http://newmusicnation.com Music Advice for the '00s Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:01:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 en http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/10/10/ti-paper-trail-grand-hustleatlantic/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/10/10/ti-paper-trail-grand-hustleatlantic/#comments Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:01:44 +0000 Dave Reviews T.I. Atlantic Grand Hustle Mainstream Hip Hop Soul/R&B Pop http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/10/10/ti-paper-trail-grand-hustleatlantic/ Note: The album was written and recorded while T.I. was under house arrest for trying to buy illegal weapons. His conviction and imminent jail time factor heavily into the final product on Paper Trail. Also Note: The album’s title refers to the fact that the veteran Southern rapper wrote down his lyrics on paper for the first time since his 2001 debut. Sound: A healthy dose of anthemic, synth-laced beats and smooth baller rhymes...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/10/10/ti-paper-trail-grand-hustleatlantic/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/10/08/jenny-lewis-acid-tongue-warner-brothers/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/10/08/jenny-lewis-acid-tongue-warner-brothers/#comments Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:37:42 +0000 Dave Reviews Warner Brothers Lighter/Mellow Rock Alt Country Roots Rock Blues Rock http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/10/08/jenny-lewis-acid-tongue-warner-brothers/ Sound: Poppy, piano-driven ballads; dark, alt country meditations; bluesy jams and rootsy rockers. Jenny’s vocals range from pretty and airy to haunting and echoey to spirited and soulful. Unlike her debut album Rabbit Fur Coat - which featured the sweet, rich female vocals of The Watson Twins - Acid Tongue boasts a cast of predominately male vocal collaborators. Elvis Costello, Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes), M. Ward and more show up in the foreground and background...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/10/08/jenny-lewis-acid-tongue-warner-brothers/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/10/06/jazmine-sullivan-fearless-j-records/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/10/06/jazmine-sullivan-fearless-j-records/#comments Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:49:37 +0000 Dave Reviews J Records Soul/R&B Pop Jazmine Sullivan http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/10/06/jazmine-sullivan-fearless-j-records/ Note: Missy Elliott is a co-executive producer on this debut album from Jazmine Sullivan. Missy also co-wrote and co-produced two of the tracks on here (“Dream Big” and the first single “Need U Bad”). Sound: Empowered, confessional, sometimes vengeful and sometimes playful r&b driven by a powerful voice...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/10/06/jazmine-sullivan-fearless-j-records/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/college-radio-buzz/2008/10/04/college-radio-buzz-92708-10308/ http://newmusicnation.com/college-radio-buzz/2008/10/04/college-radio-buzz-92708-10308/#comments Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:13:51 +0000 Dave College Radio Buzz http://newmusicnation.com/college-radio-buzz/2008/10/04/college-radio-buzz-92708-10308/ TV on the Radio’s Dear Science, gets the full buzz treatment, highlighted by four schools this week. Maestro from Taj Mahal is in the top five of two music charts. Meanwhile, Beck’s Modern Guilt and Jenny Lewis’ Acid Tongue continue to earn some buzz...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/college-radio-buzz/2008/10/04/college-radio-buzz-92708-10308/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/10/01/kings-of-leon-only-by-the-night-rca/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/10/01/kings-of-leon-only-by-the-night-rca/#comments Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:56:15 +0000 Dave Reviews RCA Lighter/Mellow Rock Mainstream Rock Roots Rock http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/10/01/kings-of-leon-only-by-the-night-rca/ Sound: With each album (this is their fourth) Kings of Leon have gotten progressively less Southern than they were on their stellar debut Youth and Young Manhood (my #3 Album of 2003). There’s still a hearty rawness to Caleb Followill’s vocals, but not much twang. However, his sexy, angsty wailing is more wide-open and powerful than ever. And the music still has some rootsy elements: an occasional weepy, wistful guitar, chiming piano or cowbell...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/10/01/kings-of-leon-only-by-the-night-rca/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/29/tv-on-the-radio-dear-science-interscope/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/29/tv-on-the-radio-dear-science-interscope/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:38:21 +0000 Dave Reviews Interscope Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Lighter/Mellow Rock Electro Funk/Hip Hop/R&B http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/29/tv-on-the-radio-dear-science-interscope/ Sound: An extremely-difficult-to-pigeonhole hodgepodge of electro funk, funk rock and atmospheric rock. At the forefront, more than ever before, are crisp, soulful and frequently falsetto vocals that can either lead the way with precise, gripping melodies, sweetly harmonize, or swirl up into a dense labyrinth. At times, the music recalls elements of Prince, Kenna, Peter Gabriel and The Cure. But make no mistake, TV on the Radio's sound is entirely their own...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/29/tv-on-the-radio-dear-science-interscope/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/college-radio-buzz/2008/09/26/college-radio-buzz-92008-92608/ http://newmusicnation.com/college-radio-buzz/2008/09/26/college-radio-buzz-92008-92608/#comments Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:45:58 +0000 Dave College Radio Buzz http://newmusicnation.com/college-radio-buzz/2008/09/26/college-radio-buzz-92008-92608/ New on the College Radio Buzz scene this week: Ratatat and their new album LP3. Meanwhile, colleges play catch-up with Beck’s Modern Guilt. Conor Oberst, Calexico, Fleet Foxes and Metallica continue to get some buzz, along with first-mentions for The Pink Spiders and Jonzetta. Plus, check out Dennison University’s radio bloggers' six reviews...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/college-radio-buzz/2008/09/26/college-radio-buzz-92008-92608/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/26/cold-war-kids-loyalty-to-loyalty-downtown/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/26/cold-war-kids-loyalty-to-loyalty-downtown/#comments Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:38:31 +0000 Dave Reviews Downtown Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Cold War Kids http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/26/cold-war-kids-loyalty-to-loyalty-downtown/ Sound: Nathan Willett’s jagged, pained and desperate howls (which occasionally turn into creepy falsetto croons) guides you through Cold War Kids vintage-flavored, poetic indie rock – which can be stomping and bluesy, chill and psychedelic, spirited and barroom-esque, driving and urgent or sad and reflective...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/26/cold-war-kids-loyalty-to-loyalty-downtown/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/23/tricky-knowle-west-boy-domino/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/23/tricky-knowle-west-boy-domino/#comments Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:30:13 +0000 Dave Reviews Tricky Domino Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Modern Caribbean Electronic/Dance/Synth Pop http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/23/tricky-knowle-west-boy-domino/ Sound: Knowle West Boy jumps from one style to the next with reckless abandon. It includes rock (sleazy/bluesy, stomping/arena-friendly and frantic/electro), pop (string-driven/mystical or spacey/sweet) and electronic (which incorporates Jamaican dancehall toasting, sensual trip-hop grooves, stomping tribal rhythms, dancefloor bombast and more)...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/23/tricky-knowle-west-boy-domino/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2008/09/22/top-20-albums-of-2008-as-of-92208/ http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2008/09/22/top-20-albums-of-2008-as-of-92208/#comments Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:09:54 +0000 Dave Top 20 Albums Standings http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2008/09/22/top-20-albums-of-2008-as-of-92208/ Update: Kardinal Offishall has been a force in hip hop's underground for years, but with Not 4 Sale he has a chance to break into the mainstream. The album makes it into the Top 10 of the year (so far). Meanwhile, the buzzworthy debut from MGMT - Oracular Spectular - gets nudged out of the Top 20. 1. My Morning Jacket Evil Urges (ATO) 2. Conor Oberst Conor Oberst (Merge) 3. Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend (XL) 4. Adele 19 (XL/Columbia) 5. Gnarls Barkley The Odd Couple (Atlantic)]]> http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2008/09/22/top-20-albums-of-2008-as-of-92208/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/college-radio-buzz/2008/09/19/college-radio-buzz-91308-91908/ http://newmusicnation.com/college-radio-buzz/2008/09/19/college-radio-buzz-91308-91908/#comments Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:38:21 +0000 Dave College Radio Buzz http://newmusicnation.com/college-radio-buzz/2008/09/19/college-radio-buzz-91308-91908/ What music are the campuses of Princeton Review’s Top 20 Best College Radio Stations in 2008 buzzing about? New Music Nation surveys radio station and newspaper Web sites for these schools every week to find out. This week, Okkervil River and Gym Class Heroes have new albums on the scene, each getting buzz from two schools. Bands that made last week’s College Radio Buzz are getting some love this week: Underoath, Ra Ra Riot, Coldplay, Conor Oberst and Calexico.]]> http://newmusicnation.com/college-radio-buzz/2008/09/19/college-radio-buzz-91308-91908/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/19/metallica-death-magnetic-warner-brothers/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/19/metallica-death-magnetic-warner-brothers/#comments Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:04:09 +0000 Dave Reviews Metallica Warner Brothers Metal http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/19/metallica-death-magnetic-warner-brothers/ Note: This is the first Metallica album produced by the legendary Rick Rubin (the guru responsible for overseeing landmark albums by a wide range of artists from Run DMC and Red Hot Chili Peppers to Johnny Cash and Dixie Chicks to Slayer). Also Note: This is the first album with Robert Trujillo (former member of Suicidal Tendencies, Ozzy Osbourne’s band and more) playing bass. He’s been an official member of Metallica since the release of 2003’s St. Anger, but the band’s long-time producer Bob Rock actually played the bass parts on that release. Sound: A return to their ‘80s heyday...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/19/metallica-death-magnetic-warner-brothers/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/16/kardinal-offishall-not-4-sale-kon-livegeffen/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/16/kardinal-offishall-not-4-sale-kon-livegeffen/#comments Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:23:51 +0000 Dave Reviews Geffen Mainstream Hip Hop Indie/Indie-Minded Hip Hop Modern Caribbean Pop Electro Funk/Hip Hop/R&B Kardinal Offishall http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/16/kardinal-offishall-not-4-sale-kon-livegeffen/ Note: Kardinal Offishall, who was raised in Toronto by Jamaican immigrants, has been a force in the hip hop underground for over a decade and has collaborated with several mainstream artists like Clipse, T-Pain and Method Man. Not 4 Sale is his first release for Akon’s Kon Live label and his first legitimate shot at major solo success in the U.S. Sound: A hard-to-pigeonhole hybrid of high-energy dancehall, grimy hip hop, electro pop and breezy reggae...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/16/kardinal-offishall-not-4-sale-kon-livegeffen/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2008/09/14/top-20-albums-of-2008-as-of-91408/ http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2008/09/14/top-20-albums-of-2008-as-of-91408/#comments Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:19:09 +0000 Dave Top 20 Albums Standings http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2008/09/14/top-20-albums-of-2008-as-of-91408/ Update: Take Me to the Sea, the debut release from Jaguar Love (the band made up of former members of The Blood Brothers and Pretty Girls Make Graves) finds its way on the list. Meanwhile, Heretic Pride, the latest from The Mountain Goats gets bumped off. And Lykke Li's Youth Novels and The Game's LAX fall just short of making the Top 20, but will surely find a spot in the Top 40 at the end of the year. 1. My Morning Jacket Evil Urges (ATO) 2. Conor Oberst Conor Oberst (Merge) 3. Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend (XL) 4. Adele 19 (XL/Columbia) 5. Gnarls Barkley The Odd Couple (Atlantic)]]> http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2008/09/14/top-20-albums-of-2008-as-of-91408/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/12/okkervil-river-the-stand-ins-jagjaguwar/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/12/okkervil-river-the-stand-ins-jagjaguwar/#comments Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:30:10 +0000 Dave Reviews Okkervil River Jagjaguwar Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Lighter/Mellow Rock Alt Country Roots Rock http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/12/okkervil-river-the-stand-ins-jagjaguwar/ Note: The Stand Ins is considered by the band to be the sequel to last year’s The Stage Names (my #9 Album of 2007). The songs on The Stand Ins were written and recorded for The Stage Names sessions, but set aside and released as a separate album (instead of packing them onto a double album…a wise move). Sound: Very similar to The Stage Names – a mix of bouncy, rootsy-flavored indie rock and mid-tempo, dramatic ballads driven by Will Sheff’s descriptive and emotive wails and whispers...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/12/okkervil-river-the-stand-ins-jagjaguwar/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/college-radio-buzz/2008/09/12/college-radio-buzz-9608-91208/ http://newmusicnation.com/college-radio-buzz/2008/09/12/college-radio-buzz-9608-91208/#comments Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:46:10 +0000 Dave College Radio Buzz http://newmusicnation.com/college-radio-buzz/2008/09/12/college-radio-buzz-9608-91208/ College Radio Buzz is back for the 2008-2009 school year. Princeton Review’s Top 20 College Radio Stations list had a couple changes: Standford University and Westminster College (PA) are in; Manhattanville College and Dennison University are out (however, we like Dennison’s new music blog, so if they have something worthwhile, we’ll link to it). Just returning from summer break, there is no consensus buzz about music on the college radio radar outside of two show reviews of Radiohead. Enjoy the smorgasbord – from Calexico to Ani diFranco, from The Game to Coldplay...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/college-radio-buzz/2008/09/12/college-radio-buzz-9608-91208/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/09/the-verve-forth-on-your-ownmegaforce/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/09/the-verve-forth-on-your-ownmegaforce/#comments Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:58:33 +0000 Dave Reviews Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Lighter/Mellow Rock Brit Pop/Rock The Verve On Your Own http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/09/the-verve-forth-on-your-ownmegaforce/ Note: Forth is the English band’s fourth album and first since 1997’s critical and commercial smash Urban Hymns. Since they broke up in the late ‘90s, frontman Richard Ashcroft has released three solo albums and the remaining members have been involved in a variety of music projects. Sound: A mix of cosmic, hypnotic rockers, elegant, meditative reflections, and swirling, psychedelic jams...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/09/the-verve-forth-on-your-ownmegaforce/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/05/jaguar-love-take-me-to-the-sea-matador/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/05/jaguar-love-take-me-to-the-sea-matador/#comments Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:32:31 +0000 Dave Reviews Matador Aggressive Rock Jaguar Love http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/05/jaguar-love-take-me-to-the-sea-matador/ Note: Jaguar Love is a trio consisting of vocalist/pianist Johnny Whitney and guitarist/bassist Cody Votolato (both formerly of screamy hardcore band The Blood Brothers) and keyboardist/bassist/drummer Jay Clark (formerly of atmospheric indie rockers Pretty Girls Make Graves). Sound: The most prominent instrument is Johnny Whitney’s helium-injected, razor-sharp wail. It’s polarizing for sure, but it’s far more melodic and far less bloodcurdlingly shrieky than it was in his previous band...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/05/jaguar-love-take-me-to-the-sea-matador/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/02/the-game-lax-geffeninterscope/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/02/the-game-lax-geffeninterscope/#comments Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:18:13 +0000 Dave Reviews The Game Geffen Mainstream Hip Hop http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/02/the-game-lax-geffeninterscope/ Sound: Despite having no production from Dr. Dre (who produced several tracks on Game’s debut album The Documentary), LAX often sounds like a throwback, West Coast g-funk manifesto straight out of the early and mid ‘90s (hitmaker J.R. Rotem contributes the most beats and A-list producers Kanye West and Scott Storch contribute one track each). Synths, pianos and r&b hooks frequently lay the groundwork for The Game to spit his raspy, pensive rhymes...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/09/02/the-game-lax-geffeninterscope/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/29/ra-ra-riot-the-rhumb-line-barsuk/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/29/ra-ra-riot-the-rhumb-line-barsuk/#comments Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:09:08 +0000 Dave Reviews Barsuk Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Lighter/Mellow Rock Ra Ra Riot http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/29/ra-ra-riot-the-rhumb-line-barsuk/ Sound: Earnest, pretty and proper indie pop defined by its use of violin and cello and gentle vocals. Sometimes the strings glide, weave and bounce in between jangly guitars and sturdy drums, while other times the strings take the lead and create a more classical, chamber sound...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/29/ra-ra-riot-the-rhumb-line-barsuk/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/26/lykke-li-youth-novels-atlanticada/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/26/lykke-li-youth-novels-atlanticada/#comments Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:54:23 +0000 Dave Reviews Atlantic Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Lighter/Mellow Rock Electronic/Dance/Synth Pop Lykke Li http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/26/lykke-li-youth-novels-atlanticada/ Note: The Swedish singer’s name is pronounced “LOOK-uh LEE.” Also Note: All the tracks on this debut album (which was released overseas at the beginning of the year, and is just now getting an official U.S. release) were produced and co-written by Bjorn Yttling of Peter, Bjorn and John. Sound: A mix of playful indie pop (some electro, some more organic) and reflective ballads...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/26/lykke-li-youth-novels-atlanticada/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2008/08/17/top-20-albums-of-2008-as-of-81708/ http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2008/08/17/top-20-albums-of-2008-as-of-81708/#comments Sun, 17 Aug 2008 21:20:35 +0000 Dave Top 20 Albums Standings http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2008/08/17/top-20-albums-of-2008-as-of-81708/ Update: The latest release from Bright Eyes mastermind Conor Oberst - a self-titled solo album - isn't much different than the music he makes with his proper band. But that's most certainly a good thing. It's excellent, and it moves into the #2 spot on my best-of list. As a result, The Baseball Project the fun, long-in-the-works album from Minus 5 frontman Scott McCaughey gets knocked off the list. 1. My Morning Jacket Evil Urges (ATO) 2. Conor Oberst Conor Oberst (Merge) 3. Vampire Weekend Vampire Weekend (XL) 4. Adele 19 (XL/Columbia) 5. Gnarls Barkley The Odd Couple (Atlantic)]]> http://newmusicnation.com/top-20-albums-standings/2008/08/17/top-20-albums-of-2008-as-of-81708/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/16/re-up-gang-clipse-presents-re-up-gang-koch/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/16/re-up-gang-clipse-presents-re-up-gang-koch/#comments Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:43:43 +0000 Dave Reviews Koch Mainstream Hip Hop Re-Up Gang http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/16/re-up-gang-clipse-presents-re-up-gang-koch/ Note: Re-Up Gang is Virginia Beach MCs Pusha T and Malice (aka Clipse – the duo responsible for my #4 Album of 2006) plus Philly MCs Ab-Liva and Sandman. The foursome is responsible for the highly regarded mixtape series We Got It 4 Cheap, and this is their first official release. Sound: Street-level cocaine rap that jumps back and forth between bombastic, hustler anthems and tense, sobering meditations... ]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/16/re-up-gang-clipse-presents-re-up-gang-koch/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/12/the-faint-fasciination-blankwav/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/12/the-faint-fasciination-blankwav/#comments Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:10:19 +0000 Dave Reviews The Faint Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Electronic/Dance/Synth Pop Blank.Wav http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/12/the-faint-fasciination-blankwav/ Note: This is The Faint’s first proper album since Wet From Birth (my #16 Album of 2004). It’s also their first release on their own label, Blank.Wav. Their previous three proper albums came out on Conor Oberst’s Saddle Creek Records. Sound: Electro rock and danceable pop driven by an exciting mix of synthetic sounds – robotic vocals, fuzzy electro bass and guitar riffs, distorted digital freakouts and synths that bleep, bloop, squeak, bubble, bounce and more...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/12/the-faint-fasciination-blankwav/feed/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/08/conor-oberst-conor-oberst-merge/ http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/08/conor-oberst-conor-oberst-merge/#comments Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:56:24 +0000 Dave Reviews Merge Indie/Indie-Minded Rock Lighter/Mellow Rock Alt Country Roots Rock Conor Oberst http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/08/conor-oberst-conor-oberst-merge/ Note: This is Conor Oberst’s first “solo” album since 1995’s cassette-only release Soundtrack to My Movie. Since then, he’s recorded as a member of Commander Venus, Park Ave., Desaparecidos and Bright Eyes – by far his most successful band. Sound: Some stripped-down acoustic ditties, and varieties of rock that can be either playful and alt country, bouncy and indie, ragged and rootsy or Dylan-esque and folky...]]> http://newmusicnation.com/reviews/2008/08/08/conor-oberst-conor-oberst-merge/feed/