Music Editorial Reviews
1. Conor Oberst, 'Conor Oberst' 
By Jeff Miller - August 5, 2008
The Bright Eyes troubadour is still himself on a rewarding solo effort
2. Sugarland, 'Love on the Inside'
By Andy Hermann - July 28, 2008
Country-pop’s dynamic duo turns out more big-hearted, sing-along tunes
3. Scars on Broadway, 'Scars on Broadway'
By Adam McKibbin - July 28, 2008
Melodic hard rock for the masses from one-half of System of a Down
4. Soulfly, 'Conquer'
By Kirk Miller - July 28, 2008
A thrash blast from the past reminds us of all that ‘heavy’ can be
5. Rick Springfield, 'Venus in Overdrive'
By Andy Hermann - July 28, 2008
‘80s pop icon is not aging gracefully
6. James Jackson Toth, 'Waiting in Vain'
By Adam McKibbin - July 28, 2008
Harmonic folk-pop recalls classic ‘70s sounds
7. Wild Sweet Orange, 'We Have Cause to Be Uneasy'
By Scott Thill - July 28, 2008
Crunchy yet airy indie pop tastes like citrus chicken
8. Nine Inch Nails, 'The Slip'
By Scott Thill - July 21, 2008
Trent Reznor keeps his digital fire alive
9. Miley Cyrus, 'Breakout'
By Andy Hermann - July 22, 2008
Disney’s ‘Hannah’ star is all grown up and ready to rock
10. Black Kids, 'Partie Traumatic'
By Scott Thill - July 21, 2008
Synth-pop throwbacks from provocatively named newcomers
11. CSS, 'Donkey'
By Michelle Lanz - July 21, 2008
Brazilian sextet is back with a cleaned up, crowd-pleasing pop sound
12. Amy Ray, 'Didn't It Feel Kinder'
By Scott Thill - July 21, 2008
Rough and ready solo effort from one half of the Indigo Girls
13. Dr. Dog, 'Fate'
By Matt Pais - July 21, 2008
Philly psychedelic rockers deliver appealing classic-rock jams
14. Paul Weller, '22 Dreams'
By Scott Thill - July 21, 2008
The Jam master's sprawling ninth album is a mixed but enjoyable bag
16. Low vs. Diamond, 'Low vs. Diamond'
By Jeff Miller - July 22, 2008
L.A.'s newest indie darlings struggle to figure out who they are
17. Benji Hughes, 'A Love Extreme'
By Jeff Miller - July 21, 2008
Debut album from a promising Southern songwriter gets lost in its own extremes
18. Sky Eats Airplane, 'Sky Eats Airplane'
By Kirk Miller - July 21, 2008
MySpace-approved punks bring the gift of “electronicore”...um, thanks?
19. David Banner, 'The Greatest Story Ever Told'
By Tamara Palmer - July 14, 2008
Revealing tales from Mississippi's top rapper-producer
20. John Mellencamp, 'Life Death Love and Freedom'
By Andy Hermann - July 14, 2008
The heartland rocker grows old gracefully on solid return to form
21. Nas, 'Untitled'
By Scott Thill - July 14, 2008
Street poet’s sharp insights strain beneath average soundtracking
22. The Hold Steady, 'Stay Positive'
By Adam McKibbin - July 14, 2008
Celebrated indie rockers inspire the masses, but not always with a steady hand
23. The Airborne Toxic Event, 'The Airborne Toxic Event'
By Scott Thill - July 14, 2008
Literary rockers set angst-filled debut for stun
24. Negativland, 'Thigmotactic'
By Adam McKibbin - July 14, 2008
Sound collage troublemakers try their hand at songwriting
25. Natalie Portman's Shaved Head, 'Glistening Pleasure'
By Kirk Miller - July 14, 2008
Attack of the nerdy white guys with synths and bad come-ons
26. Mugison, 'Mugiboogie'
By Tamara Palmer - July 14, 2008
Icelandic blues-rocker tributes Jesus and George Harrison
27. Beck, 'Modern Guilt'
By Adam McKibbin - July 7, 2008
Indie rock's top chameleon recruits Danger Mouse for a low-key psychedelic trip
28. Albert Hammond, Jr., '¿Como Te Llama?'
By Jeff Miller - July 7, 2008
The guitarist for the Strokes is all grown up
29. Greg Laswell, 'Three Flights From Alto Nido'
By Scott Thill - July 7, 2008
California singer-songwriter goes widescreen on sweeping third album
30. The Melvins, 'Nude With Boots'
By Scott Thill - July 7, 2008
Thunder riff vets stay gloriously the same
31. Jean Grae, 'Jeanius'
By Andy Hermann - July 7, 2008
Underground hip-hop star shines, even over fair-to-middling beats
32. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, 'Have Another Ball!'
By Kirk Miller - July 7, 2008
Covers supergroup indulges in more punked-up takes on Neil Diamond and Billy Joel
33. Ron Sexsmith, 'Exit Strategy of the Soul'
By Jeff Miller - July 7, 2008
Folk-pop lifer gets horn-y on 11th release
34. Ratatat, 'LP3'
By Adam McKibbin - July 7, 2008
Electronic duo mixes mellow and frantic instrumentals
35. Street Dogs, 'State of Grace'
By Kirk Miller - July 7, 2008
Boston street punks turn working class heroes on a hardcore throwback
36. Paramount Styles, 'Failure American Style'
By Scott Thill - July 7, 2008
Girls Against Boys singer digs deep on solo effort
37. The Black Ghosts, 'The Black Ghosts'
By Scott Thill - July 7, 2008
Club poppers conjure dance floor specters
38. Feral Children, 'Second to the Last Frontier'
By Kirk Miller - July 7, 2008
A buzzing Seattle band ‘Modest’-ly influenced by their sonic peers
39. Alkaline Trio, 'Agony & Irony'
By Scott Thill - June 30, 2008
Angst veterans still bring the noise, but with a slightly more grown-up point of view
40. Los Lonely Boys, 'Forgiven'
By Michelle Lanz - July 1, 2008
The stars of ‘Texican’ rock serve up a predictable but sturdy third effort
41. Vanessa Hudgens, 'Identified'
By Andy Hermann - June 30, 2008
The ‘High School Musical’ starlet sneaks out a dull sophomore disc
42. Relient K, 'Nashville Tennis EP/The Bird and the Bee Sides'
By Matt Pais - July 1, 2008
Twenty-six-track collection includes much filler and a couple handfuls of solid pop
43. Night Ranger, 'Hole in the Sun'
By Kirk Miller - June 30, 2008
Classic ‘80s rockers return…and they can, apparently, still rock in America
44. Tech N9ne, 'Killer'
By Tamara Palmer - June 30, 2008
Popular independent rapper murders his magnum opus
45. Earlimart, 'Hymn and Her'
By Adam McKibbin - June 30, 2008
Downbeat chamber pop from steadfast L.A. duo
46. Golden Animals, 'Free Your Mind and Win a Pony'
By Scott Thill - June 30, 2008
Retro-rock duo releases a postmodern upgrade
47. Kirsten Price, 'Guts and Garbage'
By Adam McKibbin - June 30, 2008
A sassy spin on soul music from a British diva (no, not that one)
48. Girl Talk, 'Feed the Animals'
By Matt Rodbard - June 23, 2008
ADD-friendly producer proves there’s still life in the mashup
49. Three 6 Mafia, 'Last 2 Walk'
By Tamara Palmer - June 23, 2008
It's hard out here for an Oscar-winning hip-hop act
50. Sigur Rós, 'með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust'
By Michelle Lanz - June 23, 2008
Icelandic foursome returns with a stellar and more accessible sonic masterpiece
51. Mötley Crüe, 'Saints of Los Angeles'
By Kirk Miller - June 23, 2008
Their best since ‘Dr. Feelgood’—which, unfortunately, isn’t saying much
52. G. Love & Special Sauce, 'Superhero Brother'
By Jeff Miller - June 23, 2008
Longtime dorm favorite phones it in
53. The Watson Twins, 'Fire Songs'
By Scott Thill - June 23, 2008
Southern sisters soft-rock you to somewhere
54. Bobby Digital, 'Digi Snacks'
By Scott Thill - June 23, 2008
Wu-Tang visionary slows down to smell the money
55. Less Than Jake, 'GNV FLA'
By Kirk Miller - June 23, 2008
Ska-punk diehards get back to their roots
56. Hercules and Love Affair, 'Hercules and Love Affair'
By Adam McKibbin - June 23, 2008
Disco strikes back, with a big assist from Antony and the DFA
57. Amos Lee, 'Last Days at the Lodge'
By Matt Pais - June 23, 2008
A fuller, more varied effort from a guy who’s still got soul
58. Alejandro Escovedo, 'Real Animal'
By Scott Thill - June 23, 2008
Latino alt-country legend gets punked
59. Anthony David, 'Acey Duecy'
By Tamara Palmer - June 23, 2008
Hip-hop soul from India.Arie’s first artist
60. Seun Kuti & Fela's Egypt 80, 'Seun Kuti & Fela's Egypt 80'
By Tamara Palmer - June 23, 2008
Fela Kuti’s son leads his Afro-beat band into the now
61. The Wombats, 'A Guide to Love, Loss & Desperation'
By Scott Thill - June 23, 2008
Bipolar pop anthems from a U.K. buzz band with wit to burn
62. Rose Hill Drive, 'Moon Is the New Earth'
By Jeff Miller - June 23, 2008
Young rockers emulate their ‘70s heroes, with mixed results
63. Coldplay, 'Viva La Vida'
By Adam McKibbin - June 16, 2008
Grander and denser, but still the same Coldplay you know and love (or hate)
64. Katy Perry, 'One of the Boys'
By Andy Hermann - June 16, 2008
A dazzling debut from the girl-kissing pop ingénue
65. The Offspring, 'Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace'
By Kirk Miller - June 16, 2008
SoCal punks enlist Metallica's producer to help beef up their sound
66. Wolf Parade, 'At Mount Zoomer'
By Matt Rodbard - June 16, 2008
Montreal art-rockers put down their side projects and release an adventurous set of jams
67. Grupo Fantasma, 'Sonidos Gold'
By Scott Thill - June 16, 2008
Prince's favorite Latin funk band releases its 'definitive album'
68. Silver Jews, 'Lookout Mountain Lookout Sea'
By Adam McKibbin - June 16, 2008
Rollicking, countrified folk-rock from indie veterans
69. The Notwist, 'The Devil, You + Me'
By Scott Thill - June 16, 2008
Berlin's sonic chameleons deliver cool rocktronica
70. Judas Priest, 'Nostradamus'
By Kirk Miller - June 16, 2008
Heavy metal stalwarts release their first concept album
72. Tilly and the Wall, 'o'
By Scott Thill - June 16, 2008
Child-like indie poppers flex some more grown-up muscles
73. Lil Wayne, 'Tha Carter III'
By Scott T. Sterling - June 9, 2008
Rap's biggest rising star still hasn't quite made his masterpiece...yet
74. My Morning Jacket, 'Evil Urges'
By Scott Thill - June 9, 2008
Indie rockers try to join the ranks of Prince and Kravitz? Go figure.
75. N.E.R.D., 'Seeing Sounds'
By Scott Thill - June 9, 2008
The Neptunes’ electro-funk band is back—and playing real instruments!
76. Jakob Dylan, 'Seeing Things'
By Matt Pais - June 9, 2008
Bob Dylan's son again proves he shouldn't just be known as Bob Dylan's son
77. Supergrass, 'Diamond Hoo Ha'
By Scott Thill - June 9, 2008
Another worthy effort from eclectic Britpop survivors
78. Alanis Morissette, 'Flavors of Entanglement'
By Andy Hermann - June 9, 2008
You oughta skip this overproduced attempt at a comeback
80. The Cool Kids, 'The Bake Sale EP'
By Andy Hermann - June 9, 2008
Much hyped Chicago duo flashes old-school beats and brainy rhymes
81. Joan as Police Woman, 'To Survive'
By Adam McKibbin - June 9, 2008
Elegant sophomore album from back-up singer turned solo chanteuse
82. The Fratellis, 'Here We Stand'
By Andy Hermann - June 9, 2008
Uber-catchy Brit-rockers’ second album is a mixed bag
83. Martha Wainwright, 'I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too'
By Adam McKibbin - June 9, 2008
Rufus’ husky-voiced sister reflects on failed relationships
84. Weezer, 'Weezer'
By Kirk Miller - June 2, 2008
The geek-rockers' 'Red Album' is their best in ages
85. Ashanti, 'The Declaration'
By Tamara Palmer - June 3, 2008
R&B singer finally finds her own voice
86. Ladytron, 'Velocifero'
By Adam McKibbin - June 2, 2008
Icy electro-pop encourages dancing and depression
87. Aimee Mann, '@#%&! Smilers'
By Andy Hermann - June 2, 2008
'Magnolia' soundtracker perks up on surprisingly bright, soulful effort
88. Bret Michaels, 'Rock My World'
By Matt Pais - June 2, 2008
VH1 star and Poison frontman continues to overstay his welcome
89. Fleet Foxes, 'Fleet Foxes'
By Adam McKibbin - June 2, 2008
Youthful Seattleites channel late ‘60s California pop
90. The Futureheads, 'This Is Not the World'
By Scott Thill - June 2, 2008
Angular Brit-rockers rev up some caffeinated anthems
91. Gavin Rossdale, 'Wanderlust'
By Tamara Palmer - June 2, 2008
Mr. Gwen Stefani pines for the ‘90s
92. Man Raze, 'Surreal'
By Scott Thill - June 2, 2008
A supergroup featuring members of Def Leppard and the Sex Pistols? Pretty surreal, alright.
93. From Bubblegum to Sky, 'A Soft Kill'
By Jeff Miller - June 2, 2008
Basement indie-pop hero has his head in the clouds
94. Opeth, 'Watershed'
By Kirk Miller - June 2, 2008
Swedish prog-metal maestros return with more full-throttle epics
95. The Virgins, 'The Virgins'
By Jeff Miller - June 2, 2008
New York quartet breaks its debut-album cherry
96. Ed Harcourt, 'The Beautiful Lie'
By Scott Thill - June 2, 2008
British balladeer courts the Coldplay crowd
97. Usher, 'Here I Stand'
By Andy Hermann - May 27, 2008
The long-awaited follow-up to ‘Confessions’ does not disappoint
98. Spiritualized, 'Songs in A&E'
By Matt Rodbard - May 28, 2008
Jason Pierce cheats death. The reward? An album about cheating death.
99. Al Green, 'Lay It Down'
By Tamara Palmer - May 22, 2008
Soul’s main reverend crafts a contemporary classic
100. Ellen Allien, 'Sool'
By Adam McKibbin - May 27, 2008
Queen of Berlin techno finds magic in minimalism
101. The Herbaliser, 'Same As It Never Was'
By Tamara Palmer - May 27, 2008
British—and Canadian!—hip-hop that doesn’t suck
102. Walter Meego, 'Voyager'
By Adam McKibbin - May 27, 2008
Daft Punk lovers lay down some old-school dance grooves
103. Midnight Juggernauts, 'Dystopia'
By Matt Rodbard - May 27, 2008
Australian trio keen on aping Justice, but with live instruments
104. Scarlett Johansson, 'Anywhere I Lay My Head'
By Adam McKibbin - May 19, 2008
A-list actress tackles her toughest part yet: Tom Waits interpreter
105. Foxboro Hot Tubs, 'Stop Drop and Roll!!!'
By Andy Hermann - May 20, 2008
These Bay Area garage rockers are no American idiots…or are they?
106. Jesse McCartney, 'Departure'
By Tamara Palmer - May 20, 2008
Are you ready for Jesse Mac? Former child star and teen pop idol tries R&B.
107. The Dresden Dolls, 'No, Virginia'
By Kirk Miller - May 19, 2008
An outstanding set of B-sides and outtakes from the goth-cabaret duo
108. The Ting Tings, 'We Started Nothing'
By Kirk Miller - May 19, 2008
Silly but catchy synth-rock, as heard on that new iPod ad
109. Islands, 'Arm's Way'
By Scott Thill - May 19, 2008
A diverse sophomore album from Canadian pop-rock weirdoes
110. The Wedding Present, 'El Rey'
By Scott Thill - May 19, 2008
Underrated Brit-rockers still sound vital more than two decades since their debut
111. Shy Child, 'Noise Won't Stop'
By Adam McKibbin - May 19, 2008
Keytar-and-drums duo branches out on entertaining third album
112. Death Cab for Cutie, 'Narrow Stairs'
By Adam McKibbin - May 12, 2008
Indie heroes' latest is not quite the radical departure some expected
113. Duffy, 'Rockferry'
By Matt Pais - May 12, 2008
A soulful British newcomer who’s more stable than you know who
114. Cherish, 'The Truth'
By Tamara Palmer - May 12, 2008
Atlanta sister act loves bad boys and ballads
115. Jason Mraz, 'We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.'
By Matt Pais - May 12, 2008
Vulnerability and creativity from a guy you wouldn’t expect to leave his comfort zone
116. The Old 97's, 'Blame It On Gravity'
By Jeff Miller - May 11, 2008
Alt-country faves return to form after disappointing '04 album
117. Ryan Cabrera, 'The Moon Under Water'
By Matt Rodbard - May 12, 2008
Ashlee Simpson's ex tries really, really hard to be taken seriously
118. We Are Scientists, 'Brain Thrust Mastery'
By Kirk Miller - May 12, 2008
Sounds like Brit-rock, comes from Brooklyn—no wonder England loves this band
119. The BellRays, 'Hard, Sweet and Sticky'
By Tamara Palmer - May 12, 2008
Maximum rock and soul from SoCal
120. Local H, 'Twelve Angry Months'
By Scott Thill - May 12, 2008
Grunge-era survivors still deliver thunderous riff rock and self-deprecating humor
121. The Black Angels, 'Directions to See a Ghost'
By Scott Thill - May 12, 2008
Swirling guitars for your angst-ridden soul from Texas psych-rockers
122. The Submarines, 'Honeysuckle Weeks'
By Jeff Miller - May 12, 2008
Husband-wife duo makes precious but pure '60s-tinged pop
123. Tobias Froberg, 'Turn Heads Now'
By Andy Hermann - May 12, 2008
Unheralded Swede turns out more lovely folk-pop nuggets
124. Emmanuel Jal, 'Warchild'
By Adam McKibbin - May 12, 2008
Former child soldier turns socially conscious rapper
125. Filter, 'Anthems for the Damned'
By Kirk Miller - May 12, 2008
'90s alt-rockers return with some politicals rants and forgettable tunes
126. From First to Last, 'From First to Last'
By Kirk Miller - May 5, 2008
Talented emo-rockers are still struggling to find their own identity
127. Neil Diamond, 'Home Before Dark'
By Adam McKibbin - May 5, 2008
No 'Sweet Caroline 2,' but a pleasing set from the folk-rock veteran
128. No Age, 'Nouns'
By Scott Thill - May 5, 2008
L.A. duo fuses punk, rock and electronica into something new and amazing
129. The Last Shadow Puppets, 'The Age of the Understatement'
By Andy Hermann - May 5, 2008
Arctic Monkeys singer lets bombast rule on retro-flavored side project
130. Tim Fite, 'Fair Ain't Fair'
By Tamara Palmer - May 5, 2008
Brooklyn rapper’s fifth album parks in the intersection of hip-hop, rock and country
131. Morning State, 'You Know People I Know People'
By Scott Thill - May 5, 2008
Atlanta newcomers are more than the sum of their punk and classic rock parts
132. The Morning Benders, 'Talking Through Tin Cans'
By Jeff Miller - May 5, 2008
Bay Area indie rockers shine on melodic debut
133. Firewater, 'The Golden Hour'
By Kirk Miller - May 5, 2008
A trip to Asia inspires world-beat rocker's latest
134. Dub Pistols, 'Speakers and Tweeters'
By Tamara Palmer - May 5, 2008
London beatmakers enlist a legendary singer to liven up their sound
135. Russian Circles, 'Station'
By Adam McKibbin - May 5, 2008
Chicago trio brings the instrumental thunder
136. Nik Freitas, 'Sun Down'
By Matt Pais - May 5, 2008
Low-key, sun-soaked pop for a lazy summer day
137. Madonna, 'Hard Candy'
By Andy Hermann - April 28, 2008
Great beats and hot guest stars can't quite save Madge's latest
138. The Roots, 'Rising Down'
By Scott Thill - April 28, 2008
A defiant classic for troubled times from Philly's leading hip-hop crew
139. Portishead, 'Third'
By Scott Thill - April 28, 2008
Dark trip-hop pioneers break their 11-year silence with an experimental bang
140. Dizzee Rascal, 'Maths + English'
By Adam McKibbin - April 28, 2008
Nimble Brit rapper branches out beyond grime
141. Puscifer, 'V Is for Viagra: The Remixes'
By Adam McKibbin - April 28, 2008
Tool frontman’s bawdy side project gets sliced and diced
142. Augustana, 'Can't Love, Can't Hurt'
By Jeff Miller - April 28, 2008
Rock balladeers behind the hit ‘Boston’ return
143. Robyn, 'Robyn'
By Andy Gillette - April 28, 2008
Swedish pop diva finally makes her grown-up return to the U.S.
144. Santogold, 'Santogold'
By Jeff Miller - April 29, 2008
Much-hyped newcomer unleashes a global dance party
145. Jamie Lidell, 'Jim'
By Tamara Palmer - April 29, 2008
British soul singer bids for happiest album of the year
146. Def Leppard, 'Songs from the Sparkle Lounge'
By Kirk Miller - April 29, 2008
‘80s hard rockers are still searching for a 21st century identity
147. Mindless Self Indulgence, 'If'
By Kirk Miller - April 29, 2008
Electro-industrial pranksters are the biggest band you've never heard of
148. Flight of the Conchords, 'Flight of the Conchords'
By Adam McKibbin - April 21, 2008
HBO comedy stars showcase songs from their first season
149. Ashlee Simpson, 'Bittersweet World'
By Tamara Palmer - April 22, 2008
Party rock that outclasses her sister, at least
150. Lyrics Born, 'Everywhere at Once'
By Matt Pais - April 21, 2008
More party-starting personality from one of our favorite rap voices
151. Billy Bragg, 'Mr. Love and Justice'
By Adam McKibbin - April 21, 2008
Strident protest singer mellows with age—a little
152. Atmosphere, 'When Life Gives You Lemons...'
By Scott Thill - April 21, 2008
Minnesota indie-hoppers continue to refine their cerebral style
153. El Perro del Mar, 'From the Valley to the Stars'
By Scott T. Sterling - April 22, 2008
Swedish ingénue imagines the greatest girl-group on the moon
154. Story of the Year, 'The Black Swan'
By Kirk Miller - April 21, 2008
More screamo-lite from St. Louis modern rockers
155. Tokyo Police Club, 'Elephant Shell'
By Matt Pais - April 21, 2008
One album in, Canadian indie rockers already sound more grown up
156. Blind Melon, 'For My Friends'
By Scott Thill - April 21, 2008
'90s alt-rockers' comeback is not as bad as it could have been
157. Mariah Carey, 'E=MC2'
By Tamara Palmer - April 15, 2008
The diva digs deeper into urban flavor on 'Emancipation' follow-up
158. The Kooks, 'Konk'
By Jeff Miller - April 14, 2008
Brit-rockers break from the pack with a larger-than-life frontman
159. Phantom Planet, 'Raise the Dead'
By Matt Rodbard - April 14, 2008
Former 'O.C.' soundtrackers stumble with uneven fourth record
160. Brian Jonestown Massacre, 'My Bloody Underground'
By Adam McKibbin - April 14, 2008
Shambolic 13th album from psych-rock misfits