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.
Jun 5, 2005 Music Illinois by Sufjan Stevens (Review) This album has been like a breath of fresh air for me, even bringing me close to tears during some of the more haunting passages.
May 23, 2005 Music Michigan by Sufjan Stevens (Review) Stevens’ love for crafting beautiful, complex arrangements is still in full effect.
May 16, 2005 Music Six Kinds of Passion Looking for an Exit by Eric Matthews (Review) It’s been far too long since the world has had the pleasure of hearing Matthews’ croon and gorgeous arrangements.
Mar 6, 2005 Music Unelectric by Joy Electric (Review) The album consists of lovely, hushed versions of Ronnie’s joyous pop songs.
Feb 13, 2005 Music Falling Through the Clouds EP by Random (Review) This is a perfectly crafted CD, both in packaging and in craft.
Dec 24, 2004 Music Tiger Teeth by Call And Response (Review) The EP comes across as more an experiment, a toss-off than anything else.
Aug 14, 2004 Music The Täby Tapes by Nanook Of The North (Review) These quirky yet affecting songs tackle love, friendship, alienation, and survival in a suburban, post-modern environment.
Jul 22, 2004 Music Light a Match and Burn It Slowly by Fitzgerald (Review) There’s no denying that ‘Light a Match and Burn It Slowly’ is full of finely-crafted, emotive folk-tinged pop.
Jul 5, 2004 Music Things Done and Left Undone by Jonathan Inc. (Review) An elegant, atmospheric album of melancholy, rainy day pop that’s packed with emotion and beauty.
Feb 22, 2004 Music Margerine Eclipse by Stereolab (Review) It feels rather unfocused and meandering, like the group hit a brick wall after a decade of making the same lovely sounds.
Jan 20, 2004 Music Memories of a Color by Stina Nordenstam (Review) Though it starts off in jazzy pop-lite territory, Stina Nordenstam’s debut develops an emotional wallop by its end.
Dec 13, 2003 Music Little Darla Has a Treat for You, Vol. 21: Winter 2004 by Various Artists (Review) Featuring Printed Circuit, Sweet Trip, Entre Rios, Boyracer, Randomnumber, Manual, and more.
Nov 23, 2003 Music Heart by Stars (Review) Even the most starry-eyed of songs are coated with a thin layer of wistfulness and nostalgia.
Nov 9, 2003 Music Only With Laughter Can You Win by Rosie Thomas (Review) She has a wistfully beautiful voice that can make you fall in love with her from a distance.
Sep 6, 2003 Music El Naval by Mus (Review) Less electronic than Mus’ previous albums, the acoustic-oriented El Naval still has plenty of merit.
Aug 9, 2003 Music Befriended by The Innocence Mission (Review) They’re too mellow to be pop, not nearly angry enough to be alternative, too lush to be folk, and too positive for the indie hipsters who crave irony above almost all else.
Aug 9, 2003 Music Pre-2000 Singles and Comp Tracks, Vols. 1 and 2 by Flowchart (Review) No matter which disc you get, the wide array of styles makes for an interesting listen.
Aug 9, 2003 Music The Violet Hour by The Clientele (Review) The band has established themselves as one that can not only make you smile with lovely pop songs but can also move you with beautiful ones.