Yuck — Yuck

Chapel Hill 1994 lives!

Rock
Stephen Carradini
Sometimes people buzz about a thing so that they can be excited about something. Some guy will promote a thing so that if more people get on the bandwagon, he can say he discovered it.

 

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Billy Joel — Live at Shea Stadium: The Concert

You're sorely missed, Bill.

Rock
Rod Lott
Old Billy Joel songs fit like a glove — a baseball glove, in the case of “Live at Shea Stadium,” a recording of the Piano Man’s 2008 concerts at the iconic New York stadium before it was destroyed the following year.

 

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The Two Koreas — Science Island

Punk aggression with brains as well as brawn

Rock
Stephen Carradini
As a punk album, The Two Koreas’ “Science Island” rocks a heck of a lot more than most “punk” I’ve been unfortunately exposed to over the past decade.

 

Monday, February 21, 2011

The Ex — Catch My Shoe

Dissonant, horn-laden punk that claims the term

Rock
Stephen Carradini
I don’t like punk much these days because it doesn’t mean anything. Strumming a guitar really fast and hard is no longer countercultural; it’s par for the course.

 

Monday, February 7, 2011

Social Distortion — Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes

Still relevant, 32 years later

Rock
Stephen Carradini
On one hand, Social Distortion’s “Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes” is a solid, workman-like set of Southern California punk tunes with three gems.

 

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Cake — Showroom of Compassion

'Prolonging the Magic' + 'Fashion Nugget' = must buy

Rock
Stephen Carradini
Cake is all done trying to make new fans. Content with the listeners they’ve got, they decided to make a fan’s album.

 

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Cold War Kids — Mine Is Yours

Sounds better, but it's all the worse for it

Rock
Joshua Boydston
It’s hard to fault a band for wanting to be successful — there are bills to pay, families to support — but if you are going to sell out, you need to do it the right way, and you’ve got to question Cold War Kids’ judgment...

 

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

The Morning After Girls — Alone

Reverb-heavy, song-lite rock

The Del Toros — Come Down

Rock
Stephen Carradini
Informed equally by ’90s rock and modern pop, Tulsa-based The Del Toros infuse each of the 10 tracks on “Come Down” with a sharp sense of melody and a clear vision. Each of the songs is incredibly friendly to the ear, which is good — you’ll have them with you for a while afterward.

 

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

British Sea Power — Valhalla Dancehall

Less rock, no dance, but good music

Exit Calm — Exit Calm

Shoegaze-type rock that excites

Lola Ray - Liars

Red City Radio' Spinning in Circles Is a Gateway Drug

Rock
None

 

Thursday, October 21, 2010

The Dandy Warhols' The Capitol Years 1995-2007

The Boom Bang — Bummer Camp 7"

Rock
None

 

 

Thursday, September 30, 2010