The release, or rather lack of release, of Shannon Stephens self-titled debut album in 1999, shows how little music matters sometimes. The former singer with Sufjan Stevens long defunct folk rock band Marzuki recorded the album more than a decade… Continue reading
The Archandroid, the debut album from former stage school kid and Outkast collaborator Janelle Monáe could well be the most eclectic album of the year so far. Mixing orchestral pieces, hip hop, soul, pop, psychedelic rock, folk and even a… Continue reading
Mark Kozelek has released yet another hauntingly beautiful album under his Sun Kil Moon name. Admiral Fell Promises has less of a band feel than the boxing ballads of 2003’s Ghosts of the Great Highway or the sweeping melancholy epics… Continue reading
Dark Night of the Soul is the long awaited collaboration between Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse. Unreleased for some time due to contractual wrangles it was originally intended to accompany a book of visuals by David Lynch. The book was published,… Continue reading
Candle To Your Eyes, the third album by Canadian band Shapes and Sizes, has some great moments but is essentially a bit of a mess, mish-mashing indie-rock, Janis Joplin blues, Bristol trip-hop and early 1980s new wave with uneven results.… Continue reading
It seems somehow cruel to criticise A Taste of Truth, the latest EP by English folk singer-songwriter Brooke Sharkey. She can clearly play guitar well, has a good finger picking style and an interesting, albeit indistinct folk singer’s voice. Nevertheless… Continue reading
Ukrainian born, New York based singer-songwriter Lana Mir’s self-titled debut album is an assured and welcome slice of summery indie-pop. Full of influences like Portishead, St Etienne and her Unfiltered Records label mates The Postmarks the album is remarkably consistent… Continue reading
After years playing in a variety of folk bands Somerset musician Nick Parker has finally gone solo and served up an excellent debut album ‘The King of False Alarms.’ Although listed as ‘acoustic, folk and country’ on his Myspace page… Continue reading
Ra Ra Riot have resolutely failed the second album test with The Orchard, delivering a well produced offering that is sadly too light on quality song writing. The key to Ra Ra Riot’s success so far has been the blending… Continue reading
In an era of where jolly synth pop seemingly rules, it is refreshing to occasionally hear some loud, squealing, introspective guitar music for a change, especially when it is so expertly delivered by the likes of The Twilight Sad. The… Continue reading