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Adam and the Amethysts color within the indie-pop lines using lovely crayons

I know what you’re thinking: “not another quirky Canadian indie pop band.” Then, of course, you are expecting me to follow up with a “but wait don’t write this band off yet!” sort of thing. For sure,…

The Exit Strategy deal in equal parts sneer and melody on new EP

If you’re like me, and most of the music world, you’re wondering when Fugazi will gather their collective gear and unite once more to blow our collectively numbed minds. It will happen, dear readers, mark my words.…

Heartless Bastards hit the mark with confident Arrow

In articles about Erika Wennerstrom, singer and leader of the Heartless Bastards, the term “shy” crops up time after time. Whether meeting people at a party or fronting her band before a cast of thousands, Wennerstrom’s first…

Mike Doughty's memoir of his drug addiction is a standout in a crowded field of memoirs.

You’re going to get exactly what you want from Mike Doughty.  “I’m writing mostly drug stories,” he warns from the outset of the oh-so-appropriately titled memoir, The Book of Drugs. “I have them. People read them.”  He…

Trent Dabbs and Amy Stroup take us back to the lighthearted music of the 50s and 60s

In times of joblessness and Standard & Poors downgrades worlwide, Sugar + the Hi-Lows have created a lively, playful album. “With the climate of everything right now – with the economy – you could write the most…

Human Again is Ingrid Michaelson's strongest release yet

Ingrid Michaelson has made a career of being emotional, quirky and waltzing to her own drumbeat. Her lyrics have ranged from lovey-dovey and witty to heartbroken and sharp as a knife, all while singing in a voice…

All the Usual Shearwater Stuff (Birds, Animals, Excellence) Spun In a More Positive Direction

On Animal Joy, Shearwater has mustered up its most absolutely cheery work to date. Now, before fans assume the worst, we all know that the bar for cheeriest Shearwater music is pretty damn low. And Animal Joy,…

The Little Willies give a refreshing take on country classics

Full disclosure: I have a pretty serious crush on Norah Jones, so I’m going to do my best to be unbiased here. The Little Willies are an excuse for some great musicians to get together and play…

In America Give Up, Howler belts a familiar sound

What is it about critical thinking nowadays that we compare the latest and greatest band (or fad or leaning) with one in recent memory, when it’s always more complicated than that? Yeah, I know, I do it…

In 9-11: Was There An Alternative? Noam Chomsky proves more than just a clever linguist

This was my first Noam Chomsky book, but like many people the name was familiar to me. Familiar enough that my favorite one-liner by comedian Zack Galifianackis hit the target when I first heard it, even though…