about contributors submissions book series advertising contests tour dates Mixed Media PopMatters Picks
|
|
Peter FunkFeatures
The Black Sheep Boys Have ArrivedOkkervil River's Will Sheff might be more petty thief than serial killer, but don't think there's nothing dark lurking. [1 January 1995] Reviews
Mahogany: Connectivity!If you thought that dream-pop was dead, or even sick, Mahogany do their hazy atmospheric best to keep the dream alive. [22 February 2007] 
Trainwreck Riders: Lonely Road RevivalIf you can still remember how great an imperfect country/rock record made by a band dripping with potential and energy can be, then Lonely Road Revival is a refreshing slap in the face. [18 December 2006] 
Russian Circles: EnterA massively heavy instrumental album that packs more sonic oomph into one song than most bands can muster in a career [18 September 2006] 
Persephones Bees: Notes from the UndergroundA sugared pop rock (the musical genre not the exploding candy) confection of a major label debut for a quirky band fronted by a beautiful voice. [15 September 2006] 
Midlake: The Trials of Van OccupantherIs it a concept album? Is it a rock opera? It doesn't matter because ultimately this is one of the best albums of 2006. [1 August 2006] 
Irving: Death in the Garden Blood on the FlowersAn album full of worthy successors to the pop rock legacy of The Cars. All in all, a pitch perfect soundtrack to summer. [26 June 2006] 
Mojave 3: Puzzles Like YouMojave 3 sheds some of their signature weepy melancholy for an album more pop than country. [15 June 2006] 
Enablers: Output Negative SpaceA muscular, adventurous rock record that grits its teeth, sticks a finger in your face and dares you to notice that the vocalist isn't singing. [9 June 2006] 
The Court and Spark: HeartsYet another set of songs in the key of moody California Americana from a band that decided not to stray too far from the comforts of formula. [26 May 2006] 
The Moore Brothers: Murdered by the Moore BrothersStaying closely aligned with the guitar and vocal style of their forebears serves the Moore Brothers well on their latest album of pure folk pop songs. [14 April 2006] 
Centro-matic: Fort RecoveryIn the 10th year of Centro-matic's illustrious career the Denton, TX band gives us their finest outing to date. It is what Centro-matic has always been capable of and the band absolutely nails it. [15 March 2006] 
Charlemagne: Detour AllureSadly missing on most best of 2005 lists it may not be cutting edge but it is so well done that it deserves some recognition as indie pop done right. [10 March 2006] 
Field Notes: Color of SunshineAn up and down record that alternately excites and disappoints. [6 February 2006] 
East River Pipe: What Are You On?A druggy set of songs crammed with unfulfilled potential. [24 January 2006] 
Paul Duncan: Be Careful What You Call HomeAn album that walks a tightrope between melody and off kilter experimentation with satisfying results and unexpected success. [19 January 2006] 
Matt Pond PA: Several Arrows LaterA middle of the road batch of well-constructed pop songs that will disappear in a puff of musical notes seconds after they're played. [21 November 2005] 
Harvey Danger: Little by LittleThe band that gave us a ubiquitous late '90s hit (which we shall not name) returns with a piano heavy album of clever, literate pop songs. [2 November 2005] 
Metric: Live It OutOn their second album Metric sounds a bit ticked off at the world. Can you blame them?" [24 October 2005] 
Marah: If You Didn’t Laugh You’d CryThe kids in Philly are back with their most assured, fun and engaging slab of urbanized heartland rock since, well, Kids in Philly. [20 October 2005] 
dios (malos): dios (malos)Hawthorne, California's dios (malos) create a rich set of pop songs, but leave their hijinks and quirks behind due to producer Phil Ek's indie-pop knob twiddling. [18 October 2005] 
Minus Story: No Rest For GhostsLawrence, Kansas locals make good on the promise of their last EP. Really good. [13 October 2005] 
Madness: The Dangermen Sessions Vol. 1The Nutty Boys do more than trot out rubbish in an effort to make some easy coin, they give us a record worth listening to and a reminder of why we loved them in the first place. [12 October 2005] 
California Oranges: SouvenirsIt's been a long time since power pop has sounded like this much fun. Y'all will have to excuse me for a moment; I've got to bounce up and down to this record for a while. [28 September 2005] 
Son Volt: A Retrospective: 1995-2000A look back at why Son Volt was so essential at one time, and a bit of insight into why Jay Farrar has not been since their parting. [15 August 2005] 
Faris Nourallah: King of SwedenAn assured solo outing from one half of the Nourallah Brothers. The potential for greatness is here. [10 August 2005] 
Morning Spy: The Silver AgeA fine record with loud echoes of other fine bands and records. If they're not careful someone might accuse them of something untoward. [6 July 2005] 
Full White Drag: Everything Will Fall on One NightA strong EP of blistering indie rock from a band that's figuring out how to do it right. [30 June 2005] 
Anders Parker: The Wounded Astronaut [EP]Six songs that didn't quite make the cut on Tell It to the Dust because they were too loud. And this from the guy behind Varnaline?" [16 June 2005] 
Adam Richman: Patience and ScienceA record so bland that it almost reaches new levels of disposability. I'm sure someone will like it. [3 June 2005] 
Loquat: It’s Yours to KeepA silky smooth collection of lite jazz beats that practically disappears with repeated listening. [1 June 2005] 
Minus Story: Heaven and HellNoted purveyors of trademark 'wall of crap' sound tone things down a bit, bringing a welcome restraint to this 5-song outing. [12 May 2005] 
Okay: High Road / Low RoadFrom out of a closed room comes two albums of blissful pop songs hiding a struggling heart. [3 May 2005] 
The Mountain Goats: The Sunset TreeJohn Darnielle tears into his past and paws through the bloody remains, creating a powerful set of songs from the viscera. [18 April 2005] 
Micah P. Hinson: And the Gospel of ProgressTalented singer/songwriter gives us his addition to the annals of the break-up album. [12 April 2005] 
Akron/Family: Akron/FamilyThe latest arrival to the burgeoning freak-folk movement makes a strong case against the easy labeling that will eventually come. [23 March 2005] 
Joy Zipper: American WhipThis is an album of conflicted tunes that tease the listener with pure pop melodies subverted by gallows humor. [24 February 2005] 
Andrew Bird: The Mysterious Production of EggsClassical violinist and top notch whistler creates an album of timeless pop music. [14 February 2005] 
The Chris Stamey Experience: A Question of TemperatureOne of the founding fathers of indie rock shows he can teach the kids a thing or two. [7 February 2005] 
Frog Holler: The High High’s & The Low Low’sA between albums EP to tide over fans of Frog Holler's countrified rock. This time the guitars are turned up loud. [28 January 2005] 
Collections of Colonies of Bees: CustomerIt's a fascinating discourse on the melding of organic and electronic sounds. [14 January 2005] 
Aloha: Here Comes EveryoneAloha take the technical precision of their odd time signatures, virtuoso playing and love of jazz, tempering the whole mix with a new found dedication to hook and melody. [12 January 2005] |
Now on PopMatters
Columns
Moving Pixels: Parent-Child Bonding: Video Games that Bridge the Generation Gap The Rockist: Metal, Back from Purgatory
Blogs
Short Ends and Leader: Mamma Mia! - The Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, More Gift Set (2008): Blu-ray Marginal Utility: A Quick Theory of the Self
Music
:. Say Anything: Say Anything :. Wolfmother: Cosmic Egg :. The Swell Season: Strict Joy :. Neon Indian: Psychic Chasms :. Karen O and the Kids: Where The Wild Things Are :. Slaraffenland: We’re on Your Side :. Gloria Jones: Share My Love
Film
:. The Men Who Stare at Goats :. Endgame :. The Fourth Kind :. Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire :. Disney’s A Christmas Carol :. Gentlemen Broncos
DVDs
:. Adult Swim in a Box :. The 39 Steps :. Planes, Trains and Automobiles (Those Aren’t Pillows Edition)
News
:. Craig Ferguson’s autobiography is a testimony to America’s eternal appeal to immigrants :. INTERVIEW:Jeff Bridges abides, and works like crazy :. Roland Emmerich’s latest big-budget doomsday extravaganza is his ‘darkest film’ to date :. INTERVIEW:Hit repeat with Steely Dan and ‘Aja’ :. INTERVIEW:Lily Tomlin has had an extraordinary career being ordinary :. Film changes student’s course: ‘Precious’ star pursuing acting
|
