Monthly Archives: February 2010 »
Wilderness Survival 101
Musical collaborations can work a number of ways. A uniformly legalistic partnership for every song regardless of its actual writer is one method (Lennon/McCartney), while splitting songs up equally (like on OutKast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love
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Son Lux’s Secret Weapon
Classical training is generally regarded as a positive influence on pop music. No one wishes to restrain ideas that originate from the theoretical intricacies of music, so the knowledge is neither looked upon as
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The Radio Dept. – Clinging to a Scheme (2010)
One of Sweden's premiere electronic-pop acts releases their first full-length album in four years. With both infectious and atmospheric moments, its inconsistency issues are overshadowed by several gems
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White Hinterland’s Chronos and Kairos
It is easy to rave about Casey Dienel’s voice, which recalls Joni Mitchell’s eclectic stylistic arsenal as much as Victoria Legrand’s ghostly croon. Even those that do not like her project, White Hinterland, are
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The Kissaway Trail
Anthemic rock music really has to soar to earn its name. To rouse an audience because they are already familiar with your work is one thing, but to come out anonymously and take a
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The Morning Benders – Big Echo (2010)
The Morning Benders' highly anticipated album, Big Echo, finds the four-piece at a place of confidence and cohesiveness
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Lali Puna Show Their Inventions
Despite what its name entails, the concept of a “super-group” is becoming increasingly relative with the gradual expansion and appreciation of emerging styles and genres. The days where unanimous and successful super-groups – like
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Blair Dies Young, Lives Old
In one of New Orleans’ few instances where sports reigned over music, the super bowl has cast many into a week-long, universalized hangover. It permits locals to do, well, whatever they want as long
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69 Love Songs: (Just Over) 10 Years Later
Jay Mattson takes a look back at one of the finest accomplishments in independent music, Magnetic Fields' 69 Love Songs. Over one decade later, it still continues to amaze
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The European Sambassadeur
I am interested to see what this decade brings to Swedish pop music. One would be hesitant to call the ’00s a moment of global emergence for the movement, especially considering that the country
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Obscure Sound: Best of Winter 2009/2010
In a bit of a twist, this compilation encompasses both December and January. The “Best Albums of 2009″ featured last month was a lot of fun, as was the three-week break I took after
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jj – jj n° 3 (2010)
Hugely anticipated follow-ups are prone to being rush jobs. After last year's acclaim, many wonder whether jj's newest album will appear triumphant or weakly conceived
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