Winston Kung

Reviews

Sam Roberts: Chemical City

By Winston Kung

Take Dylan's scratchy vocals, channel it through Springsteen's pop grandeur, and throw some of Lennon's psychedelia on for good measure... but Chemical City still manages to disappoint with those ingredients. [23 August 2006]

Catch 22: Permanent Revolution

By Winston Kung

Catch 22 sticks to their strengths, and Permanent Revolution is an unchallenging but satisfying effort that bounces back nicely from their last disappointment -- and manages to educate listeners about Leon Trotsky in the process. [16 August 2006]

The Format: Dog Problems

By Winston Kung

Dog Problems sounds like Disney on crack -- which makes for one of the best albums of the summer. [15 August 2006]

Agent Sparks: Red Rover

By Winston Kung

"This is only going to break my heart," Agent Sparks singer Stephanie Eitel sings on "Mr. Insecurity". And that's exactly what this mediocre album is going to do with expectant indie fans. [17 July 2006]

Thursday: A City By the Light Divided

By Winston Kung

Thursday makes a return with a melodic tour de force that's barely held back from emocore classic status. Not bad for a band that was about to break up before recording. [20 June 2006]

Venice is Sinking: Sorry About the Flowers

By Winston Kung

Venice is Sinking strikes a perfect blend of honest, lush orchestral songcraft that's sadly missing from today's self-conscious music scene.

Magical Power Mako: Super Record

By Winston Kung

Japanese experimental-rock trio re-releases their groundbreaking album after thirty years. Its creativity still holds up strongly, though a little more songwriting focus wouldn't have hurt. [25 May 2006]

The Stills: Without Feathers

By Winston Kung

The "Canadian Interpol" significantly changes their sound. Reinventions rarely come as uninspiring as this. [10 May 2006]

Daniel Powter: Daniel Powter

By Winston Kung

The newest singer-songwriter star's debut is pop without apologies, and very skillful pop at that. [26 April 2006]

Hawthorne Heights: If Only You Were Lonely

By Winston Kung

Finally -- an emo-punk album that realizes choruses and hooks are important, too! [21 April 2006]

Matchbook Romance: Voices

By Winston Kung

Emo-punk band reinvents themselves into moody, orchestral rock, and it works -- for the most part. [17 April 2006]

The Panic Division: Versus

By Winston Kung

Panic! at the Disco meets Kid A Radiohead? Strange as that sounds, the Panic Division's debut breathes fresh air into a genre that desperately needs it. [28 March 2006]

State Radio: Us Against the Crown

By Winston Kung

Former Dispatch member Chad Stokes resurrects the passion of The Clash and Bob Marley for the modern Bush era in his band's terrific reggae-rock debut. [17 March 2006]

The Its!: The Its!

By Winston Kung

The Its! The Its! The Its! Their name alone is ridiculously bouncy and fun, and so is their debut. [9 March 2006]

LunarTheory: LunarTheory

By Winston Kung

Canadian indie music that isn't much more exciting than the Canadian daily news. [2 March 2006]

Slow Runner: No Disassemble

By Winston Kung

Slow Runner releases their debut lo-fi pop album, showing the musical chops to rival Postal Service but stumbling a bit on overwrought lyrics. We can do without the 'melted chocolate'. [27 February 2006]

Downtown Singapore: Don’t Let Your Guard Down

By Winston Kung

Doctor? Yes, it’s about patient Downtown Singapore. I’m not sure yet, but their debut seems to display a terminal lack of hooks. [23 February 2006]