Sep 25, 2023 Music Always & Always by The Julies (Review) The Julies return after nearly 30 years with an album of mature, reflective indie pop.
Sep 3, 2021 Music Flowerland by Pearl & The Oysters (Review) Inspired by Florida’s Gulf Coast, the psych-pop duo’s latest evokes golden beaches and warm oceans.
Jul 4, 2019 Music Air Review’s How We Got By Transforms Pain and Loss Into Pristine Pop (Review) Though it’s marked by glossy arrangements and studio polish, brokenness and hurt lies at the core of Air Review’s latest.
Jan 31, 2019 Music How Many Times Have You Driven By by Hana Vu (Review) Hana Vu’s latest EP is filled with catchy dreampop that’s all the more so for its mundanity.
Mar 9, 2018 Music Not Thrilled by Fine China (Review) Fine China return after thirteen years with some of their best songs to date. Elegant, wistful pop of the finest sort.
Dec 29, 2017 Music 12 Decembers’ Lush, Heartfelt Pop Wears Its Heart on Its Sleeve (Review) This remarkably strong debut is filled with simple-yet-affecting tales of love at its best and worst, all wrapped in gorgeous pop arrangements.
Mar 20, 2015 Music Disasters by Carlos Forster (Review) Disasters isn’t just Forster’s most experimental release to date; it’s also one of his best and most emotional.
Jul 7, 2011 Music Family Trees by Carlos Forster (Review) Though a bit uneven in places, Carlos Forster’s self-titled debut still evokes the magic of those old For Stars albums, and his voice sounds as good as ever.
Nov 6, 2010 Music Convalescing in Braille by Crushed Stars (Review) Convalescing in Braille might be the most unassuming album I’ve listened to in quite some time.
Oct 23, 2009 Music Bonfires on the Heath by The Clientele (Review) One does feel that this is the album the Clientele have been working towards throughout their entire career.
Jun 9, 2007 Music We Walked in Song by The Innocence Mission (Review) The album is dedicated to both of Karen’s parents, and that sense of loss and mourning permeates the album.
May 10, 2007 Music God Save the Clientele by The Clientele (Review) As evocative as The Clientele’s lyrics might be, much of their songs’ impact comes from the band’s incredible musicianship.
Jan 28, 2007 Music Friend Opportunity by Deerhoof (Review) Deerhoof’s experimentation often seems to serve no other purpose than to show off that the band can, indeed, experiment.
Jun 6, 2006 Music It Falls Apart by For Stars (Review) I can’t seem to find any evidence of For Stars’ continued existence, but It Falls Apart certainly has a “swansong” feel to it.
Feb 26, 2006 Music Tales from Turnpike House by Saint Etienne (Review) This is Saint Etienne doing what they do best: writing breathless, effortless pop songs populated with stories of heartache and longing.
Dec 28, 2005 Music Ramifications by The Rainfall Years (Review) It’s obvious that Ramifications is an album carefully and intricately constructed.
Dec 28, 2005 Music Let It Die by Feist (Review) To say that Feist has one of the best voices I’ve heard all year would be an understatement, and a very obvious one at that.
Nov 4, 2005 Music Strange Geometry by The Clientele (Review) The Clientele is one of those rare groups for whom depressing, melancholic expressions become something quite rapturous.
Oct 7, 2005 Music Souvenirs by California Oranges (Review) As the name might imply, this is bright, shiny, shimmery California pop of the highest variety.
Jun 11, 2005 Music The Richard Swift Collection, Volume One by Richard Swift (Review) He recalls a sincerely heartbroken Burt Bacharach working more with an acoustic guitar than a piano.