'Closer Than Together' Is Up and Down for the Avett Brothers
The good outweighs the not so good on the Avett Brothers' Closer Than Together, but not by a lot. Is it time for producer Rick Rubin to move on?
14 Oct 2019
Chris Conaton
Chris Conaton graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Michigan State University. After bouncing around in several different music teaching jobs as well as a stint working at Lowe's in Michigan, he moved to Houston, Texas. He now teaches elementary school music in suburban Houston. Aside from a couple of minor freelance gigs and keeping a blog specifically for writing reviews, PopMatters is his first regular writing gig.
Recent
Lightning Bolt Are Back and As Loud as Ever on 'Sonic Citadel'
Lightning Bolt's Sonic Citadel is both punishingly noisy and, at times, surprisingly tuneful. People who are on Lightning Bolt's exceedingly loud, improvisational vibe will find plenty to like here.
07 Oct 2019
The Dead South's 'Sugar and Joy' Is One of 2019's Most Entertaining Albums
The Dead South combine bluegrass and string band sounds into one excellent package with Sugar and Joy.
07 Oct 2019
LIFE Are Sardonic and Raw on 'A Picture of Good Health'
Hull, UK punk rockers, LIFE offer stripped down sound and creative arrangements that make A Picture of Good Health a compelling second album.
17 Sep 2019
The Highwomen Is a Supergroup That Packs a Punch
Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, Maren Morris, and Natalie Hemby collaborate on a highly entertaining country album as the Highwomen.
06 Sep 2019
The Hold Steady Return to Form on 'Thrashing Thru the Passion'
The classic rock-inspired Hold Steady sound revitalized on their latest, Thrashing Thru the Passion, with keyboardist Franz Nicolay back and a horn section in tow.
19 Aug 2019
Penny and Sparrow Sprinkle Some R&B on Their Folk Music with 'Finch'
Austin folkies Penny and Sparrow explore low key R&B textures and add a bit of soulful punch to their lovely sound on Finch.
12 Aug 2019
Indie Rockers Spoon Issue a Greatest Hits Collection
Amidst a tour opening for Beck and Cage the Elephant, Spoon will release a greatest hits collection in August that's a wonderful overview of their music.
29 Jul 2019
Imperial Teen Are Masters of Catchy Hooks
Imperial Teen's Now We Are Timeless shows what a veteran band can do when they are locked in together. Highly recommended for fans of the kind of pop-rock that doesn't make the mainstream charts anymore.
22 Jul 2019
Bleached Sneak Up on You with Their Brand of Power Pop
Bleached's Don't You Think You've Had Enough? is a summer record with big sing-along power pop songs that deliver.
15 Jul 2019
Sacred Paws Make Fun and Upbeat Rock Music on 'Run Around the Sun'
Glasgow-based indie poppers Sacred Paws offer up a second album full of brisk, bright songs that draw from several styles, notably Afrobeat and post-punk.
08 Jul 2019
Guitar Wolf Is Still Loud and Fast and Hungry in 'Love and Jett'
Guitar Wolf, Japan's answer to the Ramones, has proudly kept their shtick going for 32 years, and the ravenous pack doesn't let up in their latest, Love and Jett.
25 Jun 2019
Versing's '10,000' Traffics in Indie Rock Blandness
Versing is a Seattle-based band that blends elements of '90s alt-rock, shoegaze, and post-punk into a single bland indie rock sound.
18 Jun 2019
Otoboke Beaver Is Loud, Fast, and Fun on 'Itekoma Hits'
Otoboke Beaver's songs run the punk gamut from raging hardcore to bouncy pop-punk and hit most of the points in between on Itekoma Hits.
10 Jun 2019
Newly Independent, JR JR Continue to Make Fun Indie Indie Pop on 'Invocations/Conversations'
JR JR releases the album Warner Bros. wouldn't release, plus they add on a new second record for their first new music in four years.
30 May 2019
Stubbleman Presents a Post-Rock Road Trip with 'Mountains and Plains'
Veteran electronic artist Stubbleman uses piano, bass, and synths to document America on Mountains and Plains. It's an exceptionally well-realized album.
22 May 2019
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