CD Reviews archive
Listen Cherryholmes: Sweet Family Harmony
September 30, 2008 – For the Cherryholmes family, bluegrass is more than just a pastime that morphed into a career.
Listen TV On The Radio: Complicated 'Science'
September 23, 2008 – TV on the Radio's latest album is also its funkiest, but in a typically complicated way.
Listen Burning Spear: Reggae On Course
September 22, 2008 – Spear maintains a deep groove and a mystical take on history on his new CD, Jah is Real.
Listen Meeting Vibraphone Jazz 'Head On'
September 9, 2008 – A review of the reissue of vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson's 1971 album, Head On.
Listen Conor Oberst: When Love Turns Sour
August 8, 2008 – The Bright Eyes singer made his eponymous album while visiting a mystical mountain town.
Listen Nation Beat: American South Vs. South America
August 1, 2008 – Collaborations between American and Brazilian musicians have never sounded quite like this band.
Listen New Silver Jews Album A 'Strange Victory'
July 23, 2008 – Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new Silver Jews album Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea.
Listen Reckless Kelly: Songs For Staying Put
July 22, 2008 – Reviewer Meredith Ochs says the Austin-based band's new album may make you reconsider your vacation.
Listen Stephen Malkmus: Shape-Shifting Indie Rock
July 10, 2008 – On his latest CD, Malkmus engages in the sort of shape-shifting that marked Bob Dylan's career.
Listen Kathleen Edwards: 'Flowers' and Hockey Skates
June 16, 2008 – The Canadian country-folk singer-songwriter finds metaphors in hockey skates and border crossings.
Listen Paul Thorn: Skydiver, Boxer, Rootsy Rocker
June 10, 2008 – As the son of a Pentecostal preacher, Thorn infuses his latest CD with elements of gospel music.
Read Lil Wayne: Uneven but Undeniable
June 10, 2008 – The New Orleans rapper's uneven album still proves him to be an undeniably great MC.
Listen Ashton Shepherd's Alabama 'Sounds'
June 2, 2008 – Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the debut album by country music singer Ashton Shepherd.
Listen Kate Nash: 'Nice' Done Right
May 12, 2008 – Critic Robert Christgau thinks the British singer is special, in large part because she's ordinary.
Listen Hayes Carll, Finding 'Trouble' Where He Can
May 6, 2008 – Music critic Ken Tucker reviews Trouble in Mind, a new album from singer Hayes Carll.