Kai Jones

Features

Against the Grain: An Interview With Portishead

After ten years in the wilderness, Portishead have returned, and they’re just as uncompromising, challenging, and vital as ever. [3 June 2008]

Reviews

Cineplexx: Picnic

You shouldn't need more convincing of the quality of Picnic than the knowledge that Cineplexx is joined by Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub and members of Jad Fair and BMX Bandits. [21 August 2008]

Dream Bitches: Coke and Spiriters

Infectious retro-pop which owes as much to the wordy lyricism of Kimya Dawson as to the intertwined harmonies of Sleater-Kinney. [18 August 2008]

The Hold Steady: Stay Positive

If there's a nagging conviction behind Stay Positive, it's a constant refusal to be pinned down on E Street, revealing a toxic indulgence to revel in the spit and swagger of the punk side of town. [15 July 2008]

Ellen Allien: Sool

If minimalism is taking back the beat from techno and drawing it out into one long intoxicating rhythm, Sool's purpose is to free the composition from the beat altogether. [9 July 2008]

Strangers Die Every Day: Aperture for Departure

Building crescendos, impressive movements that ark and fall -- this is an impressive debut of distinct, gothic, chamber music. [27 May 2008]

The Rational Academy: A Heart Against Your Own

The Rational Academy's promise is in their ability to craft sweet, tender, pop music with absorbing stories about past regrets and misdemeanours. [21 May 2008]

The Diggs: Ctrl-Alt-Del

Super-fuzz guitars and skyscraping early '90s anthemia. [19 May 2008]

Camille: Music Hole

Infectious, irreverent and playful, Camille's vocal dexterity is more compelling than her comedy. [9 May 2008]

Gwilym Morus: Word on the Border

The rich consonants of the Welsh language work so well with his voice, wrapping themselves around the warm melodies. [6 May 2008]

The Terrordactyls: Mike Bowers

A sweet collection of toy piano, swaying anti-folk, and wispy vocals. [28 April 2008]

The Teenagers: Reality Check

Sex, Love, Party, Vodka, Summer, Puberty, Red Bull. The Teenagers spray their fantasies over an impressive debut of electro-filth-pop. [18 April 2008]

The Kills: Midnight Boom

The Kills' latest shows a maturity that defies its limitations, yet crucially doesn't dispel with the rich swagger and sass that gives the Kills their intensity. [17 March 2008]