2008] 
Myracle Brah: Can You Hear The Myracle Brah?Myracle Brah, at its best, is a combination of classic rock ideals and fresh musical energy. [10 January 2008] 
Haven: All For a ReasonHaven is a band that steadily and skillfully toes the line between pop and rock, and seems to have a deft sense of how to craft melodic, radio-ready songs without pandering or sacrificing artistic value. [8 January 2008] 
Math and Physics Club: Baby Im YoursOn what is ultimately a very engaging EP, the band treats listeners to their brand of sensible mid-tempo guitar rock that places emphasis on winning vocals and well-crafted melodies. [3 January 2008] 
Magnet: The Simple LifeHere's an astutely arranged fusing of acoustic instruments, electronic textures and captivating melodies. [12 December 2007] 
Various Artists: Free Yr RadioThis collection is of consistent quality throughout and does a nice job of showcasing the types of artists that can flourish on independent radio. 
Fauxliage: FauxliageLeigh Nash may never again reach the creative zenith she realized when paired with Sixpence guitarist Matt Slocum. [11 December 2007] 
Songs of Green Pheasant: Gyllyng StreetIf Sumpner is a mystery in some circles, Gyllyng Street may just add to the tale; it is a work of beauty and depth, deserving of consideration and concentration. [6 December 2007] 
The Payola Reserve: 200 YearsThe Baltimore quartet combine the folksy charms and arrangements of country rockers with an early British rock aesthetic. [4 December 2007] 
Raul Malo: Marshmallow World & Other Holiday FavoritesRaul Malo makes a bid for his first holiday album to be a timeless affair. [30 November 2007] 
Various Artists: A Christmas Celtic Sojourn, LiveConsisting both of songs of reflective reverence and tracks marked by an amusing, folksy charm, the album presents fourteen offerings from a diverse lineup of artists. [27 November 2007] 
A.A. Bondy: American HeartsSparse yet effective, powerful and poignant, American Hearts is a true singer-songwriter's record and is an apt barometer of Bondy's talent. [26 November 2007] Various Artists: Stockings By the FireStockings by the Fire is the Starbucks label's new holiday compilation and a sonic treat. [20 November 2007] 
Chris and Thomas: Land of SeaThe secret here is the beautiful dichotomy that exists between the wide open spaces portrayed in the band's instrumental presentation and the immaculate accord between their voices. [14 November 2007] 
Intramural: This is a LandslideThough Dalley is best known for his work with Conor Oberst and Desaparecidos, This Is a Landslide proves he has the ability to craft electronic soundscapes. [12 November 2007] 
Ryan Groff: People in the MidwestWith an incredibly distinct voice and the ability to mine relatively minimal instrumentation for sonic depth and richness, Elsinore frontman Ryan Groff turns in one of the best solo records of the year. [7 November 2007] 
Saving Jane: One Girl RevolutionIf Saving Jane builds on what's unique and distinct about them, they have a world of potential. Until then, they have a record that hovers around being just average. [1 November 2007] 
The Perishers: VictoriousStirring yet subtle, the band has a special power to engage with listeners that few groups can claim to possess. [30 October 2007] 
Dub Trio: Cool Out and CoexistThis is the type of music that begs a live hearing, the kind of sound that almost requires listeners to feel the bass vibrating the floor and wipe away the sweat pouring down their brows. [29 October 2007] 
Angel and the Love Mongers: The Humanist QueenAgainst the backdrop of the Smoky Mountains, Angel and the Love Mongers have recorded an album that brings the UK to mind. [24 October 2007] 
Pawnshop Roses: Let It RollIt's with style and aplomb that Philly's Pawnshop Roses deliver the ten songs on Let It Roll. [23 October 2007] David Bernabo: AssemblyPittsburgh's David Bernabo is a jack of many musical trades and if his recent full length project Assembly gives accurate indication, a master of many. [11 October 2007] Shannon Wright: Let In The LightCertainly, there is little of a spectacular nature achieved by Wright on Let in the Light, but it is in not creating a spectacle, or even attempting to, that Wright gives her music unique qualities. [5 October 2007] 
Annie Lennox: Songs of Mass DestructionLennox has always belonged to a rarified class of artist wherein the sheer volume of her talent is usually enough to overcome any flaw or area that might be lacking in her work. [4 October 2007] 
The Ants: IdeabreakerUtilizing elements of lo-fi indie pop, classic rock, jazz and country in pursuit of their strange and wonderful musical ideals, the group both excels at and seems to revel in their ability to marry unexpected changes in arrangement, rhythm and structure with some pretty catchy tunes. [1 October 2007] 
Athlete: Beyond the NeighbourhoodIn Beyond the Neighbourhood Athlete attempts to move outside the sonic district they've shared with their contemporaries, while expressing a new generation's confusions and concerns. [28 September 2007] 
Andrew Pekler: CueAndrew Pekler crafts an album more notable for its form and function than for any statement of fashion or politic. The very idea that the record is free of statement is, in fact, its statement. [24 September 2007] 
Mystery of Two: Arrows Are All You KnowThere's nothing revolutionary about what Mystery of Two does on this album but it's a great change-of-pace type record that showcases the potential this band has to carve out a distinct place for themselves in the independent scene. [19 September 2007] 
The Dilettantes: 101 TambourinesThe Dilettantes are a band whose rock and roll ideal is often expressed in the language of Byrds-ian guitar jangle, driving drumbeats and psychedelic pop landscapes. [18 September 2007] 
Shane Nicholson: Faith & ScienceShane Nicholson's second record projects a pleasant sound and easygoing vibe, showing him to be a folk rock-oriented songsmith with the ability to create laid-back hooks and emit a genuinely nice persona. [17 September 2007] 
Tenderhooks: VidaliaWith a feel for the earthy jangle of bands like REM and Son Volt, and a touch of country influence and melodic sensibilities that allow many of their hooks to take flight, this Knoxville, Tennessee quartet's first full length is a mostly winning combination of heartland and modern rock tones. [13 September 2007] 
Johnathan Rice: Further NorthRice has returned with an album that builds suitably upon the foundation laid on his debut, continuing to suggest he is a very special artist in the making. [11 September 2007] 
Sara Gazarek: Return to YouThere is a potentially limitless world open to refreshing and vibrant talents like Gazarek. [5 September 2007] 
Aeroplane Pageant: Wave to the MoonVibrant and lovely from start to finish, Wave to the Moon is the ultimately mesmerizing first full-length from New York collective Aeroplane Pageant. [30 August 2007] 
The Blue Jackets: Shadows of the CityPutting a fresh spin on the vintage sounds of the British Invasion by adding garage rock muscle and modern rock sensibility. [24 August 2007] 
Through the Sparks: Lazarus BeachHard to pigeonhole but easy to appreciate, Through the Sparks are a bright star ready to shine for the right audience. [21 August 2007] 
Breaking Laces: astronomy is my life, but i love youThis Brooklyn trio's songs are well-crafted and cleverly articulate thoughts on relationships, religion and regret. The Winston Jazz Routine: SospiriSospiri's principal architect, Nathan Phillips, draws on a unique blend of elements to create the achingly gorgeous atmosphere. [17 August 2007] 
Green River Ordinance: The Beauty of Letting Go/Way Back HomeGreen River Ordinance maintains a predominantly upbeat pop/rock sound, complete with huge hooks, sincere vocals and driving guitar passages. [15 August 2007] 
Chase Pagan: Oh, Musica!Chase Pagan's work is continuously chaotic, kinetic, and often volatile, no matter whether in the midst of a dramatic crescendo or a quiet fade. [14 August 2007] 
Jon McLaughlin: IndianaLoaded with personality and a capacity for writing first-rate melodies, Jon McLaughlin fits well the part he plays in his songs: the big-eyed idealist with the whole world stretched out before him. 
Casey Neill: Brooklyn BridgeThe spirit of the city street is alive and well on Casey Neill's latest release, Brooklyn Bridge. [10 August 2007] 
The Mother Hips: Kiss the Crystal FlakeWhen the band is at its best, their songs retain a ageless feel, making them just as attractive and engaging to listeners in 2007 as they would have been in 1967 or 1977. [6 August 2007] 
Amy Cook: The Sky Observers GuideThe Sky Observer's Guide, the sophomore project from folk songstress Amy Cook, embodies the old adage about everything being bigger in Texas. [3 August 2007] 
Last Train Home: Last Good KissLast Train Home's blend of a genuine, straight-ahead heartland sound and unexpected, artful musical ornaments proves a winning combination. [2 August 2007] 
Protest Hill: The City Echoes Our HeartsProtest Hill skillfully achieves a nuanced blend of moods, tonal colors and styles. [31 July 2007] 
Black Tie Revue: Code FunThink Weezer with less cerebral self-loathing or American Hi-Fi without the pandering to radio programmers. [27 July 2007] 
The Pierces: Thirteen Tales of Love and RevengeYes, there is a definite charm and attractiveness to The Pierces but it is revealed more through musical substance than outward magnetism. [26 July 2007] 
Green Lizard: Las Armas Del SilencioA commanding, guitar-driven presence, embodying the spirit and aesthetic of punk. [25 July 2007] 
The North Sea: Exquisite IdolsThough more fanciful than functional, Exquisite Idols is a bold step in a strange and exciting direction. [20 July 2007] 
Tin Cup Prophette: Liar and the ThiefLiar and the Thief proves Kapousouz a performer with much to offer fans of subtly poignant indie pop. [13 July 2007] 
American Catapult: Trees of MysteryIn an age where quality, accessible rock is difficult to uncover, perhaps the world needs more bands like American Catapult. 
Eastern Conference Champions: Eastern Conference ChampionsThis EP from Bucks County, Pennsylvania's Eastern Conference Champions leaves quite an impression and seems a harbinger of great things to come. [11 July 2007] 
Six By Seven: 04No matter how tightly or loosely the songs are coiled, there is an emotionally resonant quality to the band's work that is undeniable and very appealing. 
The Gourds: Noble CreaturesNoble Creatures is one of the more interesting and pleasing Americana records released this year. [10 July 2007] 
Leeroy Stagger: Depression RiverStagger touches on themes both universal and specific as he chronicles the misadventures and failings of characters who lay tired bones to rest in nowhere towns. [3 July 2007] 
Sinead OConnor: TheologyUltimately, this is a charismatic and appealing record which has the potential to draw listeners back to uncover hidden depths. [2 July 2007] 
Test Your Reflex: The Burning HourThe band establishes a brand of '80s-inspired rock somewhere between the brooding charisma of Interpol and the populist appeal of The Killers. [27 June 2007] 
Swati: Small GodsEven at its most perplexing, Small Gods is a fascinating listen and marks Swati as an artist to keep in sight. [25 June 2007] 
Various Artists: Northern Stars: A Canadian Singers & Songwriters CollectionIs there someone out there thinking "if only I could find a CD that features both 'Complicated' by Avril Lavigne and Leonard Cohen's 'Suzanne', my world would be complete?" [21 June 2007] 
The Race: Ice StationIce Station serves as a very rewarding point of intersection, creating a central crossing for three roads which have seen, and continue to welcome, adventuresome sojourn. [12 June 2007] 
The Poison Dart: Get HotFrom the opening strains of "I Was Not Made to Reproduce" through the extended outro of closer "Crazy Horce", each of the album's fourteen songs serve as connective tissue in the creation of a consistent quality of sound. [11 June 2007] 
Jesse Malin: Glitter in the GutterMalin's winning combination of punk cred, melodic craft and working class aesthetic becomes displayed fully, adding validity to his candidacy to be a Springsteen-like figure for the indie rock/iPod generation. 
Storyhill: StoryhillCunningham and Hermanson's harmonies are on glorious display, and only the most detached listener could keep from being absorbed by the richness contained in the tones. [8 June 2007] 
Various Artists: Anchored in Love: A Tribute to June Carter CashThis tribute album is graced by performances that are faithful to the root and spirit of June Carter Cash's musical style while breathing in just enough new life to keep any version from seeming like a retread. [6 June 2007] 
Che Arthur: IronThere is no questioning the passion and possibility which lies in Arthur's work; however, with little space ceded to balance and nuance, Iron certainly leaves room to hone, polish and find improvement. [5 June 2007] 
A Northern Chorus: The Millions Too ManyA Northern Chorus displays a wonderful and rare ability to fill each song with a great number of wonderful and gorgeous sounds. [25 May 2007] 
Various Artists: The Sandinista! ProjectIf a lengthy, "sprawling mess" of an album is made digestible by the vision and spirit of the original artist, how then will the material fare in the hands of those who have less equity built up with the audience? [17 May 2007] 
Various Artists: Joe Strummer: The Future is UnwrittenEvokes the experience of sitting with an old friend discussing music and art, with Strummer more ridiculously hip, politically aware and iconic than any imaginable "old friend". [15 May 2007] 
Mess Up The Mess: You Remind Me of Summer VacationMess Up the Mess sound like a band whose charm would win followers in a live setting; unfortunately that energy just doesn't translate to this disc. [14 May 2007] 
Uncle Earl: Waterloo, TennesseeWhile the quartet's music may appeal to many of the Earls of the world, this is not your uncle's bluegrass band. [9 May 2007] 
David Gray: Shine: The Best of the Early YearsWitness the portrait of a now famous songwriter when he was on the cusp of being famous, guided only by a raw gift for melody and a fire in his belly. [26 April 2007] 
Phonograph: PhonographBrooklyn, New York's Phonograph adeptly weave electronic sounds, ambient textures and fine layers of production together with a folk rock shuffle. [23 April 2007] 
Vusi Mahlasela: Guiding StarThough its 16 tracks vary in subject, style, and dynamic, each seems to be an unadulterated cry from Mahlasela's soul. 
Anaïs Mitchell: The BrightnessThere is short supply of young songwriters with fresh faces and even fresher voices who write as intensely personal, passionate and literate lyrics as Mitchell does. [17 April 2007] 
The Western States Motel: The Western States MotelThe Western States Motel’s self-titled debut present songs oriented around wandering melodies, shuffling guitars, and a slow yet steady sense of motion. [9 April 2007] 
The Greencards: ViridianAn appealing, largely acoustic-based sound likely to charm fans of artists as diverse as Norah Jones, Alison Krauss and Nickel Creek. [6 April 2007] 
Rafter: Music for Total ChickensJumbling together elements of folk, psychedelic pop, electronica, jazz, and even bossa nova, Rafter's songs seem almost like tripped out ads for his unique brand of musical invention. [3 April 2007] 
Maria Taylor: Lynn Teeter FlowerTaylor is a blues singer of an atypical type, expressing emotions in a calm, controlled fashion, more like most people do on an everyday basis. [29 March 2007] 
The Exeter Popes: Snow, Mountain, GeishaThe second EP from Brooklyn, Nw York's the Exeter Popes is a study in maximizing opportunities. [26 March 2007] 
The Infamous Stringdusters: Fork in the RoadThere is enough image, daring, and melodic dazzle on Fork in the Road to justify the band's marketing as pacesetters and ambassadors for a flock of modern pickers and grinners. [22 March 2007] 
Nathan: Key PrinciplesAt times, Nathan’s songs sound earthy and desperate, at others, fanciful and brimming with a buoyant optimism. [20 March 2007] 
Sparrow House: FallsDrawing inspiration from artists like Iron & Wine and Elliott Smith, Van Fleet displays a gift for songcraft, coupling mellow folk textures with more intricate sonic elements [19 March 2007] 
The Roadside Graves: What Happened to Him Could Happen to AnyoneThis seven-song EP aptly conveys the band's synthesis of shuffling guitars, robust harmonies, and instrumental flourishes that nod to artists like Dylan, Springsteen, and the Band. [14 March 2007] 
Gill Landry: The Ballad of Lawless SoirezIncorporating elements of blues, folk, jazz, and country, Landry's songs exist in a veritable stew of styles and structures that is diverse yet harmonious, much like the multi-cultural city from which he hails. [9 March 2007] 
Adrienne Pierce: FaultlineLyrically and thematically, there is no denying Pierce’s extraordinary ability to come across as ordinary. Musically, her fanfare for the common woman becomes a bit of a tougher sell. [27 February 2007] |
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