Occasionally we come across people who were born in the wrong era. In Matt Costa’s case, he was off by a few decades. His past works already emit a very psychedelic aura that is just asking to be played on vinyl from the 70s. His self-titled fourth album still exudes a vintage vibe, but with a tone that is...
Full of ambient experimentation, hard jams and slightly removed vocals, the band Foals has created one of the most engaging albums of 2013. “Holy Fire,” the band’s third release, captures all sides of the band—from the dancy, upbeat “My Number” to the desperate, confessional “Providence.”
The album begins with “Prelude,” an almost experimental, instrumental opener with hazy, nearly indecipherable vocals;...
Harry Connick, Jr. transports listeners to the Mardi Gras parade with his latest album “Smokey Mary.” Its release is timed perfectly to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his Krewe of Orpheus. This group is one of the largest super krewes that organize momentous parades. Connick reprises a unique jazzy style in the fashion of his previous album “She” to...
It’s not like Tegan and Sara did something wrong, or composed an album of terrible songs, but the twin sisters’ latest effort isn’t quite that good either. Quite frankly, it’s just bland. “Heartthrob” features 10 (12, if you purchase the iTunes deluxe edition) tracks that blend together very easily. A few tracks stand out here and there, but the...
Renowned vocalist Celine Dion once said, “If God could sing, He would sound like Andrea Bocelli.” “Passione,” the latest addition to Bocelli’s internationally recognized repertoire, further proves his complete grasp of classical opera. The 7-years-delayed continuation of “Amore,” this album is scattered with six different languages of love and passion.
Bocelli’s powerful and effortless voice marries with these classical songs...
Shugo Tokumaru is one freakishly gifted multi-instrumental/bedroom-pop composer who is able to magically pile his copious instrumentals on top of each other in an arrangement that looks outrageous on paper, but ultimately works in implementation. His calm, sweet-sounding music evokes a dazzlingly eccentric and meticulously-crafted environment in his latest album, “In Focus?”
Tokumaru’s childlike glee is first introduced and conveyed...
Just close your eyes and listen—actually, don’t close your eyes. You might fall asleep, albeit in the coolest way possible, to legendary indie band Yo La Tengo’s “Fade.” Their latest album—also, their first since “Popular Songs” (2009) and 13th overall—consists of a dreamy set of sometimes catchy, sometimes endearing tracks that leave the listener in a happily-induced daze.
The album...
The troubadour was a figure of lyrical poetry that became very popular during the Middle Ages. Christopher Owens seems to embody this role in the 21st century. After the breakup of his debut band Girls just six short months ago, Owens takes listeners through the journey of his promising musical career with his first solo album “Lysandre,” titled after...
Prior to listening to their 3rd and latest album, “Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones,” Black Veil Brides seemed to me like a band whose gimmick heavily relied on an overabundance of guyliner, hairspray and hazardously spiked clothing. They had failed to seize my attention with “Knives and Pens” from their debut EP “Sex & Hollywood,”...
We are back to the ‘90s when it comes to just about everything in today’s pop culture: fashion, makeup and now, music. Never Shout Never’s 4th album “Indigo” seems to bring an abrupt end to the band’s indie days in exchange for a classic pop-rock sound reminiscent of Sonic Youth. The retroactive resonance accentuates the entire band this time...