http://newmusicnation.com Music Advice for the '00s Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:46:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 en http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/29/review-regina-spektor-far-sire/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/29/review-regina-spektor-far-sire/#comments Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:43:30 +0000 Dave Reviews Regina Spektor Sire Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Lighter/Mellow Rock Pop http://newmusicnation.com/artists-q-r/regina-spektor/2009/06/29/review-regina-spektor-far-sire/ Sound: Regina worked with four different veteran pop/rock producers on Far and the result is the slickest album she’s released to date—her piano-driven, chirpy pop songs and precious meditations lack the rough edges of the past...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/29/review-regina-spektor-far-sire/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/22/review-kasabian-west-ryder-pauper-lunatic-asylum-rcared-ink/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/22/review-kasabian-west-ryder-pauper-lunatic-asylum-rcared-ink/#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:49:51 +0000 Dave Reviews Kasabian RCA Red Ink Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Brit Pop/Rock Brit Punk/Rock Mainstream Rock http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/22/review-kasabian-west-ryder-pauper-lunatic-asylum-rcared-ink/ Sound: Fuzzy guitars, electro hip-hop beats, anthemic, fist-pumping choruses and epic, psychedelic journeys are what you expect from Kasabian, and West Ryder has all of the above. But there are some unexpected surprises on here - Kinks-like, jangly acoustic guitar, classic Brit poppy melodies and more traditional song structures...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/22/review-kasabian-west-ryder-pauper-lunatic-asylum-rcared-ink/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2009/06/14/top-20-albums-of-2009-as-of-61409/ http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2009/06/14/top-20-albums-of-2009-as-of-61409/#comments Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:38:39 +0000 Dave Top 20 Albums Standings http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2009/06/14/top-20-albums-of-2009-as-of-61409/ Update: The last two months have been pretty disappointing for new releases, but one major exception to that rule is Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest. The album has been one of the most buzzed about of the year, and, for the most part, it lives up to the hype. It enters the Top 5 on this list as it pushes U2's No Line On the Horizon out of the Top 20. 1. Psapp The Camel’s Back (Domino) 2. The Decemberists The Hazards of Love (Capitol) 3. Grizzly Bear Veckatimest (Warp) 4. M. Ward Hold Time (Merge) 5. Neko Case Middle Cyclone (Anti-)]]> http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2009/06/14/top-20-albums-of-2009-as-of-61409/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/14/mos-def-the-ecstatic-downtown/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/14/mos-def-the-ecstatic-downtown/#comments Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:19:24 +0000 Dave Reviews Mos Def Downtown Indie/Indie-Minded Hip Hop http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/14/mos-def-the-ecstatic-downtown/ Sound: A diverse collection of indie hip-hop beats that bounce between exotic—psychedelic Bollywood, mystical Middle Eastern, funky samba —and domestic—nostalgic soulful, spooky cinematic and synthetic anthemic...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/14/mos-def-the-ecstatic-downtown/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/05/grizzly-bear-veckatimest-warp/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/05/grizzly-bear-veckatimest-warp/#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:24:37 +0000 Dave Reviews Warp Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Lighter/Mellow Rock Grizzly Bear http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/05/grizzly-bear-veckatimest-warp/ Sound: A mix of psychedelic folk with hippie-friendly harmonies (think Crosby, Stills & Nash, Buffalo Springfield and Jefferson Airplane), dreamy, wall-of-sound orchestrations with warm falsetto melodies and otherworldly choirs (think Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys), trippy jazz-fusion rock (think early Pink Floyd) and progressive chamber pop (think Gentle Giant)...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/05/grizzly-bear-veckatimest-warp/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/03/white-rabbits-it%e2%80%99s-frightening-tbd/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/03/white-rabbits-it%e2%80%99s-frightening-tbd/#comments Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:14:43 +0000 Dave Reviews Indie/Indie-Minded Rock White Rabbits TBD http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/03/white-rabbits-it%e2%80%99s-frightening-tbd/ Sound: Spoon frontman Britt Daniel produced this follow-up to White Rabbits’ stellar debut Fort Nightly (my #4 album of 2007), and you can definitely hear his influence. Upbeat and danceable (buoyant basslines, flickering acoustic guitars) meets dark and downtown chic (ominous piano lines, jabbing electric guitars)...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/06/03/white-rabbits-it%e2%80%99s-frightening-tbd/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/29/method-manredman-blackout-2-def-jam/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/29/method-manredman-blackout-2-def-jam/#comments Fri, 29 May 2009 16:57:23 +0000 Dave Reviews Method Man Def Jam Mainstream Hip Hop Redman http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/29/method-manredman-blackout-2-def-jam/ Note: It’s been 10 years since Blackout!, the classic debut album from these two legendary MCs and on-screen co-stars. They’ve released solo albums (and Method Man’s recorded Wu-Tang Clan albums) since then, but this is their official sophomore release as a duo. Sound: A mixed bag of contemporary hip-hop styles...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/29/method-manredman-blackout-2-def-jam/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2009/05/26/top-20-albums-of-2009-as-of-52609/ http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2009/05/26/top-20-albums-of-2009-as-of-52609/#comments Tue, 26 May 2009 12:54:11 +0000 Dave Top 20 Albums Standings http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2009/05/26/top-20-albums-of-2009-as-of-52609/ Update: The debut album from Electric Owls, a band that features members of The Comas, Band of Horses and The Gutter Twins, breaks into the Top 10 this week. And The Strangers, the sophomore album from Annie Clark (known better as St. Vincent), finds its way into the Top 20. Meanwhile, Cursive's Mama, I’m Swollen and Empire of the Sun's Walking on a Dream get nudged off the list. 1. Psapp The Camel’s Back (Domino) 2. The Decemberists The Hazards of Love (Capitol) 3. M. Ward Hold Time (Merge) 4. Neko Case Middle Cyclone (Anti-) 5. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Lightning Rod)]]> http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2009/05/26/top-20-albums-of-2009-as-of-52609/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/22/eminem-relapse-shadyaftermathinterscope/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/22/eminem-relapse-shadyaftermathinterscope/#comments Fri, 22 May 2009 16:18:03 +0000 Dave Reviews Eminem Interscope Aftermath Shady Mainstream Hip Hop http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/22/eminem-relapse-shadyaftermathinterscope/ Note: Relapse is Eminem’s first full-length studio album in five years. Sound: Dr. Dre unleashes a bevy of gleaming, grand, gangsta beats. Some have a club-ready bounce, but more of them have the dramatic tension of a horror flick thanks to his signature synths, strings, piano and live drums...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/22/eminem-relapse-shadyaftermathinterscope/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/19/st-vincent-the-strangers-4ad/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/19/st-vincent-the-strangers-4ad/#comments Tue, 19 May 2009 13:18:07 +0000 Dave Reviews 4AD Indie/Indie-Minded Rock St. Vincent http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/19/st-vincent-the-strangers-4ad/ Sound: Each track is like a piece from a different, imaginary film score. With fluttering woodwinds, cascading strings, dramatic percussion, haunted choirs and sinister lyrics, the songs are overtly cinematic—often eerie, sometimes wide-eyed and dreamy...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/19/st-vincent-the-strangers-4ad/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/16/electric-owls-ain%e2%80%99t-too-bright-vagrant/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/16/electric-owls-ain%e2%80%99t-too-bright-vagrant/#comments Sat, 16 May 2009 15:41:20 +0000 Dave Reviews Vagrant Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Lighter/Mellow Rock Roots Rock Electric Owls http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/16/electric-owls-ain%e2%80%99t-too-bright-vagrant/ Note: Ain’t Too Bright is the debut album from a band formed in the wake of The Comas’ (who had my #39 album of 2007 with Spells) indefinite hiatus. Comas co-founder Andy Herod is the singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/producer behind Electric Owls, and he’s joined by Jason Caperton (The Comas) on guitar, Matt Gentling (Band of Horses, Archers of Loaf) on bass and Cully Symington (The Gutter Twins) on drums...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/16/electric-owls-ain%e2%80%99t-too-bright-vagrant/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2009/05/12/top-20-albums-of-2009-as-of-51209/ http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2009/05/12/top-20-albums-of-2009-as-of-51209/#comments Tue, 12 May 2009 15:54:43 +0000 Dave Top 20 Albums Standings http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2009/05/12/top-20-albums-of-2009-as-of-51209/ Update: These standings haven't been updated in a month, because, frankly, the last four weeks have been pretty disappointing for new albums. Nothing's changed in the Top 10, but there are two new additions to the Top 20: Manchester Orchestra's Mean Everything to Nothing and Empire of the Sun's Walking on A Dream. Meanwhile, A.C. Newman's Get Guilty and The Bird and the Bee's Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future have been bumped from the list. 1. Psapp The Camel’s Back (Domino) 2. The Decemberists The Hazards of Love (Capitol) 3. M. Ward Hold Time (Merge) 4. Neko Case Middle Cyclone (Anti-) 5. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Lightning Rod)]]> http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2009/05/12/top-20-albums-of-2009-as-of-51209/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/12/conor-oberst-and-the-mystic-valley-band-outer-south-merge/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/12/conor-oberst-and-the-mystic-valley-band-outer-south-merge/#comments Tue, 12 May 2009 13:57:09 +0000 Dave Reviews Merge Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Lighter/Mellow Rock Alt Country Roots Rock Conor Oberst http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/12/conor-oberst-and-the-mystic-valley-band-outer-south-merge/ Note: This is the first album credited to Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band (i.e. the group of musicians that played on Conor’s 2008 self-titled album and have been touring with him for the past year). The big difference between this full-length and last year’s release is that his bandmates write and sing lead vocals on nearly half the songs, a drastic difference from any of Conor’s previous releases as a solo artist or as the mastermind behind Bright Eyes and Desaparecidos...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/12/conor-oberst-and-the-mystic-valley-band-outer-south-merge/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/04/immaculate-machine-high-on-jackson-hill-mint/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/04/immaculate-machine-high-on-jackson-hill-mint/#comments Mon, 04 May 2009 17:56:34 +0000 Dave Reviews Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Lighter/Mellow Rock Immaculate Machine Mint http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/04/immaculate-machine-high-on-jackson-hill-mint/ Note: This is the third album from the Victoria, British Columbia band that includes Kathryn Calder (member of The New Pornographers and niece of The New Pornographers’ mastermind Carl Newman) on keyboards/vocals. Sound: Snappy, catchy indie pop with alternating male and female lead vocals and multi-part harmonies...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/04/immaculate-machine-high-on-jackson-hill-mint/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/01/manchester-orchestra-mean-everything-to-nothing-favorite-gentlemancanvasback/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/01/manchester-orchestra-mean-everything-to-nothing-favorite-gentlemancanvasback/#comments Fri, 01 May 2009 15:20:30 +0000 Dave Reviews Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Mainstream Rock Aggressive Rock Manchester Orchestra Favorite Gentleman Canvasback http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/01/manchester-orchestra-mean-everything-to-nothing-favorite-gentlemancanvasback/ Sound: The Atlanta five-piece incorporates elements of several of the most respected rockers—both mainstream and indie—of the last 20 years. At times, their radio-ready and ‘90s-minded with crunchy riffs and piercing vocals (think Smashing Pumpkins) or grungy guitar and aggressive yelps (think Nirvana). Other times, their rootsy and more reserved...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/05/01/manchester-orchestra-mean-everything-to-nothing-favorite-gentlemancanvasback/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/28/mr-lif-i-heard-it-today-bloodbot-tactical-enterprises/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/28/mr-lif-i-heard-it-today-bloodbot-tactical-enterprises/#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:43:13 +0000 Dave Reviews Mr. Lif Indie/Indie-Minded Hip Hop Bloodbot Tactical Enterprises http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/28/mr-lif-i-heard-it-today-bloodbot-tactical-enterprises/ Lyrics: As usual, with his stoned alien flow, Mr. Lif tackles a host of political, social and economic issues ailing America and the rest of the world. He warns to remain skeptical of the government, despite Obama’s election, and addresses the corporate greed that has led to the global economic meltdown, rising unemployment, delayed retirement...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/28/mr-lif-i-heard-it-today-bloodbot-tactical-enterprises/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/24/the-thermals-now-we-can-see-kill-rock-stars/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/24/the-thermals-now-we-can-see-kill-rock-stars/#comments Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:39:44 +0000 Dave Reviews Kill Rock Stars Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Mainstream Rock Aggressive Rock The Thermals http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/24/the-thermals-now-we-can-see-kill-rock-stars/ Sound: Slicker, fuller and more accessible than anything the scrappy, power punk three-piece has done before. In fact, the snappy riffs, sing-along choruses and earnest vocals on Now We Can See could have comfortably shared mainstream rock radio space alongside Everclear and Weezer in the ‘90s...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/24/the-thermals-now-we-can-see-kill-rock-stars/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/20/empire-of-the-sun-walking-on-a-dream-astralwerksvirgin/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/20/empire-of-the-sun-walking-on-a-dream-astralwerksvirgin/#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:58:15 +0000 Dave Reviews Astralwerks Virgin Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Pop Electronic/Dance/Synth Pop Empire of the Sun http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/20/empire-of-the-sun-walking-on-a-dream-astralwerksvirgin/ Note: Empire of the Sun is the latest project from The Sleepy Jackson’s Luke Steele. It’s a collaboration between him and fellow Australian Nick Littlemore (of the Australian group P’Nau). Sound: A kaleidoscopic burst of glammy psychedelia, dreamy electro, disco funk, light-FM schmaltz and a scenic, cinematic instrumental...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/20/empire-of-the-sun-walking-on-a-dream-astralwerksvirgin/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/17/metric-fantasies-metric-music-international/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/17/metric-fantasies-metric-music-international/#comments Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:58:25 +0000 Dave Reviews Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Mainstream Rock Metric Metric Music International http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/17/metric-fantasies-metric-music-international/ Sound: Metric’s sound has always hearkened back to the mid-‘90s heyday of the female-fronted indie rock band—think Magnapop, Belly, Juliana Hatfiled, Madder Rose, Dirt Merchants—with its crunchy guitar riffs, angelic vocals and sinister attitude. This time around, they make everything slicker, bigger, dreamier and hookier...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/17/metric-fantasies-metric-music-international/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/14/the-veils-sun-gangs-rough-trade/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/14/the-veils-sun-gangs-rough-trade/#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:30:26 +0000 Dave Reviews The Veils Rough Trade Lighter/Mellow Rock Brit Pop/Rock Aggressive Rock http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/14/the-veils-sun-gangs-rough-trade/ Sound: As usual, frontman Finn Andrews’ vocals display a dynamic range—sometimes suave, other times aching, and occasionally building into a possessed frenzy. The music covers even more territory. From classic Brit pop to atmospheric, guitar/piano rock; from explosive aggression to delicate introspection...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/14/the-veils-sun-gangs-rough-trade/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2009/04/08/top-20-albums-of-2009-as-of-4809/ http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2009/04/08/top-20-albums-of-2009-as-of-4809/#comments Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:20:23 +0000 Dave Top 20 Albums Standings http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2009/04/08/top-20-albums-of-2009-as-of-4809/ Update: The Decemberists narrowly missed taking over the top spot with their epic concept album The Hazards of Love. Meanwhile, albums from Handsome Furs, Peter Bjorn and John, Beast and Bishop Allen join the list to round out the first complete installment of the Top 20 Albums of 2009. The standings will be updated throughout the year, each time a new album (or albums) breaks into the Top 20. 1. Psapp The Camel’s Back (Domino) 2. The Decemberists The Hazards of Love (Capitol) 3. M. Ward Hold Time (Merge) 4. Neko Case Middle Cyclone (Anti-) 5. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Lightning Rod)]]> http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2009/04/08/top-20-albums-of-2009-as-of-4809/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/08/peter-bjorn-john-living-thing-almost-gold/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/08/peter-bjorn-john-living-thing-almost-gold/#comments Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:48:18 +0000 Dave Reviews Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Lighter/Mellow Rock Brit-Sounding Pop/Rock Electronic/Dance/Synth Pop Peter Bjorn and John Almost Gold http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/08/peter-bjorn-john-living-thing-almost-gold/ Sound: A sparse and icy version of electro dance pop and ‘80s-esque, new wave rock. Synth melodies are scarce and guitar riffs are even scarcer as percussion and melodic voices propel most of the tracks. The rhythm-and-hook-heavy album incorporates a variety of claps and clinks to help create its stark but buoyant atmospheres...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/08/peter-bjorn-john-living-thing-almost-gold/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/04/beast-beast-verve-forecast/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/04/beast-beast-verve-forecast/#comments Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:22:08 +0000 Dave Reviews Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Mainstream Rock Electronic/Dance/Synth Pop Electro Funk/Hip Hop/R&B Verve Forecast Beast http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/04/beast-beast-verve-forecast/ Note: Beast is a Montreal-based duo consisting of singer Betty Bonifassi (best known for lending her vocals to the Oscar-nominated The Triplets of Belleville soundtrack) and drummer/producer/composer Jean-Phi Goncalves (best known for his production work for Lauryn Hill). Sound: A surprising mix of hip-hop, rock, soul and electronic music that at times sounds like an aggressive, rock version of ‘90s trip-hop acts like Massive Attack and Portishead...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/04/beast-beast-verve-forecast/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/02/doom-born-like-this-lex/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/02/doom-born-like-this-lex/#comments Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:00:30 +0000 Dave Reviews Indie/Indie-Minded Hip Hop DOOM Lex http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/02/doom-born-like-this-lex/ Note: This the latest release from veteran rapper Daniel Dumile, known best as MF Doom. No stranger to operating under an alias (he’s gone by Zevlove X and Victor Vaughn in the past, and was one half of Madvillain and Danger Doom), there’s been unconfirmed speculation that he actually changed his stage name for legal reasons this time around...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/04/02/doom-born-like-this-lex/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/03/30/the-decemberists-the-hazards-of-love-capitol/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/03/30/the-decemberists-the-hazards-of-love-capitol/#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:24:49 +0000 Dave Reviews The Decemberists Capitol Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Lighter/Mellow Rock Aggressive Rock Metal http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/03/30/the-decemberists-the-hazards-of-love-capitol/ Note: The Hazards of Love is a concept album—a 17-track song cycle with recurring musical and lyrical themes and a narrative thread from start to finish. Using ancient language it tells the mythical tale of a woman violated by a shape-shifting animal, her lover, a murderer and a fearsome queen. Sound: Vintage British folk, chamber-like indie pop, hard-chugging rock and sludgy heavy metal collide as one style gracefully segues into the next and recurs throughout...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2009/03/30/the-decemberists-the-hazards-of-love-capitol/feed/