13th Floor Album Preview: Tall Folk – Wiser
Tall Folk are self-described as a pair with “long limbs and swirling harmonies,” and are comprised of Jack Ringhand, whose roots are in the Midwest of the US and Lara Robertson who hails from Dunedin. What this collection Wiser (recorded by Tom Bell of Port Chalmers Recording Service) offers is a refreshing blend of harmony-based […]
No Girl – Whelmed (Album Review)
No Girl is an Indie-Pop quartet from Auckland who threaten to get under your skin and quietly enchant you with their debut album. Consider yourself Whelmed.
Single Girl, Married Girl – Three Generations of Leaving
Single Girl, Married Girl is a Los Angeles country band who have high ambitions by planting themselves in name at least at the Big Bang moment, when Americana came into creation.
Album Review: Dope Lemon – Rose Pink Cadillac (BMG)
Dope Lemon finally rolls out their Rose Pink Cadillac after being postponed due to “vinyl delay”. This new solo album by Angus Stone should be ready to go, complete with its “Animated Vinyl”.
The Beau Brummels – Turn Around: The Complete Recordings 1964-1970 (Now Sounds/Cherry Red)
The Beau Brummels were just one of many American bands attempting ride on the coat tails of The Beatles in 1964. And they did just that with early Beatle-esque hits such as Laugh Laugh and Just A Little. But as this 8-CD set reveals, there was much more to this band than their chart hits […]
The Black Keys – El Camino (10th Anniversary Edition)
The Black Keys come up with the perfect solution for any last minute Christmas shopping for that rocker on your list.
Dirt – Bloom: Album Review
Dirt is essential to well-being. For your health, roll around in it and consume it. An exploration of soundscapes which bleeds out of and into all manner of Pop Art. Feet planted in the magnificent Sixties and heart soaring out from there.
Cat Stevens – Teaser and the Firecat (Island)
Cat Stevens celebrates 50 years of Teaser and the Firecat, his biggest selling record, released originally in October of 1971.
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – Raise The Roof (Warner)
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss finally follow up Raising Sand 14 years later. Was it worth the wait?
Shihad – Old Gods: Album Review
Shihad would like to kill those Old Gods. The Gods of death, war and destruction are also the Lords of the Future. Rebirth and regeneration.
Leisure – Sunsetter: Album Review
LEISURE is what Sunsetter is. A deep dive into the immersive waters of Ambient Soul Sonic Groove Thang. The album glides across that ocean like a sleek racing yacht up on its foils.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Barn (Reprise): Album Review
Neil Young saddles up The Horse one more time for an album that sounds part solo/part band effort but, as always, pure Neil. It also happens to be his best work in a wee while.
Adele – 30: Album Review
Adele is the reigning Empress of Soul and takes us on a trip into the heart and mind which is deeply personal and simultaneously all inclusive. That most rarefied atmosphere at the pinnacle of artistic achievement that few are privileged to breathe in.
Molly and The Chromatics – Pressure Moving: Album Review
Molly and The Chromatics want to convey that the tension is breaking and resolving. Their debut album Pressure Moving is full of songs of soft Soul Jazz with a little Funk. A dynamic Neo Soul Revue band on stage. The group coalesced around the little music delta that is Takapuna to Devonport. A hub for […]
Billy Bragg – The Million Things That Never Happened: Album Review
Billy Bragg – the Folk Activist Bard from Barking comes forth with new music reflecting the mood of his island nation. As the world became mesmerised with the strange shift in consciousness that is the Contagion.
Dion – Stomping Ground: Album Review
Dion – the heart and soul of New York City in human voice, presents Stomping Ground as an immersive Rhythm’n’Blues experience with a harder edge than last year’s great Blues With Friends. He brings along with the usual suspects – big names and cult faves – as accompanying artists.
Adam Hattaway and the Haunters – Rooster: Album Review
Adam Hattaway and the Haunters double album Rooster reveals the band in the thrall of the spirit of Exile on Main Street. That presence, which was there on the previous Woolston album has blossomed in full.
The Monsters – You’re Class I’m Trash: Album Review
The Monsters are Trashcore Rock’n’Roll obsessives from Switzerland, who proudly describe themselves as cheap suits and chainsaw guitar mayhem.
The Rolling Stones – Tattoo You: 40th Anniversary Edition
These anniversaries are just coming along too fast! Its been 40 years since The Rolling Stones released Tattoo You and so, here we are presented with an expanded, remastered version for consideration (and Holiday gift buying).
The War on Drugs – I Don’t Live Here Anymore: Album Review
The War on Drugs is a human failure of the greatest kind. The band though, led by Adam Granduciel play Americana as vast as the land it comes from. The land is where the spirit resides that shapes the people who inhabit Middle North America. There is a musical tradition which stretches from the Carter […]