Maura McAndrew

Reviews

Nikki Sudden: The Truth Doesnt Matter

This final, posthumously released album sums up Sudden's great rock 'n' roll career with humor and nostalgia. [20 December 2006]

The Winter Blanket: Golden Sun EP

Minneapolis band makes beautiful music, if you can stay awake for it. [27 November 2006]

Cari Lee and the Saddle-ites: Brought To You Via Saddle-ite

Western swing revivalists know how to have fun, but fail to outshine their heroes. [26 October 2006]

Nouvelle Vague: Bande a Part

French Bossa Nova enthusiasts release another batch of reimagined new wave covers. [2 October 2006]

Pony Up!: Make Love to the Judges with your Eyes

Montreal foursome straddles the line between TRL-friendly emo and haunting indie rock. [17 August 2006]

Mountain Con: Sancho Panza

What does the future of rock music sound like? According to these guys, it sounds a lot like Beck. [2 June 2006]

Mary Lees Corvette: Love, Loss, and Lunacy

A promising country-rock album is marred by some lazy lessons from the Sheryl Crow school of rock. [16 May 2006]

Sondre Lerche and the Faces Down Quartet: Duper Sessions

The young Norwegian coasts through this uninspiring jazz record on his charm, but saves his true energy for his next rock record. [30 March 2006]

Sons & Daughters

Sons & Daughters, ABC's new 'wacky family' show can't help but suffer from comparisons to Arrested Development. [14 March 2006]

Rhett Miller: The Believer

Oh, Rhett! Talented Old 97s singer-songwriter finds himself caught up in an overproduced album of pop-by-numbers.

Th’ Faith Healers: The Peel Sessions

This early '90s 'baggy metal' Brit band may not have made it as big as some of their supporting acts, but they sure know how to rock 'n' roll. [24 February 2006]

Sam Champion: Slow Rewind

New York band prove themselves worthy Malkmus-worshipping balladeers, if only they’d ditch the feedback. [14 February 2006]

The Chrysler: Failures and Sparks

Welcome to Sweden, a land where country music sounds like Belle and Sebastian and debut albums have five bonus tracks. [7 February 2006]

The Green Pajamas: 21st Century Séance

Watch out, Bono. While you've been busy in Africa, This Seattle band has been stealing your moody pop. [26 January 2006]

Garfield: Cat Tales (Prime Time Gift Set)

Box set of early prime time specials features America's favorite sarcastic fat cat. [23 December 2005]

Old 97s: Alive and Wired

The sweaty beautiful mess of the Old 97s in concert is finally captured on disc. [9 December 2005]

Halloween, Alaska: Too Tall to Hide

Humble Minneapolis schmoes land on The O.C., add a final nail to the indie rock coffin. [6 December 2005]

The Lucy Show: Mania

Ever heard of 1980s band the Lucy Show? Me neither. Isn't that refreshing?" [5 December 2005]

Edith Frost: It’s a Game

Delicate 1970s songwriting lends indie blandness time-warp appeal. [22 November 2005]

The Rosebuds: Birds Make Good Neighbors

Don't be fooled by delicate packaging: formerly sunny pop-sters' sophomore effort tells tales of insecure love and childhood secrets. [4 November 2005]

Sigur Rós: Takk…

More dreamscapes from Icelandic misfits, but will they get to the rock under the surface?" [26 September 2005]

Dolly Parton: The Essential Dolly Parton

Everyone needs a little Dolly. [15 September 2005]

Donovan: Try For the Sun: The Journey of Donovan

Always-mellow 1960s folkie Donovan is given true hero status, quite rightly. [14 September 2005]

The Dandy Warhols: Odditorium or Warlords of Mars

Dandies take a little snooze: band smirks their way through another sloppy psychedelic pop-fest. [9 September 2005]

Rinaldi Sings: What’s It All About?

Britain's new bubblegum soul man croons his way to the top. But will we all go into sugar shock?" [7 September 2005]

Motion Pictures: Motion Pictures

Bring summer to a bittersweet close with this darkly beautiful album from the Isle of Wight. [29 August 2005]

The Backdoor Men: Sodra Esplanaden 3

A look at the short career of 1980s Swedish garage rock mods shows they were dedicated followers of fashion. [27 July 2005]

Backstreet Boys: Never Gone

Backstreet's back, with sleeker suits and more ridiculous hats. [13 July 2005]