We don’t typically double-dip here at Popblerd, in terms of record reviews. But when my buddy and Popblerd brethren Mike A. had a much different reaction to the new Snow Patrol record, we decided an exception to the rule was in order; Mike would review Fallen Empires around its UK release date, while I would take the reins in time for the US release. Mike’s review can be found here , and it’s well worth a read, primarily because your reaction to Fallen Empires just […]
Posts tagged "Spin Cycle"
Spin Cycle: Guided By Voices’ “Let’s Go Eat the Factory”
There’s a tried-and-true indie rock algorithm that states that former schoolteacher and Guided By Voices mastermind Robert Pollard + anything = a song. Like Billy Corgan and Ryan Adams after him, the man’s songwriting muse is so restless that one imagines they must spend their days holed up in a smoky bedroom with the shades drawn, eagerly committing every phrase they’ve ever learned to a series of spiral-bound notebooks in an effort to mold the entire English language into a […]
Spin Cycle: Kevin Hearn’s “Cloud Maintenance”
Although best known as the keyboardist of Barenaked Ladies, Kevin Hearn is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who has recorded several albums outside of the BNL fold. Although many of these releases were recorded along with his band Thin Buckle, the just-released Cloud Maintenance is the second full-length to be released under his name alone. It’s a whimsical affair that falls in line with the rest of his solo work. For those who have never heard Hearn’s solo work (or […]
Spin Cycle: Common’s “The Dreamer/The Believer”
Has Common regained his footing with his new album “The Dreamer, The Believer”? Read our review and find out!
Spin Cycle: Anthony Hamilton’s “Back to Love”
A lot of times when I write reviews, I like to explain how I first came into contact with the artist’s work. With Anthony Hamilton, it was at a 2003 convention headed by L.A. Reid and the folks at Arista Records. Amid songs, interviews and performances with the likes of Usher, Pink and Outkast, they also introduced a handful of their developing artists-including a soul singer by the name of Anthony Hamilton. With a voice that recalled Bill Withers and […]
Spin Cycle: The Good Natured’s “Skeleton”
Part Florence & The Machine. Part Client. Part Ladytron. All awesome. That’s The Good Natured in a nutshell. I came across them while researching a completely different genre band. Saw them on the EMI homepage and thought they looked cool (yeah, I’m admitting that). I checked out “Skeleton” the song and was intrigued by the blend of new wave and modern-day electro pop. Then I purchased Skeleton the EP and fell in love. From the minute “Your Body Is a Machine” opens up […]
Spin Cycle: Robin Thicke’s “Love After War”
Robin Thicke has to be the most unlikely R&B star of all time. His mom is a former soap star. His dad is Jason Fucking Seaver. Irregardless of his stardom, what’s proven a bit more interesting to me is how someone who seemed to be bringing a quirky, fresh attitude to pop ‘n b turned so conventional over the course of his career. I was what you might call an “early adopter” of Robin. Back in the summer of 2002, […]
Spin Cycle: The Roots’ “Undun”
The Roots are back with a concept album called “Undun” and Drew has the scoop.
Spin Cycle: The Black Keys’ “El Camino”
The Black Keys follow up their breakthrough, “Brothers”, with a new album called “El Camino.” Does this album reaffirm Dan & Patrick’s superstar status?
Spin Cycle: Chevelle’s “Hats Off To The Bull”
I am of the mind that band’s should continue to evolve from album to album. That said, I don’t feel Chevelle have done anything extraordinary since Wonder What’s Next. While I would never want them to make the same album twice, it just seems to me that they’ve done nothing to top what is, in my mind, the ultimate Chevelle record. There’s nothing particularly wrong with Chevelle’s latest, Hats Off To The Bull. In fact, there are some really great […]
Spin Cycle: VNV Nation’s “Automatic”
I am pretty embarrassed that I don’t know VNV Nation’s catalog as well as I should, especially after hearing their latest, Automatic. I know the band. I know I have some of their older records. I just couldn’t name you a single before now and I am sorry for that. Thankfully, albums like Automatic come along and give me a renewed interest in VNV Nation. If I couldn’t name you a single before now, then Automatic does a good job […]
Spin Cycle: Nickelback’s “Here & Now”
I have nothing against Nickelback. I find them perfectly inoffensive in much the same way Bush was perfectly inoffensive in the Nineties and…I don’t know, 38 Special and Foreigner were in the Eighties. Do I appreciate their music the same way I appreciate…oh, I don’t know…OK, let me change tack. You’re never gonna see me running to a record store or dropping ten bucks online to buy a Nickelback record, but if I’m in a bar and a song of […]
