Hiss Golden Messenger Builds a Sanctuary on ‘Quietly Blowing It’
On Quietly Blowing It, Hiss Golden Messenger brings experienced Appalachian artfulness to provide just the right space to fulfill his vision.
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The Mountain Goats’ Say It’s ‘Dark in Here’
Despite few upbeat songs, the Mountain Goats’ Dark in Here is a well-balanced, entertaining album. John Darnielle’s songwriting is as strong as ever.
Dawn Richard’s ‘Second Line’ Is a Triumphant Tribute to Her Musical Roots
Dawn Richard’s Second Line is a gorgeous record featuring fantastic, strange, esoteric sounds playing with house and club conventions. It’s a pioneering record and easily one of the best of the year.
Teenage Fanclub’s Sunny Fatalism on Display in ‘Endless Arcade’
Indie rock veterans Teenage Fanclub continue inspiring into their fourth decade with their latest album, Endless Arcade.
Teenage Fanclub Discuss New LP ‘Endless Arcade’ and the Danger of Looking Backward
Legendary Scottish indie-poppers Teenage Fanclub discuss their new LP Endless Arcade and why they look forward to their future as a band.
Fruit Bats’ ‘The Pet Parade’ Is a Cure for Winter’s Long Grayness
Fruit Bats bring in some effective collaborators (most notably Bonny Light Horseman buddy Josh Kaufman) for yet another strong album in The Pet Parade, well-timed for its false-spring release as a cure for the grayness of a long winter.
Lambchop’s Kurt Wagner Discusses Their New Covers EP and Pandemic Musical Life
The frontman of "the most fucked-up country band in Nashville" returns Lambchop to their roots on TRIP. Each group member picked a classic song and was bandleader for a day, resulting in a record that reveals Lambchop's core influences in striking new light.
The Mountain Goats Find New Sonic Inspiration on ‘Getting Into Knives’
John Darnielle explores new sounds on his 19th studio album as the Mountain Goats—and creates his best record in years with Getting Into Knives.
Bob Mould Goes Back to the 1980s for the Sound of ‘Blue Hearts’
This year looks a lot like 1984 to Bob Mould and he is most definitely, not happy. Not happy at all. His guitar sounds like it's on fire.
Arcade Fire’s Will Butler Personalizes History on ‘Generations’
Arcade Fire's Will Butler creates bouncy, infectious rhythms and covers them with socially responsible, cerebral lyrics about American life past and present on Generations.
Sneaks’ ‘Happy Birthday’ Begs Us to Reconsider Musical Definitions
Sneaks' Happy Birthday is a worthwhile release for its insistence upon being categorized as music without a category.