Flin Flon A-ok Teenbeat By: Eric G. Mark Robinson, whose seminal band, Unrest, defined what became known as "indie rock" in the early part of this decade, returns from a long hiatus with Flin Flon, a trio that plays semi-robotic, angular pop. As the liner notes suggest, this album should not be listened to as […]

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Cinerama Va Va Voom Spinart By: Eric G. While The Wedding Present is on indefinite hold, its founder and leader, David Gedge, has joined forces with its tour manager, Sally Murrell, who also happens to be Gedge’s girlfriend, to form Cinerama. The result is an homage to classic pop with self-proclaimed influences ranging from Burt […]

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The Church Hologram Of Baal Thirsty Ear By: Eric G. After Gold Afternoon Fix in 1990, The Church all but disappeared from the public’s consciousness. Original drummer Richard Ploog left the band, which then released the dispassionate Priest = Aura before slipping wholly into obscurity. Another key member, guitarist Peter Koppes, dropped out leaving bassist/vocalist […]

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Elvis Costello With Burt Bacharach Painted From Memory Mercury By: Eric G. Inspired by their kitsch-y collaboration for the Grace Of My Heart Soundtrack, Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach reprise “God Give Me Strength” off that album along with eleven new songs crafted by Bacharach and sung by Costello, who also penned the lyrics. Bacharach […]

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Dj Spooky That Subliminal Kid Riddim Warfare Outpost By: Eric G. DJ Spooky makes his major label debut with a synthesis of jungle, hip-hop, jazz, and experimental noise. Spooky integrates these elements with a few guest vocalists, rapid samples, and severe scratching. The over-stated tone is despairing but not without explanation. Spooky spells his aims […]

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Pj Harvey Is This Desire? Island By: Eric G. After summoning the devil and beating him back down again in her blues-infused To Bring You My Love album, PJ Harvey has kept a busy schedule while maintaining a relatively low profile. She appeared on the much underrated Dance Hall At Louse album with one of […]

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Limeboy Epoch Gleet By: Kerry M. Release #23 on Tennessee’s Gleet & Gumma records, Limeboy serve up quirky synth/indie pop with more than a subtle nod to Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields. The lyrics range from the absurd to the heart wrenching and eventually gut wrenching. Standouts are “Dotted Lines,” “Will be Happy” and […]

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