Tag: album review
Courtney Barnett Gets Real on ‘Tell Me How You Really Feel’
The start of Courtney Barnett’s sophomore album, Tell Me How You Really Feel, sets the scene for the chaotic, emotional turmoil to come with the words, “Take your broken heart / turn it into art.” While this first track, “Hopefulessness,” seems to drone on upon first listen, with its slow rhythm and monotonous vocals, it later becomes…
Meet The Next Generation of Athens, GA Music Scene
Boasting R.E.M., the B-52’s, and the Drive-By Truckers, it’s no secret that the Athens, GA music scene has a rich history. The Music Business Program housed within the University of Georgia—just steps from downtown Athens—is continuing this tradition, now raising much of the next generation of this local scene. “We try to take people from a standpoint…
The Voidz: ‘Virtue’
How does Julian Casablancas want to be remembered? It’s been 17 years since the release of The Strokes‘ Is This It, and I think Julian is finally a little tired of being a Stroke. I never thought that I could have typed this sentence, but I also didn’t ever expect to be this taken aback by a new VOIDZ album. I…
Decemberists: ‘I’ll Be Your Girl’
Veteran indie rockers The Decemberists, helmed by frontman Colin Meloy, officially released their eighth full-length album I’ll Be Your Girl on March 16th, and while it showcases Meloy’s enchanting vibrato and occasionally conjures a vaguely maritime aesthetic, it veers off-course of traditional Decemberists material in most ways. The band utilizes milky, spacey synths on several…
Nap Eyes: ‘ I’m Bad Now ‘
Upon first listen, Nova Scotia, Canada natives Nap Eyes‘ I’m Bad Now felt like nothing but a snarky stoner’s revelry. Too zonked or tired out to outgrow the comfortable Loaded era Velvet Underground, Nashville or SoCal instrumental trappings, the album on first listen quite frankly felt very flat. Oh, how wrong I was. Like an unglazed clay pot…
Review: Blaenavon – ‘That’s Your Lot’
Today is a good day, because 1) it’s the weekend—TGIf, folks—and 2) Hampshire, England-based Blaenavon is dropping their debut album. That’s Your Lot, via Transgressive and Canvasback, is produced by Jim Abbiss (Arctic Monkeys, Adele) and is five years in the making. Blaenavon released a few EPs after their very first single “Into The Night” hit ears all the…
Review: Tei Shi – ‘Crawl Space’
As improvements in technology have expanded musical possibilities and resulted in a surge of experimental music, it can be difficult for an artist to differentiate themselves in such an extensive landscape. For Grimes-approved new wave pop artist Tei Shi–real name Valerie Teicher–this isn’t an issue. Born in Argentina, the 26-year-old singer-songwriter and producer makes music…
Review: Drew Beskin – ‘Cha-Ching Machine’
Drew Beskin has worn many hats. He’s been the frontman for the bands The District Attorneys, Party Dolls and PURSES, which have spanned Atlanta and Athens venues such as Smith’s Olde Bar and the Caledonia Lounge. He’s also been serving as the manager of the Georgia Theatre in Athens for the past few years. These days,…
Haiku Review: The Shins, Jay Som, John Andrews & The Yawns
The Shins – Heartworms Whimsical and fun, Dancey yet sentimental, Heartworms warms the heart Jay Som – Everybody Works Feminine and soft, Telling and lifelike vignettes, Musical vision of love John Andrews & The Yawns – Bad Posture Descriptive lyrics, Intimate, soft melodies, An acoustic dream
REVIEW: Dana Swimmer’s Veloce
As someone living in Athens and happily soaking up all the music that this Classic City has to offer, I can say one thing without hesitation: Athens band Dana Swimmer makes me proud to be here. Their new album, Veloce, is an eccentric intermingling of rock n’ roll sounds that everyone and their mother adores…