By David Kenney
How refreshing. On Air’s second album in a year, the French band switches modes and opts for a slow-burn sound. The Virgin Suicides avoids Air’s usual lucid synths and drizzling-rain beats, boasting a spooky, frightening score. A weary-sounding saxophone, Pink Floydish-hallucinogenic guitars, and choral vocals make Virgin Suicides an ear trap; and getting caught is… Continue reading Air — The Virgin Suicides
With a barrage of body blows, Henry Rollins’ vocal pugilism returns to the recording studio for the hard rock of Get Some Go Again. More true to his past image of a tattooed, thick-necked, testosterone-oozing, ass-kicker than his motivational speaker and publisher personae, Rollins’ latest effort returns to the thick guitars and punchy yells for… Continue reading Get Some Go Again — Henry Rollins
Who knew Rupert Everett could sing? His vocals back up Madonna in the remake of Don McLean’s "American Pie" and if you don’t like it, trust me, it’ll grow on you. William Orbit worked with Madonna on the remake, but please don’t judge him on that–his talent does surpass this poorly received song. The Next… Continue reading The Next Best Thing — Soundtrack
Haunting and dark, with the conspicuous abscence of a fluffy single, the Cure’s Bloodflowers, beginning to end, throws itself into lead vocalist/songwriter Robert Smith’s melancholy side. Soft, brooding and gripping melodies lead to inevitable, but restrained emotional bursts then drift back into gentler pop sounds. These lengthy songs prolong the experience at the bottom of… Continue reading Bloodflowers — The Cure
Some albums are boring, fluffy or just plain bad the first time you listen to them. More often than not, these disks prove useful as drink coasters or eye-catching reflective mobiles, but not much good for listening purposes. Other albums, just need to be battered against your ears a few times before you realize they… Continue reading Rubber — Self-titled
By Shawn Hoult
Although nobody is entirely certain, most scientists believe that grunge died sometime in November during the cold winter of 1996. However, it looks like the scientists were wrong as Therapy? dishes out grunge in a way nobody has since Starbucks took over Seattle. On their newest album, the cleverly titled Suicide Pact-You First, Therapy? manages… Continue reading Suicide Pact — You First — Therapy?
Following on the heels of Bonfire, a 5-CD box set tribute to former AC/DC lead singer Bon Scott, comes Stiff Upper Lip, the first album of "original" songs since ’95s Ballbreaker. Forgive the sarcasm, but while the band has consistently rocked for the past couple of decades, the aging fivesome’s music has also stayed consistently… Continue reading Stiff Upper Lip — AC/DC
By Justin Lee
Other than providing soundtracks for hip-hop based film and television productions, these two discs are as different in content as they come. The soundtrack for the CBC series Drop The Beat–a behind-the-scenes look at a college hip-hop station–is packed with some of the illest MCs in Canada and the us. The album features the higher-conscious… Continue reading Drop the Beat / 3 Strikes — Various Artists
By Dave Teeuwen
Electronica is still finding itself. Unlike rock or jazz, which have relegated its members to certain styles within the genre, electronica still has blurred lines of discovery surrounding it. Musicians are not made to produce only slow grooves or fast dance beats. Supreme Beings of Leisure have produced a solid album that delivers a track… Continue reading Supreme Beings of Leisure — Self-titled
By Shawn Hoult
It’s funny how certain bands and albums are remembered after any given decade, whereas many equally good bands get forgotten and left behind. When we think of the ’60s we think of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, but somewhere along the way, the Zombies got left behind. The fact that this critically acclaimed band… Continue reading Absolutely the Best — The Zombies