The California Oranges S/T Darla By: Eric G. Two-thirds of the overly cutesy Holiday Flyer comprise this new indie pop trio, whom you may remember from last year's March Records' Moshi Moshi compilation with the quirky “I Know You Feel The Same Way Too.” John Conley and Verna Brock share songwriting as well as vocal […]

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Tiffany Anders Funny Cry Happy Gift Up By: Eric G. Children of famous people are typically doomed from the start, so I guess Tiffany Anders is lucky that her mother, director Allison Anders (Gas Food Lodging, Sugartown), is still only modestly recognizable on the Hollywood fringe. She does, however, have the added luxury of a […]

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Traffic Directed By Steven Soderbergh USA By: Eric G. Steven Soderbergh's engrossing ensemble thriller realistically delineates both the diffusion of drug trafficking in America as well as the futile war on drugs. Shot through filters and effects, Soderbergh's second film this year unfolds like a documentary without Hollywood's plastic hand getting in the way. Ensemble […]

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The Action Time Versus The World Southern By: Eric G. I've said it before and I'll say it again- it's ok to nick bits of other people's songs and styles as long as you do something original with them. Whether aware of it or not, everybody steals from their influences, so it's just a matter […]

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Rocket From The Crypt / The Get Up Kids Split 7 Inch Vagrant By: Eric G. Ten years on and Rocket From The Crypt can still pull off its punkish blend of R&B and fifties rock and roll without sounding like it’s too far passed its expiration date. I doubt the same will be said […]

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Barcelona Zero-One-Infinity March By: Eric G. Nerds make the best synth-pop, I guess, because they know how to twiddle all the right knobs, and Washington DC's Barcelona revels in its own brand of nostalgic nerdiness on its second album, Zero-One-Infinity. Sonically, it's a step forward from the band's debut, Simon Basic, but the songwriting isn't […]

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The Softies Holiday In Rhode Island K By: Brooke McDermott Listening to The Softies is like sneaking into your big sister’s bedroom with a hairpin in hand ready to pick the lock of her diary. Hoping to find the secrets of her perfect life, you stumble upon a whirlwind of broken hearts, ghosts, advice, and […]

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