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heaven for real – energy bar
It’s hard not to come away from Energy Bar without some questions: what were all those tempo changes about? Was this music made in 2011 or 1984? Has it come from a befuddled artistic state or a charming, peculiar style? The questions are never answered—you have to accept this weirdo-indie-rock for what it is. That’s […]
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the sundays – reading, writing and arithmetic (1990)
The Sundays weren’t doing too much differently. In the previous decade, The Replacements had their edgy jaunt, Rickie Lee Jones had their unashamed sentimentalism, The Smiths had their riffs. At the start of a new age, and a refreshal of the consumer market, Reading, Writing and Arithmetic was equal parts mournful and joyous. Its effect […]
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fausto – por este rio acima (1982)
On his back, Fausto carries the full weight of history, expanding beyond the palpable connections between the immediate past and present. The task of this master is to act as the diaphragm of Portugal—to exhale while overlooking the instruments. Por Este Rio Acima tells stories of spices, travel, and love between instruments that jangle in […]
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sudan archives – natural brown prom queen
“I’m not average,” says Brittney Parks, a lot. Natural Brown Prom Queen has a confidence proportionate to the Ohio native’s vision. The instrumentals don’t merely embody her celebratory themes, but urge them further, like a tennis match in which both players secretly support themselves and the opponent. This is as clarified as neo-soul, hip-hop, or […]
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built to spill – when the wind forgets your name
Built To Spill have shuffled members, matured, self-immolated, and started anew through various moments since 1992. They have always managed to look like a bunch of dudes showing up to a high school reunion. But anyway, this is their new album and it’s good. In the deck of cards that is their changing lineup, Doug […]
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