Taking poetic lyrics full of imagery seems to be a Death Cab for Cutie hallmark. On his first solo venture since 2009, lyricist and lead singer Ben Gibbard continues these motifs exceedingly and although many of the songs have pleasant sounds, “Former Lives” is oozing with dark bitterness. Gibbard, who recently divorced actress Zooey Deschanel, said in an interview...
After two years of composition and compilation to change their sound, Anberlin released “Vital,” their sixth album, on Tuesday, Oct 16. The album still relies on Stephen Christian’s big vocals just as before; however, the more electronic-based melodies incorporated into the rock style in this album expanded the alternative niche the band excelled in since 2005. The...
For those skimming the pages wondering who Kaki King is—remember the movie “August Rush?” Kaki King is the living, breathing inspiration of the peculiar guitar-playing technique that captivated the musician in everyone.
Kaki King, also known as Katherine Elizabeth King, released her sixth album “Glow” on Tuesday, Oct. 9. These new, strictly instrumental compositions incorporating a wide variety of instruments—up...
Following the success of their debut album in 2010, English indie rockers The Vaccines released their sophomore album “Come of Age” on Oct. 2. With their latest set of 11 songs, the band has adopted a slightly heavier, Ramones-inspired sound that deviates from their previous poppy anthems.
Frontman Justin Young’s somewhat weaker vocals, undoubtedly stemming from his three throat operations...
Hammock's fifth full length album, “Departure Songs,” is their first double album and their most progressive piece to date. Hammock offers elegant soundscapes with majestic swells and crescendos. “Departure Songs” meets all of the expectations of a Hammock listener with the duo's mesmerizing guitar work of beautifully layered guitar tracks drenched in effects pedals galore, but it doesn't stop...
Prior to the release of the band’s fifth studio album, frontwoman Emily Haines declared to her fans that “Synthetica” is about “forcing yourself to confront what you see in the mirror when you finally stand still long enough to catch a reflection…about being able to identify the original in a long line of reproductions. It's about what is real...
Following their first album, “Sigh No More” released in 2009, is Mumford and Son’s latest and highly anticipated album, “Babel,” which was released on Sept. 21, 2012. In the very first track, “Babel” delivers the same sound audiences love, which is urgent, ferocious strumming, combined with a driving confidence reminiscent of folk pride.
Lead singer Marcus Mumford’s voice never fails...
“Shut your mouth / cause you talk too much / and I don’t give a fuck anyway,” snarls lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day during the song, “Let Yourself Go,” off Green Day’s latest album, “¡Uno!” The band’s ninth studio album is the first in their upcoming trilogy of albums to be released within four months. “¡Dos!”...
Swedish garage rock band The Hives have released their first full-length album in five years, but don’t stray far from their signature style.
The album, titled “Lex Hives,” is irritatingly hyper-repetitive at times. The opening track, “Come on,” consists only of the lyrics “everybody come on,” sung over a canned track of a cheering crowd. Intended as a pump-up album...
After a two-year hiatus and a vocal chord surgery, John Mayer has returned to the industry with a bang. Mayer’s highly anticipated new album, “Born and Raised,” was released Tuesday, May 22. The album’s 13 tracks seem to show a more innocent and raw form of Mayer’s already soothing, bluesy music.
Mayer, after his controversial interviews with Rolling Stone and...