AllMusic

The Foreign Exchange

Leave It All Behind

October 14, 2008

Alternative R&B

More than ever, Nicolay's mellow but moving productions have that lingering, memory-triggering effect mastered by the late J Dilla, while Phonte puts his sensitive singing voice to full use, providing a gently bittersweet tint. This is not just a unique and exceptional R&B album but also a soundtrack or means of communication -- when heat-of-the-moment resentment, a lump in the throat, or anxious longing get in the way -- for a real-life adult relationship.

- Andy Kellman

Tad

God's Balls

March 1, 1989

Alternative/Indie Rock

Of the original Seattle grunge bands, Tad were far and away the gnarliest, heavy as a bulldozer and just as destructive. Their 1989 debut, God's Balls, wasn't their best album, but for sheer sonic firepower, they never topped it. Tad Doyle and Gary Thorstensen were a guitar team who melted hard rock, punk, and noise rock influences into a hammer of the filthy gods, and every song drips with the best sort of bad karma.

- Mark Deming