Review
by Bruce Porter
No matter the variety of styles, the multiple layers of instrumentation and the revolving cast of musicians, Destroyer remains at its core a shabby, tousled-haired poet with an acoustic guitar slung over his shoulder.»
In Depth by Bruce Porter
As part of our 10-week “DiS is 10!” celebration, we’ve asked 50 of our favourite people to tell us about one of their favourite albums of the past 10 years. Here, DiS contributor Bruce Porter (aka OceanRain) shares his choice.
On the face of it, Th»
Review
by Bruce Porter
On We Built A Fire Seabear address past shortcomings. »
Review
by Bruce Porter
At some point in the planning stages, These New Puritans front man Jack Barnett must have said: 'Okay, we can either stick to our guns, make another pretty-decent record, or we can go for broke'. I mean, how else does writing a collection of songs around a bassoon come about? »
Review
by Bruce Porter
As admirable as Goddard’s synth talents are, it’s hard to discount the notion that Harvest Festival is inferior to any number of Warp acid house and techno releases. Off the dance floor the tunes are too sterile to fully embrace.»
Review
by Bruce Porter
While fans will be pleased with Eitzel doing what he does best, turning alcoholic rants into strangely evocative allegories, it’d be nice to hear the musical backdrop afforded greater opportunities to punctuate his lyrics. »
Review
by Bruce Porter
In the two years since the Dodos caught their big break, opening for Les Savy Fav and later Akron/Family, they have signed to Wich»
Review
by Bruce Porter
The Dandy Warhols have never made it easy to approach their act as anything much more than cleverly stupid, vacant and insincere r»
In Depth by Bruce Porter
David Berman may have retired from Silver Jews for now, but his unmatched version of American Surrealism will continue to define one strand of the perennnially tangled Alt Country...»
Review
by Bruce Porter
In what amounts to a peek behind the curtain of Deerhunter’s reverb compositions thus far, Microcastle justifies our expectations for greatness»
Review
by Bruce Porter
If you still need convincing that timeless pop tunes can be made, Canopy’s debut EP aims to make you a believer again»
Review
by Bruce Porter
Soft Abuse should voluntarily consider a parental advisory sticker. No, nothing so mundane as foul language, depictions of sex and»
Review
by Bruce Porter
Wolf Parade's anticipated second album finds the Canadians delivering a collection that's great as a whole, but seems to be without many standout songs»
Review
by Bruce Porter
It's disappointing watching French Kicks dog-paddling on their fourth LP when we’ve seen glimpses of how good they are at freestyle»
Review
by Bruce Porter
Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea is the logical next chapter in Silver Jews' manuscript, one which has had us hooked since its opening lines»
Review
by Bruce Porter
Duos tend to take a minimalist approach with their sound and this is almost certainly the case for bands laying a folk foundation.»
Review
by Bruce Porter
Destroyer’s Daniel Bejar is possibly better known for his contributions to The New Pornographers when he should be an icon in his own right. Then again, something as beautiful as Trouble In Dreams should remain our secret»
Review
by Bruce Porter
Monochromatic guitars on Real Emotional Trash can feel transparent without the playful twists which made Pavement all time greats, but it's superfluous to compare phases of Stephen Malkmus’ career in this way»
Review
by Bruce Porter
Perhaps a lack of originality will keep the purists from unabashed devotion, but I fail to envision too many from not giving this LP the thumbs up. There are an overwhelming number of positive forces behind this album relative to its negatives. Indeed, many DiS readers, I suspect, will have a new favorite record.»