July 31, 2007

Like so many other great bands, they threatened to derail before they could make their mark. Armed with a bold new album and a healthier outlook, THE FALL OF TROY have returned to thrill their fans and own their haters. Story: Emily Zemler Five minutes into the interview with Thomas Erak,...

They cracked the Top 20 and captured the hearts of thousands of fans, but are ANBERLIN capable of changing the world? Story: Jonah Bayer Photos: Ralf Strathmann In another life, Stephen Christian could be a preacher. That statement has nothing to do with his band, Anberlin, being outspoken Christians who have...

In 1999, the hardcore/metal group EVERGREEN TERRACE had one thing in mind when they started a band: To have fun. And after eight years of pumping out horn-raising music, that ideology remains true. Wolfbiker, the first release from the quintet’s new home, Metal Blade, is the epitome of everything the band stand for: being yourself,...

Avey Tare & Kria Brekkan Pullhair Rubeye [3.5/5] Some music is so ethereal it seems impossible to capture it on tape or disc. Such is the case with Pullhair Rubeye. A collaboration between Avey Tare (Animal Collective’s Dave Portner) and Kria Brekkan (ex-Múm member Kristin Anna Valtysdottir), the album was recorded on an 8-track, then...

Christopher O’Riley Second Grace: The Music Of Nick Drake [2.5/5] Christopher O’Riley, who’s released piano tribute albums to Radiohead and the late Elliott Smith, knows something about the difficulties of adapting an enigmatic artist’s work. But Nick Drake, a British folksinger barely known during his brief life, has remained inscrutable since his 1974 death, even...

Monstrance Monstrance [2.5/5] It’s doubtful that when Andy Partridge said his seminal post-punk group XTC had gone “in the fridge” earlier this year, even the most devoted fans expected the guy to rebound with a double-CD of spacey, improvised rock; but with Monstrance, that’s just the odd detour Partridge has taken. Joined by original XTC...

Dntel Dumb Luck [3/5] It’s hard to keep track of all of Jimmy Tamborello’s numerous projects and monikers. While each have somewhat of a different sound, occasionally they sort of blur into one-an understandable side effect, considering the volume of output. Dumb Luck is Tamborello’s third release under the Dntel alias, and his first for...

Josh Haden Devoted [3/5] Unless you were a fan of Spain, Josh Haden’s band from the ’90s, you’re probably not all that aware of him. In fact, you’re probably more familiar with one of his sisters-Petra, Rachel and Tanya-from such bands as that dog and the Rentals. Oh, yeah, his dad Charlie just happens to...

GusGus Forever [3.5/5] What is it about Iceland? Either the place only produces insanely cool musicians like Björk and Sigur Rós-or those are the only bands who reach our borders. Either way, if they’re from Iceland, they’re hip. Take GusGus, for instance. The techno collective have been making top-shelf house music since the mid-’90s, even...