SUPERGRASS: DIAMOND HOO HA (ASTRALWERKS) *** On 2005's "Road To Rouen," Supergrass revealed a new maturity, both in its songwriting and in the painstaking production and arrangements. ...more

August 29, 2008

WYE OAK IF CHILDREN (MERGE) *** Wye Oak's girl-boy, guitar-drums lineup may scream indie rock, but the Maryland duo shows plenty of dad-rock influences, from the Simon & Garfunkel wistfulness of "Regret" to the Pink Floyd narcolepsy of "Archaic Smile" and the "Muswell Hillbillies"-era Kinks feel of "A Lawn to Mow." ...more

June 26, 2008

ERIC MATTHEWS: THE IMAGINATION STAGE (EMPYREAN) **½ Eric Matthews albums are frustrating affairs. His chamber-pop arrangements are never less than gorgeous but they tend to overwhelm his fragile melodies. His singing, a head-down whisper so low you suspect he doesn't wish to be overheard, doesn't help either. ...more

January 31, 2008

ST. VINCENT: MARRY ME (XL) ***½ One spin of 'Marry Me' and listeners may be ready to propose to Annie 'St. Vincent' Clark - if not marriage, then at least a long-term musical relationship. ...more

October 5, 2007