Emily Tartanella

Reviews

The Cribs: Ignore the Ignorant

Ignore the Ignorant might be a technically better album than earlier Cribs efforts, but it’s a hell of lot less fun. [11 November 2009]

The Raveonettes: In and Out of Control

The Raveonettes aren’t reinventing their formula with In and Out of Control, but with pop this lovely, they shouldn’t expect to hear any complaints. [6 October 2009]

The Queen Killing Kings: Tidal Eyes

The Queen Killing Kings have a lot of time to perfect its sound, and the band will need it. [28 September 2009]

Vivian Girls: Everything Goes Wrong

What Vivian Girls do, they do quite well. The problem is that 37 minutes of essentially the same song starts to feel rather exhausting. [4 September 2009]

The Hold Steady: 24 July 2009 - Sayreville, NJ

A Hold Steady performance requires the commitment of the audience -- pumping their fists at the right moments, or shouting out choruses that Craig Finn pretends to have forgotten. [3 September 2009]

Ladyhawke: Ladyhawke (Special Edition)

Does Ladyhawke hold up now that the Nu-new wave revival is almost at its end? [1 September 2009]

The Tree People: Human Voices

While the Tree People might have influenced modern luminaries like Sufjan Stevens and Band of Horses, this reissue is for die-hard folk fans only. [27 August 2009]

Ian Adams: Stay Up Late

The dramatic touch of Stay Up Late just might help this local hero make it to the major leagues. [26 August 2009]

Arctic Monkeys: Humbug

Humbug is a dark, ambitious album that sounds as comfortable in the coffee lounge as in the mosh pit. [24 August 2009]

Jay Reatard: Watch Me Fall

After stints with the Reatards and Lost Souls, Reatard is something of a seasoned pro, but he still sounds delighted by the newness of the music he’s making. [13 August 2009]

Robert Cray: This Time

Those looking for a solid, soul-tinged set of songs will enjoy this set. Those asking for something more will be disappointed. [11 August 2009]

Gossip: Music for Men

By turning to a tired sound without bringing any new ideas, Gossip risk losing what made them so unique in the first place. [27 July 2009]

Girl in a Coma: Trio B.C.

Despite the Smithsian title, Girl in a Coma isn't likely to be found at the altar of Oscar Wilde, gladioli in hand. It is here for the beat. [24 July 2009]

Bloc Party: Intimacy Remixed

Intimacy Remixed feels like an unnecessary album for a band that always wanted to be essential. [16 July 2009]

Florence and the Machine: Lungs

Florence and the Machine deliver a stunning debut in the wake of overwhelming expectations. [7 July 2009]

Trespassers William: The Natural Order of Things

The second EP and fifth release from Seattle’s Trespassers William doesn’t mess with their time-tested formula. [18 June 2009]

The Lightning Seeds: Four Winds

Four Winds has its charms, but after a long period without new music from Ian Broudie, it’s not quite the return-to-form we’ve the right to expect. [15 June 2009]

The Features: Some Kind of Salvation

The Features' brand of Southern rock with a British twist was really just ahead of its time. [10 June 2009]

Trembling Bells: Carbeth

Trembling Bells aim to bring the music of the Incredible String Band and Fairport Convention into the new millennium. [4 June 2009]

Various Artists: Chicago Blues: A Living History

Full of smooth harmonica and piano-driven blues, Chicago Blues both captures the musical spirit of the city and traces its development through the past 50 years. [3 June 2009]

Chairlift: Does You Inspire You?

It’s that very important time in every young band’s life: when they’ve got to prove that they’re worth the buzz. [14 May 2009]

The Horrors: Primary Colours

The Horrors aren’t going to win over any new fans with their change in direction. But the die-hards just might be rewarded for their patience. [5 May 2009]

Pansy Division: That’s So Gay

They’re certainly not teenagers anymore, but by staying naughty, giddy, and perfectly poppy, it’s clear that Pansy Division aren’t going anywhere. [27 April 2009]

Blogs

Mixed Media: Chairlift - “Bruises” (video) [5 June 2009]