Feb 7, 2005 Music Cold House by Hood (Review) Hood updates their pastoral post-rock with glitchy electronics and Anticon hip-hop to create a compelling wintry sound.
Dec 24, 2004 Music Speed the Road, Rush the Lights by Piano Magic (Review) I find it rather troubling and disappointing that Piano Magic’s songs have become this predictable.
Dec 4, 2004 Music Kompilation by Various Artists (Review) Full of examples of why Kranky is one of the most essential — and consistent — labels currently out there in indie-dom.
Dec 4, 2004 Music Gang Gang Dance by Gang Gang Dance (Review) The music seems designed to keep listeners as uncomfortable as possible, but Gang Gang Dance occasionally finds a solid groove in the chaos.
Nov 3, 2004 Music Heart Drops From the Great Space by Delicate Awol (Review) The thing I like most about this release is that it keeps me guessing.
Oct 17, 2004 Music Sleeper Coach by Zelienople (Review) Sleeper Coach is much more oriented towards deep guitar drones and layers of noise and fuzz, with the only real structure provided by rhythmic loops, themselves fairly indistinct and gauzy.
Sep 26, 2004 Music Fountain EP by Dirge (Review) On this mostly instrumental EP, Dirge trudges along with heavy drums and mellow guitar and a bit of grief.
Sep 26, 2004 Music In a Safe Place by The Album Leaf (Review) This album glows like a little gem, and is there whenever I need comforting or just want to give my ears a treat.
Aug 29, 2004 Music We Could Live in Hope: A Tribute to Low by Various Artists (Review) When taken on its own merits, the compilation has plenty of high points.
Aug 29, 2004 Music Silence Is Better Than Nothing by Angle (Review) The EP reveals a very solid framework that could yield some very impressive work in the (hopefully) near future.
Aug 29, 2004 Music The Sounds They Made by Empress (Review) The sort of so-minimal-it-barely-seems-there lo-fi bedroom pop that could make Low seem bombastic and overwhelming by comparison.
Aug 14, 2004 Music No Wake by Tulsa Drone (Review) What’s interesting about Tulsa Drone is the mood of their music and their choice of instrumentation.
Jul 22, 2004 Music Pretty Little Lightning Paw by Thee Silver Mountain Reveries (Review) The album has some obvious flaws, but is still beautiful and arresting.
Jul 7, 2004 Music We Must Sleep by Pilotram (Review) All 5 of the CD’s songs move at a pace that would make “glacial” seem hasty.
Jul 7, 2004 Music Quiet City by Pan•American (Review) The most emotional and affecting Pan-American album to date.
Jul 5, 2004 Music Codename: Dustsucker by Bark Psychosis (Review) Codename: Dustsucker represents a stunning return to form for the band.
May 23, 2004 Music Summer Make Good by Múm (Review) Even with the album’s obvious flaws, Summer Make Good is certainly no reason to write off or dismiss Múm.
Apr 30, 2004 Music A Parade of Dusty Hobos by Random Touch (Review) As much as I want to enjoy the album, it seems insistent on holding me at arm’s length.
Apr 9, 2004 Music Pan-American by Pan•American (Review) It’s like Labradford remixing Seefeel remixing… Labradford!
Apr 9, 2004 Music 360 Business/360 Bypass by Pan•American (Review) As slow and mellow an album as you’re likely to hear all year.