I hadn’t heard much of Lia Ices, if anything at all, until I heard “Grown Unknown,” the teaser track off her similarly-titled album. Immediately captivated by the simple combination of Ices’ echoing vocals and sparse instruments, including my favorite – hand claps, I began to wonder: were we getting another Glasser here? It seemed so… Continue reading Lia Ices casts her spell on Grown Unknown
Cloud Nothings do not sound like Blink-182 on Cloud Nothings
The whole time I listened to Cloud Nothings, I screamed in my head: “they’re NOT Blink-182, they’re NOT Blink-182.” And Cloud Nothings are not, in fact, Blink-182. But no matter how hard I focused on the stellar song writing or garage fuzz, I couldn’t help coming back to the comparison. Every time I closed my… Continue reading Cloud Nothings do not sound like Blink-182 on Cloud Nothings
Fujiya & Miyagi leave the listener waiting for something new on Ventriloquizzing
Hoping for a less monotonous record compared to 2008’s Lightbulbs from a group who dazzle a live audience, Ventriloquizzing is a typically synth-heavy offering with songs that, just when one thinks they will go to “that place” and crescendo–DO SOMETHING–go nowhere. Sigh. Laden with whispery vocals throughout, it’s difficult to distinguish one track from the… Continue reading Fujiya & Miyagi leave the listener waiting for something new on Ventriloquizzing
Deerhoof challenge fans and foes alike on Deerhoof vs. Evil
This album should have been titled Deerhoof vs. Preconceived Notions of Music. Over the last decade, Deerhoof has been the lovable band known best by cutesy frontwoman Satomi Matsuzaki and their ever-evolving, always odd sound. Since 2002’s Reveille, the band hasn’t made a bad or even mediocre record. They have continued to shock, awe and… Continue reading Deerhoof challenge fans and foes alike on Deerhoof vs. Evil
Destroyer romps through the ’80s with Kaputt
Did you ever notice that the longer you sit in the waiting room at the doctor’s office the more appealing those smooth soft-rock sounds become? You know perfectly well that this music is not what you want to hear, it really gets under your skin, but what can you do? You try and tune it… Continue reading Destroyer romps through the ’80s with Kaputt
Iron & Wine venture into unexpected territory on Kiss Each Other Clean
Honestly, I hadn’t listened to Iron & Wine much in the past five years. 2004’s Our Endless Numbered Days–and even moreso non-album tracks “No Moon” and “Sinning Hands”–was my “fall asleep” music in my first year of grad school. But I hadn’t paid much attention to Sam Beam’s latest work, so I expected more gentle whispers over… Continue reading Iron & Wine venture into unexpected territory on Kiss Each Other Clean
Duchess Leo
Another Saturday post, another “Saturday” song. Nothing big, nothing chaotic, everything peaceful. Not to say there’s no complexity here, because there is, but it’s soothing complexity (…work with me here). Regardless, let “Bloom” usher in the rest of your weekend. Duchess Leo – “Bloom” [MP3] Specifics: Artist: Duchess Leo (New York) Album: Golden Gray Release… Continue reading Duchess Leo
[Hype Hype Hooray] The War of the Critics: “May the best bloggers win”
Every [two weeks?] Jamie Hale takes a long, hard look at the music industry and the blog scene that feeds it. Here, he releases those findings and makes snarky, sarcastic remarks. Admittedly, both Jamie and Knox Road are a part of this scene. So sue us. Right now we’re all fighting for our lives.… Continue reading [Hype Hype Hooray] The War of the Critics: “May the best bloggers win”
[MP3] Mansions on the Moon: “This Is How We Walk on the Moon” (Arthur Russell cover)
I’ve been anxiously awaiting the day Ted Wendler (of Mansions on the Moon*) returned to my life, and it has finally happened. His newest recording, a cover of Arthur Russell‘s “This Is How We Walk on the Moon”, finds Wendler in tip-top form, with his unmistakable, breathtaking vocals. The acoustic guitar builds a nice foundation… Continue reading [MP3] Mansions on the Moon: “This Is How We Walk on the Moon” (Arthur Russell cover)
Ducktails’ Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics is beautifully built, easy to miss
The cover of Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics sort of says it all. We see a nondescript building beside some body of water on what could be a warm summer evening. Everything reflects in the calm waters, a still and serene picture seen through a washed out, hazy filter. At first glance the photo is of… Continue reading Ducktails’ Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics is beautifully built, easy to miss