New Releases Roundup

Editors' Choice

Selections for October 2014
Atomos
Kranky
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Gorgeous commissioned work for a Wayne McGregor Random Dance production that also functions as the ambient-neoclassical duo's second album.
- Andy Kellman
Mozart: Requiem
Naïve
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Süssmayr's completion of Mozart's Requiem receives a remarkable period treament from Laurence Equilbey, Accentus, and the period orchestra Insula.
- Blair Sanderson
We Come from the Same Place
Fortuna Pop / Slumberland
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The group's third album is another well-constructed, heartfelt, and true slice of simple and sophisticated indie pop for adults.
- Tim Sendra
When David Heard: Sacred Choral Works by Thomas Tomkins
Chaconne / Chandos
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When David heard that Absalom was slain is given a hushed, genuinely tragic atmosphere, and the choir's emotional range under Nethsingha is impressive.
- James Manheim
Slate Creek Records
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The last of the Pistol Annies to deliver a solo album offers a richly detailed, deceptively relaxed portrait of middle class America in 2014.
- Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen
Avie
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The Seattle Opera's live Ring has been presented as a 14-CD box set, a digital download, and as online streaming.
- Blair Sanderson
Get in Union: Recordings by Alan Lomax 1959-1966
Tompkins Square
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A marvelous introduction to Bessie Jones and the treasure that is Georgia Sea Island folk music.
- Steve Leggett
Guitar in the Space Age!
OKeh Records / Oken
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The guitarist and his band take on rock, country, blues, and surf guitar music from the late '50s and early '60s, rework it, and deliver a fun record.
- Thom Jurek
Tomorrow Was the Golden Age
RVNG Intl.
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Pianist/composer David Moore's enchanting minimalist chamber ensemble delivers a graceful and pastoral second album.
- Timothy Monger
Terminals
Cantaloupe
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The drummer/composer delivers his masterwork: five concertos for scored percussion and improvising soloists.
- Thom Jurek
Some Songs
Spunk
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Out of the bedroom and into the studio, the one-man band's second album is a sure-footed step forward and full of indie rock goodness.
- Tim Sendra
Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn
Rounder
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The husband-and-wife banjoists deliver an intimate, edifying, and progressive dialogue on musical tradition with standards and originals.
- Thom Jurek
Our Love
Merge
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Sixth album from this experimental electronic artist is easily his most straightforwardly dancey.
- Fred Thomas
Hold My Home
Downtown
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Building on Dear Miss Lonelyhearts' success, the band delivers some of its most engaging, confident music since Robbers & Cowards.
- Heather Phares
Schubert: Piano Sonatas
DG Deutsche Grammophon
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This Deutsche Grammophon box set is an important release, marking the first time Daniel Barenboim has recorded Schubert's complete piano sonatas.
- Blair Sanderson
Chicago Winds...The Saga Continues
eOne
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A fine return to secular R&B, produced and written almost entirely by Warryn Campbell and Eric Dawkins.
- Andy Kellman
Mbókò
ECM
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The ECM debut by this up-and-coming pianist offers a bold jazzman's take on Afro-Cuban ritual music that is at once striking and deeply moving.
- Thom Jurek
Ragged & Dirty
Ruf Records
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On his second solo album, the guitarist heads to Chicago and delivers an album that melds electric blues, vintage R&B, and rock.
- Thom Jurek
Reincarnations: The Remix Chapter 2009-2014
Pampa
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Nearly as thrilling as the volume that preceded it, the techno maverick compiles more of his remix work for Herbert, Caribou, Ada, and others.
- Andy Kellman
Joined Ends
Ninja Tune
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The second album from Viennese producer and musician Oliver Johnson is a beatific trip filled with spiraling melodies.
- Andy Kellman
Going Down to the River
Rounder
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This traditional country singer/songwriter delivers a knockout debut after nearly two decades of homelessness and street singing.
- Thom Jurek
Baltimore Crush
Bar/None Records
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Second album from this indie rock quartet sounds both laid-back and attentive as they mix rock, pop, electronics, and grooves.
- Mark Deming
RTJ2
Mass Appeal
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Growing into something serious, rappers El-P and Killer Mike stun once again with this excellent sequel.
- David Jeffries
Work and Love
Paper Bag Records
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The Canadian roots trio's fifth LP is as dark and daring as it is warm-hearted.
- Timothy Monger
La Fiesta, Que Viva
Staubgold
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Sophisticated, rebellious, startling late-'90s recordings from members of Meridian Brothers, Ondatropica, Frente Cumbeiro, and more.
- Thom Jurek
Legao
Bubbles
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The Kings of Convenience singer collaborates with Icelandic reggae group Hjálmar on his wonderfully charming sophomore release.
- Timothy Monger
Escape from Witchtropolis
Trouble in Mind
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Alex Cuervo's second album of eerie instrumentals blurs the line between soundtracks and pop music even more artfully.
- Heather Phares
Rips
Merge
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Mary Timony's power trio shakes up rock conventions on its life-affirming debut.
- Heather Phares
Down to Earth
Caroline
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Evocative and ambitious debut from the Australian electronic production duo.
- Matt Collar
You're Dead!
Warp
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Steven Ellison confronts mortality and pushes four genres forward with help from Herbie Hancock, Snoop Dogg, Kamasi Washington, and Kendrick Lamar.
- Andy Kellman
Indian Ocean
Nettwerk
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A warm, breezy, and soulful set of R&B-kissed country-pop confections featuring the legendary Hi Rhythm Section.
- James Christopher Monger
Spirits
Lefse Records
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The New Zealand dream folk duo charmingly mix wistful chamber pop and the warm sounds of British folk on their debut LP.
- Timothy Monger
Handel Arias
Hyperion
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For many listeners, the chief attraction here from among various similar releases will be the presence of the venerable English Concert under Bicket.
- James Manheim
Shostakovich: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2
Ondine
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In his performances of Shostakovich's violin concertos, Christian Tetzlaff shows a clear respect for the performance tradition David Oistrakh started.
- Blair Sanderson
Waves
Trouble in Mind
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A warm and detailed debut from this indie-leaning Spanish electronica producer.
- Fred Thomas
People Keep Talking
Hoodie Allen, LLC
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With hooks, punchlines, and swagger all in abundance, the follies of youth sound utterly fly on the pop-rapper's debut.
- David Jeffries
So It Is with Us
Kill Rock Stars
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The band's spirited fifth outing may not be a party record, but it makes a noble attempt to mingle with its guests.
- James Christopher Monger
Glossy Recall
Off Tempo
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Second album of gorgeous and mysteriously distant pop from these occasional Mount Eerie collaborators.
- Fred Thomas
The Flatterer: Piano Music of Cécile Chaminade
Steinway & Sons
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There's plenty of competent and forgotten music in this welcome addition to the small but growing corpus of recordings of Chaminade's music.
- James Manheim
Playland
New Voodoo
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Quickly written and recorded sequel to the Smiths guitarist's first solo album is a stylish, visceral rush.
- Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Jukebox the Ghost
Yep Roc
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An 11-track assault of sugary, feel-good millennial pop confections that sound like Ben Folds devoid of all cynicism.
- James Christopher Monger
The Art of Conversation
Blue Note / Impulse!
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Subtle, beautifully performed collaboration between the influential jazz pianist and bassist.
- Matt Collar
Still Life
Woodsist
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Second solo album from former Woods member blends roots rock arrangements and passionate storytelling.
- Fred Thomas
Hang
Fat Wreck Chords
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Lagwagon's timely and politically charged eighth album finds the band breaking their nine-year silence with an impassioned plea for reason.
- Gregory Heaney
Last Ex
Constellation
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Timber Timbre members transform the band's unused horror movie score into a playful, spooky and poignant triumph.
- Heather Phares
Led Zeppelin IV [Deluxe Edition]
Atlantic / Rhino / Swan Song
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Zep's towering classic--the ultimate distillation of the band's epic blues--echoing from the Mississippi Delta to Middle Earth.
- Patrick Sullivan
Houses of the Holy [Super Deluxe Box Set Edition]
Atlantic
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Expanded reissue features a second disc of alternate mixes and instrumentals that mirrors the original tracklisting.
Heartstrings
Hotly Wanting / Vagrant
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A classically minded, thoroughly modern collection of lush, adult alternative pop from the actress.
- Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Pain Killer
Capitol / Capitol Nashville
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The quartet throws out the rule book on this restless, unpredictable country-pop record.
- Stephen Thomas Erlewine
After the Rain
Editions Mego
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A creative and enticing release from Mark Van Hoen and Louis Sherman that recalls the mid- to late-'70s works of Harmonia, Cluster, and Brian Eno.
- Andy Kellman
Under Pressure
Def Jam
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No guest artists or filler to be found on the Maryland rapper's stunning autobiographical debut album.
- David Jeffries
Shaken
Bloodshot
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On her sophomore offering, the Danish pedal steel guitarist and songwriter creates an intimate and powerful portrait of loss.
- Thom Jurek
Home Everywhere
Captured Tracks
AllMusic
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The band's second post-comeback album is another bracing and inventive blast of modern shoegaze and noise pop.
- Tim Sendra
Rays of Darkness
Temporary Residence
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Sans strings and piano, the Japanese quartet unveil welcome, more sinister sonic aspects on their companion to The Last Dawn.
- Thom Jurek
New Age Music Is Here
Felte
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The aptly named, anonymous group deliver dramatic electro-pop that already rivals their better-known contemporaries.
- Heather Phares
Forever
Warner Bros.
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'70s and '80s disco-, R&B-, and electro-infused debut from the Los Angeles outfit.
- Matt Collar
Melody Road
Capitol
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A Don Was-assisted returned to show biz schmaltz for the veteran singer/songwriter
- Stephen Thomas Erlewine
'77
'77
Don Giovanni
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Brooklyn garage punks evoke classic power pop on their third album, an ambitious and impressive two-LP set.
- Mark Deming
The Digital Age
Burger Records
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Arriving 20 years after their debut album, the band's Burger Records debut is as fuzzy, trippy, and bittersweet as ever.
- Heather Phares
Cosmic Logic
ADA / Weird World
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Indie dub duo peel back even more of the lo-fi film on this clearer, more beat-minded fourth album.
- Fred Thomas
Bestial Burden
Sacred Bones
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Pharmakon veers her punishing sound in a more viscerally unsettling direction on her second album for Sacred Bones.
- Gregory Heaney
Spellcaster II: Death in Space
Pizza Burglar Records
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The New Orleans fixture returns with a set of songs perfectly balanced between blobby electronics and fired-up garage rock.
- Heather Phares
Hard Luck Child: A Tribute to Skip James
Stony Plain
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Celebrated guitarist and singer pays homage to one of her key influences on this splendid acoustic blues session.
- Mark Deming
Irish Tour '74 [Expanded Deluxe Edition]
Eagle Records / Eagle Rock
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Instead of reproducing the original classic album, this 40th anniversary version presents the tour's Cork show in its entirety for the first time.
- Thom Jurek
Slap Back
Vanguard
AllMusic
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Idiosyncratic singer and songwriter gets a new band and a new sound, but holds onto her powerful voice and soul-baring songs.
- Mark Deming
Negative Qualities
HXC / XL
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Ranting Canadian punk band hits the jackpot with this smart, literate, and furiously satisfying debut album.
- Mark Deming
Chubbed Up
Ipecac
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The duo's singles collection delivers more scathing, punk-meets-hip-hop takedowns of bad music and social injustice.
- Heather Phares
Ohio
Atlantic / Atlantic Urban / Maybach
AllMusic
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Trunk-rattling beats meet thought-provoking lyrics on the Massillon, Ohio rapper's debut album.
- David Jeffries
No One Is Lost
ATO
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The Canadian pop veterans' seventh album is another compelling and big-hearted affair full of dancefloor hooks and warm guitar pop.
- Timothy Monger
Way Out Weather
Paradise of Bachelors
AllMusic
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On his second Paradise of Bachelors offering, the artist artfully and ambitiously showcases his increasing confidence as a singer/songwriter.
- Thom Jurek
24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault
Reprise
AllMusic
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With the help of Dave Stewart, Nicks finishes off songs largely written in the late '70s and early '80s.
- Stephen Thomas Erlewine
The Girl from Detroit City
7T's / Cherry Red
AllMusic
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Celebrating the 50-year career of the original Tuff Girl in 82 songs; includes her major glam rock hits and lots of creative detours.
- Mark Deming
Paperwork
Grand Hustle Records / Sony Music Entertainment
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Pharrell executive produces the rapper's very pop 2014 effort, and the results are vibrant and varied with plenty of highlights.
- David Jeffries
The Night Is Young
Southern Fried
AllMusic
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The duo's second full-length expands on Be Strong's '90s dance revival with hypnotic South African influences and more thoughtful, kinetic songs.
- Heather Phares
Gentlemen
Elektra / Rhino
AllMusic
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Reissue of the band's purposefully difficult, ambitious major label debut adds a second disc of demos, instrumentals and covers.
How I Learned to Write Backwards
Suicide Squeeze
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Eerie yet melodic, this third and final album from the '60s pop-inspired indie pop act would also be the group's best.
- Fred Thomas
The Last Match
Slumberland
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Second album from this beloved and influential indie pop group moved toward more orchestrated chamber pop.
- Fred Thomas
Terrible Things Happen
Slumberland
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The short-lived but groundbreaking indie/chamber pop band's comparatively raw debut album.
- Fred Thomas
Burnt Offering
Daptone
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On its fantastic fourth album, the ten- piece unit shifts gears, embracing stoner psych and soundtrack funk in its signature sound.
- Thom Jurek
The Curse of Love
Skeleton Key Records
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Recorded in 2006 but shelved until 2014, the album presents a spooky, low-key direction the band could have pursued.
- Tim Sendra
Cabinet of Curiosities
Freaks R Us
AllMusic
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Archival collection from the pioneering post-punk band is as challenging and powerful as when it was recorded in 1978/1980.
- Mark Deming
Spin-O-Rama
Elefant
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The group's second post-reunion album is all original songs played with the same noisy pop brilliance they had in the '80s.
- Tim Sendra
You Know What to Do
K Records
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Fourth album from this '60s-obsessed garage outfit sounds the most authentically vintage of them all.
- Fred Thomas
Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave
Fat Cat / FatCat Records
AllMusic
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The band's fifth album offers some of its most musically and emotionally rich explorations of heartache yet.
- Heather Phares
Who Hits 50! [Bonus Track]
Geffen
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Solid double-disc collection of the basics from the Who, enlivened by a couple of left-field choices and the new "Be Lucky."
- Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Aquarius
RCA
AllMusic
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Pleasing and promising debut from a model and actor who vividly displays her talent as an R&B singer and songwriter.
- Andy Kellman
Film of Life
Jazz Village
AllMusic
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The great African drummer teams with the Jazzbastards for his first recording in seven years, and it's a stone killer.
- Thom Jurek
TV Eyes
Omnivore
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The lone and long out of print release from the electropop supergroup featuring members of Jellyfish and Redd Kross.
- Timothy Monger
Ultimate Painting
Trouble in Mind
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Relaxed collaboration between members of Mazes and Veronica Falls mixes parts of each band and comes out a winner.
- Tim Sendra
No Energy
Numero / Numero Group
AllMusic
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Third in a series of retrospective box sets of this Northwestern post-punk trio, this volume focuses on their mid-'90s output.
- Fred Thomas
Heartleap
Fat Cat / FatCat Records
AllMusic
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The British singer/songwriter releases her third -- and claims final -- album. Self-produced and edited, it is a tender, poignant masterpiece.
- Thom Jurek
1979 Now!
AED Records
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Fun and enlightening re-recording of Northern Soul-inspired lost demos made in 1979 by the underrated post-punk icon.
- Tim Sendra
Bach: Italian Concerto; French Overture; Aria Variata
Decca
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For established fans of Ashkenazy, his personality comes through here in full, and he seems to wrestle with Bach in the way true greats do.
- James Manheim
Center of Your Universe
Burger Records
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Wax Witches' Alex Wall delivers a smashing tribute to the yearning isolation of youth with a surprisingly subdued and muscular album.
- Gregory Heaney
Unravelling
Fat Cat / FatCat Records
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Working with producer Paul Savage, the Scottish group delivers some of its most vivid, hardest-hitting songs yet.
- Heather Phares
Everything Will Be Alright in the End
Island / Republic
AllMusic
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Rivers Cuomo and company reunite with producer Ric Ocasek and go back to their roots on this big, hooky, eccentric record.
- Stephen Thomas Erlewine
The Innocents
Mexican Summer
AllMusic
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Fantastic second album from this formerly noisy folk project steps up in terms of clarity and emotional weight.
- Fred Thomas
Then It All Came Down/You've Always Meant So Much to Me
Thrill Jockey
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JR Robinson and his large collective deliver a powerful new work that combines ambient, metal vanguard composition, and drones.
- Thom Jurek
Goats
Other Music Recording Company
AllMusic
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The Dirty Three's drummer and a virtuoso Cretan lutist assemble in a recording studio and create dizzying, kinetic, original music.
- Thom Jurek