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Sean PadillaReviews
Leila: Blood, Looms and BloomsAfter an eight-year absence, Björk's right-hand woman returns with an excellent album that tweaks the down-tempo trip-hop of yore just enough to avoid becoming anachronistic. [4 August 2008] SwervedriverReturning from a nine-year hiatus, Swervedriver fused the ethereal textures of shoegaze with the heavy riffs and hard rhythms of grunge and came close to replicating the densely layered arrangements found on their records. [28 July 2008] 
When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth: Not NoiiceWith two drummers, two shredders and two screamers, Austin noise-rock band gives listeners double the migraines, double the fun! [18 July 2008] Grupo FantasmaWith a blockbuster live show, a stunning new album, and the endorsement of one of this era's greatest musicians, Grupo Fantasma are closer than ever to becoming a household name. [15 July 2008] The BellRaysVocalist Lisa Kekaula controlled the music with a voice as full-bodied as her afro, and prowled around the stage as if she was scanning the audience for prey. "I know this is a Monday night," she said, "but I need you to act like it's Friday night! I've come to give you EVERYTHING, but you're gonna have to give something back to me! I've got a job to do, but so do you...and YOU CLOCKED IN WHEN YOU WALKED IN!!!" [11 July 2008] 
Sarandon: Kill Twee Pop!This English trio's caffeinated, catchy tunes that tell terse tales of loneliness, jealousy and embarrassment; fans of the Minutemen and the Futureheads should rejoice! [10 July 2008] SnowdenNow that the "dance-punk" sound has begun to fall out of favor, I was finally about to get beyond the trendiness of Snowden's music, and appreciate them for the excellent songwriters and musicians that they truly are. [2 July 2008] 
Boo and Boo Too: Boo and Boo TooOn its most recent EP, Lawrence, KS band relives the messy, noisy glory days of mid-'90s indie-rock. [25 June 2008] 
Free Kitten: InheritAfter an 11-year hiatus, this noise-rock supergroup has finally made an album that's worth listening to for reasons other than the members' collective pedigree. [19 June 2008] 
Joan of Arc: Boo! HumanAlbum number 10 from Tim Kinsella's most prolific and polarizing band is a solid return to form(lessness). [28 May 2008] 
Ahleuchatistas: The Same and the OtherPolitically-charged math-rockers' second album gets a John Zorn-approved reissue; for better or worse, time hasn't softened the music one bit. [23 May 2008] 
Auburn Lull: Begin Civil TwilightMichigan group's third album fuses the soothing texture of shoegaze with the deep bass and negative space of dub. It's sonic Calgon: let it take you away! [22 May 2008] 
What Made Milwaukee Famous: What Doesn’t Kill UsAustin alt-rock upstarts disappoint with a derivative, didactic second album that lacks the strong hooks of their debut. [21 May 2008] 
New Bloods: The Secret LifeA perfect fit for the Kill Rock Stars label, this Pan-African feminist baroque punk trio shows staggering promise on its debut album. [6 May 2008] 
Pegasuses-XL: The AntiphonA grab-bag of ideas that don't ever coalesce into a whole. [14 April 2008] 
Singer: UnhistoriesChicago post-rock supergroup releases a debut album that sounds like all of their previous bands at once...which isn't necessarily a good thing. [25 March 2008] 
Evangelista: Hello, VoyagerWith the help of her new band Evangelista, sonic nomad Carla Bozulich releases a diverse album that ranks among her best. Fire and brimstone has rarely sounded this good! [12 March 2008] 
The Weird Weeds: I Miss ThisThe best experimental rock band in Austin releases its third album, a comparatively streamlined effort that addresses matters of the heart with characteristic terseness and subtlety. [6 March 2008] 
Various Artists: Box of Dub 2: Dubstep and Future DubThere's much more to dubstep than just Burial. This compilation is a great entry point into one of electronic music's most interesting subgenres. [21 February 2008] 
Cryptacize: Dig That TreasureChris Cohen's new band distinguishes itself from his previous bands (Deerhoof, the Curtains) through sweetness and simplicity. [19 February 2008] 
Kirsten Ketsjer: Ffffoo K TsscchA refreshing burst of unrestrained creativity from a band whose talent exceeds their weirdness. [5 February 2008] 
Beatnik Filmstars: Shenaniganism (Tape Hiss and Other ImperfectionsThe shadow of the Fall still looms largely over the Filmstars. [31 January 2008] |
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