Music Ravings

Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos – Buzzard+1 Records-out Sept. 212.5 / 5 With a name like “Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos,” you can’t really go wrong, can you? And the third original release from the Indianapolis indie-rock band doesn’t seem to go exceptionally wrong, either. But the one question that it doesn’t seem to answer is how their sound distinguishes it from the pack. Consider the following: Fleet Foxes has a classic, baroque feel to it; Wilco has great, laid-back guitar solos; My Morning Jacket has, well, Jim James. On “Buzzard,” Margot strikes too middle-of-the-line: the choruses aren’t quite singable enough,Read More →

The Acorn – No GhostBella Union-out now!3 / 5 As the fourth album from the Ottowa, Canada indie rock group The Acorn, No Ghost is a pleasing little album. With enough charm to win over some of the rock crowd, the only thing No Ghost lacks is more musical personality. We admit it’s written well enough to work, but what makes it stand out from the crowd? While we enjoy the downtempo of “On the Line,” much of the album is spent in a near-middle pace; what we look for is whether an album makes a strong, if not bizarre, statement (“musical statement,” not LadyRead More →

Dead Confederate – “Sugar”Razor & Tie-out today!3.5 / 5 With great grungy pop songs such as “Run From the Gun” and “Giving It All Away,” it’s not difficult to imagine a world in which Athens, GA rock group Dead Confederate could hold their own against My Morning Jacket and other top current rock acts. While “Sugar” doesn’t quite measure up to MMJ’s “Evil Urges,” still the above tracks showcase a band capable of jamming, crafting songs, and performing memorable songs. While “Run From the Gun” and “Giving it All Away” are the exceptional tracks here, there are moments where the material lags, such as “FatherRead More →