Richard Driver

The Black Keys - Let's Rock
PopMatters
70

By returning to their stylistic roots and incorporating recent projects and efforts, the Black Keys have delivered on the album's promise and in review, this is a strong rock album: lyrically moody and musically loud.

Yola - Walk Through Fire
PopMatters
90

The album includes a retro, vintage quality in its sonic range, sounding as though it was recorded decades ago and went unreleased to great loss ... It captures you immediately.

The Coral - Move Through The Dawn
PopMatters
60

The album is a strong statement for a band that emerged amidst the guitar rock of the early 2000s and stubbornly built success and a career on retro interests and stylistic cues. That makes Move Through the Dawn enjoyable, even while its inconsistencies mark a stark difference from its predecessor or other Coral albums, like the overlooked Roots & Echoes (2007) or the lost The Curse of Love (2014).

The Fratellis - In Your Own Sweet Time
PopMatters
70

Altogether, In Your Own Sweet Time, is a solid effort from a seasoned band, and promises more spontaneous musical performances for the band ahead, be it on tour promoting this record or in any follow-ups. The Fratellis share a lot of fun on this record and it's worth listening to for that sheer delight.

Jason Isbell - The Nashville Sound
PopMatters
80
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit’s first album together in five years is an enjoyable ride through his career and the life he has lived. It’s a deeply personal and often autobiographical album that cuts right on the things Isbell, the band, and his family, confront in the world.
Dan Auerbach - Waiting on a Song
PopMatters
70
Celebrating his influences and paying homage are admirable and generate a joyous, entertaining album, but it ends too quickly.
Zac Brown Band - Welcome Home
PopMatters
70
The erstwhile country band returns to the style of their debut to explore their travels, where they make home, and taking the next steps forward.
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April Playlist