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Craig CarsonReviews
Annie: Don’t StopDon't Stop exudes polish, depth, and the sense that Annie is moving confidently forward as a pop artist of the first order. [18 November 2009] 
The Octopus Project: Golden Beds EPThe Austin, Texas band throws some vocals and visuals into the mix on its latest EP. [17 November 2009] 
Experimental Dental School: Forest FieldForest Field feels refreshingly organic -- as brutal and beautiful as nature itself. [11 November 2009] 
Morrissey: SwordsMorrissey's uneasy expression on the cover notwithstanding, Swords is a worthy collection of 18 b-sides from his last three studio albums. [4 November 2009] 
Sparks: The Seduction of Ingmar BergmanWho else but Sparks could create a half-English, half-Swedish musical about Ingmar Bergman's fictional, fantastical journey to Hollywood... and still make it good? [23 October 2009] 
Islands: VapoursIslands dials back the excess just like you like it, you damn hipster rube. [22 October 2009] 
The Velvet Underground: An Illustrated History of a Walk on the Wild Side by Jim DeRogatisGreat visuals aside, this collection is hit-and-miss. Like any textual description of music that falls short of actually hearing it, the words can't keep up with the images. [19 October 2009] 
Various Artists: Vile Vinyl Vol. 1: Rare, Wild, Primitive Mid-Sixties GarageVile Vinyl Vol. 1: Rare, Wild, Primitive Mid-Sixties Garage rescues some passionate garage rock from history's dustbin. [18 October 2009] 
Mission of Burma: The Sound the Speed the LightAmerican treasure Mission of Burma remain solid, if slightly unspectacular on The Sound the Speed the Light. [15 October 2009] 
Like a Stuntman: Original Bedouin CultureBy varying their gait and direction, Germany's Like a Stuntman have created a patient, entertaining, and ultimately distinctive album. [14 October 2009] 
The Feelies: Crazy Rhythms / The Good EarthThe Feelies take their rightful place amongst the pantheon of American underground greats with the welcome re-releases of Crazy Rhythms and The Good Earth. [23 September 2009] 
The Pastels / Tenniscoats: Two SunsetsSeemingly against the odds, the slow romance of the Pastels and Tenniscoats births a truly cohesive and purposeful album that belies its casual beginnings. [21 September 2009] 
Yo La Tengo: Popular SongsYo La Tengo's Popular Songs: Recommended for all weather types, day or night. [9 September 2009] 
39 Clocks: Pain It DarkIt took 28 years for the music of 39 Clocks to emerge from the shadows, but thankfully, it has. [16 August 2009] 
Wentworth Kersey: (O)(O), the second of three EPs promised from Denver's Wentworth Kersey, finds the duo upping the atmospheric ante while maintaining a strong songwriting perspective. [13 August 2009] 
Bricolage: BricolageThe eponymous debut from Bricolage begins and ends an overly familiar story. [28 July 2009] 
David Bowie: VH1 StorytellersDavid Bowie's VH1 Storytellers tells a sad tale: our hero lamentably mines adult contemporary territory while a former label looks for an easy payday. [15 July 2009] 
Tiny Masters of Today: SkeletonsTiny Masters of Today haven't yet reached high school but are still cooler than you ever were. [17 June 2009] 
Iggy Pop: PréliminairesJacques Brel, Georges Brassens, Édith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Léo Ferré, Serge Gainsbourg, and… Iggy Pop? [5 June 2009] 
Grateful Dead: To Terrapin: Hartford, ‘77This release won't convert the non-believer, but pristine sound quality and an enthusiastic performance make it a worthy, if somewhat unnecessary, addition to the band's legacy. [4 June 2009] 
New Ruins: We Make Our Own Bad LuckAlthough the second release from New Ruins has some very strong moments, it suffers a bit from an identity crisis. [30 April 2009] 
Emeralds: What HappenedThe majestic and carefully considered playing on What Happened finds Emeralds working as one to produce a solid collection of electronic landscapes. [20 April 2009] 
Talk Normal: Secret CogTalk Normal massage your brain like sandpaper. But it feels so right. [30 March 2009] 
Brian Kremer: Climbing the VineBrian Kremer mixes a rich personal history and a stellar supporting cast on his assured debut Climbing the Vine. [6 March 2009] 
Wentworth Kersey: OColorado's Wentworth Kersey provide an ideal soundtrack to the disintegration of the American Dream on their EP O. [3 March 2009] 
The Lemurs: Million Little BitsAlthough the debut EP from the Lemurs is sharply produced and polished, it ultimately stands as an uninspiring mish-mash of forced styles. [9 February 2009] 
Cut Off Your Hands: You and IYou and I may be derivative, but at least Cut Off Your Hands steal from the best. [2 February 2009] 
Sonny Rollins: Road Shows, Vol. 1Given the dearth of material Sonny Rollins had to choose from and his sharp attention to quality, Road Shows, Vol. 1 represents some of the best music the saxophone colossus has released to date, which should come as no surprise. [19 January 2009] 
The Miles Davis All-Stars: Broadcast Sessions 1958-59Broadcast Sessions 1958-1959 stands as an evocative time capsule of Miles Davis and a stellar collection of musicians pushing jazz into a new realm. [17 December 2008] 
Anathallo: Canopy GlowAlthough a step forward, Anathallo can't shake the Sufjan Stevens comparisons on Canopy Glow. [8 December 2008] 
Tony Bennett: A Swingin’ ChristmasTony Bennett releases his first holiday album in 40 years and it's worthy of becoming a holiday staple. [4 December 2008] 
Dark Captain Light Captain: Miracle KickerLondon's Dark Captain Light Captain bring a consistent, conflicted mix of textures and emotions on their fine debut LP. 
Alaska in Winter: HolidayAlthough atmospherically consistent and occasionally beautiful, Alaska in Winter's globe-hopping Holiday isn't the most memorable. [20 November 2008] 
Pillow Queens: KookoolegitPlaying against the trends of their famous city's scene, this joyous, surreal, garage-meets-slacker-rock Austin band just wants you to have fun. [10 November 2008] 
Lou Reed: Berlin: Live at St. Ann’s WarehouseLou Reed's Berlin is a classic. Lou Reed's Berlin: Live at St. Ann's Warehouse is not. [3 November 2008] |
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