Alice In Chains
The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
Capitol (2013)
I'll admit, I'm a bit of a purist; though I didn't think it was a bad release, Black Gives Way to Blue always seemed to pale in comparison to Alice in Chains's earlier works. On some level, that's not entirely fair--without Staley, they are an entirely different band, and not necessarily even trying to recapture who they were before. But then again, … Read more
Beastie Boys
Hot Sauce Committee Part 2
Capitol (2011)
As is common place whenever the Beastie Boys release an album, there is cause for celebration—usually the popular music of the time has grown stagnant, and, on average, it’s been at least three years since the last Beasties’ release. This time jubilation is even more warranted, as this record almost didn’t see the light of day. Scheduled to be released … Read more
Beastie Boys
The Mix-Up
Capitol (2007)
Everyone in the known universe that's ever listened to music has heard at least one (but more likely three-to-ninety) Beastie Boys song. They've connected with nearly ever corner of the music industry, inspired by and passing on the torch to musicians in hip-hop, rock, punk, dance, funk, jazz, soul, garage, indie, and electronica. So where does the band that's done … Read more
Beastie Boys
To the 5 Boroughs
Capitol (2004)
A lot has transpired since the Beastie Boys released their last full-length Hello Nasty nearly six years ago. George W. Bush was elected President afterthe wackiest election since the infamous "Dewey defeats Truman" fiasco. We saw the worst act of terrorism in U.S. history in the attacks that took place on September 11th. These attacks have resulted in the subsequent … Read more
Beck
Morning Phase
Capitol (2014)
Many musicians can write a sad song. But a sad song is just that. It’s one note - one emotion. Sad-verse-sad-chorus-sad-verse-end. Rare artists can take you on an emotional journey through the changing moods of an album. Even rarer artists can do so in the same song.It’s been six years since we last heard from the likes of Beck Hansen. … Read more
Coldplay
X&Y
Capitol (2005)
Coldplay is one of those bands that you get beat up after school for liking. In every day terms, they're a pussy band. Personally, I have been a fan of Coldplay ever since Parachutes was released in 2000 - the album was very personal sounding and it contained one of the most beautiful songs ever made, "Yellow". When A Rush … Read more
Fischerspooner
Odyssey
Capitol (2005)
#1 was such a fantastic, yet ultimately superficial, electro-pop album. Brimming with hits and infectious dance beats, it certainly helped to solidify the iconic duo of Warren Fischer and Casey Spooner as the leaders of this new-found "electroclash" genre. I've never understood what exactly was "clashing," but that is a moot point." Built up by scenesters, musicians, Capitol Records and, … Read more
Pink Floyd
The Dark Side Of The Moon (Experience Edition)
Capitol (2011)
'Oh great,' you're probably thinking, 'another critic on the Internet with her head up her own ass talking about this fucking Pink Floyd album again. How droll.' Let me assuage your concerns: I'm not here to review or otherwise convince you either way on The Dark Side of the Moon itself. You've already heard it by now, and you're already … Read more
Pink Floyd
The Wall (Experience Edition)
Capitol (2012)
The last of the three major Pink Floyd albums to be expanded and reissued is their 1979 double-album opus The Wall. If you haven't heard of this album already, then...well, you're probably lying. I'm willing to bet that, when I type "WE DON'T NEED NO EDUCATION", literally all of you now have "Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2" stuck … Read more
Pink Floyd
Wish You Were Here (Experience Edition)
Capitol (2011)
I'm really quite thankful that the Why Pink Floyd...? remaster campaign has made it to Wish You Were Here so soon. It has aged incredibly well, and is every bit as perfect of an album today as it was when it was first released. It even holds up favourably in comparison to the first album to be reissued, which was … Read more
Radiohead
Hail to the Thief
Capitol (2003)
Thom Yorke had billed this record as OK Computer 2, and Radiohead's cookie doesn't crumble all that different from the motion picture industry, the sequel doesn't live up to the original, but with such an amazing record to live up to, Hail to the Thief has plenty of room left to still be a great record, which it is. The … Read more
Radiohead
Hail to the Thief
Capitol (2003)
Radiohead are one of those bands that people go out of their way to like because there's quite a bit to like about them. Some would even certify Radiohead as a capital-G capital-B "Great Band," and I'm one of them. But even the greatest bands in the world make a few mistakes every now and then. Radiohead's is more of … Read more
The Beatles
Let It Be...Naked
Capitol (2003)
What if Ringo finally realized that he wasn't selling out shows like his buddy Paul? What if Paul's queen may have drained her spending account and put a considerable hole in his? What if both were afraid of their ties to an alleged murderer? The Beatles have seen their share of these sticky situations, and how do they get themselves … Read more
The Decemberists
The Crane Wife
Capitol (2006)
A few eyebrows were raised on both sides of the divide when Capitol Records decided to sign indomitable indie heroes, The Decemberists. With nothing obviously commercial about their sound, musings varied from wonder to fear that The Decemberists were about to become just another pop-indie band. Most fears, however, were allayed when talk of The Crane Wife, an old Japanese … Read more
