The Von Bondies
The Von Bondies Love, Hate And Then There’s You [3/5]
There’s a reason why the Von Bondies’ 2004 single “C’mon C’mon” is not only the greatest theme song in TV history (sorry, Friends dudes), but also one of the best indie-rock singles, like, ever. The formula: Start with a filthy, repetitive guitar riff; add Jason...
Titus Andronicus
Titus Andronicus The Airing Of Grievances [4.5/5]
The comparisons to Bright Eyes are easy; vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Patrick Stickles has the tortured howl locked down, and the rest of Titus Andronicus provide more than adequate sonic bombast to elevate Stickles’ heartrending tales of hating the suburbs to Omaha, Nebraska-like levels. But where Conor Oberst’s fractured, wavering voice...
Nickel Eye
Nickel Eye The Time Of The Assassins [4/5]
Two awe-inspiring Albert Hammond Jr., albums and one breezy little side band for Fabrizio Moretti later, Strokes bassist Nikolai Fraiture steps out as Nickel Eye and the wait for a Stroke to embarrass himself with a laughable solo debacle continues. Fraiture tries his hand at a number...
Living Things
Living Things Habeas Corpus [3/5]
Although Living Things recorded their second disc at the legendary Hansa Studios in Berlin, Germany-the place where David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Depeche Mode crafted mopey masterpieces-Habeas Corpus is anything but a sonic downer. In fact, Corpus feels like the album Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Primal Scream have been...
Friendly Foes
Friendly Foes Born Radical [3.5/5]
Friendly Foes concoct a stupidly fun brand of energetic indie rock with superb pop songwriting on their debut full-length, Born Radical. Thunderbirds Are Now! vocalist/guitarist Ryan Allen does frontman duty here, too, though in a decidedly less sassy manner. Vaguely recalling a tamer and less snide version of the Thermals...
Dan Auerbach
Dan Auerbach Keep It Hid [4.5/5]
Why in God’s name would Dan Auerbach, the singer in a two-piece band, feel compelled to make a solo record? There’s certainly nothing on Keep It Hid that would’ve sounded out of place on a “full-band” sequel to the Black Keys’ Attack & Release. Okay, maybe the keyboards pretending...
Audrye Sessions
Audrye Sessions Audrye Sessions [4.5/5]
It’s usually blatantly evident when an artist has a fetish for Radiohead, but the translation of this engrossment into their music is not always successful. It’s clear that the members of Oakland, California’s Audrye Sessions have an affinity for the influential U.K. group’s heady, orchestral arrangements and arching melodies, and...
Web Exclusive: It's Called The Music Business with Corpus Christi
I've been working as a fitness professional almost as long as I've been playing guitar, and the flexible nature of the job made it easy for me to devote as much time as I wanted to my band. Ten years ago, I received my professional certification from the NSCA (National Strength And Conditioning Association), and...
...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead
…And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead The Century Of Self [4/5]
…And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead have become notorious for bitching about being underappreciated, which understandable considering the less-than-stratospheric sales of 2006’s grand and ambitious So Divided. Rather than give their “fans” what they want-namely a...