Miss Grit – Under My Umbrella | Gia Margaret – Singing: The vocal refrain on “Tourist Mind,” the opening track of Under My Umbrella, is one of those odd English quirks that could be interpreted in two opposite ways. Maybe when Margaret Sohn sings, “I’ve never wanted to be so alone,” they mean they’re bathing in a joyously introverted quiet… Read more »
Slayyyter – Wor$t Girl in America: This record is filled with so many things I hate—‘80s new wave, ‘90s industrial pop, ‘00s European big beat, the timeless insufferable attitudes of drunk twenty-somethings on the dance floor—that I almost turned it off a dozen times in the first six songs. But the deeper I got into the album, the more it… Read more »
U2 – Easter Lily EP: The Days of Ash EP disappointed me so completely that I came into Easter Lily with no hope for a good record. Maybe my low expectations colored my opinion, but this might be the best U2 release since All That You Can’t Leave Behind. Every song taps into the enormity of U2, and the music… Read more »
Flea – Honora: Before I found my voice as a bassist, I bought a lot of albums by bass players whose technical skills appealed to my head but failed to reach my heart. Honora is not one of those albums. Flea—who shines more on trumpet than bass—and his bandmates’ performances possess far more heart than head. “A Plea” quickly evolves… Read more »