Album Reviews – Page 16 – Spinning Platters

Album Review: Sondre Lerche – Heartbeat Radio

Heartbeat Radio - The musical version of a Snuggie?

Just in case you didn’t already know, Sondre Lerche is an indie-pop singer/songwriter from Norway. Heartbeat Radio is his sixth album and it has the more polished sound that a sixth album should have. It sounds like classic 60’s s pop songwriting with modern indie instrumentation. What exactly does that sound like? Like your parents favorite songs played by your favorite indie-pop band. Could be the greatest thing ever, but does it really work? Continue reading “Album Review: Sondre Lerche — Heartbeat Radio”

Album Review: Yo La Tengo – Popular Songs

I am going to let you in on a little secret- I have never heard Yo La Tengo before. I love the indie rock, and I have even worked at a record store (or 5). I understand who they are, and I understand the effect they have had on society. I know that every new record store employee will file them in the Spanish-language section. (Once I had a fellow employee bring me the Yo La Tengo section from rock and let me know that somebody was misfiling them) They are a band that has been through a lot, even overcoming this great tragedy!

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New Release Round-Up, 9/8/09 – 31 Instant Album Reviews

Do farmers wear uniforms of matching plaid?

I listen to a lot of music on Lala.com. It’s a great way to find new artists on new album day. But you have to sift through a lot of crap. Since I’ve been wading in music-waste for the past few months, it was suggested that I’d be a great guide as to what to skip and what to enjoy. These reviews will be by no means professional. Just one dude listening to music and reacting. Continue reading “New Release Round-Up, 9/8/09 — 31 Instant Album Reviews”

Album Review: Muse – The Resistance

Whatever you think about the new Muse album, The Resistance, you’re right. If you love it, you have nothing to be ashamed of. If you hate it, you’re definitely within your rights to do so. I don’t think this is a polarizing record. I think it’s an affirming record. It’s not going to change anyone’s mind on the band; rather, your opinion of Muse will be rewarded by what you’ll find. So what will you find? Continue reading “Album Review: Muse — The Resistance”

Album Review: Jay Z – The Blueprint 3

Blueprint_3

I know, right, a hip-hop record leaking, impossible! NO, really it did. Despite the fact that Jay-Z traveled all the way to Hawaii to record, the Blueprint 3 is still leaked, someone must have got on an air craft with a copy, what is the TSA doing! Continue reading “Album Review: Jay Z — The Blueprint 3”

Album Review: Ingrid Michaelson – Everybody

Sneaking in through the backdoor of your mind

You may not realize you know Ingrid Michaelson, but you do. Back in 2007 her album Girls and Boys launched her into the stratosphere of VH1’s artists “you oughta know” fueled by the ubiquitous “The Way I Am.” You’ve also not realized you were listening to her while you watched such quality television shows as Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill and Scrubs. An album a year later, her newest release Everybody arrived last week on August 25th. Will it also be something you constantly hear in the background of your favourite tv shows or will this be the album that brings Ingrid Michaelson to the forefront? Continue reading “Album Review: Ingrid Michaelson — Everybody”

Album Review: Wild Beasts – Two Dancers

In the world of hyper-literate esoterock fathered by Collin Meloy and nursed by Joanna Newsom came the Wild Beasts to remind us it should never be taken seriously. Their debut album Limbo, Panto along with their first five singles took the train The Decemberists made out of antique English imagery and lyrical grandiloquence and drove it off cliff, which is, frankly, where it belonged in the first place. Continue reading “Album Review: Wild Beasts — Two Dancers”

Album Review: Jet – Shaka Rock

Australia’s Jet is back with Shaka Rock, its follow up to 2006’s Shine On. Can these Aussie rockers bring the goods again, or have they moved on or changed their sound? Let’s see. Continue reading “Album Review: Jet — Shaka Rock”

Album Review: Frankmusik – Complete Me

If you want good dance music that isn’t hip hop or R&B you aren’t going to find it in the USA. Once again I turn to the dear UK for great new dance music. On August 17th the “next big thing” in UK electropop dropped on the scene. Frankmusik’s first album Complete Me is the musical brainchild of singer/producer/beatboxer Vincent Frank. Is it all that it’s cracked up to be? Is he the next Lady Gaga? Probably not, but I still can’t stop listening.

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Sing It Hasselhoff: Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson Break Up

Last year, Scarlett Johansson released a record called Anywhere I Lay My Head, a moody collection of Tom Waits songs arranged by David Sitek. He put together a band consisting of members of TV On The Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, and the Celebration. Reviews were very mixed, but I enjoyed the record a great deal. The record has its fans, but in the end was a bit of a flop. I don’t think anybody expected her to put something out again, especially so quickly.

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