Apr 03, 2013 Music Issue #45 - Winter 2013 - Phoenix

The Besnard Lakes were the Dark Horse in 2007, the Roaring Night in 2010, and in 2013 have decided to eschew declaring themselves anything in an album title, going this time for something more... opaque. More

Apr 02, 2013 Music Issue #45 - Winter 2013 - Phoenix

Caveman's debut, CoCo Beware, initially self-released but reissued by Fat Possum Records in 2012, was a sweeping, ethereal album that recalled Plants and Animals' 2008 album Parc Avenue and the work of Fleet Foxes. More

Apr 01, 2013 Music Issue #45 - Winter 2013 - Phoenix

Fourteen years after the celebrated Los Angeles group Rilo Kiley self-released their first EP and five years since their last full album, bassist Pierre de Reeder is releasing RKives, a collection of unreleased songs, B-sides, and rarities on his own record label. More

Mar 29, 2013 Music Issue #45 - Winter 2013 - Phoenix

Telekinesis has always had pure pop swing in its music, a certain melodic sensibility that harkened back to the '60s, no matter how presentation varied in terms of instrumentation or fidelity. More

Mar 28, 2013 Music Web Exclusive

Back in February this year, composer Clint Mansell told London's The Guardian that film scores and post-rock were becoming interchangeable. More

Mar 27, 2013 Music Issue #45 - Winter 2013 - Phoenix

Thus follows the Under the Radar guide to writing a decent surf rock song. (1) Get the guitars out and play something a bit Dinosaur Jr.-y. (2) Sound, like, laid back and whatever, dude. (3) Do something a bit Beach Boys-y, like a vocal harmony, some chimes, or going "woo-ooh-ooh-ooh." More

Mar 26, 2013 Music Issue #45 - Winter 2013 - Phoenix

Glasgow synthpop trio CHVRCHES sparked fervent interest last year with two tracks that brought out different sides of the band. "Lies" was a staggering, minor-key powerhouse complemented by wily lyrics from singer Lauren Mayberry, while its official debut single, "The Mother We Share," expressed a more solemn sentiment. More

Mar 25, 2013 Music Issue #45 - Winter 2013 - Phoenix

For a unit that's long been the model of the archetypal studio band, it's no surprise that Depeche Mode's 13th record is another exemplary display of aural wizardry and high production value. More

Mar 22, 2013 Music Issue #45 - Winter 2013 - Phoenix

Fair or not, Is This It and Room on Fire, The Strokes' one-two punch from the first few years of the '00s, loom heavy over all of their subsequent releases. And for good reason—those albums remain immensely listenable and enjoyable, the sheer pop prowess and technical chops belied by how casual they felt.  More