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Spencer TrickerAbout Spencer Tricker Spencer Tricker is a writer and musician from central Florida. He currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. Features
Wonder: The Photos of Stephanie ChernikowskiChernikowski's 35mm black-and-white stills (a sampling of which is included in the Museum of Modern Art’s Looking at Music: Side 2 exhibit this fall) exude more than just an appreciation for the magnetic personalities they capture, but also a sense of discovery. [29 October 2009] An Anthem for the UndeadThe allure of the undead stems from the idea that a zombie apocalypse strips man to his barest self and essentially subverts thousands upon thousands of years' worth of moral discipline. [28 October 2008] Orphans and Vandals [London, UK]London's Orphans and Vandals are making their engrossing way through familiar territory, singing of the detachment of the nighttime streets and its clouded characters, but made fresh for their naive lack of imitation. [3 September 2008] Ripping It Off: An Interview With Times New VikingSinger and drummer Adam Elliott explains the importance of volume, mistakes, and equipment that you can spill beer on. [27 May 2008] Reviews
Sly & The Family Stone: The Woodstock ExperienceOne of the best live performances by any band on record, Sly & the Family Stone's Woodstock set remains simply staggering. [10 July 2009] 
Orphans & Vandals: I Am Alive and You Are DeadThe fact that five separate individuals have been able to coalesce this beautifully and produce art this vital renews my faith in rock ‘n’ roll for at least another decade. [27 April 2009] 
...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead: The Century of SelfAside from a handful of glorious moments, tepid songwriting and a number of recyclables from the already battered hardcore playbook mar this effort, registering a “should have been” in place of a genuine comeback. [16 March 2009] 
Digging for Dirt: Jaime LoweLowe's flaw is that she paints with an overly delicate hand, loving her subject too much for real objectivity. [10 March 2009] 
N.A.S.A.:The Spirit of ApolloThis is a "positive" record in the foggiest sense of the word, but what it lacks in status as essential listening it half makes up for in simple grooves. If nothing else, heads will bob. [24 February 2009] Q-Tip + The Cool KidsCan Q-Tip still kick it? Yes he can. [23 January 2009] The Meat PuppetsDespite riding the tidal wave of grunge to a major deal in the early 1990s, the Meat Puppets have never conceded an inch to anyone else’s concept of alternative music. [21 January 2009] 
Eagles of Death Metal: Heart OnA semi-worthwhile stab at codifying the world-weary gripes of a hollow, semi-fictional rock ‘n’ roller living in Los Angeles. [16 January 2009] 
The Royal We: The Royal WeThe Royal We rocks just the way any other wobbly gig loaded with artsy part-time barista types ought to. Except that these guys also possess the rare ability to write stupid-good songs. [5 January 2009] A.C. NewmanA.C. Newman and his band are clearly thrilled to be there, and -- being that enthusiasm is the most contagious (natural) human emotion -- I end up feeling much the same way. [15 December 2008] TV on the RadioIf there’s a singular element that TV on the Radio is capable of delivering on a regular basis it’s surely charisma. [18 November 2008] 
Fiasco: Native CanadiansI’m calling it now: these guys are gonna do some interesting shit. [3 November 2008] 
The Moody Blues: Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970This live set from the legendary 1970 Isle of Wight Festival exhibits England's first prog rockers at the height of their artistic achievement. [29 October 2008] 
Gregory & the Hawk: Moenie & KitchiGregory & the Hawk gets signed and then gets sweeter, darker. [15 October 2008] 
The Final Solution: BrothermanJam-packed with irrepressible grooves and laser-sharp harmonies, this 1975 would-be soundtrack deserves a place amongst the classics of mid-'70s funk and soul. CalexicoBy the end of the night we’ve heard a pretty good variety of material: Ghostly Mark Knopfler-esque shuffles, dubious salsa, and even the odd glacial noise-storm. [14 October 2008] The StillsWho cares about art or style when you’re six drinks into your night and the guitar player’s starting to thrash around like an airborne river trout on ecstasy? [2 October 2008] 
Emiliana Torrini: Me and ArminiTorrini reveals a more adventurous side but sacrifices some of the emotional intensity that underpinned her 2005 masterpiece. [9 September 2008] 
Ron Sexsmith: Exit Strategy of the SoulSexsmith proves that he has a ready understanding of how soul music ought to sound, but not necessarily what it takes to write it. [3 September 2008] 
Try Me Bicycle: VoicingsThe Phoenix natives reissue their refined 2006 debut, a solid set of down-tempo pop tempered with all the warmth and detail of a chamber ensemble. [26 August 2008] 
Uh Huh Her: Common ReactionThese L.A. synth-popsters speak fluent new wave, but is it really enough? [20 August 2008] 
Andre Williams & The New Orleans Hellhounds: Can You Deal With It?Andre Williams notches another immensely entertaining album with some of New Orleans' finest garage rockers. [29 July 2008] 
Einstürzende Neubauten: The JewelsAvant-industrialists Einstürzende Neubauten reprogram with an album of experimental miniatures. [23 July 2008] 
Patti LaBelle: The Essential Patti La Belle / Live In Washington D.C.A career retrospective anthology and 1982 live concert convince us that "diva" can most definitely be one of the good four-letter words. [22 July 2008] 
Various Artists: Gigantic: A Tribute to Kim DealA welcome tribute to one of the true icons of American music. [11 July 2008] 
Patti Smith & Kevin Shields: The Coral SeaA haunting tribute to the late Robert Mapplethorpe, The Coral Sea is a monumental accomplishment in the career of one of America's truly outstanding artists. [10 July 2008] 
The Brakes: Tale of Two CitiesPhiladelphia five-piece the Brakes offers up a live set of mostly dull, if well-oiled, bar rock. [17 June 2008] 
Ours: Mercy (Dancing for the Death of an Imaginary Enemy)Ours delivers a middling record after five plus years underground. Mercy has its moments, but those who still feel the residual spine-tingle of Lullabies-era classics are likely to be disappointed. [16 June 2008] 
Ed Harcourt: The Beautiful LieRe-released a mere two years later, The Beautiful Lie is unsurprisingly still a beautiful record. [3 June 2008] 
Orphans and Vandals: Terra Firma / Christopher 10” SingleOrphans and Vandals write romantic music -- street music, played with a deceptive nonchalance that evokes the early days of the Velvet Underground. [21 May 2008] 
Flat Duo Jets: Two Headed CowIn the 1980s, Flat Duo Jets set the standard for explosive rock 'n' roll duos. Two Headed Cow is the soundtrack to the recent Tony Gayton documentary on the band. [20 May 2008] 
All Music Guide Required Listening: Classic Rock / Old School Rap and Hip-Hop / Contemporary CountryOverall, this is just what you’d expect from the creators of the AMG online database: exhaustive in its approach and attempts to give readers an understanding of the bigger picture. [7 May 2008] 
Cherry Ghost: Thirst for RomanceAre Cherry Ghost "Oprah-friendly losers" aping Wilco, or something more? [29 April 2008] 
Elbow: The Seldom Seen KidElbow has once again proved that it’s a band that’s looking forward and doing things in its own inimitable way. [23 April 2008] 
Yip-Yip: Two Kings of the Same KingdomI imagine dancing to this stuff in a warehouse somewhere with a bunch of other sweaty hipsters could be immensely fun. [21 April 2008] 
Richard Swift: Richard Swift as OnassisWhile this collection's substance is mostly tangential, it would be unfair to deem it a complete misstep artistically. [9 April 2008] 
Band Marino: The Sea & The BeastBand Marino has served up a slab of infectious and sunny folk pop. [3 April 2008] 
Karl Blau: AMA concept record based upon the poems of writer A.A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh), Karl Blau’s AM could be the soundtrack to a sepia-tone sweep of sublime countryside. [18 March 2008] 
Imaad Wasif and Two Part Beast: Strange HexesImaad Wasif and Two Part Beast conjure up a parade of influences from rock's history, but can barely pull themselves out of the muck. [17 March 2008] 
The Two Man Gentlemen Band: Heavy PettingHeavy Petting’s success lies in its being a refreshingly crude batch of Americana that buzzes with enough overtly intellectual humor and raucous energy to make even the coldest of hipsters crack a smile. [28 February 2008] 
Klaus Nomi: Za BakdazReleased a quarter century after Klaus Nomi's death, Za Bakdaz reveals an artistic talent that far exceeded the bounds of obscure cult status. [7 February 2008] |
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