October 16th, 2013 | by Chris Sabbath | published in Album Reviews | Leave A Comment »
Now that the dust has finally begun to settle following Sonic Youth’s untimely break-up after a 30-year run as a punk/alt-rock mainstay, it still remains to be seen whether or not its founding members have stepped out from its lofty, looming shadow. While Thurston Moore has carried his Stooges-worshipping and teenage rioting nihilism over into his new ensemble, Chelsea Light Moving, Kim Gordon has relapsed …
October 11th, 2013 | by Dorian S. Ham | published in Album Reviews | Leave A Comment »
John Legend cuts a unique figure in modern R&B: a slightly out-of-step, button-down alternative to his heavy-breathing contemporaries. He emerged as a member of the then-waning neo-soul movement, but he was co-signed by Kanye West. West also produced Legend’s major labor debut single, “Used To Love U” and much of his album. But his big breakthrough was the piano-driven ballad “Ordinary People.” Then, just as …
October 9th, 2013 | by Dorian S. Ham | published in Album Reviews | Leave A Comment »
After 24 years of making music (albeit off and on), it wouldn’t be a stretch to take the title of Superchunk’s tenth full-length, I Hate Music, at face value. After all, they wouldn’t be the first band to succumb to middle-age grumpiness. Instead, on the second song on the album and first single, “Me & You & Jackie Mittoo,” they spell out what they …