Theo Croker: Escape Velocity
Theo Croker Escape Velocity (DDB Productions) Theo Croker’s third album begins with a track entitled “Raise Your Vibrations,” a manifesto indicative of the spiritual direction of the album. He acknowledges music’s power to trigger deeper feelings when, over mesmerizing horns and crashing cymbals, he asks his listeners: prepare to “reclaim More...
Meatloaf: Braver Than We Are
Meatloaf Braver Than We Are (Savoy) Man, does this one pain me… The first Meatloaf album, the infamous Bat Out of Hell, is one of my top five most favorite albums of all time. (Yes, I know I am old.) Since More...
King Creosote & Michael Johnston: The Bound of the Red Deer
King Creosote & Michael Johnston The Bound of the Red Deer (Independent Release) The collaboration between Scotland’s King Creosote (Kenny Anderson) and Canada’s Michael Johnston is billed as “a decade-long More...
Chameleon Technology: Blank Canvas
Chameleon Technology Black Canvas (self-released) A wild, roiling bass and a screaming vocal push of lusting informs “No Safe Word,” the opener of Chameleon Technology’s latest EP Blank Canvas. Less you More...
Sluka: Introversions
Sluka Introversions (Steel Flower Music) Breathy keys and a plodding background noise gives way to piano and the plaintive wail of Sluka on “Valentine Lies,” the opener on his new album Introversions. From More...
Field Mouse: Episodic
Field Mouse Episodic (Topshelf Records) If Weezer were fronted by Blonde Redhead’s Kazu Makino, the resulting band might sound like Field Mouse. Episodic is a breezy, brief record filled with sunny guitar rock, More...
Ă“lafur Arnalds: Late Night Tales
Ólafur Arnalds Late Night Tales (Late Night Tales) Ambient electronica at its finest, the Late Night Tales mix compilation from Ólafur Arnalds is mesmerizingly gorgeous. A composer and musician from Mosfellsbær, More...
Amos Lee: Spirit
Amos Lee Spirit (Republic Records) Amos Lee’s Spirit takes you on a journey through the horizons of your memory, his endearing tone signifying a promise to hold your hand along the way. Drawing influences from More...
Blind Pilot: And Then Like Lions
Blind Pilot And Then Like Lions (ATO Records) Despite having a dark name, Portland’s Blind Pilot crafts beautiful, delicate folk music. It’s been five years since their last release, but the band has poured More...
Katie Burden: Strange Moon
Katie Burden Strange Moon (Cautionary Tail) Katie Burden’s Strange Moon is full of atmosphere and drive. At times she mines Kate Bush (actually, lots of times), other times she gets intense, torch-song-chanteuse-like. Opening More...
