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Bloom
by Johnson, Eric
Was the wait worth it?
After a break of nine years, Johnson has created a mostly enjoyable album with very few surprises. |
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Pajo
by Pajo, David Christian
Musical Dreamland
David Christian Pajo has been referred to as “the Kevin Bacon of indie rock,” having been a part of Stereolab, Zwan, and Papa M to name just a few. But this album is all Pajo. He made the album using cheap computer software, singing in a hushed voice. He often recorded in the middle of the night, and it sounds like it. The intimacy is palpable and seductive. |
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Mangled Demos from 1983
by Melvins, The
Loud Echoes from the Birth of Grunge
What makes this release particularly significant for hardcore Melvins fans is that it is the only release with the very first incarnation of the band (Buzz Osborne on vocals and guitar, Mike Dillard on drums, and Matt Lukin on bass). |
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Speed Metal Messiah
by Stump, Joe
Stump Returns to Save Us from Ourselves
Pretty much exactly what you'd expect from a Joe Stump album; jaw droppingly impressive guitar work at a speed and volume which will eventually kill brain cells. |
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The Curse of Blondie
by Blondie
This is not your mother's Blondie...or is it?
Despite its long history full of ups and downs, Blondie, arguably the most successful new wave band of all times, is not resting on its laurels. Curse is full of the spunk and spirit that put Blondie on the map and satisfy long time fans, but it is also fresh enough to appeal to a whole new generation |
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When I Pretend to Fall
by The Long Winters
All out of love
It's better to just drink it in and sigh with the satisfaction the Long Winters are kind enough to set a pick and move forward, whether the masses understand it eventually or regard it with all the fleeting comprehension of viewing blurry scenery out the window of a moving car. |
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Mystère
by Cirque du Soleil
Building a Mystère
What do spandex clad contortionists, exotic birds, Canada and this CD have in common? Literally speaking, I do not have a clue, but in my mind they all run together when listening to the exotic and intoxicating music of Mystère. |
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The Rodeo Eroded
by Tin Hat Trio
Something Old, Something New
Sure it sounds like the score of a meandering spaghetti western from the get-go, but in its refusing to be any kind of a slave to convention, the rug's pulled out pretty quickly. In other terms: if Clint Eastwood was strolling through town with a couple tumbleweeds in the beginning, he'd be forced into doing a water ballet routine atop the cow trough by the end. |
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Lost Time
by 12 Rods
12 Rods: Back and Strong as Ever
After being cut loose by V2 Records, 12 Rods could have fallen apart and drifted into obscurity. However, this act has shown they still have plenty of juice left, and Lost Time is a powerful new example of what they can do—label, or no label. |
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Tango Fiesta
by Gus Flaherty
Music as an Emulsifier
Composer Gus Flaherty creates an intricate and rich tapestry of passion and intrigue |
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