Is Ryan Adams’ Music Redeemable?
Whether one will still listen to the work of a musician who has done egregious harm to others is a personal choice. I still listen to Ryan Adams because “Desire” from Demolition is a stirring song I need to hear.
indie rock
Fruit Bats Rest Easy on ‘A River Running to Your Heart’
At their best, Fruit Bats tap into the SoCal world and song tradition of Joni Mitchell, Aimee Mann, and Warren Zevon. This LP has a few of these moments.
We Are Urusei Yatsura: The Oral History
Scottish indie rockers Urusei Yatsura describe their rise from local heroes to John Peel favorites and a debut album setting their ramshackle and delightful vision in sound.
Deerhoof Reach a New Miracle-Level By Daring Themselves
The always-brazen Deerhoof challenged their process for their new album, giving themselves tight deadlines, tough decisions, and singing it all in Japanese.
Wednesday’s ‘Rat Saw God’ Is a Vivid Tapestry of Misery
On Wednesday’s spectacular Rat Saw God, the North Carolina quintet weave a vivid tapestry of misery led by Karly Hartzman’s ekphrastic storytelling.
Deerhoof Endorse Collective Dreaming on ‘Miracle-Level’
Deerhoof’s Miracle-Level explores music’s humanitarian capabilities, expressing a longing for the miraculous and a rejection of the mundane.
Small Tweaks Keep the Hold Steady Engaged on ‘The Price of Progress’
The Price of Progress has all the hallmarks of the Hold Steady but with just enough swerves to keep it interesting. It’s a worthy addition to their catalog.
The New Pornographers Tone Down the Hooks on ‘Continue as a Guest’
Continue As a Guest is a more delicate and less hooky version of the New Pornographers, the most reflective they’ve been since 2007’s underrated Challengers.
The Beths Rock Out at the Fillmore With Infectious Expertise
Indie rockers the Beths have had a most excellent visit to San Francisco, and fans can only hope they’ll be back sooner than later.
Aussie Shoegazers Flyying Colors Brighten Things Up on ‘You Never Know’
Flyying Colors find their sweet spot on You Never Know, augmenting shoegaze’s aching coolness to form a potent and satisfying mix.
Purling Hiss Take the Piss Out of Mainstream Rock on ‘Drag on Girard’
Purling Hiss’ Drag on Girard carries on a long-standing tradition of revisiting and updating the garage rock canon to extend its legacies to the next level.
The Black Watch Mate Britpop Melancholy with California Brightness on ‘Future Strangers’
The Black Watch’s Future Strangers is a collection of Britpop-influenced love-and-loss songs that abound in buoyant musical assurance and well-honed craft.
