In Depth by daniel s
Last week, news came through of the end of the Silver Jews; their frontman, David Berman, announced he was wrapping up the band after nearly twenty years. Here, briefly, is a eulogy of sorts for a very special and very underappreciated band.»
In Depth by daniel s
Welcome to the second part of Daniel Saunders' coverage of the election from the U.S. where he talks us through what happened just after America voted...
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News
by daniel s
Back in 2006, the debut album from Snowden was given an 8/10 review by this very site. It was a different time, and the album sounds as if it is all too aware that the 2008 presidential election was a distant, unfathomable event. Now, here, frontman Jordan Jeffares talks exclusively to DiS from Atlanta, Georgia on the approaching stampede to the White House.»
In Depth by daniel s
As part of DiS' Oh Obama Week..., Daniel Saunders has shoved some clean socks in a backpack, boarded a plane, some trains and various auto mobiles to document the last lap of the campaign trail. He's been to New York talking to strangers, visited Wallingford to hear McCain and has written the following from Chicago...
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News
by daniel s
In advance of a new album, the Silver Jews will be touring the UK and Ireland in May. Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea (reported on here) has been pencilled in for a US release in late June on Drag City, presumably near a similar UK date»
News
by daniel s
Following on from 2005's majestic Tanglewood Numbers, Silver Jews have announced a new album to be released in eary 2008...»
Review
by daniel s
Isn’t it splendid when artists are so helpful as to provide a handy visual equivalent of the succeeding album as the album’s cover itself? Saves time, no...»
Review
by daniel s
It is an unshakeable belief in their combined artistry that propels this record into godly stratospheres. Where some would find themselves buried under this conviction, Subtle take it, insert it, and run off it until their output resembles something like a Picasso painting: obtuse, disjointed and just so damn beautiful...»
Review
by daniel s
DFA's remixes are like butter. It may be good, efficient and healthy in small doses, but by crikey no one will be proclaiming their love it... »
Review
by daniel s
Lupe Fiasco, I like. With the axis of evil that is MTV-endorsed hip-hop, he’s the bridge to credibility that was once formed by Kanye West...»
Review
by daniel s
Really, you’ve made an altogether unique piece of shit here, haven’t you...»
Review
by daniel s
Air have arranged something I thought impossible – a compilation with longevity, mood and sonic exclusivity. This is like the ambassador throwing away his sodding chocolates and giving his guests a yacht and three free slaps of his permatanned face - a gem in the most generous way imaginable...»
Review
by daniel s
'An album that grabs you from the beginning'? No, this is like being pummelled by an abusive drunkard – them grinning from ear to ear - one hand on any particularly useful body part of yours, the other roundly helping your head find the adjacent wall... »
Review
by daniel s
If you boarded the good ship 'Jaxx back in the Nineties, Crazy Itch Radio won’t see you throwing yourself overboard any time soon. If you were waving it away from the shore, though, this won’t see you splashing your way through the sea to catch up...»
Review
by daniel s
Interesting, danceable and mixed with an abundance of love and care by Marc Mac, this would be a novel addition to anyone’s collection. Those phobic of the endless barrage of brash dance compilations advertised on television would do well to conquer their fear with this humble release...»
Review
by daniel s
This is the kind of album most at home in clubs designed to make those inside feel stunningly appealing; exuded from a modest sound system and left to its own devices it soothes rather than protrudes, allowing its inebriated inhabitants to continue on their merry meander...»
Review
by daniel s
A sort of caution to other artists toeing that fraudulent line between style and substance: whether you choose to be either one or in between, make up your mind...»
Review
by daniel s
From Nelly Furtado to Sugababes via Girls Aloud to Rhianna, pop's got attitude these days. But where does that leave our Beyoncé...»
Review
by daniel s
If, by any chance, your infatuation with any of these new-rave types - yuck - is heading the same way as the summer’s grasp on the atmosphere, perhaps you need a little menace - something autumnal perchance, with a bit of oomph... »
Review
by daniel s
British Sea Power don’t ‘do’ summer, clearly. Blessed with curating this, the first annual Fort Rox mini-festival on a scheduled day in mid-August, the quartet seemed to have opted for an entirely miserable bunch to soundtrack the majestic walls of Newhaven Fort. It’s enough to make the sun bugger off entirely...»
Review
by daniel s
The perfect summer song for all those extended sunny days - joyous, humourous, inventive and ultimately smart. Here's hoping for a summer of Sol... in the artist and Spanish sense...»
Review
by daniel s
If a score of seven out of ten for an emo record is going to bother you, or cause you immense personal stress, please don't read into this review any further...»
Review
by daniel s
Cansei de Ser Sexy are hideous liars. I can hardly tell if they really do want to make love and listen to Death From Above...»
Review
by daniel s
Unlikely to entice newcomers with its unwillingness to reach out openly to ignorant ears, Africa Plays On is nevertheless a delightful re-education to those interested in African music... »
Review
by daniel s
Considering this is an acoustic cover of an idolised electro-pop song and taking into account the bitterness surrounding José González overshadowing The Knife, it’s fairly easy to see why this single has attracted much criticism...»
Review
by daniel s
Out now The label’s motto, bellowed at you like a foghorn to your ear canal: Half/Half are a different kind of label with eclecticism in their blood - psych-folk to lo-fi metal to drone to techno to whatever.»
News
by daniel s
Ratatat announce details of their second album. Dancing geeks everywhere, REJOICE...»
News
by daniel s
Hot-as-hell Swedish folksters come to Britain for a good few shows. They'll more than likely be brilliant as well.
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Review
by daniel s
Like taking Death From Above 1979 to a pub to tell them you’re sleeping with both their sisters and then recording them vent their fury in a drunken, filthy karaoke session down the hall. And as much as that sounds enticing, it’s decidedly flaccid.»
Review
by daniel s
In my mind, I see a well. In this dark, neverending well, piled one on top of the other, are the bands that seem to exist with the sole purpose of slagging other bands off. Covering their exit: a large slab of rock seating the collective beings of Jakobinarina.»