Album Reviews (Page 49)

So here it is, finally: The Decemberists’ latest album. We’re prickling with anticipation, and figured, “Hey, since you can listen to the full thing, why muck this up with a review right now?” Decide for yourself whether The Decemberists’ “The King is Dead” deserves to be on our year-end list of 2011. And feel free to post comments galore here; just keep in mind it’s only going to be up until the release on Jan. 18, so be sure your listen in before you crack open that (warning: “Pulp Fiction” reference) “Bad Motherf*#!er” wallet. Here’s the link to the NPR stream:“The King is Dead” TellRead More →

Ethan Gold – “Songs from a Toxic Apartment”Gold Records-out Jan. 113.5 / 5 Nothing’s ever perfect, but at least with Ethan Gold’s “Songs from a Toxic Apartment,” you won’t have to put up unsanitary listening conditions. These off-kilter pop songs give you solid choruses, good beats, and strong song structure; and when the sound opens up, the album can be unabashedly satisfying, if in a strangely predictable way. Still, when you’re given a song like “Poison,” it’s hard not to appreciate funky guitars, the steady drive of the vocals, and the full sound Gold is capable of. The album presents a diverse sound within rock/pop,Read More →

It’s a tough time out there. That’s why Brooklyn’s Soft Collapse is offering their album “Little Songs” potentially for free on Bandcamp .com. We’ll give you the link in a little bit, but considering the following: “Easy” is a somber little track with National-styled vocals; “Black on Black on Black on Black” references Johnny Cash AND Batman; and though the best things in life are free, you probably wouldn’t mind supporting whoever gave them to you. So we suggest you try out those two tracks up there, and determine what you think is a fair price for this pleasant, patient, shy-from-the-light indie release. So helpRead More →

Kurt von Stetten – “Pyramid”Static Motor Recordings-out now!3 / 5 Admittedly, it takes a few listens to get used to the Boston-based multi-instru-mentalist/ photographer’s fifth solo release. It’s probably Kurt von Stetten’s authentic and organic approach to “Pyramid” that makes it an acquired taste, but our main complaint is that it still lacks that mysterious force that grabs you and makes you put his record on. There’s no one way about it: memorable guitar hooks, catchy choruses, and strong power-vocals are among the common ways a band crafts a song that sticks with you. And, in a good way, there’s nothing common about von Stetten’sRead More →