Articles written by James Blake
Showing 44 Articles
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Album Review: Scrambles
Jeff Rosenstock, Bomb the Music Industry!'s frontman, promised a more piano-heavy sound on his new album Scrambles. This isn't exactly true, but the album doesn't flop.
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Album Review: Broken Hymns, Limbs, and Skin
The second album by O'Death has influences ranging from punk to bluegrass. Considerably more bass heavy, electric, and driven than their debut, the LP is worth loving.
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The 2009 New York Comic Con
Running February 6-8, the 2009 New York ComicCon was full of surprises. It featured celebrities and new products from graphic novelists, Adult Swim, and gaming companies.
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Musician Spotlight: Vancouver's "Tarl"
Tarl, a modern rock band from Vancouver, makes catchy songs with a flair for the dramatic. The band's audacity and sense of humor is clearly present on their first album.
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Review in Retrospect: Armchair Apocrypha
Armchair Apocrypha is Andrew Bird at his finest. The album features tight, well put-together songs, powerful lyrics, and even some hooks over Bird's trademark whistling.
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Album Review: Merriweather Post Pavilion
Merriweather Post Pavilion takes Animal Collective in an entirely new direction. The freak folk band's new album is less noisy, but still eclectic.
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Phish Release Series of Live Downloads/CDs
With extended solos, improvisation, and a three-night run, "At the Roxy" is a must-have for Phish fans, as the set shows the jam band at their finest.
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Review in Retrospect: Feed the Animals
Feed the Animals is Gregg Gillis (AKA Girl Talk) at his best and worst. While his mashups may not be entirely perfect, the album broadens his horizons and sounds cleaner.
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Musician Spotlight: Andrew Jackson Jihad
With pessimistic lyrics, mandolins, and acoustic guitars, Andrew Jackson Jihad has four LP records, multiple EPs, and influences in anti-folk, punk, and indie rock.
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Bomb the Music Industry! to Release Fifth Album
Scrambes, the new LP by ska/punk band Bomb the Music Industry!, might be neither ska nor punk . The album, out January 20th, is said to break away in a few key ways.
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Album Review: There's No 666 In Outer Space
Spencer Seim and Zach Hill expanded the duo Hella into a quintet, and the results were stunning. The band's new LP is more lyric driven, but packs the same noisy punch.
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Musician Spotlight: Zach Hill of Hella
Zach Hill, drummer for math rock band Hella and solo artist, packs a punch on the drums. His unique drum setup and style of playing make his talent even more incredible.
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El Guincho Releases Sophomore Album
Alegranza,is a marked improvement in El Guincho's work. It has a flowing, poppy feel similar to Animal Collective, but remains unique through lyrics and sampling.
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Musician Spotlight: Ron Thal, AKA Bumblefoot
Bumblefoot does much more than just shred for Guns N' Roses. As a solo artist, he released the concept album "Normal" in 2005 and the follow-up "Abnormal" this July
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Concert Review: Wolf Parade with Listening Party
The Canadian Indie bands Wolf Parade and Listening Party gave a fun, high-energy concert at the Wellmont Theater last Friday, despite some problems with the venue.
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Review: Somewhere in the Between
New Jersey-based ska band Streetlight Manifesto deliver incredible instrumentation and lyrics. Their album Somewhere in the Between refines their sound and ups the tempo.
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New Animal Collective Album January
In October, Animal Collective revealed album art and a track list for their new album, Merriweather Post Pavilion. Here are some predictions on what it will sound like.
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Musician Spotlight: Spencer Krug
Besides fronting Wolf Parade with Dan Boeckner, Spencer Krug keeps busy. With his distinct musical style, Krug's projects are a unique and varied approach to indie rock.
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Album Review: Skeletal Lamping
Of Montreal has always been a strange band, but Skeletal Lamping takes this to a new level. Filled with short bursts of ideas and songs, the album is wacky and endearing.
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Ben Folds Releases New Third Album
The newest LP by Ben Folds, Way To Normal, is a flashback to the musician's earlier days, but lacks any sort of depth. The CD can be witty and fun, but still falls flat.
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Album Review: Who Killed Amanda Palmer
"Who Killed Amanda Palmer" gives the Boston-based pianist a full, refined sound. With help from producer Ben Folds, the CD promises Palmer a dark and torrid solo career.
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Album Review: The Hawk is Howling
Scottish post-rock band Mogwai makes albums that are either predominantly mellow or angry. On "The Hawk is Howling", they combine these two attitudes to lesser success.
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Album Review: Censored Colors
Alaska-based Portugal. The Man puts a more melodic sound on their new CD, Censored Colors. In doing so, the alternative/experimental band manages to keep the album sharp.
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Review in Retrospect: Battles
The NYC-based Battles have an incredible experimental sound. Their debut album, "Mirrors", is both a catchy listen and one that requires deeper analysis.
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The Sound of Animals Fighting
The Sound of Animals Fighting (TSAF) have announced the release of a third album, The Ocean and the Sun, out September 9th. Here is a first look at their final album.
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Live: Allman Brothers With RatDog
Last night, Bob Weir and RatDog collaborated with The Allman Brothers Band to put on a show at the Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center in memory of Allen Woody.
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Spotlight: Omar Rodriguez-Lopez
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez creates a great deal of music outside of prog band The Mars Volta. His new solo album, Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fungus, releases September 9th.
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Justin Hawkins: After The Darkness
After leaving The Darkness for rehab, Justin Hawkins is back and better than ever. Ahead is a look at the activities and bands the hard rock falsetto king is now heading.
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Album Review: Ratatat's LP3
In the past, Ratatat's sound involved giant-sounding guitars and synthesizers under hip hop beats. On LP3, the band explores, playing softer and more diverse songs.
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New Beck CD: Modern Guilt Review
After fourteen years of the spotlight, Beck continues to shine. Modern Guilt sees Danger Mouse producing, Cat Power contributing, and plenty of new ideas.
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Jam Band Spotlight: Railroad Earth
Railroad Earth played in New Jersey last week to celebrate their new album, Amen Corner. Over the years, the band continues to get better at interplay and jamming live.
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Wolf Parade Releases Sophomore LP
Wolf Parade's At Mount Zoomer marks a quiet change in the band's style. With prominent new influences from side projects, the CD makes a smaller splash than their debut.
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The Dresden Dolls: No, Virginia...
Released on May 20th, No, Virginia... is a collection of b-sides and rarities. The band doesn't try anything new this time, and much of their darker side has disappeared.
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Review: Weezer's Red Album
Weezer's self-titled "Red Album" marks their 6th studio album. Rivers Cuomo and the rest have been around for 13 years, and their maturity shows in this album.
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Narrow Stairs: Album Review
Seattle-based Death Cab for Cutie released their new album Narrow Stairs this week. This album is dark and eerie, but it shows that the band is capable of being diverse.
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And You Were a Crow: Album Review
The Parlor Mob is an experimental rock band from Red Bank, New Jersey. After releasing a promising EP in 2006, they brought forth their energetic debut album this March.
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Saturdays = Youth Album Review
French electronic artist M83 released Saturdays = Youth this Monday. The album deviates from his usual style while still keeping the trademark sound of M83 intact
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Death Cab for Cutie's Sound Change
Narrow Stairs, the new Death Cab for Cutie album, carries with it a new sound. The reasons for this are many, but Death Cab is ultimately going in their own direction.
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Concert Review: Murder by Death
Indie rock band Murder by Death played NYC Friday with Kiss Kiss and O'Death. It was a solid concert, although Adam Turla and the rest were a relatively tame headliner.
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New Raconteurs Album Review
Consolers of the Lonely, by The Raconteurs, is a romp through rock. With help from the rest of the rock supergroup Jack White has assembled, this sophomore album shines.
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New Modern Rock Band: Apes
Apes is a rock band from Washington, DC with roots in noise, punk, and garage rock. Their album Ghost Games and their live shows reveal how they are renovating rock.
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Three Overlooked Films of the 90s
A semi-review of three diverse and entertaining movies. Going back thirteen years and spanning multiple genres, these films should be classics and are highly recommended.
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Concert Review: Frog Eyes
Canadian indie band Frog Eyes played a free show at Bard College on March 11th. Despite many limiting factors, the band managed to surpass the hype set by their success.
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Album Review: Red of Tooth & Claw
Cello-punk band Murder by Death released an new CD, Red of Tooth and Claw, on March 4th. This lackluster album has a generic feel which does not show the band's talent.
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