I found it Tennis-y yet not as good as a Tennis album, Jenny Lewis-y yet not as good as a Jenny Lewis album and in the end it just left me wanting to listen to a Jenny Lewis or a Tennis album instead. Comparisons aside, however, it’s still somewhat enjoyable.

The return of Andrew WK was surprisingly welcome for me. It’s a breath of fresh air in a climate that finds more and more artists trying to be something they’re not and aiming to please rather than aiming to be original.

Andrew WK is ever original. He is a walking party. This album is a beautiful mind trip. “Ever Again” is one of my favorite songs and the whole album is my album of the year thus far.

This is a must listen!

While it’s not altogether memorable and while there aren’t really any standout tracks for me, it’s a rather enjoyable Breeders album sprinkled with Pixie dust😏

With a twangy drawl suited for the folksy swamp buckled swang on this album, Brandi Carlisle made me a fan as this was the first album of hers I’ve heard. I’ll have to check out the rest of her young catalog. Bright future gets even brighter on By the Way, I Forgive You.

I’ve been a long time fan of Our Lady Peace and it pains me to write a poor review but I was extremely disappointed in this effort as I’ve been looking forward to it for awhile. Our Lady Peace has aged poorly. Their last few albums have been bad as well and they seem to be getting worse.

The high notes don’t quite make it like they used to. The songs aren’t sing alongs like they used to be, but at the same time the quality isn’t there anymore. I have zero ... read more

I haven’t loved a Reggie album since “Songs Not to Get Married To” and I wanted to love this one, but unfortunately it was just ok. It’s unfortunate the production quality is poor, as proper mixing would have increased the sound quality on most cuts as the music drowns the vocals, masking the wry humor that Dewees breathes into this Adele album art parody that brings back his catchier, Less aggressive side. There are less hardcore offerings here and more keyboard driven ... read more

I’m in a state of disbelief at some of the reviews I’ve read for this album. I loved it. It’s the only album I’ve listened to so far this year immediately after first listen. None of the songs are exactly radio friendly like his debut, but they’re very fun and quaint little ditties.

“I’m With You” is a beautiful love song sprinkled over simple chords and “Like Gold” is one of my favorite tracks this year. I still don’t get why ... read more

Not as memorable as Oil and Water and not as imaginative as Frames, but there’s enough here between the soft whispery shadows of a mic stand turned to super soft, to save an otherwise dull effort.

While understated, there’s still deep and heartfelt lyrics embedded in the absence of kicks and riffs.

After five years, I expected a little more. While not altogether disappointing, the album still feels a little flat.

Franz Ferdinand used to have that catchy poppy dance-y tinge of goodness but it’s been well over a decade since their last really good album and this one falls into the same vein of their last ok but nothing memorable list of meh.

With the exception of a few songs, none of the tracks reach their potential and the up tempo flattens out midway through the cuts making for a ho-hum fee that never really goes where you want it to.

MGMT have lost their quality. This is one of a string of bad albums with limited bright spots. Aside from a clever lyric in the first song here, even the beats seem boring.

None of the songs ever quite take off and end up boiling in a pot of mediocre stew. Nothing will ever match the electric feel of their once bright future but they’ve run into a wall they can’t seem to break through.

I’m not sure what everyone is taking issue with here as this will likely end up being one of my favorite Senses Fail albums after a few more listens.

The album kicks off with “Double Cross” which is my favorite lead cut of any new release so far this year.
The album overall is an emotional journey through one man’s rough couple of years.

The gut wrenching lyrics on “First Breath, Last Breath” are unavoidable and necessary and the “This Will Be My ... read more

Even though I hate albums with nine tracks, this one is pretty good. With inventive melodies and cagey, haunting vocals and backing harmonies, Uncle Duke provides a quick punch in the Born Ruffians catalog, albeit nine tracks and not ten. Sigh.

Standout track: Tricky

While I wouldn’t exactly consider this effort to be cohesive, most of the songs when isolated are tasty little nuggets. I especially enjoyed the song, “Lethal Combination” which is a different sort of thing.

All in all, it’s not their best work but there’s enough here to enjoy before they grace us with another gem.

I didn’t love it as much as Painkillers. That’s really my only critique of the album. It’s Cagier and braver but oxymoronically feels more free. Standout tracks include “Proof of Life” and “Neptune”

This album made me want the next Gaslight Album to happen Right now.

After Bookending the Further Seems Forever catalog, and creating his own brief kick-stomp band, Twin Forks, Chris Carrabba brings back Dashboard from the ashes with a *gasp* Nine song frolic. With the exception of the song “belong” which ironically doesn’t, this quick trip finds me longing for more but in a good way.

The first three tracks are solid and Ender’s ender indeed saves again with the best track on the album sang as a duet in his whispery (and best) key. ... read more

Very Letters to Cleo/Veruca Salty, which is to say, I loved the nostalgic catchy pep each track conveys even if it’s goal was not to remind me of kindered spirits.

Gets better with each listen. Folksy and whimsical, there are many things to like about this effort as it’s one of those albums that puts you in a good mood, while taking you on a journey. “Fireworks” is a standout track with slick hooks, and “To Live a Life” builds triumphantly before transitioning perfectly into the next track. One of the best early year releases!

The raw sound and eagerness bleeds through on every track, while there exists an authenticity and promise of even better albums to come!

Maybe I miss the electric vibes of the first album. Maybe I was hoping for more from the new album, since I didn’t care for the last album. Whatever it is, this just didn’t click for me. The arrangement of tracks is sloppy. The ballads don’t work and while there are highlights, there are too many negatives here for me to enjoy this the way I wished I would.