Artsweek / CD Reviews

CD Review

From the Heart ***

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Solo albums are a tricky thing. How does an artist "do their own thing" and manage to make a relevant and enjoyable record without sounding like an ego gone awry? Luckily for lead singer Tom Gabel of Against Me!, he's only releasing an EP (roughly half the length of a normal album). Entitled Heart Burns, it is a dumping ground for a loose collection of songs rather than one cohesive album.


CD Review

Masters of 'Science'

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Few bands have achieved the level of critical praise and rabid fanaticism that TV on the Radio has garnered over its three-album career, rendering the band a pioneer of the art-house canon.


Nine Inch Nails Gives Fans The Slip

Thursday, May 29, 2008

On May 5, Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor announced that the band's latest album, The Slip, was available as a free download, an act that's about as charitable as donating a blank CD to your roommate. Sure, it's worth taking, but even at 44 music-filled minutes, this album is definitely missing something, at least until listeners tweak it with their own personal touches.


CD Review

Scarlett Fever May Not Be an Epidemic (****)

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Though she's not the first person who comes to mind when one imagines a Tom Waits cover album, Scarlett Johansson proves she's more than capable of taking on such an intimidating task. Of course, as a successful, mainstream actress, Johansson has faced some doubt and criticism as to whether or not she'd be able to pull it off, but overall, she manages to tackle the job with impressive force. She seems comfortable with herself, for better or worse, convincing the listener to feel at ease.


CD Review

Further Evidence That Science Isn't Foolproof (**)

Thursday, May 22, 2008


Noodling Around

Thursday, May 15, 2008


Bragging Rights

Thursday, May 1, 2008


Blast Off

Thursday, April 17, 2008


The Raconteurs Release a Revelatory Record

Thursday, April 3, 2008


Mack the Knife

Thursday, April 3, 2008


Oh So Emo

Thursday, March 6, 2008


Just Jack

Thursday, February 21, 2008


CD Review

In the Dark

Thursday, February 14, 2008


Kate Nash Builds A Funky, But Familiar Foundation

Thursday, January 24, 2008


Music: American Gangster

Thursday, November 29, 2007


Forever Young

Thursday, November 8, 2007


Over the Rainbow

Thursday, October 11, 2007


Band of Horses Rides Again

Thursday, October 4, 2007


Rilo Kiley

Thursday, September 20, 2007


CD Review

The White Stripes Step Up Their Sound for the Stadium Circuit

Wednesday, June 27, 2007