Romance Is Boring, the third proper LP from Los Campesinos! is also the 50th release from Arts & Crafts, the Toronto indie label best known for their family-like attitude and releasing records from all manner of groundbreaking artists. A landmark release, or simply a coincidence? You’d have to think that after releasing three records in…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
The Smith Westerns, The Smith Westerns
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Devices like Autotune and albums like Heidi Montag’s Superficial have many worried about the future of music and how authentic things may turn out. (Although the universe scored a big win with the weak sales of Superficial. Right on, universe.) But with bands like The Smith Westerns around, the universe may have scored another big…
Enation, World in Flight
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He may be known best as General Hospital’s Lucky, but Emmy-winning soap actor Jonathan Jackson maintains a double-life as a sensitive, sometimes brooding modern rock singer-guitarist in Enation. Much of the material on the Pacific Northwest band’s World in Flight is driven by echo-laden guitars reminiscent of U2, splashes of piano that call to mind…
Snowblink, Long Live
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The earthy feel of Long Live, the stunning latest release from Snowblink is one that ought to be soaked in with full attention. The rumbling and organic folk that gives weight to Daniela Gesundheit’s spirited, haunting voice is well-crafted and subtle. But the true beauty of Long Live, as exemplified on tracks like the rolling…
Kurt Vile, Childish Prodigy
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When Neil Young gets brought up in conversation, rare is the person who wouldn’t describe his sound as “Huge” or “Loud.” And while Kurt Vile does indeed get his murky, Young-influenced groove on with a penchant for an unadultered wail on Childish Prodigy, it’s the lo-fi approach which Vile takes that sets himself apart from…
Marc Copland, Alone
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Marc Copland is by himself at the piano, just he and his thoughts tickling the ivories. By definition, Marc Copland is alone. Alone with his remarkable talent, his passion, and his emotions, all of which you hear on his aptly titled album, Alone. Each song on this fascinating album showcases not only Copland’s phenomenal talent,…
Asa Brebner, Suenos De Los Muertos
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This singer/songwriter from Boston has been a major staple within the city’s music scene for over 30 years now. Suenos De Los Muertos is a highly anticipated album for Brebner because it is the first in four years. With life-changing experiences hitting Asa over these last four years, it seemed like perfect timing…
Linda Brooks, The Spaces in Between
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Linda Brooks is a singer/songwriter from Canada who has a lot to say after years away from music making. Her debut album, Under A Painted Moon, earned her an East Coast Music Nomination for Best Female Artist. After that, motherhood came calling as Brooks had a family to raise and therefore her music…
Levit/Susilo, Asmarandana
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The new record, Asmarandana, features two highly talented individuals whose names are Emiko Saraswati Susilo & Rob Levit. Susilo handles all of the fine vocals on this album while Levit takes care of all the plush guitar parts, percussion, song arrangements, original album paintings and production. The duo has united as one to…
Daniel Hales & The Frost Heaves, Frost Heaves
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Daniel Hales and The Frost Heaves may be based out of western Massachusetts but they sound like they should’ve come from Athens, GA. Hales offers an even mix of airy psychedelic melodies and raucous alt-country barn burners, drawing from the likes of groups like REM, Flaming Lips and Wilco. It’s a sound that wouldn’t be…
Girls, Album
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Album, the debut release from Girls garnered all kinds of buzz in 2009. Visceral to the Nth degree, this loose and jangly collection was ode to the dreams of youth which arrive and dissapear so flagrantly. And it was exactly the kind of obnoxious shot in the arm the indie world needed. It’s an interesting…
Basia Bulat, Heart Of My Own
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Heart of My Own, the latest from Basia Bulat is as powerful as it is beautiful. The folk songstress captivates listeners with her warbling howl, which reaches new heights on Heart of My Own. After touring her debut, Oh, My Darling extensively, Bulat has gone and perfected her ability to let her howl rise and…
Audio And The Earthling, Crazy Moon
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It’s amazing to think that this album, Crazy Moon, happened by complete chance. Singer/Songwriter, Dave “Davo” Evans walked into a Missoula, Montana studio just wanting to record some folk songs. Next thing Evans knew, Ryan “Shmedly” Maynes would turn Dave’s folk music into an Electronic, Dance Explosion! Maynes wasn’t only the studio…
Jessie Murphy In The Woods, Eight Belles
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Coming from the same anti-folk scene as Regina Spektor, Jessie Murphy in the Woods is made up of Jessie Murphy, Marcia Wood, and Amy Wood (All NYC public school music teachers) who play oodles of instruments ranging from a melodica, pan pipes to an auto harp. Their diverse musical talents (which are mind-blowing…
Tribella, Thirteen
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Tribella is coming back strong after the release of their EP, My Guest List, two years ago. This Austin, Texas-based trio is now offering you thirteen ways to experience their one-of-a-kind sound. Their style stands out because there is so much being heard on this new album from 80s New Wave/Pop Rock to…
The Ted Painter Band, Keepin’ It Real
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This review marks another first in my tenure at Skope Magazine in that this is the first time I have reviewed back-to-back country acts. Former U.S. Army infantryman turned country crooner Ted Painter has released Keepin’ It Real, a five-track EP of contemporary country-fried tunes that run the thematic gamut from kids coming of age…
Feldiken, Small Songs About Us
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Feldiken’s debut album, Small Songs About Us, is an album that EVERYONE can enjoy. The record focuses on relationships, but more importantly Feldiken emphasizes the importance of connecting with people. Small Songs About Us really does pertain to us then, as a whole. We’re ALL in this thing together, so why not…
Kate Cameron, Conviction
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It’s hard to believe that a 16-year-old girl could write such a compelling piece of work, but that is the case here with Conviction. At just 16, Kate is the sole singer/songwriter on this new project as well as playing the role of guitarist & pianist. Boston area-based studio owner and producer, Bob…
Beach House, Teen Dream
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Ever had the feeling that you’re not sure if you’re awake or dreaming? From the moment you set eyes on Beach House’s latest release, Teen Dream, something about it seems intangible. The cover art’s pastel zebra striped imagery has a certain unworldly feel to it, washed out to the point of near-nonexistence. Seldom does album…
Arek Religa, In Memory of the Greatests
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Non-stop instrumental music at its finest is what you get here from the 13-track CD, In memory of the Greatests. The Polish guitar sensation, Arek Religa, is the man of the hour as he wrote, arranged, produced and performed all the songs on the disc. Religa even engineered, mixed and mastered the entire…
Susan Elizabeth, Wine and Cigarettes
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Susan Elizabeth is bringing you an album that will relate to so many people on so many different levels. Elizabeth gets extremely personal on this record as she refers to this project as the “soundtrack of her life”. The new album touches on Susan finding herself, discovering Buddhism, discussing a past marriage/divorce and…
The Sumner Brothers, The Sumner Brothers
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I must begin this review with a confession: I am very weary of contemporary country. It seems that what gets churned out of the Nashville machine is either too “boo hoo” or too “Yee Haw” for this correspondent’s liking and my reviews tend to reflect this. That being said, the new self-titled album from The…
Hollerado, Record In A Bag
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Hollerado are nothing if not one of the most unique acts coming out of Canada at the moment. Record In A Bag, the band’s debut is a fresh, wholesome listen. The band may be young, but their punkish charm is so damn flagrant that they give new meaning to “Throwing caution to the wind.” “Do…
The Band of Heathens, One Foot In The Ether
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From the opening slow, grooving foot-stomping crunch of “L.A. County Blues,” you know that One Foot In The Ether, the latest from The Band Of Heathens isn’t a record to be taken lightly. Full of the kind of blue collar grit that country-rock ought to possess, The Band Of Heathens walk with a boisterous swagger…
NUKE THE SOUP, MAKE WAVES NOT WAR
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Nuke The Soup is an all-original & brand new project thanks in part to the vision of veteran musician, Mark Davison. Davison is the lead singer/songwriter while also handling guitar parts and Mark is actually the founding member of Cubic Feet. This music vet from Maryland even came up with the group logo, which…
The Thermals, Now We Can See
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The last thing the world needs is another generic power-punk three piece. But the first thing that the world needs is more of Portland’s The Thermals. Quite simply, this is power-punk with a potent message. There is nothing generic about these three; Now We Can See, their latest screams with youthful urgency. Not bad for…
Ocote Soul Sounds & Adrian Quesada, Coconut Rock Deluxe Edition
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Listen up, this is how everyone should make an album. A brilliant mix of of genres, it blends seamlessly into a psychedelic/Latin/funk/dub masterpiece. I’d bet money that you’ll be tapping your toe or dancing along to it’s hypnotic rhythms by track five. Sounding like Frank Zappa decided to do a Latin infused album with DJ…
William Funk, The Veronica Sessions
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With a friggin’ cool name like William Funk and a hot new record, what more could you want? According to William Funk, there is a lot more to life than a rad name and a bunch of new songs. There is a much bigger purpose & meaning behind the making of The Veronica…
Fanfarlo, Resevoir
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It’s hard not to fall wickedly in love with Fanfarlo, the indie-pop five piece out of London. Their melodies are plumb, their rhythms brim with joy, complemented by an array of strings and horns. And lead singer Simon Balthazar coos in such a healthy and enlightening manner that hasn’t been heard since the likes of…
Yukon Blonde, Yukon Blonde
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Yukon Blonde’s self titled debut full-length is garnering some serious buzz amongst the indie circles in Canada. As one would imagine, in the age of immediacy, fueled by blogs and the like, buzz surrounding a young band’s debut LP isn’t anything new. Yukon Blonde definitely run the risk of falling victim to the hype, considering…
Mando Morphosis, 2010
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Mando Morphosis is a group made up of seven mandolin players. Originality at its finest, as this band brings fresh material to the masses. With the exception of one track, this entire record is all instrumental. Mando Morphosis are proud to introduce their new acoustic music at the start of a brand-new decade. The…
Bowerbirds, Upper Air
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There’s a haunting expansiveness on Upper Air, the latest from Bowerbirds that suggests this forceful three piece has their sights set very, very high. On their own, each of the ten tracks presents a rather rugged aesthetic. It’s bare-bones Americana, leaning heavily on acoustically-charged melodies and the potent pitch of vocalist Phil Moore. Connect the…
The Burned, The Burned
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It’s rare when music and lyrics reach down and touch your soul. So rare, I can’t remember the last time it happened to me. Suddenly, I am sitting here mesmerized by “The Burned”. Thought provoking, current day lyrics are combined with mellow, accoustic and electronic sounds that extend themselves creating visual experiences that…
Sol Skugga, Fairytales and Lullabies
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Sol Skugga is coming strong with her eclectic set of songs titled Fairytales and Lullabies. This young and talented singer/songwriter/producer blends together musical styles such as: classical, rock, pop, electronica and Celtic string arrangements. Skugga hails from the land of Sweden where she is promoting her third album. The US and the…
The Band of Heathens, One Foot In The Ether
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From the opening slow, grooving foot-stomping crunch of “L.A. County Blues,” you know that One Foot In The Ether, the latest from The Band Of Heathens isn’t a record to be taken lightly. Full of the kind of blue collar grit that country-rock ought to possess, The Band Of Heathens walk with a boisterous swagger…
El Perro Del Mar, Love Is Not Pop
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For all that Love Is Not Pop tries to be, it manages to accomplish a hell of a lot more. The latest from sullen Swede Sarah Assbring dips its feet with pleasure in the comfortable waters of dream-pop, but there’s enough comfy groove and passionate resolve on the record that it could likely stand alone…
The Coloursound, Reclaim
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Turns out The Office isn’t the only thing to come out of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Many years ago, Sean Hieter and Doug Batt got together to pack College bars with their meaty, sweaty brand of rock. And now, some 10 years after that meeting, Hieter and Batt act as the driving force behind the Colorsound. Reclaim,…
Capybara, Try Brother
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On the strength of their name alone, Capybara might evoke images of massive rats. Maybe you’d imagine their sound as a bit murky and heavy. But this Kansas foursome is a clever bunch. On Try Brother, their latest full-length, the band has created ten of the most docile yet engulfing quirk-pop tracks of the last…
Nicholas Mrozinski, Together We’re Stronger
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Right away, the environmentally safe CD packaging blends right in with the earth-friendly overall sound. Not to mention, this new record is a powerful testament to the local talents that thrive in the Twin Cities music scene. Mrozinski and “The Feelin Orchestra” attempt to make Minnesota the new music capital. With the…
Clever Con, The Robot EP
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Have you ever listened to a band that was part punk, part reggae, and part metal? Let me introduce you to A Clever Con, New Jersey’s latest in innovative original music. With Mike Dietz (Lead Vocals and Guitar), Ryan Marsa (Lead Guitar and Vocals), Bobby Certo (Bass), and TJ “Smash” Horner (Drums), you get…
