Miike Snow: iii
Miike Snow iii (Atlantic Recordings Corporation) The trio’s third, full-length release is everything you’d expect from an album that was at least partially completed in an old Swedish castle; it features a healthy dose of homages to older musical influences, intricately polished melodies that are just downright majestic, and enough spookiness More...
Robert Nix: Once in a Blue Moon
Robert Nix Once in a Blue Moon (self-released) You could say far-left-field, alternative artist Robert Nix helms a very interesting-sounding ship on Once in a Blue Moon. Opening with the piano-led, strings-sweeping-in, More...
Mogwai: Atomic
Mogwai Atomic (Temporary Residence Ltd.) Few bands today harness the instrumental power and creativity of Mogwai. Whether crafting their own albums or collaborating with others, the Scottish group avoids being More...
Jesu/Sun Kil Moon: Jesu/Sun Kil Moon
Jesu/Sun Kil Moon Jesu/Sun Kil Moon (Rough Trade) One may think Sun Kil Moon’s latest record, Jesu/Sun Kil Moon, is a departure from the painful lyrics and doleful persona of the lead singer Mark Kozelek, More...
Silk: Quiet Storm
Silk Quiet Storm (Shanachie) Arriving in the era of Jodeci and H-Town, amazingly, 90’s R&B group Silk still includes all five original members, Timothy “Timzo” Cameron, Jimmy Gates, Jr., Gary “Big G” More...
Ennio Morricone: The Hateful Eight (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Ennio Morricone The Hateful Eight (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Verve) From Clint Eastwood to Metallica, the influence of long-overdue Oscar award-winning composer and conductor Ennio Morricone is as far More...
Lissie: My Wild West
Lissie My Wild West (Lionboy Records) Lissie’s debut album, Catching a Tiger, was all about indie folk pop that emphasized her incredible voice. Following that, 2013’s Back to Forever added a sleek ’80s More...
Andrew Bird: Are You Serious
Andrew Bird Are You Serious (Concord Loma Vista) To some, falling in love, getting married, and having a baby might mean slowing down and taking a break professionally. However, to Andrew Bird, it appeared to More...
Willie Nelson: Summertime – Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin
Willie Nelson Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin (Sony Legacy) What I never knew until I saw Dan Rather interview Willie Nelson is that the country/pop legend loves Frank Sinatra. In fact, Willie loves Frank More...
Rokia Traoré: Né So
Rokia Traoré Né So (Nonesuch Records) Music has a power that transcends language, and Rokia Traoré’s Né So is proof of that. On her sixth solo album, Traoré has crafted a collection of songs that transcend More...
