Remain Instant
A great blast of unabashed urgency and sass, L.A. band The Sharp Ease combine the best of underground art punk with effortlessly catchy hooks and…
Love and Other Planets
Love and Other Planets begins with the windy whispers of distant cymbals, which slowly approach in the soundscape until they've been joined by guitar to…
Country Falls
Recent works by a couple of "cinematic" European bands have invaded my ears lately. First it was British four-piece The Guillemots: last month after I…
Broken Boy Soldiers
Speaking as someone who has seen Matthew Sweet live four times, I can understand why many people might miss him (yes, I know he's still…
Echoes of the Past
If you love your rock and roll dark and heavy yet accessible, full of Mojo Rising and Ex-Catholic Voodoo and biting power chords and Charlie-Watts-on-speed-drumming,…
Silent Shout
Sometimes it's easy to overlook Scandinavia, all tucked away up there. But if you saw the Eurovision 2006 winner from Finland (Lordi), then you know…
A Real Life Drama
Lately I've been on a mission to find the perfect feel-good pop song. You know, the kind that makes you wish you had written something…
At Home With Owen
Chicago's Mike Kinsella (Cap'n Jazz, Joan of Arc, American Football, Owls) drops his fourth full-length record under the moniker Owen this fall. And just like…
Illuminated Manuscript
Better known as drummer/ percussionist/ keyboardist for Aloha, Cex, Joan of Arc, and most recently as a touring member with DC's Georgie James (who you…
Shorthand for Epic
Shorthand for Epic can easily delude you. For one thing, there's enough meaningful content in these three songs for an ouvre of lesser bands. Also,…