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Zack AdcockFeatures
Yodeling for SlugWhile it might not make perfect sense right off the bat, Slug and Murs have made a good fit with their new rock label and artists Vox Vermillion. [1 January 1995] A Matter of Balance: An Interview With Richard SwiftHas pop music lost its soul? Is excellence accidental? Richard Swift on the cons of modernity. Come on Feel the Distraction, or, The Original Balladeer, or, The Architecture of Musical FictionSufjan Stevens explains how he got sidetracked into this whole music thing and lets us know what he really likes. Playing Tight and Thinking Freely: Interpreting DungenDungen's Gustav Ejstes on improvisation, the language barrier, power trios, and the importance of taking it easy. Shredding to the Tune of a Bleeding HeartAmerican Minor may have found a nurturing scene in its adopted hometown of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, but as vocalist Rob McCutcheon explains, the band still fights routine pigeonholing. Reviews
Hayden: In Field & TownHayden Desser’s recipe for artistic success: He knows what is necessary and when it’s so. Throughout the entirety of In Field and Town, everything is completely necessary and nothing is extravagant. [16 May 2008] 
The Warlocks: Heavy Deavy Skull LoverLA psych masters show us who's boss on their fourth LP. [3 March 2008] 
Instruments of Science & Technology: Music from the Films of R/SwiftRichard Swift is an ideal when it comes to our modern definition of artist: comfortable in many mediums and unafraid to experiment. [31 January 2008] 
Emma Pollock: Watch The FireworksThe Delgados founder, Emma Pollock, shows an uncanny knack for the swelling pop epic. [14 November 2007] 
Giant Bear: Giant BearMemphis, Tennessee's Giant Bear both laments country music yet works largely within its conventions, a paradoxical form that’s familiar to fans of Bobby Bare Jr. and the Drive-By Truckers. [11 October 2007] 
Watermelon Slim and the Workers: Watermelon Slim and the WorkersAnother gem of an album from one of the most exciting blues artists to come along in years. [8 September 2006] 
Jeffrey Foucault: Ghost RepeaterJeffrey Foucault is the kind of songwriter who works within tradition and furthers it in a simultaneous moment, a true glimpse into the future of folk music. [3 August 2006] 
Secret Machines: Ten Silver DropsA huge step for a band destined to make an album of beginning-to-end psychedelic space-rock perfection. [17 May 2006] 
The Like Young: Last SecretsChicago's the Like Young buries hatchets, sings songs, and sounds fresh, pulling away from the stripped garage sound and heading into a thicker, more complicated version of the future. [9 May 2006] 
The Appleseed Cast: PeregrineProving once again to be Lawrence's finest, the Appleseed Cast synthesizes its parts and finds itself on the album that saved the band from a too-early demise. [3 April 2006] 
Oranger: New Comes and GoesOranger wants to be a constant, a monolith of rock 'n' roll that shows its contemporaries there is a zone of comfort and consistency that does not require boredom or downsizing. [12 December 2005] 
Okkervil River: Black Sheep Boy AppendixAustin folkies spin their dark pop web further into the depths with a mini-album, using recent B-sides as a jumping-off point, that rivals this band-on-the-rise's most solid efforts to date. [28 November 2005] 
Hondo: Special Collector’s Edition / McLintock!: Authentic Collector’s Edition (1953)As pointed out in a making-of featurette, John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara had such 'chemistry' in their films together that moviegoers took them to be a real-life couple. [15 November 2005] Cat Power + Dexter RomweberOn an 'off' night Chan Marshall's antics piss off more people than they win over. But what about an on night? [9 November 2005] 
Vashti Bunyan: LookafteringBunyan emerges from a 35-year musical absence and cracks the 'sophomore slump' straight in the jaw with an updated sound and a brilliant collection of songs. [2 November 2005] 
Jerry Garcia Band: Live at Shoreline 9/1/90 [DVD]Jerry Garcia Band performance for the ages falters in its DVD form. [26 October 2005] 
Wooden Wand & the Vanishing Voice: Buck DharmaBuck Dharma makes such a point to deconstruct every little bit of itself that it forgets to build anything back up in its place. D'oh. Here's to the idea... [24 October 2005] 
Dirty Three: CinderAustralian instrumentalists continue to produce swirling aural waves that meld the tools of classical and folk music together as one big, beautiful sound. [13 October 2005] 
Lil’ Jon & the East Side Boyz: Crunk Juice: Chopped & ScrewedMichael '5000' Watts must've been drunk on crunk juice to chop & screw this record. The result? Watts fails as Crunk Juice's savior, Lil' Jon remains hip-hop's comically tragic puppet. Didn't Kanye just put out an album?" [28 September 2005] 
The Immortal Lee County Killers 3: These Bones Will Rise to Love You AgainAmidst the garage rock mishmash of blues, punk, and rock 'n' roll (on an uncharacteristically spaced-out trip, to boot), IMCK3 show us the blues ain't just a history. [7 September 2005] The Dudley CorporationThe pain of playing to an attentive but small crowd pales in comparison to being hit by an unmanned runaway car. So maybe this was the better part of their day after all... [6 September 2005] Castanets + I Heart LungSaying that it is possible to leave a Castanets show in bewilderment is something of an understatement. [19 July 2005] The Appleseed Cast + Chin Up Chin UpLeft without a label, the Appleseed Cast is touring the country as their own courier, delivering demos to labels across the lower 48. If their live display is any indication of the band's creative stock, someone had better pick these boys up soon. [8 June 2005] Of Montreal + Tilly and the WallSweet teeth breed cavities. But, then, sometimes fillings can be fun. [19 May 2005] The Soundtrack of Our Lives + The Dears + American MinorThe Asshole Magnet: A tale of big rock, Swedish flags and pills for not smoking. [12 April 2005] Drive-By Truckers + Heartless BastardsTonight Champaign became the windy city. But were we blown away or was it just long-winded? Menomena + Pit Er PatMan or machine? On inorganic compositional techniques and a band with many members. [22 March 2005] |
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