Music and more
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Artful Dodger – It’s All About the Stragglers
Artist: Artful Dodger Title: It’s All About the Stragglers Label: Sire Rating: 3/10 What if house and hip-hop got married and had a child? You would have the new age soul known as two-step, most commonly known in the UK as UK garage. The couple that gave birth to two-step are proud parents Mark Hill…
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River City High – Won’t Turn Down
Artist: River City High Title: Won’t Turn Down Label: Big Wheel Recreation Rating: 4/10 Tracks on a train: 1- Someone tell that train to turn the pop-punk up! 2- I’m glad it’s finally loud enough for me to go crazy. 3- Is this the same group? I didn’t order the train’s special hot dog and…
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Alice in Chains – Greatest Hits
I wish Alice In Chains would make peace and release some new material, because these greatest hits and box sets are becoming an extreme tease to an old diehard like myself.
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Jay-Z – The Blueprint
Artist: Jay-Z Title: The Blueprint Label: Roc-A-Fella Rating: 7.5/10 Jay-Z couldn’t wait to get this album out. He wanted to get The Blueprint into people’s ears so bad that the release date was moved up by weeks. Jay-Z certainly is one of the most distinguishable faces and voices in hip-hop and here he comes to…
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Ill Nino – Revolution/Revolucion
Artist: Ill Nino Title: Revolution/Revolucion Label: Roadrunner Rating: 7/10 When I first heard that another Latino agro-metal outfit was being put together, I immediately thought of Puya. After hearing Ill Nino’s debut on Roadrunner Records, titled Revolution/Revolucion, I was very impressed with how much they’ve distinguished themselves from the notion that they were just copycats.…
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Superchunk – Here’s To Shutting Up
Artist: Superchunk Title: Here’s To Shutting Up Label: Merge Rating: 7.5/10 North Carolina’s own Superchunk have been in the business for quite some time. They lived long and hard under indie representation for their entire careers, never really having that huge breakout song, but all along they’ve continued to do it for the music. Here’s…
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Remy Zero – The Golden Hum
Artist: Remy Zero Title: The Golden Hum Label: Elektra Rating: 9/10 For whatever reason, Remy Zero bailed on Geffen in search of wide open pastures for which to spread their ethereal rock. It was their release Villa Elaine that blew many a mind, so when word of The Golden Hum trickled down upon high, many…
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No One – Interview
While No One was heading for their first show on Ozzfest, we caught frontman Murk on his cell. They’re making their way to what could be their biggest show ever. You’ve got to be a little freaked. Yeah, we’re driving to Atlanta now from Chicago. We are almost there. We are so pumped, it’s like…
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Simian – Chemistry Is What We Are
Artist: Simian Title: Chemistry Is What We Are Label: Astralwerks Rating: 9/10 Simian is almost as odd as their music, neither of which I can quite figure out. “Drop And Roll” starts completely disjointed but lands clear in a lush chorus that strikes hard as feathers. “The Wisp” is glorious, almost spiritual in its grandeur.…
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Ben Folds – Rockin’ The Suburbs
Artist: Ben Folds Title: Rockin’ The Suburbs Label: Epic Rating: 8/10 Ben Folds is one, not five, not three, just one. Ben Folds is also a daddy, odd since Rockin’ The Suburbs doesn’t really sound like a mature album. In fact, it’s completely infectious pop that is a call to my surprise. “Annie Waits” is…
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