It’s a bit hard to believe that hip-hop, as a genre, is old enough for grumpy old men to number among its ranks; it’s even harder to believe that it’s been a decade since the heyday of Quannum, the collective that counted Blackalicious, Latyrx, and Pigeon John as decorated members. I remember reviewing music in 2002, the year Blackalicious’ Blazing Arrow was released; I’d become so enamored with the album that I wrote a gimmicky concept review of it in my […]
Spin Cycle
Spin Cycle: Madonna’s “MDNA”
The most successful female pop artist in history is back. Does “MDNA” rank among Madonna’s best albums?
Spin Cycle: The Melvins’ “The Bulls and the Bees”
Don’t say The Melvins never gave you anything for free. In advance of their upcoming studio album (Freak Puke is due on June 5th), The Melvins are giving away an EP of originals entitled The Bulls and the Bees over at Scion a/v . It’s the kind of EP that fans would gladly pay for given how diverse the thing is. Beginning with the sonic sludge of “The War On Wisdom” (and featuring miniature versions of The Melvins in the video, as […]
Spin Cycle: Miike Snow’s “Happy to You”
Popblerd reviews Swedish Trio Miike Snow’s sophomore release, ‘Happy to You’
Spin Cycle: Lionel Richie’s “Tuskegee”
Lionel Richie goes all-the-way-country on his new album, “Tuskegee.” Does it make the grade?
Spin Cycle: The All-American Rejects’ “Kids in the Street”
It seems a bit unfair to lump Oklahoma power-poppers All-American Rejects in with the sort of Hot Topic rock that broke around the same time as the band did; sure, they’ve never been the most challenging of bands, and their candy-coated hooks generally make them feel like the musical equivalent of pop rocks, but if catchiness were a liability, The Beatles never would have commandeered rock and roll in the first place. The closest thing AAR have to a dyed-in-the-wool […]
Spin Cycle: Overkill’s “The Electric Age”
I’m not sure exactly what happened in the past few years and if it is related to the emergence of a new generation of bands emulating the ’80s thrash metal style, but over the past couple of years, many of the originators of the genre have been releasing some of their best albums in years, if not, in some cases, of their careers. While Overkill has always been good at releasing consistently good albums, their last few albums have been […]
Spin Cycle: Macy Gray’s “Covered”
On her new album, Macy Gray covers My Chemical Romance, Kanye West and The Arcade Fire, among others. How does the “I Try” hitmaker fare with material made famous by others? Check out our review and find out why.
Spin Cycle: Sinch’s “Hive Mind”
After taking a long break, Philadelphia’s Sinch is back with a new album. Check out our review!
Spin Cycle: Soul Khan’s “Wellstone” EP
Battle rapper Soul Khan has unleashed a new album entitled “Wellstone.” Check out the review!
Spin Cycle: The Shins’ “Port of Morrow”
James Mercer and an (all new) band of Shins are back after a five-year absence. How much does a new lineup alter the landscape of The Shins’ intricate pop? Read the review and find out.